Your placement must be at the appropriate level in an accredited U.S. school which meets WGU and state licensure requirements. Different states and different WGU programs have specific placement requirements. Placements must be in a traditional, on the ground setting (residential treatment facilities, prisons, home schools or virtual placements do not meet this requirement). WGU does not allow field placements to be waived or shortened regardless of an advanced program candidate’s previous experience.
The WGU Case Study Site Agreement you completed for admission into your program references how and when your case study site and practicum will occur. If any changes occur to the case study site and practicum agreement, please notify your mentor and fieldplacement@wgu.edu. If your site agreement is not in compliance, you have 30 days to correct the issue or withdraw from the program. If you require a new site agreement, select the one that applies to you. Send the completed form to fieldplacement@wgu.edu.
New Program versions after 201905 Case Study Site Agreement
Legacy Program versions prior to 201905 Case Study Site Agreement
The educational leadership (EDL) practicum experience is considered a high stakes assessment. You are expected to complete all coursework, practicum hours, and activities during the term that the practicum is registered. There are two requirements that must be met before you are eligible to begin your practicum.
- Gain full field approval by completing the field placement application and receiving your confirmation email. You, your clinical supervisor (CS), and your mentor fill out, sign, and upload a series of documents to the WGU Field Experiences department. Field Placement will send confirmation emails to you, your school administrators, and clinical supervisor once you have approval to begin your practicum. Once the WGU Field Placement office approves your practicum, they enter the start and end date of the practicum to align with your field approval and the last day of your practicum term. Dates outside the approval and term will not be considered as approved hours.
- Accept enrollment of the practicum course in your current term. Once both steps are complete, you may begin logging your practicum hours. Activities logged before field placement approval or before the practicum course is in your term, are not permitted and may result in a disposition concern.
The state licensure exam can be completed before, during, or after the practicum experience. However, WGU strongly recommends that, prior to or during the educational leadership field experience, you take and pass both your state’s licensure examination(s) required for certification as a school principal. Refer to the WGU Praxis Program/Graduation Requirements (opens new window) in the Student Handbook, which contains information about the exams required by your state. Certain exams are required by your program before you can graduate and be recommended for licensure/endorsement.
Note: The number of hours required for your program varies by state and WGU program requirements. Refer to the Teacher Licensure Home Page (opens new window) in the Student Handbook, which contains detailed information about the licenses your state offers that align with WGU programs and how to apply. You will work with the WGU Licensure office at licensure@wgu.edu, regarding all certification and endorsement questions.
Missouri only (opens new window): Your state requires a declaration of school level. The declared elementary placement, grade ranges K-8, is completed in an eligible elementary school or middle/junior high/intermediate school. The school may not contain a grade range above grade 8. The declared secondary placement, grade ranges 7-12, is completed in an eligible high school or middle/junior high/intermediate school. The school may not contain a grade range below grade 7. Your practicum may take place in one six-month term or two six-month terms, which may include limited summer opportunities, and/or requirements related to how the practicum hours and activities are completed and recorded. You may begin your full six-month or 12-month engagement once you have field approval and the course is in your term. Please note that the two required practicum courses must be taken sequentially and consecutively within your one or two terms and cannot be taken concurrently.
