Urban Teacher Program (UTP) Student Handbook

  1. Home
  2. I. UTP Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles
  3. II. UTP Standards of Professional Conduct
  4. III. Seeking Admission to the UTP
  5. IV. Advising, Financial Aid, and other Support
  6. V. Program Factsheets of Required Courses, Completion Worksheets, and Course Transfer Info
  7. VI. Required Field Experiences
    1. What is Urban?
    2. How do I get a placement?
    3. Expectations and Policies
    4. Field Experience Checkpoints towards Licensure
    5. Background Checks
    6. Application to Student Teach
      1. Sample Resumes & Essays
    7. Student Teaching Handbooks
  8. VII. Standards, Required Assessments & Exams
  9. VIII. Graduation, Program Completion & Licensure
  10. IX. School of Urban Education and University Policies
  11. X. Expressing Complaints, Providing Suggestions and Other Feedback
  12. XI. Help Using TaskStream
  13. XII. Forms
Home > VI. Required Field Experiences > How do I get a placement?

How do I get a placement?

Placement Process for Hours Required for UTP Admission

A minimum of 40 hours of experiences with diverse youth in urban settings are required for admission.  These experiences may occur in a school setting or in the community (e.g., after school programs, summer programs, recreation/community center programs, library tutoring, etc.).  These placements can be found on your own and the UTP can assist.    There are many resources with contact information for approved organizations in the Urban Teacher Program Information site on D2L.   Contact the Director of Field Experiences at (651) 999-5925 or utp-field@metrostate.edu for placement assistance.

Practicum Placements after admission and before student teaching

After admission to the UTP, a minimum of 120 hours of experiences are required in urban classrooms within the licensure area you are seeking.   These experiences need to be with a cooperating teacher licensed in the area you are planning to obtain.   Upon admission, you are strongly encouraged to establish a "home base" or school(s) where you will be completing most if not all of your field experiences prior to student teaching.  Developing relationships over time can be best for your learning and E-12 students' learning.   You are also encouraged to vary your placements with different teachers in different classrooms, schools and/or districts.   Varied experiences also contribute important lessons to your learning.

The Director of Field Experiences assists in making these placements if you do not already have a connection to an urban school/classroom/teacher in your licensure area.   You are NOT encouraged to contact schools on your own if you don't know anyone there already.   Contact the Director of Field Experiences at (651) 999-5925 or utp-field@metrostate.edu for placement assistance.

Student Teaching Placements

  • Early Childhood Candiates: 15 total weeks full-time at two different age levels (10 wks, 5 wks)
  • Elementary Candidates:  12 total weeks full-time in one placement
  • Secondary Candidates:   12 total weeks full-time in one placement

Student teaching placements are formally requested by the Director of Field Experiences on your behalf after your application to student teach has been approved by your UTP faculty advisor.   If you have developed a relationship with a cooperating teacher or you have a specific interest in an urban school or district, you have the opportunity to state those preferences in your Individualized Student Teaching Plan (ISTP).   Students do NOT make their own placements.   

Author: Urban Teacher Program Manager
Last modified: 8/6/2023 8:11 PM (EST)