Contacting Fieldwork Sites and Fieldwork Interviews
The AFWC and CEPSA are responsible for establishing relationships with fieldwork sites and developing the program’s fieldwork educators. In keeping with the program’s philosophy that fieldwork education is an extension of the academic program, efforts will be directed at developing a network of fieldwork facilities and fieldwork educators committed to working with this program to provide quality professional education.
Contacting Fieldwork Sites
Students are strictly prohibited from contacting any fieldwork education facilities, regardless of whether the University currently holds a contract with the site, until they have been granted explicit permission to do so by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC) or Clinical Education Placement and Student Affairs (CEPSA) staff. Unauthorized contact with sites prior to receiving permission may jeopardize fieldwork opportunities and the Institute’s relationships with clinical partners.
If students have site-specific questions during the Level II exploration process, they must direct all inquiries to the University fieldwork team.
Communication with fieldwork sites will be initiated and authorized by the University fieldwork team. Students will be directed, as instructed by the fieldwork team, to follow up with their assigned site to confirm placement timing, logistical details, or to schedule an interview if required.
New Site Development
The University OTD Program prioritizes use of established fieldwork contracts within a given geographic area when assigning student placements. When existing contracted fieldwork sites are available and educationally appropriate, the program will generally seek placements within those sites before pursuing new fieldwork contracts. Exceptions to this practice may be considered at the discretion of the IHP Fieldwork Team.
Development of new fieldwork sites may occur under a limited set of circumstances to meet programmatic or student-specific needs. Students interested in initiating discussion regarding potential new fieldwork sites must schedule a meeting with the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC) or the Clinical Education Placement & Systems Associate (CEPSA). The decision to pursue a new fieldwork contract rests solely with the University Fieldwork Team.
If the University Fieldwork Team elects to pursue a contract with a prospective site, all initial and ongoing outreach will be conducted directly by the AFWC or CEPSA. Students must not contact prospective fieldwork sites regarding placement or contracting unless explicitly directed to do so by the AFWC or CEPSA.
Students who initiate new site development and for whom the AFWC or CEPSA has initiated communication and contractual processes will be expected to proceed with the associated fieldwork placement arrangements. Once contractual negotiations are underway, all formal communication and legal business is conducted exclusively between the University and the prospective fieldwork site. Students should not expect to participate in or be included in these negotiations.
Fieldwork Interviews
Fieldwork facilities may require a pre-placement interview to determine “goodness of fit” for placement. Assignment to a fieldwork site does not guarantee final acceptance, as fieldwork facilities retain discretion to determine whether a student is an appropriate fit based on their interview process.
If a student is not accepted by a fieldwork facility following an interview, this may affect the student’s timeline for progression in the program.
Concerns identified by a student following a required fieldwork interview do not, in and of themselves, constitute grounds for reconsideration of a Level II fieldwork assignment. In limited and exceptional circumstances involving substantiated issues related to safety, ethical practice, or the ability to meet established fieldwork requirements, the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC) may review relevant information to determine whether reassignment is warranted. Such review is discretionary and does not guarantee an alternative placement.
Fieldwork Cancellations
Clinical sites retain the right to cancel a reservation for any reason. In the event that the University Fieldwork Team is notified of a cancellation after a student has been assigned, the program will work with clinical partners, to identify a suitable replacement fieldwork placement.
Every effort will be made to find a suitable alternative that aligns with the student’s placement preferences; however, flexibility regarding location, setting, or type of placement may be required.
The University Fieldwork Team is committed to supporting students through any unexpected changes and ensuring the successful completion of all required fieldwork experiences.