Master of Occupational Therapy Program - Governors State University

Governors State University
College of Health and Human Services
Occupational Therapy Department
Policy: Level I Experience Number: OT – 604 Page 1 of 2
Effective: 5/29/04
Reviewed:
Supersedes: Revised: 4/4/11
Policy:
The Level I fieldwork courses, OCCT 742/OCCT 802/OCCT 812 are integral to the
program’s curriculum design and include experiences designed to enrich their co-requisite
didactic courses through directed observation and participation in a variety of service delivery
systems. Level I fieldwork experience cannot be substituted or applied to Level II
requirements.
Purpose: Level I fieldwork experiences are co-requisite courses in the Applied Level of the
program (OCCT 740741 -Psychosocial Knowledge, OCCT 800/801-Occupational Therapy
Assessment and Intervention I, OCCT 810/811-Occupational Therapy Assessment and
Intervention II). These Applied and Level I Fieldwork courses reflect the sequence, depth,
focus and scope of content in the curriculum design. Students spend over 300 hours across the
Level I fieldwork experiences with opportunities for the development of the values and beliefs
that enable ethical practice, and to develop professionalism and competence in career
responsibilities across the lifespan in selected aspects of the occupational therapy process.
Procedure:
1.0 Students must follow their study plan and be currently enrolled in all courses co-requisite
to the Level I fieldwork courses.
2.0 The course instructor and the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFC) collaborate on the
identification of fieldworks sites and the assignment of students to those sites. The Level I
experiences give the students the opportunities to observe and participate in practice, thus
building connections between occupational theory, process and practice.
3.0 In selecting and developing Level I fieldwork sites, emphasis is placed on developing sites
within the university’s service region. Traditional and new emerging settings are utilized.
4.0 The on-site person who will supervise the student is identified prior to the start of the
experience in order to answer questions regarding the experience and their qualifications
to supervise the level I student.
5.0 Communication between the AFC and the on-site fieldwork supervisor is maintained
through letters, e-mail and phone calls. Fieldwork educators are given suggestions to
effectively meet the learning needs of the students.
6.0 Legal contracts must be in place prior to student placement. See Contract policy.
7.0 Students are matched to sites based on course instructor input, course expectations,
practice at the site, availability of a willing supervisor and when possible location.