The OT program’s emphasis is on providing occupation-based services to individuals, groups, and populations in the community who are underserved and are not receiving OT. Our program is committed to providing an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare and offers students the opportunity to interact with other disciplines throughout the program.
The OT curriculum is designed to incorporate its’ curricular threads:
- Occupation
- Community
- Underserved
- Interdisciplinary
The curriculum focuses on assisting students in integrating course concepts each term through a case-based learning seminar course and prepares students for a successful transition to clinical practice through professionalism courses.
In terms one and two, students gain basic scientific knowledge, i.e., applied anatomy neuroanatomy and human movement, learn about the history and practice framework of the OT profession, gain an appreciation of the disparities in health care through coursework and a community clinical experience, engage in research classes, and discuss professionalism in healthcare. Mental health conditions, assessments, and interventions are taught in term two as the foundation for all other intervention courses.
Students apply knowledge from earlier terms during term three, when they engage in their first, Level I fieldwork class, learn about group processes, learn how provide basic patient management, and explore the healthcare system and professional documentation.
Term four focuses on pediatric conditions, assessments, and interventions, and provides students with hands-on experiences in performing a needs assessment and creating a new clinical program for a community partner. Two clinical experiences occur during this term-community practice seminar and Level I fieldwork courses.
In term five, the curriculum’s focus shifts to provision of care for adults and older adults with neurological and orthopedic conditions. Students explore management concepts, engage in a third Level I fieldwork course, and prepare for Level II fieldwork.
Application of all didactic and community experiences cumulate in two, full-time Level II fieldwork courses during terms six and seven.
At the end of term seven, students receive practice in preparing for taking the National Certification of OT Exam (NBCOT®).