Course Descriptions

Year 1

OTMS-5000: Foundations of Occupational Therapy I

Introduction to the foundations of the occupational therapy profession. This course is an introduction to task analysis, therapeutic use of activities, and therapeutic use of self. It includes the history and philosophy of the profession, contextual issues and service models influencing the delivery of healthcare services

OTMS-5008: Introduction to Therapeutic Occupations

Principles of occupation, activity, and occupational based performance, including performance areas, contexts, and components. Exploration of sociocultural variables as they influence adaptive behavior and health-illness continuum. Skill development in administering assessments of occupational performance. Skill development in activity analysis to facilitate engagement in meaningful occupation (e.g., occupation-based intervention, purposeful activity, preparatory methods)

OTMS-5100: Foundations of Occupational Therapy II

Analysis of principles, ethical guidelines and theories which provide the foundations of occupational therapy practice. Analysis of theoretical, social, political, and cultural influences upon contemporary occupational therapy practice.

OTMS-5112: Master’s Project I

Students select from a choice of faculty-generated research projects, and develop an initial draft for specified sections of a formal research/project proposal. Seminar introduces students to the components of a research/project proposal, and provides tips for preparing effective proposals. Students begin preparation of abstract and materials for presentation to an Institutional Review Board. Independent Study and Seminar.

ANAT-5101: Human Neuroanatomy

This course consists of the study of the central nervous system, including laboratory examination of gross morphology of the human brain in both fresh and stained material. Includes basic anatomy, systems and tracts, vascular system, and integrative function of the nervous system as evidenced in behavioral phenomena. Journal club component requires synthesis of information about clinical applications of neuroanatomy concepts.

MSCI-5211: Medical Sciences

Lecture, case-study presentations, and discussion of etiology, symptoms, and medical management of patients with medical, pediatric, neurologic, and orthopedic diagnoses.

OTMS-5102: Neurophysiology of Motor Control

Basic mechanisms of communication in the nervous system, muscle, reflexes, posture, locomotion, eye movements, motor function and research directions. Physiology of the blood-brain barrier. Mechanisms of neural modulation, oscillation, and plasticity both in learning, memory and in recovery after brain injury

INDI-5002: Kinesiology Lecture (featuring Awareness Through Motion lab)

This course is the study of human movement. Principles of biomechanics, kinematics, and kinetics are applied to students’ foundations in musculoskeletal anatomy. Topics include Kinetic and kinematic analysis of normal and abnormal movement. Awareness Through Movement labs and written log assignments provide the opportunity to apply kinesiological principles to functional movement. (Lecture and ATM Labs)

OTMS-5111: Fieldwork I: Psychosocial Intervention

Course Description: During this course, students will attend clinical fieldwork in a mental health/psychosocial setting. There will be supervised exploration of the practice of occupational therapy for a variety of psychiatric conditions with an emphasis on the development of clinical reasoning skills, translating didactic knowledge into clinical skills, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and preparation for Level II Fieldwork.

Year 2

OTMS-5212: Master’s Project II

Students revise and complete Master’s Project proposal, based upon faculty advisors’ feedback, and identify statistical procedures or qualitative methods to be used in data analysis. Students complete materials for presentation to the Institutional Review Board and make necessary preparation to begin the project in the Fall Semester. Students will learn use of computer programs to analyze quantitative and qualitative data such as SPSS and Excel. Independent Study, online trainings, and Seminar.

OTMS-5312: Master’s Project III

Students work independently with their master’s project groups on activities related to the Master’s Project and meeting regularly with their faculty advisor. Activities may include: data collection and analysis, implementing a new service, producing an educational product, and evaluating its effectiveness. Group seminar provides an opportunity to discuss the process of implementing the project or conducting the research with faculty and peers. Independent Study and Seminar.

OTMS-5412: Master’s Project IV

Students work independently on writing research reports in a format suitable for publication, writing a proposal for a conference presentation, preparing a poster session for presentation to peers and faculty, and preparing a verbal professional presentation, which includes appropriate audiovisual aids. Seminar presents basic principles of professional writing and presentation. Independent Study and Seminar

OTMS-5003: Assistive Technology

Principles of assistive technology in occupational therapy practice. Opportunities to correlate the application of assistive technologies to clients across the lifespan continuum.

OTMS-5409: Theory & Practice IV: Young Child

Designed to provide an overview of occupational therapy in pediatrics, this course emphasizes the young child from birth through preschool and their families in context of environment and culture. This course presents theories, models of practice, and therapeutic approaches in early intervention and preschool environments within the context of state and federal laws in the context of occupational performance. This course covers occupational therapy observation, assessment measures and collaboration in evaluation processes, intervention planning and implementation, including intervention techniques, from a variety of theoretical perspective will be explored from infancy to five years. Course material will emphasize principles and methods of evaluation to include clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills, and incorporate evidence based practices with young children.

OTMS-5301: Orthotics & Prosthetics

This course covers the principles and objectives of the orthotic and prosthetic process in rehabilitation, with a focus on the upper limb. Includes static and dynamic splinting, commercial orthotic devices, upper limb prosthetics and general overview of lower limb orthotics and prosthetics. Laboratory experience develops skills in design and fabrication of splints using various materials. Lecture-Laboratory.

OTMS-5413: Theory and Practice V: School-age

Designed to provide an overview of occupational therapy in pediatrics, this course emphasizes the child from kindergarten to high school (including transitions to vocation and post-secondary education), and their family in context of environment and culture.

INDI-5100: Research Methods

Introduction to designing, critiquing and understanding research studies to inform practice. Lecture includes the fundamentals of designing a study, measuring variables, selecting a sample and analyzing data. In seminar, students apply research concepts and use available literature to understand how research contributes to evidence-based practice in occupational therapy. In addition, students apply research principles to the use of standardized testing in occupational therapy.

OTMS-5108: Activities of Daily Living

Our ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) affects quality of life and sense of self. In this course, students will explore the broad range principles, techniques and treatment interventions that can be used to facilitate the occupational performance of people with disabilities.

OTMS-5208: Designing Therapeutic Environments

The physical environments in which we live and engage can greatly impact our participation in daily occupations. In this course, students will explore how to adapt physical environments to support people with a wide range of physical abilities. This includes understanding the concepts of universal design, home modification, fall prevention, seating and positioning for wheelchairs, and positioning devices for children in school-based settings.

OTMS-5305: Theory and Practice III: Physical Rehabilitation and Geriatrics

Treatment is a progression that involves the evaluation, treatment, and assessment of outcomes. In this course, students will explore the interrelationship of these components as they relate to enhancing the performance of occupations throughout the continuum of care in adult rehabilitation settings. In addition, this course will focus on the unique challenges of aging and occupational therapy’s contribution in addressing the needs of older adults.

OTMS‑5303: Theory and Practice II: Neurorehabilitation

Cerebral vascular accident (CVA) and head trauma are the most common adult neurological diagnoses leading to long-term disability requiring occupational therapy intervention. Lectures and lab experiences will provide the theoretical background and clinical skills required to evaluate, plan, and provide treatment to individuals with motor, cognitive, and perceptual dysfunction due to CVA, head trauma, and progressive neurologic disorders. Lectures will include slides, videotapes and case studies to provide clinical examples. Labs will consist of experiential learning of assessment procedures, handling techniques and treatment planning, as well as activity analysis and synthesis to meet specified treatment goals.

OTMS-5205: Cognition & Perception

Cognition a Theories of information processing applied to occupational therapy intervention for children and adults who demonstrate dysfunction in cognitive or perceptual function. Lectures will include PowerPoints, videotapes and case studies to provide clinical examples. Lab sessions allow for skill development in evaluation and treatment of clients with cognitive or perceptual impairments that impact upon functional performance. nd Perception

OTMS-5105: Theory and Practice I: Psychosocial Rehabilitation

An introduction to the practice of occupational therapy in psychosocial dysfunction, with a focus on issues in the mental health practice arena. The application of frames of reference and evidence-based literature of evaluation, treatment planning, implementation, and outcomes assessment. Skill development in case study method, group process techniques, and clinical reasoning. Lecture-Lab-Seminar.

OTMS 5206: Community Practice I: Relationship and Assessment

Course Description: In this first course of the three semester Community Practice Sequence, students identify and initiate a collaboration with a community organization that has no occupational therapists on staff. The organization has a potential need for occupational therapy contributions. Students will gain knowledge and complete a needs assessment for the identified organization. Concurrent lecture and discussion give students an opportunity to reflect on ways occupational therapy skills can be applied in non-traditional practice settings.

OTMS 5306: Community Practice II: Marketing and Resources

Course Description: In this second course of the three semester Community Practice Sequence, students participate in the field practicum selected in Community Practice I. Students will develop skills in marketing occupational therapy services and developing resources for community programs as identified in the needs assessment from Community Practice I. Students will gain knowledge in researching, writing, and submitting a grant proposal. Concurrent lectures and discussions will give students an opportunity to reflect on ways occupational therapy skills can be applied in non-traditional practice settings, the importance of the role of occupational therapy in various community settings, as well as how to increase their ability and skill within therapeutic use of self.

OTMS 5406: Community Practice III: Service

Course Description: This course involves occupational therapy practice in community settings. Based on previous work in Community Practice I and II, students provide goal-directed programs throughout the entire semester at their assigned practicum sites. Pre and post surveys are developed, administered, and analyzed to determine the efficacy of the individual projects. The students present their project and data at an annual community practice exchange fair.

OTMS 5311: Fieldwork I: Adult and Geriatric Rehabilitation

Course Description: During this course, students will attend clinical fieldwork in a setting serving adult and/or geriatric clients. Emphasis is placed on the development of clinical reasoning skills with supervised exploration of the practice of occupational therapy for adults of all ages with a variety of orthopedic, neurological, medical and surgical conditions. The focus of the course is translating didactic knowledge into clinical skills, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and preparation for Level II Fieldwork.

OTMS 5411: Fieldwork I: Pediatrics

Course Description: During this course, students will attend clinical fieldwork in a pediatric setting. There will be supervised exploration of the practice of occupational therapy for a variety of pediatric conditions from birth to 21 including developmental delays, neurological disorders, autism, orthopedic, medical and surgical conditions. Emphasis is on the development of clinical reasoning skills, translating didactic knowledge into clinical skills, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and preparation for Level II Fieldwork.

Year 3

OTMS 6011: Fieldwork II Affiliation I

Course Description: This course involves three months of full-time clinical fieldwork with implementation of knowledge, skills, values, and ethics within an occupational therapy practice setting. There is application of clinical reasoning skills to individualized client assessment, treatment planning, and treatment. There will also be refinement of specific practice skills as used in the assigned setting, utilization of the clinical supervision process for professional growth, collaboration with clinical educators in research and clinical projects of mutual interest, and development of professional leadership skills.

OTMS 6111: Fieldwork II Affiliation II