Field Experience Requirements (Observations, Practica, Internships, Student Teaching)
NLU requires all candidates in programs that include time spent in an Illinois school to have an Illinois State Police Criminal background fingerprint check, a TB test, and a Certificate of Completion with the Department of Children and Family Services Mandated Reporter Training.
A candidate with “no record,” a negative TB test, and a Certificate of Completion may be placed in a school. Some school districts require an additional background check prior to student teaching. NLU will not accept criminal background check reports from sources other than Accurate Biometrics.
- Criminal background checks must be completed after registering and within the first week of classes at NLU. Please use the NLU UCIA Criminal Background Check.
Candidates cannot begin any field experience without a “passed” background check. Locations and fingerprinting times for Accurate Biometrics are posted on their website.
Candidates are responsible for all fees and the results must be sent to the students’ email or home address.
- By the second week of classes, copies of the Illinois State Background check, TB test (Mantoux Method), and Certificate of Completion for Mandated Reporter must be submitted to the Academic Advisor for forwarding to the Office of Field Experiences. NLU collects all documents but students are responsible for submitting to schools or districts considering placement. Students should carry all originals when visiting schools.
- A candidate may not be placed in any school if the background check determines that he or she has been convicted of criminal behavior that, by law, automatically prohibits him or her from attaining Illinois licensure. The offenses that automatically prohibit licensure include first degree murder, any Class X felony, juvenile pimping, soliciting a juvenile prostitute, exploitation of a child, obscenity, child pornography, criminal sexual assault, aggravated sexual criminal assault, criminal sexual abuse, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, some offenses set forth in the Cannabis Control Act, and some crimes defined in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.
- In the event that no district will accept a student because of his or her criminal history, Academic Advisors will assist the student in choosing alternative course of study. There is no guarantee that courses will be transferable between programs and no financial reimbursement will be given.
- In accordance with Illinois School Code (105 ILCS5/24-5), a school district might require a physical examination by a licensed physician.
Candidates for Illinois state educational credentials must pass the applicable content test(s) before student teaching or entering an internship or residency.
Many student teaching field placements are linked with practicum hours for two quarters (fall/winter or winter/spring). All candidates for initial teacher licensure must successfully complete a student teaching experience of a minimum of 11 weeks in the classroom at an assigned school.