Program Director: Angela Patterson, OTD, OTR/L, FNAP
Graduate Study in Occupational Therapy
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy will provide foreign trained occupational therapists that have graduated from a World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) certified program an advanced degree in clinical occupational therapy practice, leadership, and education. The program will help prepare and advance foreign trained rehabilitation professionals’ clinical and academic skills and knowledge to become effective leaders in their respective organizations. The clinical focus of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is on the occupational therapy role in musculoskeletal, neurological, and psychosocial disorders across the lifespan. The academic focus of the degrees is to prepare and facilitate the development of the rehabilitation clinical scholar in academic and healthcare environments to assume leadership roles as faculty, managers, and clinical experts.
Program Goals
- Expand and refine foreign trained and baccalaureate prepared rehabilitation professionals’ clinical skills and healthcare knowledge.
- Enhance foreign trained and baccalaureate prepared rehabilitation professionals’ knowledge and skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating clinical interventions, program development, and service delivery across the lifespan.
- Prepare foreign trained and baccalaureate prepared rehabilitation professionals to assume roles as clinical scholars, to be critical research consumers, and collaborative research conductors.
- Advance knowledge and skills of foreign trained and baccalaureate prepared rehabilitation professionals’ in client centered and evidence based interprofessional and ethical practice.
- Facilitate foreign trained and baccalaureate prepared rehabilitation professionals’ understanding of the role of the occupational therapist in global healthcare systems, institutions, and public agencies.
- Prepare foreign trained and baccalaureate prepared rehabilitation professionals to assume educational roles as leaders in the academic, clinical, and community settings.
- Develop and demonstrate foreign trained and baccalaureate prepared rehabilitation professionals’ understanding of leadership theory and application to assume leadership roles nationally and internationally.
Admissions Requirements
Preferred candidates for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy will be graduates of a WFOT certified foreign (non-U.S.) occupational therapy program with a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy.
- Completed application and non-refundable $50 application fee
- Two letters of recommendation (please use the electronic recommendation process with the online application). The recommendations should be completed and submitted by persons other than family members who are qualified to assess your performance in an academic or work setting.
- Personal Statement (minimum two pages; no longer than four pages): Based on your CV/Resume and your other application materials, we should have a good picture of where you have been and what you have done, with a focus on the goals you have set for yourself, and why this program is a good fit for you.
- Resume
- Bachelor’s degree and transcripts in English for all bachelor’s and post-bachelor’s coursework, sent directly from the issuing school and containing the institution’s official stamp.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo: All international applicants from countries in which English is not the primary language must demonstrate proficiency in English language by submitting a minimum TOEFL score of 80 iBT, IELTS score of 6.0 or Duolingo 105.
Master of Science-Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.) Degree Requirements (40 credits):
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| MSOT 500 | English for MSOT Students | 3 |
| MSOT 503 | Introduction to OT | 3 |
| MSOT 553 | Research Proposal | 3 |
| MSOT 603 | Physical Rehabilitation I | 3 |
| MSOT 613 | Rehabilitation with Older Adults | 3 |
| Term Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| MSOT 543 | Instructional Methods | 2 |
| MSOT 563 | Research Project I | 1 |
| MSOT 623 | Physical Rehabilitation II | 3 |
| MSOT 633 | Rehabilitation with Children and Youth | 3 |
| MSOT 643 | UE Orthopedics | 3 |
| Term Credits | 12 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| MSOT 513 | Healthcare Advocacy and Leadership | 3 |
| MSOT 533 | Mental Health | 3 |
| MSOT 653 | Research Project II | 1 |
| MSOT 673 | Experiential Education Master of Science in Occupational Therapy | 6 |
| Term Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Courses
MSOT 500. English for MSOT Students. 3 credits.
The purpose of this course is to prepare students in the MS Occupational Therapy program with the English language strategies and skills as well as the cultural understanding that they will need to be successful in all facets of their MS-OT Program. Co: MSOT 503, MSOT 553, MSOT 603, MSOT613.
MSOT 503. Introduction to OT. 3 credits.
This course will introduce students to occupation as a fundamental concept of the profession of occupational therapy. Students will gain an understanding of the history, philosophical and ethical base of the profession, the domain of practice, and practice trends. The role of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), World Health Organization (WHO), and other relevant organizations will be explored and official documents reviewed. Students will be introduced to practice models of occupation and disability theory. The course will also review the meaning and dynamics of occupation and activity, including the interaction of areas of occupational performance skills, performance patterns, activity demands, context(s) and environments, and client factors. CO: MSOT 553, MSOT 603, MSOT 613.
MSOT 513. Healthcare Advocacy and Leadership. 3 credits.
This course will cover topics on professional behavior, communication, ethics, and policy. This course will increase students’ proficiency with written and oral communication in English. Students will be required to engage with faculty, classmates, health providers, and the public using both written and oral English communication in a professionally accepted manner. This course involves the study of disability and healthcare policies and their effect on occupational therapy practice. Students will critically examine governmental and regulatory systems: professional societies; historical economic, political, and professional forces; and cultural and social values that influence the development of healthcare policy and contemporary practice. Leadership strategies and theories and their impact on healthcare and policy will be introduced along with business strategies to promote, develop, and expand services related to occupational therapy philosophy and practice. P: MSOT 503, MSOT 543, MSOT 553, MSOT 563, MSOT 603, MSOT 613, MSOT 623, MSOT 643; CO: MSOT 533, MSOT 653, MSOT 673.
MSOT 533. Mental Health. 3 credits.
This course examines occupational therapy in mental health practice, as well as the influence of psychosocial factors on occupational performance. Theory-driven practice is valued with the introduction of selected psychosocial frames of reference and/or conceptual models of mental health practice to guide the evaluation process, the selection of assessment tools, and the design of therapeutic interventions. Use of self as a therapeutic agent and group process skills will be emphasized. P: MSOT 503, MSOT 553, MSOT 563, MSOT 603, MSOT 613, MSOT 623, MSOT 633, MSOT 643; CO: MSOT 513, MSOT 653, MSOT 673.
MSOT 543. Instructional Methods. 2 credits.
Philosophical foundations of knowledge and learning and their relationship with occupational therapy theoretical principles are examined. Major approaches to teaching are discussed and implications for occupational therapy practice are sought. Close attention is paid to the educative role occupational therapists may play in a variety of settings including clinics, hospitals, community agencies, and colleges and universities. Other major content areas of this course include instructional design, methods, skills, and media; evaluation; and education and supervision of students during experiential activities. P: MSOT 503, 603, 513, 613, 623, 633, 533, 553, 643. CO: MSOT 663, MSOT 673.
MSOT 553. Research Proposal. 3 credits.
This is the first course in a three-course sequence designed to develop and advance students' research knowledge and skills. The focus of the course will be on gaining a thorough understanding of the research process by examining evidence-based practice, exploring the relationship among theory, research and practice, and developing a research proposal that will be implemented in the subsequent courses. Through student-driven learning activities, students will participate in research activities that evaluate professional practice and articulate how research activities contribute to the development of a body of knowledge relevant to the profession of occupational therapy. A research proposal is expected at the end of the course.
MSOT 563. Research Project I. 1 credit.
This is the second course in a three-course sequence designed to develop and advance students’ research knowledge and skills. Students will critically analyze and solve problems encountered during project implementation. The process will be closely monitored by the instructor of record and/or faculty research mentor. Students will advance their knowledge and skills in research through the implementation of their research proposal, which may include quantitative and/or qualitative designs.
MSOT 603. Physical Rehabilitation I. 3 credits.
This course incorporates the occupational therapy process and centers on the theoretical foundations of and intervention for clients with neurologic conditions. Students will interpret evaluation results to design client-centered and evidence-based intervention plans that promote occupational engagement. Assistive technologies commonly used in physical rehabilitation practice settings will be explored. This course will allow students to build upon knowledge of documentation and reimbursement from previous coursework. Co: MSOT 503, MSOT 613.
MSOT 613. Rehabilitation with Older Adults. 3 credits.
This course focuses on the unique characteristics and needs of older adults including the role of occupation in the promotion of health and the prevention of disease and disability within the context of aging in place. Contemporary practice issues related to productive aging will be emphasized including the importance of balancing areas of occupation to achieve health and wellness for the older adult. Students will examine various service delivery models and resources to support older adults and their caregivers. Evaluation and intervention to promote safety and occupational engagement in the context and environment will be applied. Theories of aging, changes in body structures and functions associated with aging, and end-of-life issues will also be addressed. Students will examine current policies affecting geriatric practice and payment. Co: MSOT 503, MSOT 603.
MSOT 623. Physical Rehabilitation II. 3 credits.
This course incorporates the occupational therapy process and centers on the theoretical foundations and intervention of clients with orthopedic, cardiac, pulmonary, and other health conditions. Students will formulate intervention plans that will include a final synthesis of how assistive technologies are used to enhance occupational performance. Students will be introduced to advanced practice areas and build upon knowledge of documentation. P: MSOT 503, 603, 613; Co: MSOT 553, 633.
MSOT 633. Rehabilitation with Children and Youth. 3 credits.
This course focuses on applying theories and frames of reference with children and youth. Students will explore family and community interactions, interprofessional collaboration, and the assistive technology process. A variety of practice settings and service delivery models will be examined, and students will develop strategies for implementing assessments and interventions. P: MSOT 503, 603, 613; Co: MSOT 623, 553.
MSOT 643. UE Orthopedics. 3 credits.
This course focuses on the occupational therapy process for persons with upper extremity conditions across the lifespan. Students will apply clinical reasoning in selecting and implementing assessments and interventions and demonstrate the safe and effective application of the continuum of physical agent modalities including superficial and deep thermal, mechanical, and electrotherapeutic modalities preparatory to engagement in occupation. Students will gain knowledge and skills in the design, fabrication, application, fit, and training in orthotic devices used to enhance function and performance. P: MSOT 623, MSOT 553, MSOT 633; CO: MSOT 533, MSOT 513.
MSOT 653. Research Project II. 1 credit.
This is the third course in a three-course sequence designed to develop and advance students' research knowledge and skills. Students are expected to critically analyze and solve problems encountered during this last stage of their project. The process will be closely monitored by the instructor of record and/or faculty research mentor. The focus of the course is to complete the implementation of the research project and disseminate project findings.
MSOT 673. Experiential Education Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. 6 credits.
Students will apply their understanding of occupation, professional practice, professional identity, leadership, and Ignatian values during a 6-week full-time fieldwork placement. Course objectives focus on transformation from occupational therapist toward advance practice occupational therapist. Students will develop advanced competencies at their site in occupation based clinical practice, leadership, and/or occupational therapy academia. P: MSOT 503, MSOT 513, MSOT 533, MSOT 553, MSOT 603, MSOT 613, MSOT 623, MSOT 633, MSOT 643; CO: MSOT 543, MSOT 653.