Out of Area Clinical Practice
Out of Area Clinical Practice
While preferences are not guaranteed, teacher candidates and graduate students will have the opportunity to express a preference to be assigned to a school district or organization within one of three geographic areas referred to as Tiers. The Tiers are based on the distance between the UNO main campus and the central administration office of the school district or organization.
School districts 50 miles or more away are considered out of area or Tier 3 schools.
Tier1
Tier One includes sites located within a 25 mile radius of UNO. Within Tier One, teacher candidates and graduate students are responsible for the tuition and fees associated with the experience.
The public school districts in Tier One include:
Nebraska: Bellevue, Bennington, Blair, Douglas County West, Elkhorn, Fort Calhoun, Gretna, Louisville, Millard, Omaha, Papillion La-Vista, Plattsmouth, Ralston, South Sarpy, Westside, and Yutan Iowa: Council Bluffs, Lewis Central, and Treynor
Out of Area: Tier 2
Tier Two includes sites located within a 26 to 50 mile radius of UNO. Within Tier Two, teacher candidates and graduate students are responsible for: 1) tuition and fees associated with the experience 2) mileage expenses incurred by the university supervisor.*
All payments for mileage will be made to the College and must be received prior to the beginning of the experience.
The public school districts in Tier Two include:
Nebraska: Arlington, Ashland-Greenwood, Cedar Bluffs, Conestoga, Elmwood-Murdock, Fremont, Loganview, Mead, Wahoo, Waverly, and Weeping Water
Iowa: AHST , Glenwood, Logan-Magnolia, Malvern, Missouri Valley, Nishna Valley, Riverside, Tri-Center, Underwood, West Harrison, and Woodbine
Out of Area: Tier 3
Tier Three includes sites greater than 50 miles from UNO. The College approves Tier Three assignments only in extreme circumstances and after careful consideration. Tier Three sites require the College to contract supervision to someone who is not a faculty member (full-time or adjunct) of UNO. Because the College believes capstone experiences such as clinical practice and graduate practicums are optimized when individuals who have a strong understanding and direct connection with its programs provide supervision and support, Tier Three assignments are rare.
Teacher candidates and graduate students who believe their situation warrants a Tier Three assignment must contact the Office of Field Experiences. Questions should be directed to the Coordinator of Field Experiences (Roskens Hall 204) prior to the corresponding clinical practice or practicum application deadline.
Candidates seeking a Tier Three assignment should be prepared to share the following documentation:
- a completed appeal form
- a letter from the teacher candidate or graduate student stating the reason for a Tier Three request
- a letter of support from a professional who can attest to the need for a Tier Three assignment (e.g. a spouse’s employer, military superior officer, or physician).
If a Tier Three assignment is approved, the teacher candidate or graduate student will meet with the Coordinator of Field Experiences to discuss specific Tier Three arrangements. Teacher candidates and graduate students should not solicit Tier Three assignments prior to meeting with the Coordinator of Field Experiences.
If a Tier Three assignment is approved and can be secured, the teacher candidate or graduate student is responsible for expenses related to the assignment including:
- tuition and fees associated with the experience
- required payment to the cooperating teacher or clinician
- required payment to the university supervisor
- payment of mileage costs incurred by the university supervisor*
All payments for supervision and mileage will be made to the College and must be received prior to the beginning of the experience.
*Mileage expenses will be estimated based on the current, federally approved rate for mileage reimbursement.