THE PURPOSE OF CLINICAL PRACTICE
Effective teachers have the greatest opportunity to positively impact student learning and clinical practice is a key element in building that foundation. To prepare future TK-12 educators for today's classrooms, candidates, like yourself, create opportunities to connect what you have learned in practice under the watch of skilled educators. This practice is a great reinforcer of learning by doing and prepares you to enter the classroom with confidence in your ability as you embark on your career.
We work closely with local school districts in pairing candidates with appropriate placements that result in you learning how to successfully work closely with colleagues, students, and even community.
These school district partnerships also ensure the Teacher Preparation Program is consistently designing and delivering curriculum based on the critical needs of our student population.
Clinical Practice is often referred to as Student Teaching and may be used interchangeably pending district preference.
HOW DO YOU GET PLACED?
Teacher Preparation Program administration is responsible for identifying student teaching placements with strong cooperating (mentor) teachers and will match experienced University Mentors to your educational and career goals.
After you submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR), submit our Clinical Practice Interest Form. 
School Placement and MOU Processing
Clinical placements are arranged by the program team once you submit the Clinical Practice Interest Form. Please understand that securing district agreements (MOUs) is managed through UC Merced’s legal office and district legal teams and may take several weeks—or longer. While we prioritize timely placement, submission of the form does not guarantee any specific school or district assignment.
The MOUs are initiated by the UC Merced Legal Team. UC Merced Teacher Preparation Program is responsible for the placements, and placements are not automatic. Securing placements is a long process, and other universitys from the area are also placed in the same districts. You will be contacted as soon as possible with your placement and updated along the way.
>> Submit your Clinical Practice Interest Form for EDUC X303 as soon as possible to initiate school district agreement processes. Delays in submission may impact placement timelines.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
During your clinical practice time, you will work directly with students and develop lesson plans under the guidance of an experienced educator who serves as your mentor. Cooperating teachers will help guide you in modeling classroom management strategies, how to use creative institutional strategies, and any general guidance as you become accustomed to the classroom environment. This is completed over the fall and spring semesters.
