The fieldwork education component of this program is integral to the development of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy student’s skills and readiness for the clinical environment. It provides students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and competencies gained through the didactic portion of this program in an authentic clinical environment. Students will obtain a deeper understanding of the core values, theoretical perspectives, and practical application of skills within occupational therapy as they apply to real world patients/clients. They will develop a more thorough understanding of their roles and responsibilities as an occupational therapist. Moreover, they will develop the new skills and competencies required to excel as an entry level generalist practitioner.
The fieldwork experiences generally take place under the supervision and guidance of a licensed occupational therapist (with some exceptions) and will be supported by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC). Successful completion of the fieldwork education within the outlined timeframe is a requirement of this program, an essential component of eligibility to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination, and necessary to obtain licensure to practice as an occupational therapist. Our program is designed to allow students to enhance their academic learning by participating in clinical experiences early in their education. Students are expected to show increased competence in their fieldwork experiences and require progressively less supervision as their fieldwork education progresses.
Fieldwork Education Experiences Sequence (listed below)