Occupational Studies
Department of Occupational Therapy
The Combined Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies/Master of Occupational Therapy (BSOS/MOT) 5.5-Year Program offers a stimulating and challenging curriculum that blends professional coursework with a traditional liberal arts education. Students begin by learning the philosophy and founding principles of occupational therapy along with acquiring a thorough understanding of biological, psychological, and social aspects of human beings. In upper-division coursework, students learn to apply this knowledge and develop occupational therapy clinical reasoning skills for evaluation of, and intervention with, persons across the lifespan. Students who are admitted into the undergraduate BSOS program are also conditionally admitted into the MOT graduate program. Upon successful completion of the major with a minimum BSOS major GPA of 3.2, students are fully admitted into the MOT graduate program. The MOT degree is granted upon successful completion of 33 credits of advanced coursework. Only graduates of the Master of Occupational Therapy Program are eligible to sit for the national examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
A passing score on this examination allows the graduate to apply for a license to practice that is required by most states within the United States, including Massachusetts. For further information regarding certification, contact: NBCOT, One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20878; (301)990-7979; www.nbcot.org.
The Combined Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies/Master of Occupational Therapy (BSOS/MOT) Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. For further information regarding accreditation, contact: ACOTE, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone, c/o AOTA, is (301)652-AOTA; www.acoteonline.org.
Program Application Process
Application to enter the Combined Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies/Master of Occupational Therapy (BSOS/MOT) Program as a first-year student is made through the Admissions Office at the time of application to Worcester State University. Students are encouraged to apply early, due to limited enrollment.
First-year students are admitted on the basis of high school rank and coursework relevant to the major.
Any individual who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving an act likely to affect professional practice should meet with the Department Chair prior to applying to the program. Prior incidents may affect eligibility for fieldwork, certification, and employment. A CORI check and/or drug test is typically required prior to Fieldwork Level I and Level II placements.
Policies
- All undergraduate occupational therapy prerequisite and major courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
- Courses must be taken in the prescribed sequence, unless an exception is granted by the Department Chair.
- All undergraduate and graduate level coursework must be successfully completed before beginning Level II Fieldwork.
- The second Level II Fieldwork experience must be completed within 12 months of academic coursework.
- Eligibility to sit for the national certification examination requires successful completion of six-months of Level II Fieldwork.
- The Occupational Therapy Department has a student handbook that is updated yearly and contains department-specific policies. Each student is responsible for adhering to the polices. The Department reserves the right to modify policies and curriculum during a student's enrollment. Sufficient notice of any changes will be provided to the students.
Faculty
Sarah E. DiMeo, Assistant Professor (2020), B.S., Utica College of Syracuse University; M.S., Tufts University; Ph.D., Texas Woman's University
Joanne Gallagher Worthley, Professor (1995), B.S., Quinnipiac College; M.S., Florida International University; Ed.D., Johnson & Wales University
Jessica O'Connor, Visiting Instructor (2019), B.S., University of New Hampshire
Tanya Trudell, Department Chair, Associate Professor (2015), B.A., Eastern Connecticut State University; M.O.T., Worcester State University; Ed.D., Johnson & Wales University
Jamie Wronka, Visiting Instructor (2022), B.S.O.T., M.S.O.T., University of New Hampshire
Courses
OT-101 Introduction of Occupational Studies of Wellness/Disability
Introduction to occupational therapy history, philosophy, wellness/illness/disability continuum, contexts, occupations, occupational performance, professionalism, and clinical reasoning.
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
OT-102 Occupational Studies of Wellness/ Disability Groups
Exploration of professional theme: philosophy, wellness/illness/disability continuum using groups, occupational performance and activity, professionalism, and clinical reasoning.
Spring only and every year. 3 Credits
OT-193 First Year Seminar: Occupational Therapy
LASC Categories: FYS
Introductory level course covering topics of special interest to first-year students. Offered only as a First-Year Seminar.
Every year. 3 Credits
OT-203 Occupational Therapy Theories
Investigation of theories to occupational therapy, related to occupation, individual, and context. Includes current and developing models of practice.
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
OT-211 Kinesiology Lab
Prerequisites or Corequisite: BI-271
Lab experiences and discussions will integrate biological knowledge of movement with occupational therapy concepts of performance and function. This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate range of motion, muscle strength, and posture. Functional abilities needed in daily activities will be analyzed.
Spring only and every year. 1 Credit
OT-301 Psychosocial Wellness/Disability
Prerequisites or Corequisite: OT-302 and OT-304
Historical themes of the profession, wellness/illness/disability continuum, occupation, and context as it applies to psychosocial performance in life roles.
Fall only and every year. 2 Credits
OT-302 Psychosocial Therapeutic Approaches
Prerequisites or Corequisite: OT-301 and OT-304
Occupational performance and context, professionalization, and clinical reasoning will be applied to practice models when addressing psychosocial health and illness.
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
OT-304 Psychosocial Therapeutic Approaches Lab
Prerequisites or Corequisite: OT-301 and OT-302
Directed observation and participation in the clinical application of theories and methods of occupational therapy intervention with psychosocial disorders. Includes Fieldwork I.
Fall only and every year. 2 Credits
OT-312 Physiological Wellness/Disability
Prerequisites or Corequisite: OT-313 and OT-318 as co-requisites
Historical themes of the profession, wellness/illness/disability continuum, occupation, and context as it applies to physiological performance in life roles.
Spring only and every year. 2 Credits
OT-313 Physiological Therapeutic Approaches
Occupational performance and context, professionalism, and clinical reasoning will be applied to practice models when addressing physiological health and illness.
Spring only and every year. 3 Credits
OT-317 Research I
Prerequisites: MA-150 or PS-275
Course examines measurement issues, concerns, and tools; and why and how to use evidence in practice.
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
OT-318 Physiological Therapeutic Approaches Lab
Directed observation and participation in the clinical application of theories and methods of occupational therapy intervention with physiological disorders. Includes Fieldwork I.
Spring only and every year. 2 Credits
OT-401 Occupational Performance & Context for Older Adults
Prerequisites or Corequisite: OT-402, OT-403 and OT-404
The wellness/illness/disability continuum will be applied to occupational performance in life roles for the older adult population.
Fall only and every year. 2 Credits
OT-402 Therapeutic Approaches for Older Adults
Prerequisites or Corequisite: OT-401 and OT-403
Occupational therapy strategies for older adults across the wellness/illness/disability continuum with emphasis on occupational performance/context and clinical reasoning.
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
OT-403 Therapeutic Approaches Lab for Older Adults
Prerequisites or Corequisite: OT-401 and OT-402
Experiential learning with assessments and intervention approaches for older adults. Includes Fieldwork I.
Fall only and every year. 2 Credits
OT-404 Assistive Technology I
Prerequisites or Corequisite: OT-401, OT-402 and OT-403
Assistive technology related to the needs of the adult population will be explored.
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
OT-407 Research II
Prerequisites: OT-317
Course examines research design, quantitative and qualitative, human subject protection, and program evaluation. Students will develop a research proposal.
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
OT-408 Directed Study
1-3 Credits
OT-421 Occupational Performance and Context for Children/Adolescents
Prerequisites or Corequisite: OT-423, OT-424 and OT-427
Wellness/illness/disability continuum will be applied to performance in the life roles related to the child and adolescent populations.
Spring only and every year. 2 Credits
OT-423 Therapeutic Approaches Lab for Children/Adolescents
Prerequisites or Corequisite: OT-421
Directed observation and participation in the clinical application of theories and methods of occupational therapy intervention with the pediatric population. Includes Fieldwork I.
Spring only and every year. 2 Credits
OT-424 Assistive Technology II
Prerequisites or Corequisite: OT-421
Assistive technology applied to the occupational performance and context of the child and adolescent populations.
Spring only and every year. 3 Credits
OT-426 Organizational and Professional Issues I
Prerequisites or Corequisite: OT-421
Introduction to principles of organization, administration, and management applied to the delivery of occupational therapy services in various practice settings, work relationships, ethical issues, and laws influencing practice will also be discussed.
Spring only and every year. 3 Credits
OT-427 Therapeutic Approaches for Children/Adolescents
Occupational therapy strategies for child and adolescent populations across wellness/illness/disability continuum with emphasis on occupational performance and context.
Spring only and every year. 3 Credits
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate entry-level clinical reasoning skills.
- Identify, evaluate, and synthesize research for best clinical practice.
- Exhibit professional and ethical behaviors in a variety of settings (traditional, nontraditional, and emerging practice) and with diverse populations.
- Design, implement, and evaluate therapeutic interventions to increase occupational performance in accordance with the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework.
- Assume the responsibility for achieving and maintaining competence in lifelong learning by participating in professional development activities.