Level 1 Fieldwork

Level I Fieldwork introduces students to practice. It is designed to enrich coursework through directed observation and participation in selected aspects of the occupational therapy process. Students in the BU MSOT program participate in a semester long LIFW experience for each of the four academic semesters. During the first year, students participate in two different fieldwork settings: one with and one without occupational therapist. During the second year, students are actively engaged in providing occupational therapy services to individuals and groups in community settings.

These LIFW experiences are part of the Integrative Seminar sequence in the curriculum. Students use examples from their fieldwork experiences during class discussion to help make connections between course-based learning and clinical practice.

Additional Level 1 Fieldwork experiences are part of required assignments for other courses, including:

  • OT524 Occupation Based Practice with Individuals: Students work with peer partners throughout the semester to get first-hand experience of the occupational therapy assessment and intervention process in a wellness context.
  • OT529 Occupation Across the Life Course: Students interview adults, observe a child or adolescent in natural contexts, and practice administering interview assessments to understand another person's point of view, the ways in which they construct meaning in their lives, and the influence of occupation on development.

The Greater Boston area provides a wealth of opportunities to gain clinical experience in a variety of settings and roles including rehabilitation units, hand clinics, early intervention centers, hospice care, homeless shelters, nursing homes, day treatment programs, camps, and schools. Students are encouraged and supported to explore their individual areas of interest throughout the program.