School of Occupational Therapy

Faculty of Health

For Students

CAOT student award recipient 2025

The 2025 winner of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) Student Award for exemplary leadership in their career stage is Jessica Blades (Dalhousie University).

The award recognizes outstanding occupational therapy students from universities across Canada. The recipients for 2025 were announced as part of the CAOT awards celebration. You can find more information about the student awards on the official CAOT Awards webpage.

Education in action

At Dalhousie’s School of Occupational Therapy, you will participate in the only program in Canada with dedicated fieldwork education across each of the Atlantic Provinces.

Participating in fieldwork is an essential part of becoming an occupational therapist. Our program gives you the opportunity to gain 1,000 hours of valuable, hands-on experience. This unique fieldwork component will give you the practice you need to grow, both personally and professionally

Important fieldwork information

Fieldwork finances

As a student in the MSc(OT) - Entry Level program you are responsible for paying travel and living costs associated with fieldwork courses. Students can expect to incur additional placement-related costs regardless of their placement location. There may be some financial support through the school’s Rural and Remote Fieldwork program (subject to availability of funds, application and approval).

Fieldwork dates

OCCU5009 – Fieldwork Practice & Integration: September-December/Fall Term, Lecture based
OCCU5019 – Fieldwork and Practice Integration: January-April/Winter Term, Lecture based
OCCU5029 – Fieldwork II - Level 1 Fieldwork: May/June (8 weeks)
OCCU6019 – Fieldwork III - Level 2 Fieldwork: January-February (8 weeks)
OCCU6029 – Fieldwork IV - Level 3 Fieldwork: March-April (8 weeks)

*Please consult the course instructor for specific dates.

Support for rural placements

The School of Occupational Therapy is committed to providing rural health care for those living in the Maritimes. In order to ease the financial burden on students who travel to remote locations for their fieldwork, we provide support whenever possible.

Social media guidelines in practice education settings

Guidelines for the student use of social media and electronic communication in practice education settings.

Student responsibilities while on placement

Student responsibilities and expectations while on placement.

Fieldwork placement policies

Fieldwork policies to know about while on placement.

Accommodations

Please note: Students who require accommodations for fieldwork placements are strongly encouraged to contact the Student Accessibility Centre (SAC) upon admission to the program. The SAC will assess the student’s accommodation request and will make any necessary recommendations in the form of an accommodations plan. If a student’s request for accommodations is approved by the SAC, the SAC will provide ongoing guidance to students in collaboration with the Fieldwork Coordinator and preceptor(s) as necessary.

Mistreatment reporting

Mistreatment is any conduct that is contrary to the principles that support a respectful environment and includes making demeaning, offensive, belittling and disrespectful comments, using abusive language, engaging in bullying, harassment, and discrimination. If you experience mistreatment during a fieldwork placement, report to the OT fieldwork coordinator.

Fieldwork fundamentals

What you can expect while on placement.

As a Dalhousie Occupational Therapy student, you’ll complete your fieldwork in four parts, over two years.

OCCU 5009 + 5019	The students gain first hand experience of the personal and environmental factors that influence occupational development, participation and engagement of individuals/groups in this first part-time, community-based fieldwork learning experience. Students participate in community programs and reflect in small group tutorials with licensed occupational therapists to link their fieldwork experiences to their growing professional knowledge. Course learning objectives, integrated with learning opportunities available at community organizations, provide structure for developing the core professional skills of professional behaviours/responsibilities and communication. Students also have the opportunity to learn observation skills, professional/clinical reasoning, peer learning and feedback, self-directed learning and collaboration skills.
OCCU 5029	At the end of first year, students start their first full-time fieldwork placement. They will work alongside and under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist for an 8-week block during the months of May-June. Students can be placed in any of the Atlantic provinces.
OCCU 6019	The second full-time fieldwork placement is completed during the winter term of year two. They will work alongside and under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist for an 8-week block during the months of January-February. Students can be placed in any of the Atlantic provinces.
OCCU 6029	This final fieldwork placement occurs after OCCU 6019 as an eight-week placement. They will work alongside and under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist for an 8-week block during the months of March-April. Students can be placed in any of the Atlantic provinces.

Frequently asked questions

Can students be granted exemption from placements occurring outside of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)?

No, on applying for admission to the program, students acknowledge that they will complete a minimum of 1000 hours of fieldwork, including 3 8-week placements that may or may not be within Halifax Regional Municipality. Dalhousie’s catchment area includes Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Our fieldwork placements occur throughout this catchment area. There is no guarantee that you will be placed in Halifax for any of your fieldwork courses.

Are there placement costs?

As indicated during the application process, students in the MScOT - Entry Level program are responsible for paying travel and living costs associated with fieldwork courses. Students can expect to incur additional placement related costs regardless of their placement location. There may be some financial support through the school's Rural and Remote Fieldwork program (subject to availability of funds, application and approval).

Are international placements allowed?

International fieldwork placements for this program are on hold at this time.

Can I swap placements with another student?

Swapping placements between students is not permitted.

What happens if I get sick during a fieldwork placement.

Please consult the policies and procedures of your assigned placement site. If you are away from placement for more than tree consecutive days, please notify the OT Fieldwork Coordinator and preceptor(s) as necessary.

More questions? Contact the OT Fieldwork Coordinator (otfwork@dal.ca)