OT Fieldwork
Welcome to Kean University’s Fieldwork in Occupational Therapy page!
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator at otfieldwork@kean.edu
Welcome to the Fieldwork Student’s Section
In the student fieldwork manual, you will find valuable information regarding the students’ Level 1 and Level 2 fieldwork experiences. The purpose of this handbook is to introduce the student to different types of fieldwork, describe the process of fieldwork requirements and selection, outline the responsibilities of a student, detail what the faculty and staff roles entail during fieldwork experiences, and provide you with information on evaluation and grading.
Level I Fieldwork
Level I fieldwork occurs in the second year of the academic program. You will have three Level I fieldwork experiences in three distinct practice areas. These experiences are embedded in the seminars: Seminar in Psychosocial Practice, Seminar in Adult Rehabilitation and Seminar in Pediatric Practice. You will attend each level I fieldwork experience one day a week (Wednesday or Thursday) for twelve weeks throughout the semester. Your level 1 seminar instructor and/or academic fieldwork coordinator will assign you to a specific practice site and provide you with a fieldwork manual specific to each seminar course with assignments to augment and enhance your classroom learning.
Please refer to the handbook for further detail.
Level II Fieldwork
After successfully completing all of the required academic coursework, you will begin your level II fieldwork experiences. You are required to complete a minimum of 24 full time equivalent weeks of level II fieldwork to satisfy your degree requirements and establish your eligibility to take the Certification Exam administered by National Board for the Certification of Occupational Therapists, Inc. (NBCOT). You must complete your fieldwork requirements within 24 months following completion of all academic work. The ACOTE Standards for an Accredited Program for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE, 2018) recommends that you be exposed to more than one practice area. Fieldwork may take place in traditional, nontraditional, and emerging areas of practice settings. Emerging areas of practice may include, but are not limited to: design and accessibility consulting and home modification, ergonomics consulting, health and wellness consulting, private practice community health services, psychosocial needs of children and youth, or a community and social practice model such as a well elderly program or working with the homeless population. You will complete two level II fieldwork experiences in different areas of practice.
Please click here for the Level II Fieldwork Syllabus and refer to the handbook for further detail.
ACOTE Requirements for Level II Fieldwork
As per the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), Standard C.1.10: The academic program will require a minimum of 24 weeks’ full-time Level II fieldwork. This may be completed on a part-time basis as defined by the fieldwork site in accordance with the fieldwork site’s usual and customary personnel policies as long as it is at least 50% of a full-time equivalent at that site.
Fieldwork is a requirement for:
- completion of the master’s of science degree in occupational therapy
- eligibility to sit for the national certification exam
- eligibility for state licensure
- compliance with our accrediting body (ACOTE, as indicated above)
Please refer to the handbook for further detail.
Fieldwork Forms & Other Information
Level I Forms
- Articulation of Academic and Fieldwork Experience - Level I
- Acknowledgement of Receipt
- Level I Personal Data Sheet
- Health Record Form
- Midterm Evaluation
- Final Evaluation
- Student Perceptions of Fieldwork Site
Level II Forms
- Articulation of Academic and Fieldwork Experience - Level II
- Acknowledgement of Receipt
- Clinical Agreement Form
- AOTA Personal Data Sheet
- Health Update Form
- Level II Student Progress Form
- Student Evaluation of Fieldwork Experience
- Deferment Form
Problems Arising During Level II Fieldwork
You are expected to be proactive in seeking supervision during the fieldwork experience. Regular supervision should be held to communicate expectations and your progress and plans to meet expectations. We do not expect problems, but they do sometimes arise. If there is a problem, it should be addressed professionally with your fieldwork educator as quickly as possible. If a successful resolution is reached, the process is completed. If you feel you have attempted to resolve the issue without success or require assistance, contact the AFWC for input and schedule a site visit.
Please refer to the handbook for further detail.
Fieldwork Grading & Policies
LEVEL I FW: Your course syllabus outlines course grading. Your performance on each level I experience is graded on Fieldwork Level I Educator’s Assessment of Student Performance at Midterm (Appendix B) and Final (Appendix C). Because professional behavior and fieldwork are integral to your learning experience you must score 70% or above on your final fieldwork assessment in order to pass the related seminar course. Failure to achieve a 70% will result in the need to repeat the related seminar and delay graduation. If you are asked to withdraw, are suspended, voluntarily withdraw or fail a level I fieldwork experience, it will result in a grade of incomplete (IN) or failure (F) in the seminar. A new fieldwork placement cannot be guaranteed to begin within a specific time and graduation may be delayed. Please refer to the department’s retention policy in your student handbook for additional information.
LEVEL II FW: Upon the receipt of the original, hard, signed copies of the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation for the Occupational Therapy Student (Appendix E) and the Student Evaluation of Fieldwork Experience (SEFWE; Appendix F), the AFWC will submit your grade to the registrar. The department considers the final fieldwork evaluation completed by your fieldwork educator, professional behavior and safety standards in determining your final grade. The KUOT Department utilizes a Credit Granted-Fail (CG/F) system of grading for Level II fieldwork. Timely delivery of the final evaluation from your supervisor directly to the AFWC is important for the timely submission of grades to the university registrar. Every semester has a deadline for which evaluations can be received and a grade determined. If your evaluation is not received prior to the deadline for submission of grades, you will receive a grade of Incomplete (IN). A change of grade form will be submitted to the registrar once the final fieldwork evaluation and SEFWE has been received. Students who need to repeat a fieldwork course due termination or failure must pay the usual tuition to enroll in the course that needs to be repeated.
Please refer to the handbook for further detail.
Additional Resources
Welcome to the Fieldwork Educator’s Page
This portion of the website will include information regarding supervision of Level I and Level II fieldwork students. You will find links to AOTA's fieldwork website, including guidelines for level II fieldwork supervision. Additionally, there is a section that includes resources for continuing education/professional development related to fieldwork education/supervision. This page is updated as new or revised resources/information become available. Please contact the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator if you have any questions after review.
Fieldwork Manuals
In the student fieldwork manual, you will find valuable information regarding the students' Level 1 and Level 2 fieldwork experiences. The purpose of this handbook is to introduce the student to different types of fieldwork, describe the process of fieldwork requirements and selection, outline the responsibilities of a student, detail what the faculty and staff roles entail during fieldwork experiences, and give you information on evaluation and grading.
In the Fieldwork Educator’s Manual, you will find helpful information regarding the Kean University Occupational Therapy program as well as helpful site specific fieldwork information. This manual will outline the Kean University curriculum, fieldwork courses, and course and fieldwork objectives. It also provides useful information for you including creating fieldwork objectives, site development, policies, and forms of evaluation used at Kean University.
Level I Fieldwork
Articulation of Academic and Fieldwork Experience - Level I
OT 6920/7920 Seminar in Psychosocial Practice – Level I
Course Description: Students will apply foundational knowledge gained in the first year of the occupational therapy program. Students will use clinical reasoning to select practice models and/or frames of reference to guide screening, assessment and intervention planning using the best available evidence. As part of this course, students will successfully complete a mandatory level I fieldwork community placement.
OT 6921/7921 Seminar in Adult Rehab Practice – Level I
Course Description: Students will apply foundational knowledge gained in the first year of the occupational therapy program. Students will use clinical reasoning to select practice models and/or frames of reference to guide screening, assessment and intervention planning using the best available evidence. As part of this course, students will successfully complete a mandatory level I fieldwork community placement.
OT 6923/7923 Seminar in Pediatric Practice – Level I
Course Description: Students will apply foundational knowledge gained in the first year of the occupational therapy program. Students will use clinical reasoning to select practice models and/or frames of reference to guide screening, assessment and intervention planning using the best available evidence. As part of this course, students will successfully complete a mandatory level I fieldwork community placement.
Relationship to the Curriculum Design: The seminars in psychosocial, adult rehab and pediatric practice are taken during the second year of the program and during the Bridge to Practice curriculum stage. The course material and discussions are intertwined with relevant level one fieldwork experiences one day per week over the course of the semester. Students build on previously acquired knowledge to evaluate, design and adapt evidence based client centered intervention in class and during level one fieldwork experiences. Students continue to develop their professional identity in a professional setting and all stakeholders, inter-professional partners and potentially families. These courses equip students with the professional, academic and treatment planning skills required for successful integration of skills during Advanced Fieldwork Seminar (level II fieldwork) taken during the Practice stage of the curriculum.
Level II Fieldwork
Articulation of Academic and Fieldwork Experience - Level II
OT 6960/7960 Advanced Fieldwork Seminar I- Level II
Course Description: This seminar is a bridge for students to apply their knowledge, skills and attitudes developed during academic preparation into settings where occupational therapy services are provided.
As students assume the role as an entry level practitioner, they will be supervised by a qualified
occupational therapist over a minimum of 12 weeks. This course (the first of two) must be successfully completed within 24 months following completion of academic preparation.
OT 6961/7961 Advance Fieldwork Seminar II –Level II
Course Description: This seminar is a bridge for students to apply their knowledge, skills and attitudes developed during academic preparation into settings where occupational therapy services are provided.
As students assume the role as an entry level practitioner, they will be supervised by a qualified
occupational therapist over a minimum of 12 weeks. This course (the second of two) must be successfully completed within 24 months following completion of academic preparation.
Relationship to the Curriculum Design: Advance Fieldwork I and II are the final stage on the student’s bridge to practice. These courses are taken after the successful completion three level I fieldwork experiences.. Students demonstrate competency in and internalize occupational therapy values, assessment and intervention procedures while collaborating with inter-professional partners. Students must successfully pass this course in order to take the Certification Examination given by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc and become entry level occupational therapy practitioners.
ACOTE Requirements for Level II Fieldwork
As per the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, Standard C. 1.10
The academic program will require a minimum of 24 weeks’ full-time Level II fieldwork. This may be completed on a part-time basis as defined by the fieldwork site in accordance with the fieldwork site’s usual and customary personnel policies as long as it is at least 50% of a full-time equivalent at that site.
Fieldwork is a requirement for:
- completion of the master’s of science degree in occupational therapy
- eligibility to sit for the national certification exam
- eligibility for state licensure
- compliance with our accrediting body (ACOTE, as indicated above)
Fieldwork Forms & Other Information
For Facilities & FW Educators
Problems Arising During Level II Fieldwork
You are expected to be proactive in seeking supervision during the fieldwork experience. Regular supervision should be held to communicate expectations and your progress and plans to meet expectations. We do not expect problems, but they do sometimes arise. If there is a problem, it should be addressed professionally with your fieldwork educator as quickly as possible. If a successful resolution is reached, the process is completed. If you feel you have attempted to resolve the issue without success or require assistance, contact the AFWC for input and schedule a site visit.
Please refer to the Fieldwork Educator Manual for further detail.
Fieldwork Grading & Policies
Evaluation of Student Performance
As a fieldwork educator, you are responsible for evaluating the student’s progress daily. Formal fieldwork assessments are performed at midterm (week 6) and at final (week 12). Kean University uses a self developed fieldwork evaluation form for level I (Appendix F) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Performance Evaluation (Appendix G) for level II. If you have not used this form before or require assistance please contact the AFWC for assistance.
Evaluation of Fieldwork Experience
Students are required to fill out an evaluation of the fieldwork and review it with their fieldwork educator. Please see Appendix H for the level 1 fieldwork experience site form and the AOTA Student Evaluation of the Fieldwork Experience, in Appendix I, for the level two format.
Kean University uses this data for future planning such as: to further strengthen the congruency fit with fieldwork sites, evaluation supervision, develop continuing education courses and ensure quality student education.
Please refer to the manual for further information.
Preparing for a Fieldwork Student
AOTA Fieldwork Educators Certificate Program
Guidelines for Level II Fieldwork
Sample Site Specific Objectives
Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Education Value and Purpose
Fieldwork Level II and Occupational Therapy Students
Supervision of Level II Students and Productivity
Please refer to the Level II Fieldwork page of AOTA’s website, as there is valuable information found here regarding objective, guidelines, and assessment tools.
Continuing Education/Professional Development Resources
- AOTA DEIJAB Resources and toolkit
- Resources for fieldwork education
- Strategies to Promote Quality of FW Education
- Effective Behaviors of FW Educators
- AOTA Fieldwork Site
Please also review the AOTA website www.aota.org for additional resources such as:
- Developing new fieldwork programs
- Sample fieldwork objectives
- Sample student evaluation forms
Please feel free to reach out to the Kean University OT AFWC at any time with questions or concerns at otfieldwork@kean.edu.
To remain current in best practice all fieldwork educators are encouraged to seek continuing education to facilitate professional growth and supervision skills. NBCOT requires 36 professional development units in 36 months to renew registration. Some states require continuing education credits to renew OT licenses. The state of NJ currently does not require continuing education for license renewal, however many other states do.