Philosophy of Engaged Learning
Active & engaged learning is a crucial aspect of occupational therapy education. The Occupational Therapy Department of Duquesne University is committed to the development of practice scholars and utilizes community engaged learning, fieldwork education, and the doctoral capstone experience within the well-integrated curriculum continuum to promote advanced skill development in the core aspects of our mission through serving, leading, questioning, and doing. In addition to formal fieldwork education and doctoral capstone experience, students at in the Occupational Therapy Program at Duquesne University spend (at minimum) 35 hours of learning by doing in the community. Our faculty strongly embraces the concepts of Engaged and Transformative Learning and recognizes their value in developing practitioners that can be the leaders within our profession. We have integrated the core concepts of these learning theories within many aspects of our curriculum. Within entry-level occupational therapy programs, there are three levels of formal active, engaged learning:
- Level I Fieldwork
- Level II Fieldwork
- Doctoral Capstone Experience (OTD students only)
Fieldwork and Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE) placements are available at sites in a variety of practice settings and geographic locations. Students will receive access to our database of current site affiliations in their 3rd year in preparation to start fieldwork in their 4th year. Some travel may be necessary outside of the Greater Pittsburgh area and students will be responsible for any fieldwork/DCE related expenses (ex. uniforms, housing, transportation, clearances, and vaccinations). You can read more about all of our policies related to fieldwork and DCE in our Fieldwork and DCE Manual.
Fieldwork and DCE Sites
Below is a list of sites and settings where students commonly complete their fieldwork experiences, however, we have affiliation agreements with a wide variety of sites throughout Pennsylvania and US at large. Students may also have the opportunity to compete fieldwork or DCE at unique sites and settings of interest to them, including animal assisted rehabilitation, psychiatric facilities, blind and vision centers, and more!
| Site | Site Setting(s) |
|---|---|
|
Allegheny Health Network |
Inpatient Acute Care, Inpatient/Outpatient Rehabilitation |
| Butler Health System | Inpatient Acute Care, Inpatient/Outpatient Rehabilitation |
| Cleveland Clinic Foundation | Inpatient Acute Care, Inpatient/Outpatient Rehabilitation, Hand Therapy, Inpatient/Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation |
| Concordia Lutheran Ministries | Skilled Nursing Facility, Sub-Acute Long-Term Care |
| Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospitals | Inpatient/Outpatient Rehabilitation |
| Heritage Valley Health System | Inpatient Acute Care, Skilled Nursing Facility, Sub-Acute Long-Term Care |
| Ivy Rehabilitation Network | Inpatient/Outpatient Rehabilitation, Inpatient/Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation, Early Intervention |
| OSPTA | Hand Therapy |
| Pittsburgh Public Schools | School |
| Reach for Speech | Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation |
| The Children's Institute | Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation, School, Early Intervention |
| The Watson Institute | School |
| University Hospitals | Inpatient Acute Care, Inpatient/Outpatient Rehabilitation, Hand Therapy, Inpatient/Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation, Home Health |
| UPMC Hospitals | Inpatient Acute Care, Inpatient/Outpatient Rehabilitation, Hand Therapy, Inpatient/Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation, Home Health |
| Veterans Affairs Medical Centers | Inpatient Acute Care, Inpatient Rehabilitation |
| Washington Health System | Inpatient Acute Care, Inpatient/Outpatient Rehabilitation |
Resources for Fieldwork Educators and DCE Site Mentors
If you are a Fieldwork Educator, please visit our Fieldwork Resources page. If you are a DCE Site Mentor, please visit our DCE Resources page. You will find helpful resources, references, and self-evaluations.