Teaching Internship Information

Course of Study

Teaching Internship Application

The Internship For Certified Teachers
The internship for Certified Teachers provides an opportunity for novice teachers and those considering re-entry into the profession to have a year's experience in a public school setting while pursuing either a Master's Degree or a Certificate of Advanced Study.

During the Internship year, interns assume a variety of responsibilities which vary according to their placement. Responsibilities generally include substituting, small group instruction, individual instruction or assisting in a classroom. Generally, the principal of the school determines the responsibilities assigned to the intern. Interns become members of the school community and attend meetings, professional growth activities, and other functions.

While in the program, interns also work on their advanced degree. Each semester, interns attend a weekly non-credit seminar which focuses on issues pertinent to their internship experience. In return for the intern's service, the school district deposits $12,000 with Fairfield University. This amount is banked for interns to draw upon for courses taken at Fairfield University toward their degree. Hence, the funds received for the intern's services help to defray a major portion of the tuition costs for the degree the intern is pursuing.

Both the interns and the school district benefit from this liaison. Interns receive valuable hands-on experience as well as a chance to demonstrate their capabilities. Employment opportunities for interns are also enhanced since many school districts hire them for full-time teaching positions, providing they demonstrate the qualities and attributes being sought in teacher candidates. School districts benefit from having additional competent staff members on call to handle a variety of professional responsibilities, and from being able to observe potential job candidates for an entire school year in the performance of their duties.

The Internship For Non-Certified Teachers
The Internship for Non-Certified Teachers provides prospective teachers with an opportunity to do field work in their future profession while at the same time pursuing a Master's Degree or a Certificate of Advanced Study. This program is offered to graduate students in several certification programs.

The responsibilities of the non-certified interns differ according to placement but are similar to those assumed by teachers who are in the Internship for Certified Teachers. They include substituting, small group instruction, individual instruction or assisting in the classroom. In the elementary school setting, interns may be assigned to a mentor teacher in order to gain exposure to an exemplary teacher.

While participating in the internship program, interns take courses toward their advanced degree and teacher certification. If, during their internship, they are enrolled in a class requiring field work, the internship experience may be used to meet that requirement if the course instructor approves. Interns are supervised closely by a faculty member from the University and attend a non-credit weekly seminar on issues related to professional development. The internship program does not substitute for the state-required student teaching experience.

In return for the non-certified intern's work in the school, the school district deposits $12,000 with Fairfield University. This amount is banked for interns to draw upon for graduate courses taken at Fairfield University in pursuit of their degree and their certification.

The deadline for submitting an application for an internship placement is June 15th for the coming year. All interns must be formally admitted.

For Program information, contact:

Dr. Joseph A. Ricciotti
(203) 254-4000 ext. 2284
jricciotti@mail.fairfield.edu

Internship application deadlines:

• Applications for admission are reviewed on a rolling basis, however, the application must be received by June 15 at the latest, for placement in the coming academic year. Spring internships are sometimes available. The application deadline for the spring semester is October 15.

Assistantships and financial aid:

• A limited number of graduate assistantships are awarded each year to formally admitted active students. To be considered, contact the Dean's office, (203) 254-4250 for an application. You may also be considered for an assistantship after your admission by contacting the program director.
• In addition, you may obtain information about financing your advanced degree from the University's Financial Aid Office, ext. 2152.

For application information and catalogs, contact:

Dean's Office, Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions

Fairfield University
Canisius Hall, Room 102
Fairfield, CT 06824
Telephone: (203) 254-4250
Fax: (203) 254-4241
E-Mail: graded@mail.fairfield.edu