Completion of Fieldwork Experiences
All fieldwork experiences are considered professional courses and must be successfully completed in order for students to progress in the program.
Fieldwork education courses occur at facilities assigned by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC), Level I Fieldwork Coordinator, Course Faculty, or the Clinical Education Placement & Systems Associate (CEPSA). Level I fieldwork may include a combination of part-time experiences. Level II fieldwork consists of full-time placements at affiliated clinical sites across the United States. Level II fieldwork may be completed on a part-time basis, defined by ACOTE as a minimum of 24 hours per week and are contingent on the availability of clinical sites able to support this model of supervision. Part-time placements may place a student off the standard curricular timeline, affect the anticipated graduation date, and impact financial aid eligibility.
Students may not decline an assigned fieldwork placement. Declining a placement is considered refusal to complete a required course and will result in a course failure.
Failure to successfully complete a Level II fieldwork placement requires course repetition, including registration and payment for additional credits. Repeat placements are scheduled based on site availability and may delay program progression and impact financial aid.
Discontinuation, Course Outcomes, and Academic Appeals
Students who discontinue, withdraw from, or otherwise do not successfully complete all required components of a fieldwork placement will receive a failing grade for the course. A grade of Incomplete is not granted at the time of fieldwork discontinuation.
Students seeking consideration of an Incomplete or any alternative academic outcome (e.g., grade changes) must follow the Institute’s formal academic appeal process in accordance with Institute policy.
Consideration of appeals will include review of fieldwork educator evaluations, documented performance concerns, narrative feedback, and adherence to fieldwork policies. Evidence that a student was not meeting performance expectations will be considered in all determinations.
Limits on Level II Fieldwork Placement Assignments
Students are permitted a maximum of three (3) enrollment attempts to successfully complete Level II Fieldwork coursework, including placements that are completed, failed, or discontinued prior to the scheduled end date.
A Leave of Absence (LOA) may not be used to avoid, delay, or reverse the assignment of a failing grade. Approval of an LOA does not negate or supersede academic outcomes resulting from discontinuation of a fieldwork experience or documented performance concerns. An LOA does not reset the number of placement assignments or provide additional placement opportunities.
Because the number of Level II placement opportunities is limited, students who take an LOA after beginning a placement should carefully consider their readiness to meet the demands of clinical practice prior to returning.Students are required to successfully complete a minimum of two Level II fieldwork placements within a maximum of three placement assignments. Students who do not successfully complete two placements within three placement assignments are no longer eligible to continue in the OTD program.
Students may petition for a variance to this policy through the Committee on Academic and Policies and Procedures (CAPP) in accordance with program policies.
Students who do not successfully complete the required Level II fieldwork placements may be eligible to receive a Master of Health Sciences degree, in accordance with program and institutional requirements.
Approved accommodations are designed to support equitable access to learning and performance and are implemented through the Office of Accessibility Services. Accommodations do not alter the essential requirements of fieldwork education or the maximum number of placement assignments permitted within the program.