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Effectiveness of the AOTA Fieldwork Educator Certificate Program: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Participants

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Title: Effectiveness of the AOTA Fieldwork Educator Certificate Program: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Participants
Language: English
Authors: Susan M. Higgins, Tiffany L. Benaroya
Source: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 2026 10(1).
Availability: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Field Instruction, Occupational Therapy, Allied Health Occupations Education, Teacher Education Programs, Program Effectiveness, Educational Certificates, Clinical Teaching (Health Professions)
ISSN: 2573-1378
Abstract: Fieldwork educators are essential in educating future occupational therapy practitioners, yet they are often not formally trained for this role. Fieldwork educator preparation programs may help strengthen educator effectiveness; however, limited research has examined the impact of these programs. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Fieldwork Educator Certificate Program (FWECP) is a two-day professional development course designed to enhance the supervisory and teaching competencies of fieldwork educators. This study examined the effectiveness of the FWECP from the perspective of participants who completed the program between June 2019 and June 2024. An anonymous retrospective survey was distributed to past participants, yielding 314 responses (11.4% response rate). Quantitative findings indicated the FWECP strengthened participants' ability to design educational experiences, adapt supervisory approaches, provide effective feedback, evaluate performance, and establish their professional identity as fieldwork educators. Qualitative analysis revealed high satisfaction with content related to program development, teaching and learning styles, student supervision, and feedback and evaluation. Suggested improvements included updating program content to reflect current Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards, revising delivery format, and offering advanced training opportunities. These findings highlight the importance of structured training programs in equipping fieldwork educators with the necessary skills to deliver high-quality fieldwork experiences that shape the next generation of occupational therapy practitioners.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502733
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Effectiveness of the AOTA Fieldwork Educator Certificate Program: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Participants
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Susan+M%2E+Higgins%22">Susan M. Higgins</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tiffany+L%2E+Benaroya%22">Tiffany L. Benaroya</searchLink>
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  Data: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Field+Instruction%22">Field Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Occupational+Therapy%22">Occupational Therapy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Occupations+Education%22">Allied Health Occupations Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Education+Programs%22">Teacher Education Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Certificates%22">Educational Certificates</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Clinical+Teaching+%28Health+Professions%29%22">Clinical Teaching (Health Professions)</searchLink>
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  Data: Fieldwork educators are essential in educating future occupational therapy practitioners, yet they are often not formally trained for this role. Fieldwork educator preparation programs may help strengthen educator effectiveness; however, limited research has examined the impact of these programs. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Fieldwork Educator Certificate Program (FWECP) is a two-day professional development course designed to enhance the supervisory and teaching competencies of fieldwork educators. This study examined the effectiveness of the FWECP from the perspective of participants who completed the program between June 2019 and June 2024. An anonymous retrospective survey was distributed to past participants, yielding 314 responses (11.4% response rate). Quantitative findings indicated the FWECP strengthened participants' ability to design educational experiences, adapt supervisory approaches, provide effective feedback, evaluate performance, and establish their professional identity as fieldwork educators. Qualitative analysis revealed high satisfaction with content related to program development, teaching and learning styles, student supervision, and feedback and evaluation. Suggested improvements included updating program content to reflect current Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards, revising delivery format, and offering advanced training opportunities. These findings highlight the importance of structured training programs in equipping fieldwork educators with the necessary skills to deliver high-quality fieldwork experiences that shape the next generation of occupational therapy practitioners.
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      – SubjectFull: Occupational Therapy
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      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Occupations Education
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