Prepared for Anything

In the Duquesne University School of Education, we’ll make sure you gain the professional confidence, impressive teaching experience and powerful networks you need to get a running start on a meaningful teaching career. 

Our Office of Student Teaching and Field Placement (OSTFP) facilitates field experiences, internships, practicums and student teaching experiences for various programs in our School of Education. We work with over 75 school districts in the Greater Pittsburgh Region including public, private, charter and Catholic schools, to coordinate field placements that allow you to integrate teaching fundamentals and advanced pedagogies you learn in your coursework into practical application in K-12 classrooms.

The mission of our OSTFP mirrors the overall mission of Duquesne University in that we strive to prepare you to become an innovative, inclusive and well-rounded leader in society by providing you with a diverse range of field experiences. The excitement students express over their field experiences is shared by us, as we are passionate about helping you grow professionally, academically and personally through your field experiences. 

Antonio Battista values the student-teaching experience so much he’s done it twice—first at Deer Lakes High School in the Pittsburgh region, then at Gosford Hill School in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. Discover Antonio's story and hear from our students and alumni in the field.

Education Connections

75+School Districts

We work with over 75 school districts in the Greater Pittsburgh Region including public, Catholic, private and charter schools.

200Hours

This is the average number of hours of field experience our education students complete before student teaching.

21Countries

Student teach abroad in one of 21 countries through our partnership with Indiana University's Global Gateway for Teachers Program.

Our School Partners

We work with over 75 school districts in the Greater Pittsburgh Region including public, private, charter and Catholic schools, and are constantly building new, mutually beneficial K-12 school partnerships to expand upon experiential opportunities for students. The process of securing field placements involves a collaborative effort between the OSTFP and our K-12 school partners.

  • Allegheny Valley School District
  • Ambridge Area School District
  • Apollo-Ridge School District
  • Avonworth School District
  • Baldwin-Whitehall School District
  • Bethel Park School District
  • Big Beaver Falls Area School District
  • Blackhawk School District
  • Brentwood Borough School District
  • Burrell School District
  • Canon-McMillan School District
  • Carlynton School District
  • Central Valley School District
  • Chartiers Valley School District
  • Chartiers-Houston School District
  • Clairton City School District
  • Cornell School District
  • Deer Lakes School District
  • East Allegheny School District
  • Elizabeth Forward School District
  • Ellwood City Area School District
  • Fox Chapel Area School District
  • Franklin Regional School District
  • Freeport Area School District
  • Gateway School District
  • Hampton Township School District
  • Hempfield Area School District
  • Keystone Oaks School District
  • Kiski Area School District
  • Mars Area School District
  • McKeesport Area School District
  • Montour School District
  • Moon Area School District
  • Mount Lebanon School District
  • North Allegheny School District
  • North Hills School District
  • Northgate School District
  • Penn Hills School District
  • Penn-Trafford School District
  • Pine-Richland School District
  • Pittsburgh Public School District
  • Plum Borough School District
  • Quaker Valley School District
  • Riverview School District
  • Shaler Area School District
  • South Allegheny School District
  • South Fayette School District
  • South Park School District
  • Steel Valley School District
  • Sto-Rox School District
  • Trinity Area School District
  • Upper St. Clair School District
  • West Allegheny School District
  • West Jefferson Hills School District
  • West Mifflin Area School District
  • Wilkinsburg Borough School District
  • Woodland Hills School District
  • Ave Maria Academy
  • Bishop Canevin High School
  • Blessed Trinity Academy
  • Butler Catholic
  • Central Catholic High School
  • Christ the Divine Teacher Academy
  • Divine Mercy Academy
  • Holy Family Catholic School
  • North Catholic High School
  • North Side Catholic K-8
  • Oakland Catholic High School
  • Saint Benedict the Moor School
  • Serra Catholic High School
  • Seton-La Salle High School
  • St. Anthony School Programs
  • St. Bede’s School K-8
  • St. Louise De Marillac
  • St. Therese School
  • City Charter High School
  • Environmental Charter School K-8
  • Falk School
  • Nazareth Prep
  • Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship
  • Propel Schools
  • Shadyside Academy
  • Urban Pathways Charter School
and many more!

Experiences from the Field

Lauren Barnes in graduation regalia outside on campus with fountain and building behind her

What I loved most about Duquesne's School of Education was being able to go out in the field starting freshman year and being able to apply the content we were learning in the classroom. I met so many great teachers and students during my field placements and during student teaching. Duquesne's School of Education granted me the privilege of feeling prepared to have my own classroom.

Lauren Barnes B.S.Ed. Early Childhood Education '23 | M.S.Ed. Special Education - CBP/HD '25
Discover the B.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education
Headshot of alum Dr. Janeen Peretin

From the outset of our studies, my classmates and I were immersed in school placements that provided vital hands-on experiences. These opportunities were crucial for understanding diverse educational environments and learning how to apply educational theories in school settings practically.

Dr. Janeen Peretin Director of Communication, Innovation and Advancement at Baldwin-Whitehall School District | Secondary Education '02
Explore the B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education
Emma LaRocco headshot in PIttsburgh

The School of Education has given me so many different field experiences since my first year. I've been in kindergarten, first grade, in a public school, a Catholic school and more. I also had access to amazing professors, resources like the Curriculum Center and various opportunities to be involved with the education community.

Emma LaRocco B.S.Ed. Early Childhood Education '23
Learn about the B.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education

Frequently Asked Questions

View the FAQs we often receive in the Office of Student Teaching and Field Placement (OSTFP).

Field experiences occur from your first year to senior year at Duquesne, with the frequency of experiences depending on your content area. Field experiences occur in a variety of K-12 school settings and the hour requirement can vary from 15 hours to 60 hours per semester.

Student teaching occurs during your final semester at Duquesne (i.e., the semester in which you intend to graduate). The process for applying for a field experience is different from the process for applying for student teaching, although special school requests can be submitted for both.  

Each semester that you are in need of a field placement, you will fill out an online Field Placement Application. By submitting your application, the OSTFP will gain access to your local address, method of transportation, and any special school/district requests you provide.

Our team then works to find a school that works best for your needs. We also strive to place students in a variety of settings during their time at Duquesne.

There is an ever-evolving list of urban, suburban, private, and Catholic schools that the OSTFP partners with each semester.

View our partner schools

Yes, you will need to have the following clearances updated yearly in order to be eligible for a field placement: Act 33, Act 34, Act 114, Act 126, and proof of a negative TB test. Schools and districts reserve the right to request that students turn in additional clearances before permitting them into their buildings.

Contact the OSTFP Office

We work to maintain a culture of accessibility with students, and encourage all students to contact us at any time during their academic journeys.

Mrs. Cindy Laspina

Director of Student Teaching and Field Placement

Mr. Rudley Mrvos

Office Assistant