Writing Your Thank You Letter
The thank you letter, which is written to your site supervisor before you begin the experience, is an important part of the course proposal because it adds a personal touch to the formal learning contract. Here is where you can share what you are most excited to learn, what you can bring to the table, and reiterate the value of the learning contract to help guide your experience. You will attach your thank you letter after you submit your learning contract, or what Handshake called, "Experience". Below is a template that you can use to help draft your thank you letter in a professional format.
Your Mailing Address
City, State Zip Code
Today’s Date (e.g. October 20, 2023)
Mr./Ms./Dr. Supervisor’s Full Name
Supervisor’s Title
Department Name (if applicable)
Organizational Name
Mailing Address
City, State Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name:
In the opening paragraph, thank your site supervisor for agreeing to accept you for this Field Period® experience with his/her organization. Express how excited you are to be working with him/her and the organization. You may also want to reference something specific about this organization and/or your supervisor that contributes to your enthusiasm about this upcoming experience.
In the second paragraph, elaborate a bit on what you can bring to this experience and what you hope to gain from it. Explain that the learning contract highlights your learning objectives and anticipated day-to-day activities that you two had previously discussed. Although these are not necessarily fixed, they are designed to provide a structured framework for your Field Period® experience. Stress that your site supervisor’s electronic approval is required after reviewing your learning contract so you can be registered for this credit-bearing experience and before you can begin your 120 on-site hours (OT majors do 60+ hours at two sites).
In the final paragraph, inform your supervisor that you will stay in contact with him/her prior to your Field Period® beginning. Ask him/her to please let you know if there is anything that needs to be done or that you can do to prepare for this experience beforehand. Provide your contact information to ensure he/she can get in touch with you. In closing, thank the supervisor again for this opportunity and reiterate your enthusiasm for working with this organization.
Sincerely,
Your Full Typewritten Name
The screenshot to the right shows how you will attach your Thank You Letter to your learning contract, completing your course proposal submission in Handshake.
Once all requirements for the course proposal are complete, the Field Period® Program Office will initiate the approval process. Approval emails will be sent through Handshake to first, your faculty advisor/evaluator, then your site supervisor, and finally the Registrar's Office to register your course. You will be notified through email once all approvals are provided and can view the status of your approvals in Handshake at any time.
