Application For Student Teaching/School Counseling

This is the Student Teaching/School Counseling Application for all Saint Joseph's University students wishing to student teach or become a school counselor. This includes, but is not limited to, undergraduate, graduate, local, distance, online, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education students, and Education Specialist certifications.

Fall 2026: Application Form

Applications for Fall 2026 student teaching/school counseling are NOW being accepted by the Office of Clinical Experiences. If you are planning to student teach or complete your internship for school counseling in the Fall 2026 semester, applications for the Fall 2026 semester are Due: January 30, 2026.

Please note, that NO applications will be accepted after January 30, 2026.

Fall 2026: Graduate Application For Student Teaching/School Counseling

Fall 2026: Undergraduate Application For Student Teaching

Criteria for ALL Applicants:

Clearances:

Clearances valid through the end of the student teaching semester must be in your possession and uploaded to EXXAT prior to starting student teaching. Full details can be found on the Background Clearance webpage.

Graduate Student who are Student Teaching or an Educational Specialist that are out of state and wish to seek PA Certification:

For any student seeking an Instructional I or Education Specialist certification (22 Pa. Code § 354.25(f)) at an entity outside of Pennsylvania MUST complete at least 50% of their student teaching in a Pennsylvania school. The 50% of student teaching MUST be completed in either a virtual or brick and motor setting. No more than 50% of the candidate’s field experience will be completed at an out-of-state or out-of-country placement. This includes field experiences (i.e., student teaching, internships, and clinical experiences) in an entity in another state or country.
If a candidate completes a PA EPP, and student teaches in another state, you will need to obtain certification in the state in which you student taught (outside of PA). You may apply for a PA certification under the reciprocity path as an out-of-state teacher.
This policy INCLUDES School Counselors.

Student Teaching Criteria for Applicants:

Prior to securing a placement, students MUST meet the following criteria:

For Student Teachers:

Applicants must have a G.P.A. of 3.00 or higher in all courses.
Applicants must have completed all of the required Education coursework (if unsure, please see advisor).
Applicants must have background clearances valid through the end of the student teaching semester. You must be in your possession of your clearances. These clearances must be uploaded to EXXAT
If you need new clearances, please follow the (Step-by-step instructions for the clearance process for Student Teaching can be found here.)
Graduate students who are currently employed with a school or district may upload a letter to EXXAT from their employer stating their clearances are in good standing order
You must be in your possession of your clearances. They must be brought with you to your student teaching host school on the first day..

For Secondary Education Undergraduate and Secondary Education PLS Students:

An endorsement letter from your content department chair stating that you have at least a 2.75 G.P.A. in your content area.

About Resumes and Cover Letters:

Undergraduate students are required to upload resumes and cover letters at the time of submitting their application.
Resumes and cover letters may be requested for graduate student placements, but they are not required. No resume or cover letter is necessary if you teach in your own classroom.
Resume and Cover Letter Exemplars can be found on the Undergraduate Canvas Advising Site (Resume and Cover Letter Samples)

School Counseling Criteria for Applicants:

Prior to securing a placement, students MUST meet the following criteria:

For School Counseling Students:

Applicants must have completed their prerequisite coursework (if unsure, please see advisor).
Applicants must have background clearances valid through the end of the academic year you are assigned through. You must be in your possession of your clearances. These clearances must be shared with both your faculty and site supervisors. They must be brought with you to your host school on the first day.
Students must prepare a cover letter written for the site they are interested in being placed at, and ensure their resume is current. See this resource from the SJU Career Center for support with supplemental application materials.

Office of Clinical Experiences

Dr. Rich Levy rlevy@sju.edu