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Internships and Student Teaching

Why intern with PWCS?

  • Each student teacher or intern is placed with a master educator recommended by program, content, and school leaders.
  • Cooperating teachers are provided the opportunity to complete division-based training in instructional coaching.
  • Student teachers are invited to participate in professional learning, including educator support sessions, providing the opportunity to engage with beginning educators and teacher leaders, and the Student Teaching/Internship Conference with leaders from the Human Resources Department and representatives from the Professional Learning Department.
  • PWCS hires hundreds of educators annually to keep pace with our growing school division.

Learn more about Placement for Field Experiences, Practicum Students, Student Teachers, and Interns.

Requirements

No later than July 1 (for fall placement) or November 1 (for spring placement), students interested in completing a practicum or internship with PWCS must complete all requirements for Practicum Students, Interns, and Student Teachers.

View internship application requirements for Practicum Students, Interns, and Student Teachers

  1. Request your college/university supervisor to complete the PWCS Student Teacher, Internship, Practicum, and Field Placement Request Form on your behalf.
  2. Complete a PWCS Substitute/Temporary online application. Upload a current resume, unofficial transcript(s), and a reference (this could be from your cooperating teacher or college/university supervisor).
    How to Apply
  3. Obtain a negative Tuberculosis (TB) test result (PDF) dated within the last 12 months at a medical facility of your choosing.
  4. Read, print, and complete the acknowledgment form for Regulation 511-10 (Attachment II). Provide the completed form to your assigned school on the first day you report. If you are placed in multiple schools, please provide the completed form to each school.

If you are a current employee, including a substitute, and you have already completed this process within the last 6 months, you do not need to do so again at this time.

Requesting Placement

To request Student Teaching, Internship, Practicum, and Field Placements, a college/university supervisor (not interns/students) must complete the request form.

  • Opportunities include:

    • Athletic trainers
    • Occupational therapists
    • Physical therapists
    • School counselors
    • School librarians
    • Social workers
    • Speech-language pathologists
    • Teachers

Field Experiences and Observations

Field Observations of 40 Hours or Less

The university representative can directly contact the school once cleared by the Human Resources Department. Per Regulation 511.10-1, any student who will be in a school for 15 hours or more weekly must complete our online substitute/temporary application (PDF) and be fingerprinted.

Students should provide a copy of their syllabus and any related assignments to the school to support the request.

Field Experiences That Require Direct Contact with Students

The university representative should contact the Human Resources Department for approval. Per Regulation 595-1, field experiences that consist of observations in classrooms or schools shall be approved and placed at the discretion of the school principal and in accordance with procedures established with the college or university and Human Resources Department.

Colleges/universities should submit to the Recruitment and Retention Coordinator a list of all students completing observations or field experiences in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS).

Future educators may apply for student teaching and internships in PWCS through their college or university.

Have questions?

Contact the Recruitment and Specialty Programs Office.