Higher Education and Student Affairs Resources

Program Pathways

Pre-Fieldwork

The pre-fieldwork requirements are designed to ensure you are best prepared to enter the field and begin your fieldwork experience. All the pre-fieldwork requirements, including coursework and FERPA training, must be completed prior to advancing to fieldwork.

Pre-Fieldwork Requirements

Step 1: Successfully Complete Pre-Fieldwork Coursework

Successfully complete the following course prior to advancing to fieldwork:

• EDUC 607  Introduction to Higher Education & Student Affairs  

Step 2: Submit Your Advance to Fieldwork Request Form

Submit your Advance to Fieldwork Request form before the end of your first term in the program. 

This form signals your readiness to engage in fieldwork in the program. It provides information about your anticipated timeline for fieldwork and ideas or plans for your placement.

Step 3: Complete Your FERPA Training

You must complete FERPA training and send the certificate of completion to olc@redlands.edu before being released for fieldwork.

FERPA training is intended to familiarize students with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Students completing fieldwork at post-secondary settings are expected to comply.

Step 4: Identify a Fieldwork Placement & a Site Mentor

The next step is to identify a fieldwork placement and a site mentor. It is recommended that placements be identified 5 to 6 weeks before the beginning of the term in which you will be completing fieldwork hours.

Based on your anticipated timeline, goals, and ideas for fieldwork, discuss possible plans for fieldwork with your advisor, if necessary. The Office of Career and Professional Development can provide support and services that can assist you when identifying or applying for a fieldwork placement and/or site mentor. The Guidance for Site Mentors web page outlines expectations and guidelines for supervisors.

Step 5: Share the Site Mentor Fieldwork Agreement Letter

Once you have identified a fieldwork placement and site mentor, you will need to share the Site Mentor Fieldwork Agreement Letter with your mentor.

Step 6: Register for EDUC 666 Fieldwork Practicum in Higher Education

During the open registration period, register for the appropriate number of units of EDUC 666 Fieldwork Practicum in Higher Education. Each unit of credit is equivalent to 40 hours of fieldwork.

Fieldwork

The fieldwork experience involves a focused examination of functional units, programs, offices, and departments in higher education and student affairs. It is your opportunity to examine in depth an area of interest that you intend to pursue or explore an interest that is new to you. During fieldwork, you are expected to participate in activities that provide the opportunity to experience what the professional and their unit does as a part of his or her work. 

Upon completion of the fieldwork practicum course, you will have:

• demonstrated an understanding of a specific area(s) of higher education
• engaged in professional practice in that area(s)
• an ability to explain what is required by a professional working in the designated area(s)
• an understanding of the entry points for employment in the professional area(s)
• started discerning a sense of your own professional identity

During Fieldwork

Step 1: Submit the Fieldwork Agreement Signature Form

Submit a completed copy of the Fieldwork Agreement Signature Form to the olc@redlands.edu. 

This form is to be completed in collaboration with your site mentor and should be submitted before the add/drop deadline.

Step 2: Initiate Your Student Evaluations

Have your site mentor complete a Student Evaluation midway and at the end of your fieldwork experience.

If you have multiple placements, you will need to complete a midway and final evaluation for each placement you have.

Step 3: Complete & Log 40 Hours of Fieldwork for Each Unit of Credit

Complete at least 40 hours of fieldwork for each unit of credit earned directed by your site mentor(s). During fieldwork, you must complete a time log of your experience (students often use an excel file which is signed by their site mentor and indicates what work they did).

For the 3 total credits required, you will need to complete at least 120 hours in the field. Some students choose to do substantially more hours of fieldwork to gain additional experience.

Finalizing Your Fieldwork Requirement

Submit the following documents to olc@redlands.edu before the last day of the term:

• Student evaluations
• Signed fieldwork log(s)

Workplace Fieldwork

Students will have the opportunity to complete 40 fieldwork hours (equivalent of 1 unit) of the 120 fieldwork hours (3 units) requirement at their place of employment. Workplace fieldwork hours must be intentional and provide students with sufficient learning opportunities that will facilitate the development of professional identity.

If you are interested in completing workplace hours, you will be required to submit a proposal for faculty review.

Workplace Fieldwork Requirements:

• Successful completion of EDUC 607 Introduction to Higher Education and Student Affairs
• Currently hold a full-time position at an accredited college or university that allows deep exploration and practical experiences in the student’s area of interest
• Submit a Workplace Fieldwork Proposal before the deadline for faculty review
• Have a site-mentor identified—mentors can be workplace supervisors or other higher education professionals within the institution. A site-mentor should be an individual that has the capacity to evaluate your work. 
• Approval from your workplace supervisor