Expectations for Specific Fieldwork Courses
Students are expected to be on site for fieldwork placements from the assigned start date through the assigned end date, in accordance with site schedules and program expectations, unless otherwise approved by the fieldwork site and the fieldwork office.
Requirements related to tracking or documenting time spent in fieldwork placements, including use of the EXXAT platform, vary by course and fieldwork level. Students are responsible for reviewing the syllabus for each individual fieldwork course to determine whether time logging is required and, if applicable, the specific expectations for documenting time in EXXAT.
Level I and Level II Fieldwork Attendance
Attendance is mandatory for all Level I fieldwork experiences, including clinical activities, orientation sessions, and scheduled meetings outlined in individual course syllabi.
Students are permitted to miss one Level I fieldwork experience if the absence is excused as defined by the program manual. All absences beyond one must be made up in order to meet course requirements.
Due to the availability and structure of experiences offered by clinical partners, make-up experiences may differ from the originally assigned activity in format, timing, or setting. Some orientation-based experiences (e.g., program orientations, site-specific onboarding sessions, or large-group instructional experiences) may not be able to be replicated or rescheduled. Faculty and clinical partners are not required to repeat orientation content for individual students.
When an orientation-based experience is missed, students are responsible for obtaining missed information by following up with peers, reviewing provided materials, and completing any required follow-up activities as directed by course faculty.
In circumstances where required make-up experiences cannot occur within the same semester due to scheduling or availability constraints, the student may receive an Incomplete for the course until all requirements are fulfilled. Receipt of an Incomplete may delay progression and resolution is dependent on the availability of appropriate learning experiences and the student’s overall academic workload.
For all Level I fieldwork experiences, students must notify the fieldwork site coordinator and fieldwork educator prior to the start of the scheduled fieldwork hours to report an absence. All absences, late arrivals, early dismissals, or changes to the regular schedule must also be reported to the Level I Fieldwork Coordinator and Course Faculty.
Level II Fieldwork: Attendance is mandatory for all fieldwork experiences. Students are expected to attend to all fieldwork experiences during the hours specified by the fieldwork facility, including evening, weekend, and holiday work schedules, rather than the Institute’s academic calendar.
For all Level II fieldwork related experiences, students must contact the fieldwork site coordinator and fieldwork educator before the start of the scheduled fieldwork hours to report their absence. In the case of an anticipated absence, the student is expected to discuss the absence with the Fieldwork Educator in advance of the scheduled session. In addition, all absences, late arrivals, early dismissal, or changes to the regular schedule must be reported to the AFWC and CEPSA.
Students are allowed up to three absences during a Level II fieldwork rotation. These absences include clinic holidays (e.g., days when the site is closed), student illness, etc. and do not need to be made up unless required by the clinical site. It is important to note that expectations for missed time vary across sites, and some may require that all missed days or hours be completed prior to successful fieldwork completion.
If a student exceeds three absences, they must submit a written plan to the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC), developed in collaboration with and approved by the fieldwork educator. A meeting may be required between the student, the AFWC, and the fieldwork educator and/or site coordinator to determine appropriate next steps. All plans to address missed time must align with program requirements and be communicated in advance to ensure appropriate oversight and support.
It is important to note that clinical sites may not be able, or willing, to extend placements to accommodate missed time.
In some cases, such absences may also require a medical provider’s clearance to return to the fieldwork facility.
This policy of no more than 3 absences applies to all students, including those with approved accommodation for flexible attendance. In those cases, a representative from Accessibility Resources will be invited to participate in the meeting to support a coordinated and appropriate plan.
Regular attendance is essential to support the student’s progression and demonstration of competence on the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE), as consistent participation allows for the development, application, and assessment of required skills over time. If a student anticipates that attendance may be a challenge due to an approved accommodation, it is essential to contact the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC) in advance of the placement. Early communication allows for collaborative planning and, when appropriate and feasible, may include proactively exploring an adjusted timeline, such as an extended placement end date with site approval.
While accommodations may allow for some flexibility in attendance, frequent or recurring absences (e.g., weekly absences) may limit opportunities for skill development and impact successful completion of fieldwork requirements. Fieldwork sites are not obligated to extend the experience beyond the scheduled dates, and proactive planning helps ensure that individual student needs are balanced with ACOTE requirements and site expectations in a thoughtful, equitable, and inclusive manner.
Failure to adhere to the attendance policy may result in course failure and/or termination of the fieldwork placement.
Inclement Weather/Snow Policy
Level I Fieldwork: In the event that Mass General Brigham University of Health Professions is closed due to inclement weather or other emergency conditions, all on-site Level I fieldwork experiences associated with the IHP will be cancelled.
When appropriate and feasible, Level I fieldwork experiences may transition to a remote or telehealth format at the discretion of the fieldwork site and course faculty. Students will be notified by the Level I Fieldwork Coordinator or course faculty if a remote alternative is available and approved for a given experience.
The Level I Fieldwork Coordinator will communicate with students regarding cancelled experiences and, when indicated, will coordinate make-up experiences. Make-up opportunities are dependent on the nature of the experience, site availability, and course design. Students should refer to the individual course syllabus to determine which Level I fieldwork experiences allow for make-ups and the expectations associated with those make-ups.
Level II Fieldwork: Level II fieldwork experiences do not follow University closures. During Level II fieldwork, students are expected to make every reasonable effort to attend all scheduled fieldwork hours and to follow the attendance expectations, weather-related policies, and operational decisions of their assigned fieldwork facility.
In the event of inclement weather or other emergency conditions, students must follow the guidance provided by the fieldwork site and communicate directly with their fieldwork educator and site coordinator regarding attendance or schedule adjustments.
However, student safety is a priority. If a student believes that travel conditions are unsafe or if travel is impossible, the student must notify their fieldwork site contact prior to the start of the scheduled hours to discuss the situation and determine a plan. The student must also notify the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC) and the Clinical Education Placement and Systems Associate(CEPSA).
Please note: If a student is unable to attend due to inclement weather or unsafe travel, the absence will still count toward the student’s three-day absence allowance for Level II fieldwork.