M.S.Ed. in Instructional Technology Field Experience

You must complete a field experience as part of your M.S.Ed. in instructional technology degree. Experiences can take place in a range of settings and are a valuable opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge.

To get academic credit for your experience, you'll enroll in either ETT 569: Practicum or ETT 586: Internship, depending on your degree track and work history. If you need more than one semester for your experience, you should register for the course only in the semester in which you'll complete your hours.

If you have any questions, contact field experience coordinator Olha Ketsman at 815-753-9687 or oketsman@niu.edu.

Getting Started

Before you can start work on your hours, you must secure an appropriate location and identify a field supervisor to oversee your experience. Then, you'll work with your field supervisor to create a list of goals/objectives for your experience, which must be approved by the field experience coordinator.

You can complete hours in any setting that allows you to meet your goals/objectives. Some settings, including schools, may require you to complete a criminal background check and TB test. Experiences in schools also have a diversity requirement.

Required Registration

Access the Field Experience form and be sure to complete all items:

• Introduction and Instructions
• Independent Study and Individualized Project Contract Form
• Registration Checklist and Screening Form
• Field Experience Goals/Objectives Form
• Agreement for Internship or Practicum Study Form

Documenting and Evaluating Experiences

You must document your field experience activities and hours by date. A spreadsheet or table is a good way to do this. At the end of the semester in which you're registered for the field experience course, you must submit your documentation as part of a portfolio.

Field experience evaluation procedures include:

• Field supervisor evaluation
• Site visit/meeting with field experience coordinator
• Field experience portfolio (available in Blackboard)

Instructional Technology Generalist

The generalist track requires ETT 569: Practicum (three credits, 100 hours). However, you can register for ETT 586: Internship (six credits, 200 hours) if your project warrants it.

K-12 Technology Specialist Certification

If you have prior/current experience as a technology teacher, technology coordinator or similar position approved by the field experience coordinator, you'll register for ETT 569: Practicum (three credits, 100 hours).

If you don't have prior/current experience in a technology teacher/coordinator or similar position, you'll register for ETT 586: Internship (six credits, 200 hours).

At least half of your hours must in a K-12 setting under the supervision of a certified technology specialist. Your other hours can be in other technology settings (K-12, university, public, etc.).

Initial Professional Educator Licensure

If you're seeking an initial professional educator license in conjunction with TS certification, you must complete an initial field experience (three credits, 100 hours) before your TS field experience.