Field Period®

Keuka College Field Period provides students the opportunity to link academic learning with hands-on experiences. The integration and synthesis of theoretical and applied learning provides a rich, real-world laboratory for student growth and learning. Through Field Period® experiences, students can test academic principles, explore and advance career possibilities, investigate diverse environments or cultures, exercise leadership skills, raise awareness of social responsibilities, and enhance cultural understanding of the world, and grow personally. Field Period helps students become active, self-directed, and, ultimately, lifelong learners.

Field Period experiences are a minimum of 140-hour experiences completed each year by all students, typically scheduled during the January term and/or during the summer term, however, there are Field Period opportunities available during both the fall and spring semesters.  Field Period can be a paid or non-paid experience. They involve student-initiated learning goals and site placement, an intensive experience, and multi-faceted evaluation. The academic advisers and the Field Period Program office work closely with students in planning, preparation, and evaluation of Field Periods. It is ultimately the student, however, who is responsible for the success of their Field Period experience.

Through Field Period, opportunities exist for individual or group placements, career exploration or development, service learning, cross-cultural/diversity exploration, spiritual exploration, leadership, and personal growth. Field Period experiences have been accomplished in small and large organizations, rural and metropolitan areas, from coast to coast and around the globe. Field Period opens the world and all of its opportunities to Keuka College students.

College policy requires students to complete one Field Period (three credits) for every 30 Keuka College credit hours (12 Field Period credits in total).   Field Periods requirements for transfer students will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Division Chairs and the Registrar, based on the number of credits accepted and applied toward the baccalaureate degree. In these instances, students may have a certain number of general Field Period requirements waived.  Specific Field Period requirements for majors and minors cannot be waived.

Online students must complete one experiential learning requirement as dictated by their program.

Some academic majors require students to complete several Field Period experiences within the discipline. Registration, requirements for credit and grading, and suggestions for an enhanced learning experience are in Handshake, a database of opportunities for students, alumni, and employers. Further information about the Field Period process, specific requirements, opportunities including course proposals, approvals, and evaluations is available through the KC Portal. The Director of Field Period Program provides orientation sessions on Field Period and assists students in locating sites. Field Period experiences are graded on a slightly different schedule than other courses. Grading deadlines for all Field Periods terms are listed on the academic calendar as well as the Field Period portal.

Policy on Field Period® Student Hours Allocation

Each three-credit Field Period requires the instructional equivalent of 140 hours of class time. To meet this requirement, students should complete at least 120 active, on-site hours. The remainder of the 140 hours requirement should be met through preparatory activities, reflective assignments, and sharing Field Period outcomes through discussion and/or presentation (see table below for approximate instructional equivalents). Academic advisors have final discretion in determining that Field Period goals and objectives have been met.

 More information can be found on the Field Period® Resources Page.