State Department of Education
150-hour rule

Compliance with the State Department’s 150-hour rule: The Office of Clinical Experiences reminds faculty that all students must comply with the State Department’s rule regarding 150 hours of service, 90 of which must be earned in 3-hour increments. Most will find the 1-hour increments are not troublesome although there will need to be many hours in addition to those attached to courses. The 3-hour increments rule, especially for music majors, can be daunting so beginning early is the key. Hours must be documented, and students will not be allowed to intern without meeting this requirement.

Details from Dr. Wetzel in the College of Education:

Field experiences – defined as A variety of early and ongoing (as specified in 3-3-.02(4)(e) ) field-based contacts with children, youth, and adults which are provided as a part of the instructional program available through observation, study of school situations, assisting in instruction, and actual teaching which contribute to the understanding and competence of the teacher education candidate.

a. All candidates shall participate in field experiences or clinical practice that includes students with exceptionalities and students from diverse ethnic, racial, gender, and socioeconomic groups.
b. Shall include…Multiple assessments …
c. Both field experiences and clinical practice shall allow time for reflection and include feedback from supervisors.
d. …shall provide opportunities for candidates to develop and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions…
e. …shall reflect the unit’s conceptual framework, etc.
f. Field experiences.
1. Field experiences shall facilitate candidates’ development as professional educators by providing opportunities for observing in schools and other agencies, tutoring students, assisting teachers or other school personnel, attending school board meetings, and participating in education-related community events prior to clinical practice.
2. Beginning with the first professional course, each candidate shall participate in extended field experiences with specific purposes and assessment.  At a minimum, each candidate shall have participated in 150 contact hours (90 of these 150 hours shall be in increments of at least three hours each) prior to internship.  The majority of field experiences must occur in a P-12 setting.
3. At least half of the field experiences shall be in the candidate’s teaching field and shall emphasize the application of content knowledge. 
g. Clinical Experiences (Internships)

One way to earn hours is to participate in the Tuscaloosa Winds! See www.tuscaloosawinds.ua.edu for information!