Course Descriptions

Focuses on foundational skills to introduce major topics that are studied by the occupational therapy student both in their academic and clinical educational experiences. It provides an introduction for the student who is considering future study of occupational therapy or has already selected it as their major. Within the course, the student is exposed to essential topics that are studied in depth during the 3rd through 5th years of the BS/MS program in occupational therapy

Introduces language used by health-care professionals whose medical decisions affect and determine the course of rehabilitation and therapeutic process.

Eight-week course with laboratories involve dissection of the human cadaver, with emphasis on the musculoskeletal system. Lectures emphasize clinical correlations.

Provides students with an overview of the development of human occupation, from conception through senescence. Knowledge of the typical acquisition of occupation will be stressed for its significance in formulating a basis for understanding atypical development and for planning appropriate OT intervention for individuals of all ages. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the interaction of the person, environment, and task components that support the engagement in occupation. As such, the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework will be serve as the cornerstone of occupational task analysis.  

Introduces OT students to the principles of critical analysis of scientific literature. Completion of this class will enable students to access, interpret, and analyze journal articles and to apply findings to clinical practice.

Introductory neuroscience course for exercise science, occupational therapy and pre-physical therapy students. Topics include principles of neurophysiology, cellular communication, organization and gross morphology of the CNS, functional anatomy of motor and somatosensory pathways, and various aspects of neuropathology and neuroplasticity.

Course exposes students to anatomical structures associated with neurophysical concepts discussed in  OT 342.

Introduces students to assistive technology (AT) devices that support mobility, posture, seating, computer usage, and environmental control, as well as environmental modifications – all of which may enhance occupational performance in home, school, work and community environments. Students will learn strategies for assessment, training, and implementation of these interventions, enabling them to consider the relevance of AT for a variety of populations and treatment settings.  

Provide students with knowledge of medical disorders commonly encountered by rehabilitation professionals and to provide an understanding of the management of these disorders. Emphasis is placed on the pathology, etiology, symptomatology, prognosis, and contraindications of cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, endocrine, immunologic and other selected medical conditions across the lifespan. The ways in which these diseases and disabilities can affect the development, functioning, and occupation of individuals within their various contexts will be reviewed and examined. Implications for occupational therapy interventions and precautions for practice will be addressed. 

Provides students with knowledge of medical disorders commonly encountered by rehabilitation professionals and to provide an understanding of the management of these disorders. Emphasis is placed on the pathology, etiology, symptomatology, prognosis, and contraindications of musculoskeletal, sensory (vision and hearing), developmental, sensory processing, and other selected medical conditions across the lifespan. The ways in which these diseases and disabilities can affect the development, functioning, and occupation of individuals within their various contexts will be reviewed and examined. Implications for occupational therapy interventions and precautions for practice will be addressed. 

This course is designed to include selected topics from biomechanics, kinesiology, and functional anatomy.  Information from these areas of study are applied to understanding joint structures and functions as well as how this translates into assessment of movement and subsequent treatment.  Topics are incorporated both into lecture and laboratory formats.  Laboratory sessions will incorporate the learning of manual muscle testing, range of motion assessments, and application of therapeutic exercise.

Introduces students to the process of occupational therapy intervention from initial interview through screening, evaluation, goal writing, intervention planning, and discharge planning as students are exposed to the clinical reasoning used by therapists when making decisions about intervention. Students will also gain skills in administering, scoring, and interpreting standardized assessments, writing goals and objectives, and documenting intervention. The role of the OT and OTA in assessment and intervention will also be discussed. 

Educates students about the service delivery systems, including the educational system, medical system, community based practice, and other emerging practice areas.  Students will learn about the social and political forces that have shaped those systems, and the current issues within each of those systems. Issues include legislation, reimbursement, credentialing, and the role of the occupational therapist.  

A survey of groups used by occupational therapists, theoretical constructs, and principles of application. An emphasis is placed on observing groups and analyzing small group processes. The student benefits from learning about groups designed and led by their peers. Students learn experientially by participating in class exercises as well as by being involved in group design, participation, observation, and critique of therapeutic group sessions.  

Expands on previously-taught neuroscience information and introduces students to clinical theories and techniques that utilize neurophysiological concepts in the treatment of occupational dysfunction. Application to occupational therapy utilizing selected activities of work, play, and self-care are included. A life-span approach that emphasizes treatment for neurological conditions affecting pediatric, adult, and aging populations is incorporated into teaching and practice modules. A lecture and lab format is followed with additional practicum experiences.

This course is designed to help students attain the greatest benefit from their Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences. The seminar will help students to understand the nature of fieldwork, specific requirements, and their own personal educational needs related to fieldwork prior to selecting fieldwork sites and beginning their apprenticeship learning. 

Provides the student with the theoretical basis and practical applications of orthotics and prosthetics for practicing therapists.  Effective orthotics and prosthetic approaches incorporate anatomical, medical, and biophysical information with specific psychomotor skills. The lecture and lab sections of this course provide an introduction to these processes.  

View full photo gallery of the 450 casting lab.

Level I Fieldwork A provides students with the opportunity to observe occupational therapy in a clinical setting that supports psychosocial and/or social wellbeing, and interact with service recipients. Students will spend approximately 40 hours at an assigned clinical site observing occupational therapy evaluation and interventions, and will reflect on these observations within the context of the OT process.

This course is the second of two seminars designed to prepare students for successful completion of Level I and Level II Fieldwork. This seminar will focus on Level II fieldwork. Through this seminar students will explore and complete general fieldwork pre requisite requirements along with site-specific pre-requisite requirements. They will also discuss level II fieldwork related to purpose, requirements for the fieldwork educator, assignments and discussion questions, specific grading criteria, and discuss strategies for solving problems that may arise. Students will also reflect on their own strengths and limitations and plan for their personal participation in the level II fieldwork experience.

This course addresses the role of occupational therapy in medical settings including, acute, sub-acute, rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities.  The focus of this course is on occupational therapy practice related to neurological, cognitive and mental health disorders. Theoretical foundations, evaluation, intervention principles and procedures in these settings across the lifespan will be presented. Lab experiences will provide the student with the opportunity to develop clinical skills and reasoning in these areas.  

This course addresses the role of occupational therapy in medical settings including, acute, sub-acute, rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities. The focus of this course is on occupational therapy practice related to musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, integumentary, and oncologic disorders. Theoretical foundations, evaluation, treatment principles and procedures in these settings across the lifespan will be presented. Lab experiences will provide the student with the opportunity to develop clinical skills and reasoning in these areas.  

This course addresses occupational therapy evaluation and intervention in home-based settings including early intervention for children from birth through three years old, post-discharge home care for persons of all ages, and aging in place. “Home” may include private residences, group residences, assisted living facilities or other dwellings. Theoretical foundations, evaluation, and intervention principles and procedures in these settings across the lifespan will be presented in various home-based settings.

This course addresses the role of occupational therapy in community and vocational settings.  The focus of this course is on occupational therapy practice related community integration, vocational, social participation, play, leisure, and health and wellness promotion. Theoretical foundations, evaluation, and intervention principles and procedures in these settings across the lifespan will be presented.  Lab experiences will provide the student with the opportunity to develop clinical skills and reasoning in these areas.  

Addresses occupational therapy evaluation and intervention in educational settings including preschool, primary, secondary, and post-secondary settings for children, adolescents, and adults. Applicable legislation, theoretical foundations, evaluation, Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) development, intervention principles and procedures in educational settings across the lifespan will be presented. 

Focuses on the development of the role of the occupational therapist in underutilized areas through service learning. A broad range of health-related services are addressed in this course including: health disparities, the needs of individuals and populations at risk for being underserved, occupational and social justice, prevention and health promotion, acute and chronic medical care, habilitation and rehabilitation, and  direct and indirect service provision. Experiences are designed to facilitate student understanding of current trends in community health care and the role of the occupational therapist in public health and community health. 

Level I Fieldwork B provides students with the opportunity to observe occupational therapy and safely interact with clients with medical needs in inpatient and outpatient settings. Students will attend clinical sites observing and participating in the occupational therapy process, interact with standardized patients, and engage in simulated environments to develop an understanding of the role of the occupational therapist with individuals with physical and behavioral medical needs under the supervision of a Fieldwork Educator.

Level I Fieldwork C provides students with the opportunity to observe occupational therapy in a clinical setting. Students will spend one week, or 30-40 hours, at a clinical site observing and participating in the occupational therapy process under the supervision of a Fieldwork Educator.

Level I Fieldwork D provides students with the opportunity to observe occupational therapy in a community-based setting supporting psychosocial and/or social wellbeing with an underserved population. Students will attend a clinical site observing and participating in the occupational therapy process under the supervision of a Fieldwork Educator.

This course is comprised of a lecture and tutorial. The 2 unit lecture provides foundational information to develop a quantitative or qualitative research project proposal to include the introduction, background, method, analysis, results and discussion. In addition students will attend three rehabilitation science seminars on diverse and relevant topics. In the 1 unit tutorial, students work either independently or in a small group with a project advisor to develop a specific research proposal and obtain in-depth project-specific guidance to include: identification of a problem, research questions and hypotheses, sampling, procedures selection of tools and instruments, and data analysis, as well as human subjects’ protection and ethical concerns in the masters research project. Major course products will include an annotated bibliography, literature review, project outline, IRB approval, informed consent, completion of CITI human subjects training, and a completed and defensible proposal. 

The purpose of Project Guidance II is to support the implementation of qualitative or quantitative student research projects initiated in Project Guidance I. This two-unit course is comprised of advisor-led tutorials conducted over a 10 week period. The students will focus on implementation of the research proposal developed in Project Guidance I, including, recruitment, and data gathering. Each advisor will provide project specific in-depth guidance.

This course is comprised of a lecture and tutorial. The 2 unit lecture provides foundational information to carry out quantitative and qualitative data analysis. All students are introduced to SPSS/PASW for quantitative data management and statistical analysis (with a variety of statistical tools). Each student will demonstrate their expertise by using SPSS and statistical tools to analyze a common data set. All students will analyze qualitative data including coding, and theme identification. In addition students will attend three rehabilitation science seminars on diverse and relevant topics. In the 1 unit tutorial, students will work with their project advisor to obtain in-depth guidance for analyzing and reporting data collected in OT 576: Project Guidance II for their specific masters research project

This course will provide an in-depth, critical review of management, administration, supervision, and leadership issues relevant to the occupational therapist. Students will be exposed to the administrative aspects of occupational therapy and learn the mechanics of developing and promoting occupational therapy services. Students will also be exposed to management and leadership theories and practices, and the design and structure of occupational therapy clinics, programs, and businesses. In addition, students will discuss ethical issues related to occupational therapy practice as well as the development and implementation of outcome measures.

This course will provide the student with an opportunity to apply management and administrative concepts in an occupational therapy practice setting to create solutions for real-life issues. The course will focus on issues related to supervision, conflict resolution and ethical decision making, and quality improvement. It is an online course that runs for 12 weeks concurrent with a Level II Fieldwork Placement. The course is divided into four modules, each running for approximately three weeks.

This course will guide students in the process of professional development to assist them in their transition from student to clinical roles. The focus of the course is on self-reflection and self-assessment related to personal and professional competencies and abilities, identification of specific individual competencies for development, goal setting, and selection of educational and professional development activities. Students will also gain information about the certification and licensure processes, potential future roles in occupational therapy and will also present their masters research project to faculty, peers, and invited guests. 

Three months of full-time supervised fieldwork experience following the completion of required academic courses. This fieldwork experience will take place in a medical or home-based setting.

Three months of full-time supervised fieldwork experience following the completion of required applied practice academic courses. This fieldwork experience will take place in a setting that is different than that completed for OT 620, including (but not limited to) educational/school based, community-based, work/ergonomic based, and emerging practice settings.

Overview of the theories, assessments, practical applications, and research associated with the effectiveness of the sensory integration and neurodevelopmental therapy approaches used in occupational therapy with children.

A continuum of computer accommodation strategies for persons with physical and learning disability will be critically evaluated through practical student experiences and review of current literature. This course is designed to expose students to the clinical application of adaptive computing technologies through lectures, hands-on laboratory experiences, several projects, and critiques of related research literature. Students will develop a frame of reference that will be applicable to varied clinical and research settings. All students must have access to a personal computer. In addition, students should be proficient with basic Windows commands and be able to create, print and save their own word processing files.

Advanced clinical application of seating and wheeled mobility interventions, as well as related research and development issues. Reading assignments, projects and exposure to community clinical sites will provide students with a frame of reference that will be an asset to varied clinical and research settings. Topics: wheelchair and seating terminology; biomechanics of sitting; assessment for seating and position management; planar, contoured, and custom seating approaches; pressure measurement and alleviation; medical implications of pressure sores; considerations for specific populations, including SCI, MD, CP and CVA; assessment for manual wheelchair selection; powered mobility bases and control systems.

Contemporary topics in occupational therapy will be explored in these elective classes. A breadth of courses addressing physical, psychosocial, and developmental needs across the age span are typically offered. Course titles and descriptions are provided to students in the fall semester at the time of registration.

This seminar is intended to give students a broad overview of research ethics and regulation. The course will convey the moral bases of scientific ethics and the historical evolution of social science and biomedical research ethics and the development, implementation, and limitations of US human subjects' regulations. The course includes readings, lectures, and case-based discussions addressing the following topics: ethics and morality in science; science in society; scientific integrity; misconduct; whistleblowing; conflicts of interest; collegiality; publication and authorship; peer review; the history and development of human experimentation ethics and regulations (HHS, FDA); Institutional Review Boards; informed consent; waivers; vulnerable populations; privacy and the confidentiality of records; epidemiology; ethics in the social sciences; and research using animal subjects.

Using concepts from environmental psychology, human factors design theory, and person-environment theories as underlying premises, this course will examine factors that support or inhibit the rehabilitation process and an individual's ability to maintain his or her functional status and participation in the community. This will be explored in a variety of settings including acute and long term health care facilities, the home, alternative residential environments and the community. Aspects of the physical environment of these settings, including assistive technology will be explored. Both barriers in and possible modifications of these settings will be considered. Legislation and research issues pertaining to the physical environment will also be discussed.

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the current theories, clinical practice, and research in OPT for individuals with physical disabilities, emphasizing the dynamic relationship between theory, research, and clinical practice.  The student will be expected to critically examine OT practices in the area for clinical effectiveness, of physical dysfunction in terms of the underlying theoretical principles, assumptions, and beliefs, current evaluation/ measurement tools, and research evidence.