Degree Description

The Occupational Therapy Program offers a curriculum leading to the Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.) degree for qualified students. The full-time, continuous, entry-level master's curriculum is designed to deliver the academic and clinical education required to prepare students for their professional role as key members of the healthcare team and as integral practitioners in the healthcare delivery system. The curriculum for the Master of Occupational Therapy degree is a continuous, full-time program, extending 24 months from matriculation to graduation. The maximum allotted time for completion of this program is 36 months. It is also required that all Level II fieldwork must be completed within 18 months of completion of the didactic portion of the program. The general education, professional training, experience, and personal character development of occupational therapists uniquely prepare them to respond to the needs of individuals who face challenges participating in their daily lives.

The Master of Occupational Therapy Program offers a balanced combination of foundational, clinical, and research coursework designed to foster therapists who are self-directed, thoughtful, and caring professionals. The program provides students with a balanced complement of coursework. Approximately half of the course credits are obtained from foundational courses in the sciences, occupational therapy theory, and research. The remaining credits focus on courses related to client evaluation and interventions appropriate for various client populations (e.g., children, the elderly, etc.), specialized coursework in upper extremity intervention, and many opportunities for experiential (hands-on) learning. The practice courses facilitate students' application of content related to client evaluation and intervention using community-based and case-based learning opportunities. In addition to such preclinical learning opportunities, the fieldwork program offers extensive and in-depth experiences to students. Such a strong curricular framework succeeds in preparing graduates who are ready - and able - to enter the profession of occupational therapy and to make a difference in the world.

The curriculum is designed to prepare entry-level practitioners to provide occupational therapy services in the home, community, and clinical practice settings that require independent judgment, leadership, and self-directed practice. The educational experience provides the foundation for graduates to identify and contribute to effecting solutions to the major emergent health issues of society and contribute to the academic and clinical education of future practitioners. It also is designed to prepare graduates for leadership and management roles in the profession. The graduate will be prepared to make meaningful, ongoing contributions to society, healthcare, and the profession through leadership activities and collaborative efforts with others in occupational therapy and interprofessional education, practice, and research.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the Master of Occupational Therapy Program, graduates are expected to:

1. Provide evidence-based occupational therapy services in traditional and emerging areas of practice.
2. Meet the occupational needs of individuals and populations through professional advocacy and leadership.
3. Apply therapeutic use of occupations to support engagement in activities that promote health, well-being and quality of life.
4. Sustain continued professional development through lifelong learning activities.
5. Uphold the ethical standards, values and attitudes of the occupational therapy profession in order to sensitively meet the occupational needs of a culturally and socially diverse clientele.

These outcomes are accomplished through:

1. A curriculum model based on intentionally sequenced courses that act as vital links between application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of knowledge, skills and attitudes.
2. Critical application of current research and other forms of best evidence to improve occupational therapy practice and contribute to the body of related knowledge.
3. Sequential implementation of simulated and authentic clinical experiences across the curriculum.
4. Occupation-focused coursework and fieldwork experiences designed to facilitate critical and ethical reasoning.
5. Opportunities for both individual and group work to develop leadership, team-building, and professional skills, behaviors and attitudes.