Forms and Resources

• Application for Student Teaching
• Agreement Form
• College of Fine Arts Teacher Preparation Program Training Modules
• Coursework Checklists:
  • Coursework Checklist: BFA in Art with Teaching Option
  • Coursework Checklist: MA in Art with Teaching Option
  • Coursework Checklist: BM in Music Education
• Emergency Procedures Form
• FERPA Online Training Module and Instructions
• Fingerprint Clearance Information
• Institutional Recommendation (IR) Request: fill out this online form
• Institutional Recommendation (IR): Sample of Criminal History Portion, for reference only
• Insurance Coverage for UA Internship Disclosure
• InTASC Standards
• ISTE Standards (International Society for Technology in Education Standards - 2021)
• Mandatory Reporting Online Modules and Training . Mandatory Reporting Online Modules and Training (ALT - if other site is down)
• Mandatory Reporting Notetaker - Blank
• Midterm and Final Evaluation (Fillable PDF)
• Midterm and Final Evaluation (Word Doc)
• NES Test Information
• NES Test Framework
• Phase-In Schedule
• Professional Standards Student Contract
• Professional Expectations for UA Educator Prep Programs
• School District Clearance Forms:
  • TUSD Student Teacher Clearance Form and TUSD Volunteer Form (fill out and submit both of these for TUSD placements)
  • Sahuarita Clearance Form for ST Placements
• Suicide Prevention, Intervention, & Response Notecatcher
• Teacher Candidate Guidebook
• Time Card
• Time Card - Filled Out Sample
• Presentation: Career Advisement Session
• Presentation: Orientation for Student Teacher Applicants
• Presentation: Professional Development Conference Part I
• Presentation: Professional Development Conference Part II

Evaluations, Forms, and Information

• Teacher Candidate Guidebook
• Driver POV Form: Authorization Form for Use of Personal Vehicle
• Driver Registration and Motor Vehicle Records Check
• Driver POV Form: Authorization Form for Use of Personal Vehicle
• Mileage Reimbursement Form
• Mileage: Example Form with Map
• Midterm and Final Evaluation (Word Doc)
• Midterm-Final Evaluation Rubrics for Each Indicator
• Observation and Conference Form
  • Observation and Conference Form (PDF)
  • Observation and Conference Form (Word)
• Paperwork Due at end of Semester
• Phase-In Schedule
• Professional Expectations for UA Educator Prep Programs
• Time Card
• UA PPP Due Process Flow Chart
• UA PPP Performance Concern Form and Response to Performance Concern Form
• UA PPP Professional Growth Plan

Please contact director of field experience Dr. Karin Nolan (knolan@arizona.edui) for more information and to be added to our roster of partners.

Mentoring: Are you a certified music or art teacher in the state of Arizona and would like to be considered for mentoring a student teacher from the University of Arizona? The minimum state requirements are: at least three years full-time teaching experience in your area (music or art) and current teacher certification from the state of Arizona in your area (music or art). Different schools and districts have additional requirements to be eligible to be a mentor teacher (please check with your administrator). We are always looking to add to our roster of amazing arts educators to help mentor the future of music and art educators. Our student teachers partner with the mentor teacher for an entire semester at the end of their degree program. They are with you full time for a minimum of 15 weeks and follow your school site’s calendar for the semester.

Supervising: Are you a retired music educator who would like to continue to shape the future of music education? We are grateful to individuals who have the time and desire to work as student teacher supervisors. Supervisors are responsible for conducting regular teaching observations and coaching sessions for our student teachers. Supervisors work closely with the student teachers, mentor teachers, and U of A faculty to help guide students through a successful student teaching experience. Ideal candidates for these positions have successfully taught public school music for many years and have the time in their schedules to regularly visit schools during normal school hours.

At the onset of the educator preparation program, all students must submit evidence of going through the College of Fine Arts Teacher Preparation Program Training Modules to the our D2L “College of Fine Arts Teacher Prep Programs” Page. For any questions or if you cannot access the D2L Page, please contact program director, Dr. Karin Nolan at: knolan@arizona.edu.

Important: No one is allowed to student teach without an IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card, and the process takes approximately two months. Please get fingerprinted ASAP if you do not already have a clearance card or if your current card is scheduled to expire within a couple of months. For more information, see Fingerprint Clearance Information.

Student Teacher Application Orientation

It is required that you attend the Student Teacher Orientation Meeting the semester prior to student teacher. RSVP to the appropriate Orientation Date (semester prior to your intended student teaching semester) to Dr. Karin Nolan (knolan@arizona.edu) as soon as possible and indicate whether you are art education or music education. The one-hour mandatory orientations are held at the beginning of each semester.

Steps to Apply for Student Teaching:

Make sure that at the beginning of your academic program/degree in either music or art education, that you complete the College of Fine Arts Teacher Preparation Program Training Modules on the D2L Course “College of Fine Arts Teacher Prep Program” and upload all required files to the D2L assignment dropbox. There are directions regarding how to access these on the training slides, but if you cannot access the D2L course, please contact Dr. Karin Nolan (knolan@arizona.edu) for enrollment. Students must remain current on these training materials throughout their academic program, and no student may apply for student teaching without evidence of completion.

1. Read through the entire Presentation: Orientation for Student Teacher Applicants.
2. Fill out completely and sign your Application for Student Teaching.
3. Meet with your academic advisor ASAP to go over your coursework checklist. Bring the correct checklist with you for your advisor meeting:
   • Art Undergraduate,
   • Art Masters, or
   • Music.
4. If you have not already taken and passed the NES Test “Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary,” pay and register for the test and put the test date on your coursework checklist. The NES test should be completed and passed prior to student teaching. For more information, see NES Test Information and NES Test Framework.
5. For art students, meet with your major professor (Dr. Shin for art) to finish going over your coursework checklist. Bring your transcript to this meeting.
6. Update your resume to make it current and professional and make sure it is acceptable for submission to school districts.
7. Photocopy both sides of your IVP fingerprint clearance card. If you do not already have a valid fingerprint clearance card, you need to obtain one ASAP, as it takes a couple of months for your fingerprint card to arrive; no one can student teach without an IVP fingerprint clearance card. For more information, see Fingerprint Clearance Information.
8. Save a PDF of your unofficial transcripts from UAccess.
9. Prior to the due date discussed during Orientation (typically two weeks after orientation, see above tab for dates and deadlines), submit all of the following to D2L’s Assignment Dropbox in the course: “College of Fine Arts Teacher Prep Program”: Application, Standards Contract (last page of application), signed coursework checklist, resume, transcripts, and photocopy of front and back of fingerprint clearance card. You will combine all PDFs into one PDF for the submission.

All coursework (with the exception of student teaching course) must be completed by the last day of finals in the semester prior to student teaching. You are not allowed to take courses during Winter Session (for Spring student teachers) or Summer Session II (for Fall student teachers) because this overlaps with student teaching and the grade would not be posted prior to student teaching. Read the information included in the tab below that relates to your intended student teacher semester. This information includes required meetings and dates.

Make sure you attend the orientation and apply for Student Teaching during the semester prior to your student teaching semester.

When registering for your last semester of classes, make sure to enroll in 12 units of MUS 493M or ARE 493.

Important dates to add to your calendars:

• Orientation for Fall 2025 student teachers is: February 5, 2025 from 1-2pm via Zoom. RSVP to knolan@arizona.edu if you plan to attend. See tab above entitled “Applying to be a Student Teacher” for more details.
• Application Due: February 21, 2025 by 5pm to D2L dropbox.
• Professional Development Conference Part I: May 8, 2025, 9:00-11:00 AM, Zoom meeting.
  • Prior to this meeting, read the Student Teacher Guidebook. It is essential that you are familiar with our guidebook and come with questions to this meeting.
• Professional Development Conference Part II: August 13, 2025, 2:00-5:00 PM, Place: Zoom.
  • Student teachers must be present the entire time, but Cooperating Teachers will join this meeting for the final hour, from 4:00-5:00 PM.
  • Bring your blue pen, time card
  • Make sure you have submitted to D2L your rough draft of Phase-In Schedule, signed Emergency Procedures Form, signed Insurance Coverage for UA Internship Disclosure, signed Agreement Form, and completed Suicide Prevention, Intervention, & Response Notecatcher.
• Career Advisement Session and Educational Career Fair: February __, 2026, 1-3:30pm, Bear Down Gym. All details and registration links will arrive via students’ emails.
• Seminar Dates as determined by your syllabus for MUS 493M or ARE 493. These are usually monthly meetings held on campus or via Zoom in the evenings. More information about the seminar that accompanies the student teaching semester can be obtained through the syllabus and instructor of record for your MUS/ARE 493 course.
• When your degree is posted and Institutional Recommendation is obtained, plan to get your TEACHER CERTIFICATION (see below)

Make sure you attend the orientation and apply for Student Teaching during the semester prior to your student teaching semester.

When registering for your last semester of classes, make sure to enroll in 12 units of MUS 493M or ARE 493.

Important dates to add to your calendars:

• Orientation for Spring 2026 student teachers is: September 10, 2025 from 1-2pm via Zoom. If you plan to student teach that semester, this meeting is mandatory, and RSVP to knolan@arizona.edu to receive the link. See tab above entitled “Applying to be a Student Teacher” for more details.
• Application Due: September 26, 2025 by 5pm to D2L page.
• Professional Development Conference Part I: December 11, 2025, 9:00-11:00 AM, via Zoom.
  • Prior to this meeting, read the Student Teacher Guidebook. It is essential that you are familiar with our guidebook and come with questions to this meeting.
• Professional Development Conference Part II: January 7, 2026, 2:00-5:00 PM, via Zoom.
  • Student teachers must be present the entire time, but Cooperating Teachers and Supervisors will join this meeting for the final hour from 4:00-5:00 PM.
  • Bring your blue pen, time card
  • Make sure you have submitted to D2L your rough draft of Phase-In Schedule, signed Emergency Procedures Form, signed Insurance Coverage for UA Internship Disclosure, signed Agreement Form, and completed Suicide Prevention, Intervention, & Response Notecatcher.
• Career Advisement Session and Educational Career Fair: February __, 2026, 1-3:30pm, Bear Down Gym. All details and registration links will arrive via students’ emails.
• Seminar Dates as determined by your syllabus for MUS 493M or ARE 493. These are usually monthly meetings held in the evenings on campus or via Zoom. More information about the seminar that accompanies the student teaching semester can be obtained through the syllabus and instructor of record for your MUS/ARE 493 course.
• When your degree is posted and Institutional Recommendation is obtained, plan to get your TEACHER CERTIFICATION (see below)

Make sure you attend the orientation and apply for Student Teaching during the semester prior to your student teaching semester.

When registering for your last semester of classes, make sure to enroll in 12 units of MUS 493M or ARE 493. (Note: if you are participating in the International Student Teaching Program, you will only register for 6 credits; the remaining 6 credits will be through Global Initiatives/Study Abroad.)

Important dates to add to your calendars:

• Orientation for Fall 2026 student teachers is: February 4, 2026 from 1-2pm. If you plan to student teach that semester, this meeting is mandatory, and RSVP to knolan@arizona.edu to receive the link. See tab above entitled “Applying to be a Student Teacher” for more details.
• Application Due: February 20, 2026 by 5pm to D2L page for College of Fine Arts Teacher Prep Program.
• Professional Development Conference Part I: May 7, 2026, 9:00-11:00 AM, Place: Zoom
  • Prior to this meeting, read the Student Teacher Guidebook. It is essential that you are familiar with our guidebook and come with questions to this meeting.
  • Here are the slides for this meeting.
• Professional Development Conference Part II: August 12, 2026, 2-5:00pm via Zoom.
  • Student teachers must be present the entire time, but MentorTeachers/Supervisors will join this meeting for the final hour only from 4:00-5:00 PM.
  • Bring your blue pen, time card
  • Make sure you have submitted to D2L your rough draft of Phase-In Schedule, signed Emergency Procedures Form, signed Insurance Coverage for UA Internship Disclosure, signed Agreement Form, and completed Suicide Prevention, Intervention, & Response Notecatcher.
• Career Advisement Session and Educational Career Fair: February __, 2027. All details and registration links will arrive via students’ emails.
• Seminar Dates as determined by your syllabus for MUS 493M or ARE 493. These are usually monthly meetings held on campus or via Zoom in the evenings. More information about the seminar that accompanies the student teaching semester can be obtained through the syllabus and instructor of record for your MUS/ARE 493 course.
• When your degree is posted and Institutional Recommendation is obtained, plan to get your TEACHER CERTIFICATION (see below)

Make sure you attend the orientation and apply for Student Teaching during the semester prior to your student teaching semester.

When registering for your last semester of classes, make sure to enroll in 12 units of MUS 493M or ARE 493.

Important dates to add to your calendars:

• Orientation for Spring 2027 student teachers is: September 9, 2026 from 1-2pm via Zoom. If you plan to student teach that semester, this meeting is mandatory, and RSVP to knolan@arizona.edu to receive the link. See tab above entitled “Applying to be a Student Teacher” for more details.
• Application Due: September 25, 2026 by 5pm to D2L page.
• Professional Development Conference Part I: December 6, 2026, 9:00-11:00 AM, via Zoom.
  • Prior to this meeting, read the Student Teacher Guidebook. It is essential that you are familiar with our guidebook and come with questions to this meeting.
• Professional Development Conference Part II: January 5, 2027, 2:00-5:00 PM, via Zoom.
  • Student teachers must be present the entire time, but Cooperating Teachers and Supervisors will join this meeting for the final hour from 4:00-5:00 PM.
  • Bring your blue pen, time card
  • Make sure you have submitted to D2L your rough draft of Phase-In Schedule, signed Emergency Procedures Form, signed Insurance Coverage for UA Internship Disclosure, signed Agreement Form, and completed Suicide Prevention, Intervention, & Response Notecatcher.
• Career Advisement Session and Educational Career Fair: February __, 2027, 1-3:30pm, Bear Down Gym. All details and registration links will arrive via students’ emails.
• Seminar Dates as determined by your syllabus for MUS 493M or ARE 493. These are usually monthly meetings held in the evenings on campus or via Zoom. More information about the seminar that accompanies the student teaching semester can be obtained through the syllabus and instructor of record for your MUS/ARE 493 course.
• When your degree is posted and Institutional Recommendation is obtained, plan to get your TEACHER CERTIFICATION (see below)

Obtaining Teacher Certification after Student Teaching

For current certification information, it is always advisable to go directly to the Arizona Department of Education’s website: http://www.azed.gov/educator-certification/

Step 1: Institutional Recommendation (IR):

• Make sure early in your student teaching semester you request an Institutional Recommendation from the following link: https://education.arizona.edu/institutional-recommendation.
• After your student teaching is done and your degree is posted, Sara Knepper in the College of Education will issue IRs to the AZ Department of Education.
• What is an IR? An “Institutional Recommendation” (IR) is your quick path to certification without a lengthy transcript review from the AZ Dept of Educ.
• Details:
  • Provides for half the cost of normal certification (discount and IR valid for one year only).
  • IR will be processed and sent to the AZ Dept. of Educ. by Sara Knepper once degree is posted to UAccess, provided you filled out the online form linked above by the deadline during your student teaching semester.
  • Sara Knepper will email you when the IR is received by the AZ Dept. of Educ. and you are ready to apply for certification using ADE’s online portal: at the AzEDCert Portal.
  • IR is only good for one year from the date it is issued. For security reasons, the state only allows one IR to be issued per student, so do not lose it.
  • Make sure that if you have a new mailing address since filling out your IR Application, you update it with our certification officer in the College of Education, Sara Knepper.

Step 2: Once you IR is issued, submit all materials to the Arizona Department of Education for your certificate:

After receiving their IRs, teacher candidates may obtain their certificate by applying online to the AzEDCert Portal. If you have questions regarding the AzEDCert Online Portal, reference this Online Portal Setup Guide or contact ADE directly at certification@azed.gov(link sends e-mail) or (602) 542-4367.

Here are the items needed for obtaining your certificate:

• Institutional Recommendation (IR)
• Photocopy of your IVP fingerprint clearance card
• Photocopy of official NES Test results for your certification test
• Evidence of satisfying the AZ/US Constitution Requirement
  • If you took the AZ/US Constitution course and it is on your UA transcripts (e.g., you took the course at the U of A or transferred the course to your UA transcripts if you took the course through another institution), you do not have to do anything because it will be part of the IR issued by the U of A.
  • If you took the AZ/US Constitution course at a different institution and did not get it transferred to your UA transcripts, you need to bring/mail an official transcript from institution where course was taken (it is much simpler and cheaper to get it transferred to your UA transcript by sending it to Sara Knepper prior to her issuing you an IR.
  • If you took the AEPA test to fulfill the AZ/US Constitution requirement, you need to provide a photocopy of your passed AEPA test results.
• On your teaching certificate application, you will select: (1) under Standard Professional Teaching Certificates, select Arts Education (Prek-12) and note “Music” or “Art”; and (2) under Endorsements, select Structured English Immersion (SEI) if you completed the LCEV 408/508 or TLS 416 coursework.
• Fees, typically $60 ($30 for your arts education certificate plus $30 for your SEI endorsement; additional endorsements are $60 each).
  • NOTE: Your certificate is half price with your IR; the IR expires in one year and cannot be reissued, so don’t wait too long to get your certificate!

Students Not Planning to Teach in Arizona

• If you plan to teach in another state: As a general rule, it is much more difficult to obtain a teaching certificate in any other state without your current Arizona certificate. Many states offer reciprocity if you hold a teaching certificate from another state. Visit or contact the other state’s department of education website for more information. Even if you do not plan to teach in Arizona, it is recommended you obtain AZ Teacher Certification and then request reciprocity from the other state’s department of education. If you decide to later return to Arizona to teach, your certificate remains valid for 12 years.
• If you plan to attend graduate school or not enter the teaching profession: It is still recommended that you utilize the half price and quick path to certification with your IR (only good for one year after it is issued) and obtain your AZ Teaching Certificate. It is valid for 12 years and then offers flexibility should you decide to teach in the future in AZ or another state.

UPDATE: This program is suspended until the UArizona Study Abroad program can ensure 12 international student teachers per semester.

As of Fall 2018: we are so excited to offer our student teachers an optional, partial student teaching placement in either Norway and China! Please view the slideshow of photos created by our first student teacher abroad, who student taught in music in Norway during the Fall of 2018: ISTP Norway Slideshow.

Summary of The International Student Teaching Program (ISTP)

• First half of student teacher placement is in Tucson. Second half is in either Norway or China.
• Instruction is done in English. Students serve as student teachers in their content area and also as “American ambassadors.”
• Requirements for Student Teachers to apply for ISTP: 3.0 GPA, Study Abroad application and fee ($80), Interview, UA Program Fee deposit.
• A minimum of three student teachers across all UA Teacher Prep Programs and our sister program at Iowa State are needed to facilitate the ISTP.
• Norway Placement: 7 weeks in Rosendal (on the southwest coast of Norway near Bergen) at Kvinnherad District schools. Students live in cabins on the fjord and take weekend excursions to museums (including seeing the best preserved Viking ships) and hiking spots.
• China Placement: 8 weeks in Liyang (Jiangsu Province) at the Liyang Foreign Language School (elementary) or Liyang High School. Liyang is on the western coast of China and is two hours from Shanghai. Student teachers live in extremely safe, gated community apartments located on the school campus. This experience includes weekly lessons in Mandarin and Chinese culture, including excursions to regional museums and cultural sites.
• Fees:
  • UA Study Abroad Application fee ($80):
  • UA Program Cost (includes room and board, cooperating teacher’s pay, health insurance, site supervisor’s fee, departmental costs, and 6 credits of UA tuition): China: ~$1350, Norway: ~$3700 (exact costs change depending on number of student teachers).
    • Deposit Due: middle of semester prior to student teaching
  • Not covered by UA Program Cost: airfare, Visa/Residence permit (for China), and some meals (lunch is provided in China; grocery money provided in Norway).
• UA Supervisor Abroad: Dr. Sylvia Munsen. Dr. Munsen travels to each country and spends a week with the student teachers for observations and coaching. There is also weekly contact with Dr. Munsen and reflective journals each day.
• For more information, please contact our U of A ISTP coordinator: Dr. Sylvia Munsen.