Clinical Experiences

Placements are coordinated between the NIU College of Education and surrounding school districts to give teacher-licensure candidates practical clinical experiences they need prior to earning formal licensure and securing teaching positions.

Undergraduate early clinical experiences occur during the first three semesters of the professional block (fall and spring of junior year and fall of senior year) for teacher-licensure candidates. During early clinicals students move from observing to assisting to teaching over the course of these three semesters with concurrent coursework and assignments that match their increased level of responsibilities in the classroom. The goal is to rotate early clinical experiences (grade level and districts/buildings) each of these semesters to give students a wide variety of experiences to help them determine the grade level and/or area they would like to pursue upon graduation.

Sequence of Early Clinical Experiences by Degree Program

Note: Special Education Vision experiences are coordinated within the program due to the complexities of placements. Off-campus specialty cohort experiences will be communicated by program advisors.

Clinical Experience Intent Form

All teacher-licensure candidates will complete and submit the clinical experience intent form by the due date listed below to communicate their preferred placement region. Students will also provide relevant information that will assist with the overall placement process. Students who submit their forms on time will be guaranteed a placement. Students who submit forms after the due date are not guaranteed a placement. Our placement coordinator will communicate your placement by the date listed so there is no need to send additional communications to inquire about your placement before this date.

Policy Review

All teacher-licensure candidates must review the following policies prior to participating in their first early clinical experience.

• NIU Student Code of Conduct (PDF)
• ISBE Code of Ethics (PDF)

Required Training

All teacher-licensure candidates must complete the following training prior to participating in their first clinical experience.

• School Safety Tutorial
• Mandated Reporter Training

Please email your completion certificates to coe_placements@niu.edu.

Required Tasks

Create ELIS Account

Fill out the account information required. Use a personal email, not your Z-ID email.

• Upon completion, at the top right corner of the page, it will say “Welcome (your name)”, with your IEIN number. This number is very important. We need this number in your student file, so we can see your completed licensure tests. Write your IEIN number down.
• Once you have your account established, click on “Edit your Contact Information” in the center of the page and fill in your contact information.
• You can access your state test results by logging into your established account and selecting the Educator tab at the top of the page.

Email your IEIN number to coe_placements@niu.edu.

Email your unofficial transcript to coe_placements@niu.edu.

Email your resume to coe_placements@niu.edu. For resume support, please visit our educator licensure resources page.