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Department of Occupational Therapy

Course Descriptions

Master's Degree

OT 500 – Occupation in Context 3 cr.
An in-depth, interdisciplinary study of the form, function and meaning of human occupation in a variety of environments including the therapeutic context. Includes an introduction to the occupational science literature and discussion of the impact of occupation on health and well-being. Special fee.

OT 502 - Occupational Development I 3 cr.
Study of human occupational development, including developmentally appropriate roles, tasks and activities. Covers prenatal period through adolescence. Emphasis is on normal human development, with some consideration of abnormal development.

OT 503 - History and Philosophy of Occupational Therapy 3 cr.
Explores the history and development of occupational therapy within the context of national and international events. Philosophies inherent to the field will be explored with an overview of the life span approach to "occupation". Includes discussion of official documents guiding the profession and introduce legislative changes affecting the current and future practice of the profession. Students will be required to learn terminology utilized by occupational therapists and demonstrate a beginning awareness of occupational performance analysis.

OT 505 - Scientific Inquiry I (W) 3 cr.
An introduction to qualitative and quantitative research concepts and statistical methods with emphasis on evidence-based practice and outcomes research. Includes library search strategies, critical analysis of scientific literature, application of statistical methods and research designs, and scientific writing skills.

OT 510 – Theoretical Foundations of Occupational Therapy (W) 3 cr.
Introduction to the prevalent theories and fundamental concepts guiding occupational therapy. Includes similarities and differences among major theories. Emphasizes application of these theories to professional practice in occupational therapy. Special fee.

OT 512 - Occupational Development II 3 cr.
Study of human occupational development, including developmentally appropriate roles, tasks and activities. Covers young adulthood through senescence and death. Emphasis is on normal human development, with some consideration of abnormal development.

OT 514 – Neuromusculoskeletal Dimensions of Occupational Performance 5 cr.
Study and analysis of neurophysiological and musculoskeletal processes that facilitate, or through dysfunction impair functional abilities. Emphasizes the application of basic science knowledge as it relates to human occupational performance. Special fee.

OT 517 – Occupational Evaluation I 3 cr.
An overview of the evaluation process in occupational therapy. Includes the theoretical basis of evaluation, selection of appropriate data gathering methods, use of standardized and non-standardized assessment tools, interpretation of results and documentation of evaluation findings.

OT 519 - Professional Development Seminar I 2 cr.
Introduction to professional behavior and interpersonal dynamics in a seminar format. Emphasizes self-awareness, self-assessment, communication issues and the value of life-long learning.

OT 520 - Occupational Intervention I 5 cr.
Occupational therapy intervention for persons with developmental and acquired impairments & disabilities affecting self care skills. A life span approach will be taken with emphasis on occupational performance components and context. Therapeutic interventions will emphasize problem-solving, critical reasoning, and occupational performance synthesis to enhance occupational performance and adaptation. Special fee.

OT 521 - Practicum I 1 cr.
Observation and limited participation in clinical and community-based settings. Emphasis on assessment and intervention in performance of occupations related to self-care.

OT 524 – Biomedical and Phenomenological Perspectives on Disability I 3 cr.
Biomedical etiology, diagnostic procedures, prognosis, and medical management including pharmacotherapies of selected disorders are presented and contrasted with phenomenological perspectives based on personal narratives. Includes the identification of the consequences of the disorders and their impact on occupational performance.

OT 525 – Documentation 2 cr.
Overview of basic professional writing skills including: reporting evaluation data, intervention plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries. Includes understanding the varied purposes of documentation as well as legal and ethical issues in documentation.

OT 527 – Occupational Evaluation II 3 cr.
Orientation to and practice in the use of both standardized and non-standardized assessment tools appropriate for evaluating persons with developmental and acquired impairments and disabilities affecting occupational performance. Special fee.

OT 529 - Professional Development Seminar II 1 cr.
Seminar preparing the student for placements in field work level I settings. The role of fieldwork in education, the role of the student and fieldwork supervisor will be discussed. Problem solving strategies will be used to facilitate professional growth.

OT 530 - Occupational Intervention II 5 cr.
Occupational therapy intervention for persons with developmental and acquired impairments & disabilities affecting play/leisure skills. A life span approach will be taken with emphasis on occupational performance components and context. Therapeutic interventions will emphasize problem-solving, critical reasoning, and occupational performance synthesis to enhance occupational performance and adaptation. Special fee.

OT 531 - Practicum II 1 cr.
Observation and limited participation in clinical and community-based settings. Emphasis on assessment and intervention in performance of occupations related to play/leisure.

OT 534 – Biomedical and Phenomenological Perspectives on Disability II 3 cr.
Biomedical etiology, diagnostic procedures, prognosis, and medical management including pharmacotherapies of selected disorders are presented and contrasted with phenomenological perspectives based on personal narratives. Includes the identification of the consequences of the disorders and their impact on occupational performance.

OT 536 - Management 3 cr.
Explores the application of the principles of organizational management to the development and administration of occupational therapy programs in the emerging health care environment.

OT 539 - Professional Development Seminar III 2 cr.
Designed to facilitate students’ transition from didactic and part-time fieldwork components of the curriculum to the required full-time fieldwork experience. Emphasizes professional behavior, clinical reasoning and ethical issues.

OT 540 - Occupational Intervention III 5 cr.
Occupational therapy intervention for persons with developmental and acquired impairments & disabilities affecting work skills. A life span approach will be taken with emphasis on occupational performance components and context. Therapeutic interventions will emphasize problem-solving, critical reasoning, and occupational performance synthesis to enhance occupational performance and adaptation. Special fee.

OT 541 - Practicum III 1 cr.
Observation and limited participation in clinical and community-based settings. Emphasis on assessment and intervention in performance of occupations related to work.

OT 545 - Scientific Inquiry II 3 cr.
The application of qualitative and quantitative research concepts and statistical methods in the preparation of a proposal for a scholarly project. Includes preparation of the proposal for presentation in written and seminar formats and supporting research through grant writing.

OT 546 - Supervision 2 cr.
Application of the principles of supervision with special emphasis on the appropriate roles and use of the certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), aides and non-OT personnel.

OT 548 - Advanced Technology in Occupational Therapy 2 cr.
An introduction to microcomputer utilization in Occupational Therapy. Includes an examination of software, hardware and peripheral devices that facilitate computer access and productivity. Uses of computer technology in Occupational Therapy evaluation, treatment and administration will be explored. Special fee.

OT 549 - Professional Development Seminar IV 1 cr.
Designed to facilitate students' transition from didactic and part-time fieldwork components of the curriculum to the required full-time fieldwork experience.

OT 550 - Level II Fieldwork (A) 6 cr.
A directed experience in evaluation, planning and implementing occupational therapy services under the supervision of an experienced, certified occupational therapist. Designed to emphasize critical reasoning, entry-level skill acquisition and integration of didactic knowledge with practice.

OT 555 - Level II Fieldwork (B) 6 cr.
A directed experience in evaluation, planning and implementing occupational therapy services under the supervision of an experienced, certified occupational therapist. Designed to emphasize critical reasoning, entry-level skill acquisition and integration of didactic knowledge with practice.

OT 560 - Professional Issues 3 cr.
A discussion of a variety of issues of professional concern including, but not limited to: OT's role in non-traditional practice arenas; professional ethics; implications of cultural diversity for health care service delivery; credentialing; health care reform; and, current controversies in the field.

OT 565 - Scientific Inquiry III 3 cr.
Completion of a scholarly project and preparation of the results for presentation in professional formats. Special fee.

OT 566 - Leadership 3 cr.
Explores concepts and theories of leadership, profiles occupational therapy leaders throughout history, and provides training in leadership skills needed by future professionals. Emphasizes the importance of leadership in context, interdisciplinary teaming and the nature of change processes and diffusion of innovations.

OT 570 – Community-Based Intervention 3 cr.
Occupational therapy intervention for clients in community settings. A lifespan approach will be taken with emphasis on occupational performance areas and contexts. Community interventions will emphasize problem-solving, critical reasoning and occupational analysis to enhance performance and adaptation. Includes health promotion and disease/disability prevention strategies, innovative program development, evaluation and funding strategies, and community health concepts. Special fee.

OT 575 – Advanced Professional Writing 3 cr.
Covers a variety of types of professional writing useful to occupational therapists including: grant proposals; journal articles; books; client education materials; and presentation proposals and papers. Includes both the form and content of a range of technical documents as well as the processes of writing, peer review and critique.

OT 580 - Level II Fieldwork (C) 4 cr.
A directed experience in evaluation, planning and implementing occupational therapy services under the supervision of an experienced, certified occupational therapist. Designed to emphasize critical reasoning, entry-level skill acquisition and integration of didactic knowledge with practice.

OT 585 - Level II Fieldwork (D) 4 to 12 cr.
A directed experience in evaluation, planning and implementing occupational therapy services under the supervision of an experienced, certified occupational therapist. Designed to emphasize critical reasoning, entry-level skill acquisition and integration of didactic knowledge with practice.

OT 590 - Special Topics 1 to 6 cr.
A variable topics course covering areas not available in other occupational therapy courses. A subtitle identifying the topic will be entered on the student's record.

OT 598 - Independent Study in Occupational Therapy 1 to 6 cr.
Special studies directly relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. The student will select an area of interest in which they wish to become more proficient. A faculty member will provide guided study, supervision and assistance in developing appropriate learning experiences.

These are all the courses in the OT Master's Curriculum.

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Last updated: 11/13/2006 10:34 AM