Occupational Therapy

Department Chairperson: Leslie K. Roundtree

Faculty: Sarah L. Austin, Brad E. Egan, Cynthia Health Baldwin, Wanda J. Mahoney, Regina T. Smith, Elizabeth S. Wittbrodt

The Department of Occupational Therapy offers a Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.) degree and a combined Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy (BS/M.O.T.) degree option. This entry-level graduate degree prepares students to become competent and caring occupational therapists.

Occupational Therapy is the art and science of directing an individual’s participation in everyday activities to restore, reinforce and enhance performance, facilitate learning of skills and functions essential for adaptation and productivity, diminish or correct pathology, and promote and maintain health. Its fundamental concern is the capacity, throughout the life span, to perform with satisfaction to self and others those tasks and roles essential to productive living and to the mastery of self and the environment.

The Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. ACOTE’s telephone number is 301-652-2682, and the website is www.aota.org. As of January 2007, occupational therapy educational programs are only accredited at the post-baccalaureate degree level. Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapists administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual becomes an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR ® ) and will be eligible to apply for licensure to practice in Illinois and many other states that require licensure. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT examination or attain a state license. A process for early determination of eligibility is available from NBCOT (12 South Summit Avenue Suite 100, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150, tTelephone 301-990-7979), website www.nbcot.org.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Occupational Therapy is to provide education designed to prepare competent and effective occupational therapists skilled at meeting the demands of diverse environments and rapidly changing service delivery systems. The program seeks to develop therapists who possess foundation skills in the principles of the occupational therapy profession and the ability to integrate knowledge into practice while using the critical thinking and reflective abilities necessary to address the multiple roles of practitioner, consultant, educator, manager, researcher and advocate within diverse service delivery systems.

The Department of Occupational Therapy mission is consistent with the University's and the College of Health Sciences' mission statements, and upholds the commitment to the recruitment and education of candidates from those sections of the community under represented in the practice of occupational therapy. The program’s purpose is to develop graduates that are compassionate and dedicated to implementing contextually relevant occupation-based services that promote and enhance the health, participation and quality of life for individuals and populations.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the M.O.T. degree program is based on the completion of a set of requirements that are reviewed and evaluated by the university and the department admission committee. The application process includes:

Students applying to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) in the final 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate and/or graduate courses. Your application, transcripts and application fee are sent directly to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.
A limited number of applicants with a G.P.A. of 2.90-2.99 may be granted conditional admission. Conditional admission status is removed when the student achieves a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or better.
Completion of pre-requisite courses (anthropology or sociology, statistics, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, introduction to computer science, human anatomy, human physiology, cadaver lab and introduction to occupational therapy) with a grade of C or better before beginning professional coursework. The grade point average for the required pre-requisites must be above 2.75. The anatomy and physiology courses must be taken within five years of admission to the program.
Submission of the Occupational Therapy Department application and a graduate advisor’s evaluation of pre-requisite credits. All students are strongly encouraged to review admission eligibility with an advisor before applying.
Proof of over 40 hours of work experience or community service that demonstrates human service skills. Experience is to be described on the prescribed form and signed by an appropriate supervising individual. This experience is not limited to the field of occupational therapy.
Two recommendations on the prescribed form. One of the recommendations must be from an upper-division teacher. The other recommendation may be from another upper-division teacher or an employer or community service supervisor. Relatives cannot submit recommendations.
A typed essay of approximately 1000 words on the applicant’s reason for pursuing occupational therapy as a career and how the human service experience has enhanced and developed the applicant's interpersonal skills.
Interview with the members of the Occupational Therapy admission committee. Applicants who are not accepted into the program may be invited for an interview with the chairperson to discuss options to strengthen their re-application.

Students are enrolled full-time into the M.O.T. program only once a year in the fall semester. Class size is limited and admission is competative. Full-time and part-time options for study are available. Dependent on the number of qualified applicants a waiting list may be created. Applicants placed on the waiting list will be notified of their status and rank on this list. If slots become available, applicants on the waiting list will be offered admission in rank order.

Applications are accepted and reviewed throughout the academic year, and students can receive early acceptance. The deadline for submission of application materials to the M.O.T. program is March 1st each year and October 15 for part-time. The Department of Occupational Therapy application and all supporting documents are to be submitted directly to the department. The application deadline will be extended to May 15th of each year only if admission slots are available.

Admission by Advanced Standing

Graduates who complete a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree from CSU preceding their intended enrollment in the graduate program may apply for advanced standing in the M.O.T. program.

Advanced standing students may be given up to 27 hours of credit for foundational occupational therapy courses. Students must meet the graduate G.P.A. requirements of 3.0 or better for the last 60 hours of credit for admission into the graduate program in order to receive advanced standing.

Transfer Credit

No transfer credit will be given for professional coursework in the M.O.T. curriculum. No academic credit is given for work or life experiences in occupational therapy.

General Requirements

The M.O.T. curriculum requires completion of 82 credit hours of graduate level course work that includes level I and level II fieldwork. Full time students can complete the program requirements in two and a half calendar years. Part time study may be completed in three and a half calendar years but does require full time study during the last year.

Students in the M.O.T. curriculum are required to maintain a 3.0 (B) average each semester and receive a passing grade in all Level I and Level II fieldwork. Please refer to the progression policies for details.

The fieldwork component of the M.O.T. curriculum is an integral part of the student’s overall educational experience. Placements are made in a variety of traditional settings and emerging areas of practice. Students have four semesters of level I fieldwork experience. Level I fieldwork is one day a week for ten weeks of each semester. Level II fieldwork experiences are completed during the last year of the M.O.T. program. Level II fieldwork involves two twelve-week fulltime affiliations. Completion of the graduate research project is required before beginning of level II fieldwork. All level II fieldwork experiences must be completed within 24 months following the completion of 68 hours of professional course work.

All students must successfully complete cumulative end of year examinations in Evaluation and Intervention II (OT 4141/346G) and Evaluation and Intervention IV (OT 5263/426). The end-of-year examinations are a progression requirements. The comprehensive exit examination given in the Graduate Symposium course (OT 5395/495) must be successfully completed prior to graduation.

All degree requirements must be completed within 6 years from the date of initial enrollment in the M.O.T. program.

Upon completion of all academic and fieldwork requirements, students will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination given by National Board of Certification for Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Specific Requirements

Required Courses 82 credit hours

OT 5100/302, 5110/305, 5140/345, 5151/346, 5150/358, 5151/359, 5160/363, 5161/364, 5230/405, 5220/410, 5221/411, 5231/415, 5232/416, 5262/425, 5263/426, 5262/435, 5263/436, 5211/440, 5352/450, 5370/460, 5380/470, 5395/495

Curriculum Pattern

Fall Semester – Year 1

5100/302	Foundation Principles in OT	3
5140/345	Evaluation & Intervention I*	5
5150/358	Human Occupation I	3
5160/363	Health Conditions I	3
		14

Spring Semester – Year 1

5110/305	Contexts of OT Service Delivery	2
5141/346	Evaluation & Intervention II*	5
5151/359	Human Occupation II	3
5161/364	Health Conditions II	3
		13

Summer – Year 1

5230/405	Research Methods in OT	3
5220/410	Client Factors I: Sensory-Motor	3
		6

Fall Semester – Year 2

5231/415	Research Project I	3
5242/425	Evaluation & Intervention III*	5
5262/435	Health Conditions III	3
5211/440	Program Planning for Populations	3
		14

Spring Semester – Year 2

5232/416	Research Project II	3
5243/426	Evaluation & Intervention IV*	5
5263/436	Health Conditions IV	3
5221/411	Client Factors	3
		14

Summer – Year 2

5352/450

Human Occupation III

Fall Semester – Year 3

5372	Fieldwork Seminar	1
5380	Practice Specialization in OTI	3
5370	Level II Fieldwork: Rotation I	5
		9

Spring Semester – Year 3

5371/461	Level II Fieldwork: Rotation II	5
5395/495	Graduate Symposium	4
		9

* Includes level I fieldwork

Other Pertinent Information

All students enrolled in the M.O.T. program must assume responsibility for the following expenses:

A current CSU medical and dental form completed with immunizations and TB test/X-ray records by June 15 each year.

Malpractice liability insurance each year.

Proof of health insurance.

Required textbooks, test instruments and supplies.

Yearly subscription to the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT)

Transportation to fieldwork experiences and fieldtrips.

Laboratory coat and nametag.

State occupational therapy conference fees.

Maintaining a current CPR certification.

Criminal background check fees.

Progression Policy

Any interruptions or repetition of coursework will result in an extension of the total length of the program. To ensure timely completion of the program the course sequence must be followed. Students who drop or withdraw from a professional level course for any reason resign their status as a professional level student. Readmission will be by consent of the program chairperson and the admissions committee.

Students may receive only two 'C' grades according to the graduate school policy. Students may be required to repeat a course in order to meet graduation requirements. Professional courses may be repeated only one time for a grade of B or higher.

Students with a semester G.P.A. of less than 3.0 will be placed on probation*. Students with less than a 3.0 G.P.A. after the third semester of three consecutive semesters will be dismissed from the MOT program.

Students must repeat any fieldwork in which they receive an unsatisfactory (failing) performance evaluation. Continued unsatisfactory performance on a repeated fieldwork will result in the student being dismissed from the M.O.T. program.

All end of year examinations and the comprehensive exit examination must be successfully completed. Failure to pass a cumulative end-of-year examination or the comprehensive exit examination on the second attempt, must develop and complete a structured remediation program with a faculty member before the third and final retake. This remediation plan will interrupt a student's course sequence and extend the length of the program. Only three opportunities will be given for an end-of-year examination or the comprehensive exit examination. Students who have not passed a cumulative end-of-year examination after three trials will be dismissed from the program. Students who fail the comprehensive exit examination on the third trial will receive a 'D' in OT 4395 Graduate Symposium and be dismissed from the program.

Any course with a grade of D must be repeated. Students needing to repeat a course will be placed on probation. Repeated failure of the same course will result in dismissal from the program. Failure of two or more professional courses in the same semester will result in dismissal from the program.

Violation of the standards of ethical practice including plagiarism by a student in the academic and/or clinical education programs will result in the student being placed on probation. Repeated ethical violations or ethical/legal misconduct that endangers or creates potential harm to students, client, academic and clinical faculty are grounds for dismissal from the program. Standards of ethical behavior are outlined in the AOTA Code of Ethics and the University Policy on Student Conduct.

* Probation is defined as written notification of the student’s current status in the M.O.T. program.

Grievance Policy

Students are required to become familiar with the department and college grievance polices. The policies and procedures can be found in the university catalog, the occupational therapy student handbook, and the department web page.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate, all department and graduate school requirements must be completed. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better in the occupational therapy curriculum. Students must successfully complete all coursework and the comprehensive exit examination to be eligible to graduate with a M.O.T in Occupational Therapy and particpate in the college and university convocation and/or commencement ceremonies.

Student Assessment and Retention Program

The department has several programs to improve the retention and graduation of students. A departmental assessment plan is an integral part of the retention program. This plan includes explicit statements and measures about student learning outcomes, end-of-year examinations and curriculum effectiveness. Other retention activities include mentoring, tutoring, counseling, and advising.

The Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) offers a peer mentorship program. Students at the professional level may be matched to community-based mentors who are occupational therapists.
Student Success workshops are held for students in the program throughout the semester. These workshops address skills needed in a professional program and are considered a professional obligation.
Peer tutors are available for professional level students. The faculty has identified office hours to assist students.
The College of Health Sciences has an educational counselor who offers assistance with study skills, testing skills and time management.
All students receive one-on-one advising from faculty throughout the year. Referrals to other resources both within and outside the university are made when indicated.

Course Offerings Occupational Therapy (OT)

5100/302 FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (3)

Prerequisite: Admission to the professional program

Examines the philosophical base and historical development of occupational therapy and the impact on current OT practice. Establishes a foundation for how theory, frames of reference and models guide occupational therapy practice.

5110/305 CONTEXTS OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICE DELIVERY (2)

Prerequisite: OT 5110/302/G

Examines the contextual influences of service delivery models and systems on the practice of occupational therapy. Explores the occupational needs of populations within the context of their physical, social and cultural environments.

5140/345 EVALUATION & INTERVENTION I: OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN /10 (5)

Prerequisite: Admission to the professional program and co-requisite OT 5160/363G

Introduction to client centered approaches to evaluation, intervention, discharge and advocacy directed towards restoring, maintaining and promoting occupational function in individuals and populations. Emphasizes the range of human performance across the life span and the influences of contexts in well populations. Includes five hours Level I Fieldwork per week. Additional course fee.

5141/346 EVALUATION & INTERVENTION II: DEVELOPMENTAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND COGNITIVE FRAMES OF REFERENCE /10 (5)

Prerequisite: OT 5100/302G, 5140/345G, 5160/363G, and co-requisite OT 5161/364G

Continuation of Evaluation I. Emphasizes the use of developmental, behavioral and cognitive frames of reference within OT process to restore, maintain and promote occupational function in individuals and populations. Includes five hours of Level I Fieldwork per week. Additional course fee.

5150/358 HUMAN OCCUPATION I (3)

Prerequisite: Admission to the professional program

The exploration of occupation and how it is impacted across the life span. Emphasis on task analysis and how occupation creates meaning and influences health within various contexts. Additional course fee.

5151/359 HUMAN OCCUPATION II/4 (3)

Prerequisite: OT 5150/358/G

Continuation of Human Occupation I. Group process, leadership and planning occupation-based interventions. Additional course fee.

5160/363 HEALTH CONDITIONS I (3)

Prerequisite: Admission to the professional program, and co-requisite OT 5140/345G.

Analysis of a variety of health conditions that result from lifestyle choices and chronic illness and the impact on occupational performance. Includes terminology, etiology, symptomology, prognosis and appropriate interventions. Course involves case studies and problem-based learning.

5161/364 HEALTH CONDITIONS II (3)

Prerequisite: OT 5140/345G, 5160/363G, and co-requisite OT 5141/346G.

Continuation of Health Conditions I. Emphasis on health conditions related to genetics, development and behavioral health of individuals served in the community and the effect on occupational performance. Course involves case studies and problem based learning.

5220/410 CLIENT FACTORS I: SENSORY MOTOR (3)

Prerequisite: OT 5140/345G, 5150/358G, and 5160/363G.

Examination of the neurobiological concepts, motor and sensory body functions and structures that influence performance of occupations. Comparison of normal and abnormal sensory motor factors. Additional course fee.

5221/411 CLIENT FACTORS II: PERCEPTION AND COGNITION (3)

Prerequisite: OT 5220/410

Examination of the neurobiological concepts of cognition and perception, and its influence on performance. Normal and abnormal cognitive and perceptual function will be explored. Additional course fee.

5230/405 RESEARCH METHODS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (3)

Prerequisite: OT 5100/302G, 5140/345G, and 5150/358G.

Fundamentals of research methodology and exploration of the qualitative and quantitative methods used in occupational therapy. Emphasis on critical analysis of research necessary for evidenced-based practice.

5231/415 RESEARCH PROJECT I: PROJECT DEFINITION (3)

Prerequisite: OT 5230/405

Defining a researchable question, constructing a rationale, conducting an independent literature review, formulating a hypothesis and implementing methodology of study for a beginning level research project in collaboration with faculty. May be repeated once for a total of six hours.

5232/416 RESEARCH PROJECT II: RESEARCH DATA COLLECTION (3)

Prerequisite: OT 5231/415

Continuation of Research Project I. Data collection, data analysis, formulating conclusions, and scholarly presentations of the research project.

5242/425 EVALUATION & INTERVENTION III: BIOMECHANICAL, SENSORY PROCESSING & REHABILITATIVE FRAMES OF REFERENCE/7 (5)

Prerequisite: OT 5110/305G, 5141/346G, 5151/359G, 5220/410, and co-requisite 5262/435

Continuation of Evaluation and Intervention II. Use of biomechanical theory, sensory processing and rehabilitative frames of references with OT to restore, maintain and promote occupational function in individuals and populations. Includes eight hours of Level I fieldwork per week. Additional course fee.

5243/426 EVALUATION & INTERVENTION IV: NEURODEVELOPMENTAL, MOTOR CONTROL, MOTOR LEARNING & MULTICONTEXT TREATMENT FRAMES OF REFERENCES/7 (5)

Prerequisite: OT 5221/411, 5242/425, 5262/435, and co-requisite 5263/436

Continuation of Evaluation and Intervention III. Emphasis on neurodevelopmental, motor control, motor learning and multicontext treatment frames of references within OT to restore, maintain and promote occupational functioning using a client centered approach. Includes eight hours of Level I fieldwork per week. Additional course fee.

5262/435 HEALTH CONDITIONS III (3)

Prerequisite: OT 5141/346, 5161/364, and co-requisite OT 5262/425.

Continuation of Health Conditions II. Emphasis on health conditions associated with trauma, neuromuscular disorders, systemic conditions or psychiatric diagnoses and how they affect individuals as they engage in occupational performance. Course involves case studies and problem based learning.

5264/436 HEALTH CONDITIONS IV (3)

Prerequisite: OT 5242/425, 5262/435, and co-requisite 5243/426.

Continuation of Health Conditions III. Emphasis on health conditions associated with severe trauma, multiple system disorders and end of life issues and how they affect individuals as they engage in occupational performance. Course involves case studies and problem based learning.

5211/440 PROGRAM PLANNING FOR POPULATIONS (3)

Prerequisite: OT 5110/305G

Determine programmatic needs and resources necessary for effective occupational therapy service delivery. Plan and develop occupation-centered programs for populations across the health and illness continuum.

5352/450 HUMAN OCCUPATION III: TECHNOLOGY (3)

Prerequisite: OT 5151/359/G

Methods of selecting and adapting technology to promote participation in occupation. Includes the selection of specific high and low technologies as well as methods for adapting, customizing and teaching necessary to incorporate technology into daily routines. Additional course fee.

5370/460 LEVEL II FIELDWORK – ROTATION I /FIELD (5)

Prerequisite: OT 5232 and 5352.

In-depth practical experience in the evaluation and intervention process of occupational performance with individuals and populations. Forty hours fieldwork per week.

5371/461 LEVEL II FIELDWORK – ROTATION II /FIELD (5)

Prerequisite: OT 5370/460

In-depth practical experience in the evaluation and intervention process of occupational performance with individuals and populations. Forty hours fieldwork per week.

5372 FIELDWORK SEMINAR (1)

Prerequisite: OT 5232 and 5263.

Examination of the professional responsibilities required in fieldwork education, supervision, and strategies for insuring ongoing professional competence.

5380/470 PRACTICE SPECIALIZATION IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (3)

Prerequisite: OT 5371/461

Introduces specialization and emerging areas of practice in occupational therapy. Additional course fee.

5395/495 GRADUATE SYMPOSIUM (4)

Prerequisite: OT 5371/461

A capstone course that integrates the process of evaluation and intervention of OT practice for individuals and populations. Students critique their knowledge, fieldwork experiences and the impact on their preparation as a professional. This course includes computerized practice examinations and the comprehensive exit examination.