Completion of Fieldwork Experiences
All fieldwork experience is considered professional courses and must be successfully completed to continue with full-time study into the next semester.
Fieldwork education courses will take place at facilities assigned by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC), Course Faculty, or the Clinical Education Placement & Systems Associate (CEPSA). For Level I Fieldwork, placements may include a combination of experiences at affiliated fieldwork facilities located within 60 miles of the IHP and/or within, or under the umbrella of the Impact Practice Center, including in-person and telehealth experiences. Level II Fieldwork occurs with students participating in full-time placements at affiliated fieldwork facilities across the U.S.
Students cannot decline a fieldwork education placement; such action will be considered refusal to take a required course and will result in a course failure. Failure of a fieldwork experience is considered failure in a professional course and carries all associated actions and penalties. Failure of a Level II fieldwork placement will require the student to repeat the course, necessitating registration and payment for an additional 6.0 credits. Any repeat fieldwork placement will be scheduled based on site availability, which may delay program progression and impact the student’s financial aid.
A student who discontinues participation in a fieldwork experience prior to its scheduled end date without successfully petitioning for an Incomplete will receive a grade of “F” for the course. This may result in a delay in program progression.
Students may not use a Leave of Absence (LOA) to proactively avoid a failing grade. Requests for an LOA during a fieldwork course must be reviewed and approved by the Program Director in consultation with the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and the Office of Student Affairs and Services.
An LOA request does not prevent a failing grade. If there is evidence that the student is not meeting performance expectations, the LOA request will only be considered as grounds to prevent or reverse a failing grade if all appropriate procedures have been followed and the request is supported by significant, verifiable factors outside the student’s control.
Indicators of potential course failure may include, but are not limited to:
- A score of 1 in any section of the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE)
- A score of less than 3 on any of the first three items of the FWPE, which are considered Fundamentals of Practice
If a student chooses to terminate their placement early or take an LOA, the fieldwork educator will be asked to complete a final FWPE to document the student’s performance up to that point. This evaluation will be used in determining the final course grade.