Fieldwork
Fieldwork is a required part of the academic curriculum at every accredited occupational therapy program in the United States. Fieldwork is an out-of-classroom experiential learning opportunity for senior and graduate occupational therapy students. Fieldwork helps students integrate academic coursework into real life situations while they learn from experienced professionals. Every OT student at Keuka College completes two “level I” and two “level II” Fieldwork placements. For each placement, students work collaboratively with an academic fieldwork coordinator to select a placement that best fits with the student’s preferences, personality and learning style, and learning objectives.
In addition to the required Fieldwork placements, Keuka College students also have the unique opportunity to participate in Field Period® internships in their freshman, sophomore, and junior years. In total, by the time our students graduate from Keuka College with a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, they will have completed approximately 1,380 hours of hands-on learning.
Additional information about Occupational Therapy Fieldwork requirements are available from the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Level I Fieldwork
Level I Fieldwork is an embedded experience within the curriculum that is thoughtfully and intentionally guided by current faculty members who are practicing and licensed occupational therapists. As a senior in the OT program at Keuka College you will complete two level I Fieldwork placements, totaling 140 hours. For most students, level I experiences will include exposure to both traditional settings and emerging areas of practice.
Level II Fieldwork
After completing a Bachelor’s of Science in Occupational Science and other requirements, graduate students at Keuka College complete two Level II Fieldworks. Each one is a full-time, 12 week placement. Level II Fieldwork helps students to develop clinical reasoning and professional skills under the supervision of a licensed clinician. Students implement the core values and beliefs of the profession while expanding their knowledge and ability to apply classroom instruction to real-world experiences.