Undergraduate Frequently Asked Questions about Pre-practica

1. What is a pre-practicum (pre-prac)?

During a pre-practicum experience, students are placed in classrooms for one day a week.
While in the classroom, student teachers work with pupils and assist their cooperating
teachers. This experience is intended to help students decide if they are really interested
in becoming a teacher.
2. When should I start thinking about them? When should I do them?
Most students complete their first pre-practicum during their sophomore year. Some
students do their second and third during their junior year, other students choose to do
only their second during their junior year and then do their third and full practicum
during their senior year. When the pre-practica are completed depends on the course of
study since a pre-practicum should coincide with the required methods courses. Other
students choose to do a pre-practicum abroad during their junior year.
3. How many do I have to do?
Undergrad students are expected to complete a minimum of three pre-practicum
experiences before they begin their full practicum.
4. Are they different for different majors?
The pre-practica may be different in terms of the schools in which the students are
placed. For example, all secondary undergrad P1s are placed at Brighton High School,
but all students are placed in a variety of school settings (urban, suburban, Catholic or
private).
5. How do I sign up/register for them?
When planning courses for the semester in which they will be doing their pre-practica,
students must register and apply for the specific pre-practicum they will be completing.
Applications are on line at: https://htmldbprod.bc.edu/pracapply
6. Where will I be?
In general, the classrooms are chosen from schools in and around Boston with which BC
has partnership agreements. This means that these schools have both pre-practicum and
full practicum students from Boston College. This supportive arrangement has proven to
be beneficial to both student teachers and their cooperating teachers.
An exception is with secondary students completing their first pre-practicum. All
secondary students are placed at Brighton High School, in a cohort, for their first prepracticum. The co-requisite curriculum and instruction course is taught the same day and
is embedded in the pre-practicum experience. You will receive more information about
this from the EDUC 221101 instructor.

7. How will I get there?

Many schools are within walking distance or can be reached by public transportation.
For those that are further away, we place sufficient students with cars so those who need a
ride can arrange for it with one of the drivers. At the beginning of the semester, a Drivers
Book is compiled for students to obtain contact information for drivers to specific
schools. The Drivers Book can be found in the Practicum Office in Campion Room 103.
8. Do I have to teach right away?
No. The placement is designed to allow each student teacher to gradually take on
responsibilities in the classroom. Student teachers usually begin working with the pupils,
under the direction of the cooperating teacher, during the first week or two of the
placement. They then gradually move toward working with small groups and may
eventually teach a whole class lesson.
9. Can I do a pre-practicum abroad? Can I do my full practicum abroad?
Absolutely. We have arrangements with many schools in many countries. If you are
interested in this option, plan to meet with Maureen Raymond or Rebecca Schmitz during
the sophomore year. Either will help you choose those courses that will assure that all of
your requirements can be fulfilled on time. Students should research countries and
universities where they plan to study through the Office of International Programs in
Hovey House. The requirements for your full practicum may also be fulfilled abroad and
would be arranged through the Practicum Office. For more information about this
option, you should make an appointment with Fran Loftus.
10. What if I want to bring a car to campus while I am doing my pre-practicum?
If you are an undergraduate who is living on campus AND are completing a practicum,
you can apply for a parking permit through the Practicum Office. There are a limited
number of permits that are available and our office determines the distributions based on
deadlines and on needs.
11. Can I choose my day?
At the time of application, we ask that you choose a preferred day and an alternative.
Some days are identified to coincide with certain courses. For example, Elementary
students taking EDUC 2039 are asked to keep Tuesdays and Thursdays free. Those in
Secondary Ed who are taking EDUC 2211 must leave Thursday free for their prepracticum placement. We try our best to place all students on their preferred day but
cannot always honor specific requests. That is why we ask for two choices of available
days.
12. Can I choose my school or grade?
We believe it is important that students have exposure to a variety of grade levels and
schools so we do not have you select your grade level. When you complete your full
practicum, you are able to choose the school and grade from within our Partnership
Schools.