Students seeking Indiana licensure in teacher education are required to complete field experiences in which they observe and participate in classrooms and youth-serving agencies. These activities are offered as co-requisites to other professional education courses. Most sites are in and around Bloomington, and several visits are required each semester. Students who anticipate difficulty in finding transportation to field sites should work with the Office of Clinical Experiences (ED 1000) to make arrangements, including but not limited to carpooling. A fee is assessed in connection with these field experiences.

All sites require a criminal history check that students purchase to be allowed to participate. Convicted felons cannot hold a teaching license in Indiana, and placement sites may deny a field placement or student teaching assignment based on a misdemeanor or felony conviction. Individual school sites may require proof of a recent physical exam, TB test, drug test, and first aid/CPR training before participating in field placements and student teaching. For more information about early field experiences, refer to the Early Field Experience Student Handbook.