At UCF’s School of Teacher Education, learning goes beyond lectures. From your very first semester, you’ll step into real classrooms — logging 75 hours of field experience before your internship even begins. You won’t have to wait until after graduation to start inspiring others. Whether you’re reading alongside children, leading a literacy camp activity or bringing STEM concepts to life through hands-on discovery, you’ll build confidence by doing. Along the way, you’ll grow through service-learning, professional development and one-on-one time with faculty. At UCF, you’ll discover the kind of educator you’re meant to be: well-prepared, passionate and ready to lead.

Field Experiences

Female student smiling with child holding paper butterfly in front of their faceAt UCF’s School of Teacher Education, field experiences are built into your courses, giving you meaningful opportunities to apply what you’re learning in the classroom to real-world settings. From your first semester, you’ll be out in the community, gaining hands-on experience and making a difference, all while fulfilling key service learning requirements.

Reading Clinics and Camps
Work one-on-one with local elementary students to strengthen their reading, writing and critical thinking skills, while receiving guidance from faculty.

Jumpstart’s Read for the Record
Be part of a global shared reading event that brings stories to life for children while you gain confidence leading literacy experiences.

Boots on the Ground
Through 15 hours in a local classroom, you’ll develop essential skills in differentiated instruction, behavior management and professional collaboration. Work with small student groups on pre-planned activities, offering one-on-one support during whole-group lessons. You’ll learn to build assessments and analyze data as you sit in on grade-level Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) where teachers plan lessons.

Read Across America
Join a national movement to spark a love of reading in children of all ages through creative, joyful literacy experiences.

Have questions? Speak to your faculty about field experiences specific to your degree program or reach out to our Office of Immersive Experiences.

Internships

At UCF, we believe one internship isn’t enough to prepare future educators. That’s why our programs include two internships — giving you more time, more mentorship and more opportunities to grow.

Whether you're working with children in a school, museum or hospital setting, you won’t just observe. You’ll practice using innovative teaching technologies like TeachLivE as you build classroom skills in a supportive environment alongside experienced mentors.

This two-part, hands-on approach helps you develop the tools, mindset and heart of a great teacher to ensure that when you step into your own classroom, you’re ready to lead.

Learn More

Add a Global Adventure to Your Internship Semester

Interested in adding international experience to your resume? At UCF, you have the opportunity to travel abroad after completing your internship through programs like Carlos V., Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST) and Meddeas. These can be part of your internship – they’re exciting add-ons that take place during the same semester while giving you a chance to expand your skills, explore a new culture and teach in a classroom overseas.

Explore International Options

Internship Partners

As the top producer of teachers in Florida, we’ve got strong partnerships to help you find the right fit for your internship. From Duval to Collier County, UCF’s network spans the state, giving you access to a wide range of classroom and other educational experiences. From public and private schools to children’s hospitals and nonprofits, our partnerships open doors to real-world experience. You'll find plenty of ways to put your skills into practice and make a difference while you learn. 

Partners include:

  • AMF – Astronauts Memorial Foundation/NASA
  • 24 Public School Districts
  • Florida Virtual School
  • UCP of Central Florida
  • Nemours Children’s Hospital 
Breana Webb headshot

“Witnessing such a high level of involvement during a lesson I created was incredibly rewarding. I learned that not all lessons have to be worksheets and rigid structure. Creativity, interaction, and student-centered approaches can make learning meaningful and fun.”

Breana Webb '25, reflecting on her internship in a classroom setting.

International Opportunities

Whether you want to gain classroom experience abroad or explore education through a global lens, UCF offers two exciting global pathways:

Teach Abroad

student traveling abroadWant to take your skills even further? After completing Internship I or II, or during your practicum semester, you can volunteer in schools around the world, teaching English or your subject area, while living in dorms or with a host family connected to a school. With placements in more than 30 locations across six continents, these four-week to three-month experiences help you build global connections, explore new cultures and gain a fresh perspective on education.

Undergraduate Summer in Spain (4 Weeks)
Spend your summer teaching English-learning high school students in Spain. UCF’s School of Teacher Education partners with Carlos V Education Language School in three cities: Sevilla, Malaga and Madrid. For four weeks in June and July, you will gain valuable experience teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages as you immerse yourself in Spanish culture. Engage in 15 hours of English teaching each week, improve your own Spanish-speaking skills, and experience various excursions, cultural and leisure activities. Learn more about how you can be part of it.

UCF Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST) Opportunities
Where in the world do you want to teach? With over 30 sites in 15 different countries available to choose from, the Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST) is your ticket to a variety of international student teaching experiences. Through COST, you will have the opportunity to teach in bilingual public and private educational institutions, gaining an increased sense of confidence and international perspective along the way. These fully immersive experiences — which take place in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America — are offered in both fall and spring semesters, with placements ranging anywhere from six to 15 weeks. For more information about available opportunities, visit UCF Abroad.

Study Abroad

Join a faculty-led trip designed just for your program. You’ll travel with fellow students and professors, diving into different educational systems, cultures and communities. It’s a chance to connect what you're learning at UCF to what’s happening around the world. Trips vary by program.

Student Resources

We’re here to help you succeed. From your first education class to your final internship, the UCF School of Teacher Education offers tools, guidance and support to help you every step of the way.

Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) Resources

To become a certified teacher in Florida, you’ll need to pass the FTCE. These state-required exams help show that you’re ready to lead your own classroom.

Student Learning & Licensure (SLL) by Watermark™

SLL by Watermark™ is an online portfolio system you’ll use throughout your education program at UCF. It helps track your progress, submit key assignments and make sure you're meeting the requirements to become a certified teacher in Florida.

Code of Professional Conduct

At UCF, we believe great teachers are defined by more than just their knowledge. They’re also known for how they carry themselves inside and outside of the classroom. That’s why we help you develop the professional habits and behaviors expected of today’s educators. These skills are built into your program and evaluated throughout your coursework, so you’ll graduate ready to lead with confidence and professionalism.

See the Code of Professional Conduct

Curriculum Materials Center

The Curriculum Materials Center, located in the Education Complex, is your go-to library for hands-on teaching tools. From Pre-K through 12th grade, you’ll find books, lesson plans and other materials to help you plan, practice and get inspired for the classroom.

Plan Your Visit