Mar 28, 2024  
2007-2009 Graduate Catalog 
    
2007-2009 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Occupational Therapy, MSOT


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Graduate Programs


The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program prepares entry-level master’s degree occupational therapy professionals to work with persons of all ages to achieve their highest level of independent functioning.

Occupational therapists may use “hands on” techniques, creative solutions, technology, and resources to assist individuals in overcoming physical and mental challenges, promoting wellness, and living a productive lifestyle. The program design provides graduates with critical thinking skills and the integration of theory and practice with an emphasis in clinical and community practice, research, administration, and consumer education. Academic coursework and practical skills are synergistically integrated into the curriculum and includes core courses on the study of occupation, theories, and methods of practice; fieldwork experiences that develop competency in assessment and intervention; and a capstone research project.
 

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Occupational Therapy Program will:

  • incorporate occupation-based frame of references in the delivery of occupational therapy services
  • plan and implement client-centered services in a variety of settings
  • organize services and manage resources in diverse arenas of practice
  • apply principles of evidence-based research in scholarly works and practice
  • implement multiple methodologies for educating and promoting health and wellness of individuals in community-based practice environments, clinical settings, and emerging areas
  • work with a variety of cultures and populations
  • employ technology in teaching, learning and adaptation of the environment
  • engage in ethical behaviors that demonstrate professional responsibility relating to professionalism, research and practice
     

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission into the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program must have:

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.00
  • Graduate Record Exam within five (5) years of applying for admission
  • Minimum of forty (40) hours volunteer or work experience in the field of occupational therapy
  • Three letters of references (one reference must be completed by the occupational therapy supervisor where student volunteered or worked)
  • Written essay
  • Grade of “C” or better in the following prerequisites:

Prerequisites Credit

 

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab
6-8
  • Lifespan Human Growth and Development (i.e. developmental psychology )
3
  • Kinesiology or Human Movement and Analysis
3
  • Abnormal Psychology
3
  • Statistics
3
  • Sociology or Anthropology
3
  • Medical Terminology
1

 
Application Deadlines

Deadline for early fall admission consideration is January 15th for applicants who have fulfilled and documented that all requirements have been met. Deadline for regular fall admission is March 15th. Students must submit completed applications.
 

Transfer Credits

Subject to approval and review of transcript, up to six (6) hours of graduate transfer credits may be applied toward the MSOT. Transfer credits will only be considered for graduate level courses completed with a grade of “B” or higher within the last five (5) years. No transfer credits will be accepted for treatment courses.
 

Degree Requirements

Graduates earn an entry-level masters degree in this 2.5-year curriculum by completing the required 72 semester hours of coursework including twenty-four (24) weeks of fulltime fieldwork under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist. All students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher throughout the program and successfully complete academic coursework and Levels I and II Fieldwork experience prior to graduation.


Health and Other Requirements

Accepted students need to be certified in American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR, (2 years) and must submit proof of the following prior to starting the program.

  • Current completed physical examination (within the past 6 months)
  • Documentation of all immunizations
  • Tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray (within the past 6 months)
  • Documentation of completion of Hepatitis B vaccine series or waiver
  • Criminal background checks (at the student’s expense) are required to participate in the MSOT program
  • Drug screens may be required at the student’s expense
  • Uniforms may be required
     

Time Limits for Completion

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program can be completed within 2.5years of full-time study. A student may not take longer than six years to complete the curriculum.

The MSOT program offers several types of fieldwork experiences integrated throughout the curriculum designed to provide students with the opportunity for carrying out professional responsibilities under appropriate supervision and professional role modeling. All fieldwork experiences are graded on a pass/fail basis. There are six fieldwork experiences offered in the curriculum: Four formal Level I Fieldwork Practicums and two Level II Fieldwork courses.

Level I fieldwork practicums are designed to be completed during the same semesters as didactic coursework. After successful completion students enroll in two sequential Level II fieldwork experiences lasting six months. The expectation is that student’s need to perform as competent entry-level occupational therapists by the end of each of the Level II Fieldwork experiences. Level II Fieldwork must be passed successfully in order to receive the MSOT degree and to sit for the National Certification Examination.

 

Due to the competition for fieldwork sites, occupational therapy students within this program must be prepared to relocate, possibly out of state, during Level I and II fieldwork/clinical experiences. A criminal background and/or drug screen check may be required by facilities prior to beginning fieldwork. Students are responsible for expenses related to this process. All fieldwork must be completed in no more than 24 months following the completion of academic coursework and prior to graduation.

 

Fieldwork Related Expenses:

WSSU is dedicated to providing the best available clinical sites to students for fieldwork experiences. For this reason, students must be prepared to travel or relocate, possibly out of state for fieldwork experiences. Students are not paid during fieldwork experiences. Stipends, transportation and housing are not typically provided or arranged for students during fieldwork. Due to the nature of Level II fieldwork, a student should not plan to work during these experiences. Some facilities may have extra fees not specified here (lab coat, parking, specific health tests, drug screens, etc).

 

Fieldwork Requirements:

  1. Students will have to provide their own transportation to and from course experiences, clinical and fieldwork sites. Parking fees maybe applicable. Students are responsible for arranging their own housing during clinical experiences.  
  2. Student will need malpractice/liability insurance prior to beginning clinical and fieldwork experiences (obtained annually through WSSU).
  3. Students are required to present proof of their own health insurance coverage. At this time, this coverage is not included in student fees and is an additional cost, but is available through the University if needed. Additional coverage may be required while during fieldwork assignments for hospitalization.
  4. If a criminal background check or drug test is necessary, due to the requirements of a fieldwork site (if the site cannot accept the one done upon admission to the MSOT program), it will be the student’s responsibility to obtain and pay for these items unless the facility covers these tests. Other expenses may be necessary due to the requirements of fieldwork sites.

 

Health Requirements:

The following health related documentations must be provided to the Department of Occupational Therapy and WSSU Student Health Services. These must be kept current throughout the entire program. Any student who allows these requirements to expire is subject to being withdrawn from fieldwork courses or participation in any community or clinical aspect of a course.

 

  1. Documented proof from a physician of a current and annual physical examination.
     
  2. Immunization records required by WSSU as well as (3) Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DPT) doses or (3) Tetanus-Diphtheria (TD) doses. One (TD) must be administered within the past 10 years prior to admission into the occupational therapy program.
     
  3. Proof of one Rubella dose or adequate titer (not required for 50 years or older); and one Rubeola (measles) dose or adequate titer (not required for students born prior to 1957).
     
  4. Verification of having had chicken pox or vaccine.
     
  5. A yearly PPD test (TB skin test).
     
  6. The Hepatitis B vaccine series or sign a waiver form.
     
  7. CPR Certification in American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS (2 year).
     
  8. Proof of professional liability.

 
 

Course of Study


1st Year
















2nd Year









(elective)



 Faculty

 

Cynthia S. Bell Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
  Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
B.A., Miami University; M.S., Western Michigan University; Ph.D., Nova Southeastern University  
   
Dorothy P. Bethea Chair and Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
B.S., University of Alabama; M.P.A., Political Science, University of North Carolina—Greensboro; Ed.D., Argosy University  
   
Elizabeth A. Fain Instructor of Occupational Therapy
B.S., Medical College of Georgia,
M.H.S, Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina,
Ed.S. Applalachian State University
 
   
 Anne E. Jenkins Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy 
B.S., New York University; M.A., Special Education,
Columbia University; M.Div., Virginia Union University
 
   
Brenda Kennell Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
B.S., University of Wisconsin, M.A., Special Education
California State University
 
   
Darlene Perez-Brown Associate Clinical Professor of
Occupational Therapy
B.S., University of Puerto Rico,
M.A., Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
 

 

Departmental Links

 

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Graduate Programs