Assigning Students to Fieldwork Sites
The criteria and process for selecting fieldwork sites and collaborating on learning objectives are communicated to students before the fieldwork experience starts.
- For Level I Fieldwork courses, there is a mandatory pre-placement orientation each semester to ensure that students are informed of site requirements and learning objectives before starting the experience.
- For Level II Fieldwork, OT 760 Fieldwork Seminar focuses on requirements and preparation for participation in Level II Fieldwork.
While student preferences and input are valued, final decisions regarding fieldwork education placements are made by the AFWC or CEPSA. Placement decisions are based on various factors, including site availability, academic and fieldwork performance, and the alignment between student learning needs and the fieldwork environment. Students are expected to accept assigned placements; declining a placement will be treated as a refusal to engage in a required component of the curriculum.
The Program provides general time frames for fieldwork education (e.g., Summer or Fall semesters); however, specific start dates, schedules, settings, and patient populations cannot be guaranteed in advance. Placements are determined based on-site availability, contractual agreements, State Laws and Regulations, and the Program’s assessment of site appropriateness for the curriculum and individual student learning needs. While many facilities reserve fieldwork slots for the Program, availability can vary from semester to semester due to site resources and other factors. Students are advised that not all facilities are available for all fieldwork experiences.