Student Teaching

Research has shown that student teaching is the most important experience of the entire teacher preparation process. The training of our credential candidates occurs with the valuable assistance of area schools and master teachers. Biola University supervisors mentor student teachers by making regular site visitations and giving weekly seminars.

Student Teaching is the final course in Biola's Teacher Preparation Program. Students earning a Single Subject Teaching Credential will have a placement at a high school or middle school. Each student teacher is assigned two master teachers, with two teaching periods and one preparation period spent with each teacher.

Recommended Timeline

Week 1: Observe the teacher, become familiar with class routines, work with small groups
Week 2: Take over one period of academic instruction with each master teacher
Week 3: Take over both periods of academic instruction with both master teachers and continue full instruction through the end of the high school or middle school semester

Teaching Performance Assessments (TPAs)

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires students to complete four Teaching Performance Assessment tasks as part of the credentialing process. Each takes approximately 15 hours.

Overseas Student Teaching

Students have the opportunity to student teach overseas in a variety of countries in accredited K-12 international and private schools. An overseas assignment can count as half of the student teaching placement. The other half must be completed at a California public school.

If you have questions, please contact the School of Education at or (562) 903-4843, and we will be happy to assist you.