Early Dismissal or Failure of Fieldwork Experiences
The fieldwork facility may temporarily suspend, and/or may request the Program to withdraw, any student whose conduct or health status may have a detrimental effect on the fieldwork facility's professional staff or its patients or clients. In such cases, the fieldwork facility shall notify the Institute of such temporary suspension as soon as possible. The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator may withdraw any student from the fieldwork program whose progress, achievement or adjustment does not appear to justify the student continuing with the placement. Wherever possible, such suspension or withdrawal shall be planned cooperatively by the fieldwork facility and the academic program, and any grievance against any student shall be discussed with the student and the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator.
Fieldwork Site Policies and Procedures
Students are expected to adhere to all safety guidelines and policies and procedures of the fieldwork site in which the fieldwork education experience takes place. Failure to do so may result in dismissal of the fieldwork experience and a grade of “F” for that fieldwork course. Failure of a fieldwork experience is considered failure in a professional course and is associated with all actions and penalties that may occur with any failure of a professional course. Failure of a Level II fieldwork placement will result in the need to repeat the course, requiring the student to register and pay for an additional 6.0 credits. Any repeat fieldwork placement is scheduled based on the availability of fieldwork sites and may result in a delay in the program progression, which will result in a 1.0 credit continuation fee. If a student fails any fieldwork experience, the AFWC will make a recommendation to the Committee on Academic Policies and Procedures regarding continued enrollment in the program. Depending on the reasons for the failure, the AFWC may recommend continued enrollment or dismissal from the program.
Level I fieldwork cannot be substituted for any part of Level II fieldwork. If a student's placement in Level II fieldwork is terminated for any reason, time spent in Level I fieldwork cannot be used to meet Level II fieldwork requirements. This policy ensures that the depth and breadth of experience necessary for competent professional practice are adequately met, and it upholds the standards set by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. These standards require that students complete a minimum of 24 weeks full-time placements. This may be completed on a part-time basis, as defined by the fieldwork placement in accordance with the fieldwork placement’s usual and customary personal policies, as long as it is at least 50% of an FTE at that site.