Mr. Jeff Loveland, MS, OTR, Graduate Coordinator
For information, call (540) 568-2399 or 568-8170
Web site: http://www.jmu.edu/healthsci/occupational_therapy/
Admission
Mission
Accreditation
Admission Requirements
Curriculum
Course Offerings
Admission
The Masters of Occupational
Therapy (MOT) is a professional master’s degree designed for entry-level
generalist preparation of the occupational therapist. The design of the program
is a 3 + 2.5 year model with two routes of entry:
§ JMU undergraduate students can apply during their third year
of undergraduate work. Undergraduate students must have completed all
prerequisites and 84 hours of undergraduate credit in order to start the
program after their third year. These students must apply to the College of
Graduate and Professional Programs and the Health Sciences MOT graduate program
during their senior year. If accepted, an additional 1.5 years of course work
will be required.
§ Students possessing a Bachelor’s degree
may apply to the College of Graduate and Professional Programs and the Health
Sciences MOT graduate program as graduate students. These students will be
required to complete 2.5 years of course work.
Application Deadlines
One cohort of students is
admitted each year. Classes begin in June.
For deadlines for application
to the College of Graduate and Professional Programs, see “Admission to the
College of Graduate and Professional Programs.” For
deadlines for application to the OT Program see www.healthsci.jmu.edu/
Applications submitted by the
due date are reviewed first and given earliest consideration for admission into
the program. Applications received after the deadline will be considered as
enrollment permits.
§ Undergraduates must apply for admission to the MOT program
during their junior year and the College of Graduate and Professional Programs
during their senior year.
§ Students possessing a Bachelors degree must apply to the
College of Graduate and Professional Programs prior to their admission to the
MOT program.
For application packets, call (540) 568-2399.
Mission
The mission of the
Occupational Therapy Program is to provide a well-rounded educational
experience to students that will prepare them to effectively practice in a
variety of service areas within today’s health and human service arena. Each
graduate will:
§ Possess a thorough understanding of occupation
§ Be able to articulate and demonstrate the theoretical and
practical application of occupational therapy
§ Be comfortable and competent working with individuals in a
variety of practice settings
§ Be committed to continuous professional growth and the
evolution and validation of the profession as human needs change
§ Be able to systematically locate and
evaluate available evidence-based literature to formulate assessment and
intervention decisions to guide professional practice
Faculty participating in the
program will contribute through service and education to professional circles
and the local community; and will maintain high standards of professional
knowledge while offering quality education to students.
Occupational therapists work
with individuals whose ability to participate in the occupations of life is
disrupted or unable to develop due to injury, disease, developmental
difficulties or environmental factors. Occupational therapy is a health and
human service profession whose name is reflective of the time that it was
formally founded (1917) when the term occupation collectively referred to
activities people engage in throughout their day. Based on the centuries-old
belief that there is health in doing, active client-centered participation is
both the focus of the professional and its main avenue of intervention.
Occupational therapists work in hospitals (inpatient and outpatient programs),
rehabilitation centers, early intervention programs, schools, mental health
programs, home health care agencies, industrial medicine/rehabilitation
programs, skilled nursing facilities, private practices, correctional
facilities, shelters, community-based programs or at colleges or universities
as faculty. For employment characteristics for occupational therapists, a
listing of where JMU OT graduates work, average salary by graduating class,
graduate performance on the NBCOT Exam and employer satisfaction of JMU
graduates see www.jmu.edu/healthsci/occupational_therapy/employment.html.
Accreditation
The Occupational Therapy
Program is accredited by the American Council for Occupational Therapy
Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA),
located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. AOTA’s phone number
is (301) 652-AOTA (web site is www.aota.org). Graduation from an ACOTE accredited program is a
requirement for eligibility to take the National Board for Certification in
Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. NBCOT (www.nbcot.org) can be contacted at 800 South Frederick Avenue,
Suite 200, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150 or (301) 990-7979. Successful completion
of this examination forms the basis for the regulation of practice. A prior
felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to take the NBCOT
certification examination and/or attain state licensure.
The licensing authority for
occupational therapists in the Commonwealth of Virginia is the Department of
Health Professions of the Virginia Board of Medicine, 6606 West Broad Street, 4th Floor, Richmond, VA 23230-1717. Telephone: (804)
662-9908. Refer to the AOTA web site for licensing information for other
states.
Admission Requirements
Admission is limited and
competitive. Students applying to the program with a baccalaureate degree will
enter the program as graduate students. Successful completion of 78 graduate
credits will result in earning the MOT degree.
Students admitted as seniors
will complete 36 undergraduate credits. After acceptance into the College of
Graduate and Professional Programs and graduate level Occupational Therapy
program, they will complete 42 graduate credits for the MOT degree. Admission
into the Occupational Therapy program as an undergraduate does not ensure
admission to the College of Graduate and Professional Programs or the graduate
level Occupational Therapy program.
Admission Requirements for Undergraduates
To be considered for admission
to the MOT program, prospective students must:
§ Be admitted to JMU as an undergraduate student majoring in
Health Studies. NOTE: Refer to the JMU Undergraduate Catalog for
specific course work to fulfill degree requirements.
§ Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores in Verbal,
Analytical, Quantitative and Writing. Undergraduate applicants should take the
GRE in their junior year before applying to the MOT Program.
§ Apply and be admitted to the College of Graduate and
Professional Programs during the junior year.
§ Complete at least 84 hours of undergraduate course work by
the time of enrollment.
§ Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or
better and meet all prerequisite course requirements with a grade of “C” (2.0)
in the following courses: BIO 270. Human Physiology
BIO 290. Human Anatomy
ENG 290. Intermediate Composition
GANTH 195. Cultural Anthropology
GSOCI 240. Individual in Society or GSOCI
210. Social Issues in a Global Context
HTH 441. Rehabilitative Biomechanics
MATH 220. Elementary Statistics
PSYC 160. Life Span Human Development
PSYC 250. Intro to Abnormal Psychology
NOTE: These are JMU courses and numbers. Students not
attending JMU as undergraduates may request that courses with similar content
be substituted for the specific courses listed. Transcripts and syllabi of the
courses should be supplied for the review of content. The Admissions Committee
of the Occupational Therapy Program will determine if the courses meet the
prerequisite requirements.
§ Submit documentation of a minimum forty hours of observation
of occupational therapy services (form in application packet)
§ Submit three reference forms: one from an employer or
non-relative and one or more from an instructor (form in application packet)
§ Submit an Autobiographical Statement of 1000 words or
fewer.
§ Meet all ISST requirements and requirements in computer
competency as required by the university and stated in the General Education
requirements in the JMU Undergraduate Catalog.
§ Provide evidence of at least one
instructional experience in the arts or media (high school or community college
course, private instruction, Community Arts certificate, etc.).
Admission as a Graduate Student
To be considered for admission
to the MOT program, prospective students must:
§ Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores in Verbal,
Analytical, Quantitative and Writing.
§ Be admitted to the College of Graduate and Professional
Programs.
§ Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or
better and meet all prerequisite course requirements with a grade of “C” (2.0)
in the following courses: NOTE: These are JMU
courses and numbers. Students not attending JMU as undergraduates may request
that courses with similar content be substituted for the specific courses
listed. Transcripts and syllabi of the courses should be supplied for the
review of content. The Admissions Committee of the Occupational Therapy Program
will determine if the courses meet the prerequisite requirements.
BIO 270. Human Physiology
BIO 290. Human Anatomy
ENG 290. Intermediate Composition
GANTH 195. Cultural Anthropology
GSOCI 240. Individual in Society or GSOCI
210. Social Issues in a Global Context
HTH 441. Rehabilitative Biomechanics
MATH 220. Elementary Statistics
PSYC 160. Life Span Human Development
PSYC 250. Intro to Abnormal Psychology
§ Submit documentation of a minimum forty hours of observation
of occupational therapy services (form in application packet)
§ Submit three reference forms: one from an employer or
non-relative and one or more from an instructor (form in application packet)
§ Submit an Autobiographical Statement of 1000 words or
fewer.
§ Provide evidence of at least one
instructional experience in the arts or media (high school or community college
course, private instruction, Community Arts certificate, etc.)
Application Evaluation Criteria
Candidates are evaluated
through review of their written application. The following characteristics,
skills and accomplishments are assessed.
§ Academic preparation (overall GPA, prerequisite GPA, GRE)
§ Autobiographical Statement (Autobiography Rating Form
completed independently by three faculty)
§ Written communication skills (Autobiography Rating Form)
§ Volunteer/Health and Human Services experience (Volunteer
Form)
§ References (Reference Form)
§ Thoroughness and timeliness of application
submission (Date and status of application material when received)
Curriculum
All of the following courses
are required and must be taken in the sequence specified. Students must be
enrolled full-time. Exceptions to this requirement are rare and are only
granted by the program coordinator. Students must receive a grade of “B” or
better in all courses at the 500-level or above. A grade of “C” or better must
be received in all courses at the 400-level once admitted into the OT Program.
NOTE: Level II Fieldwork must be completed within 24 months of completion of
didactic course work.
|
Summer: Year One (12 weeks)
|
|
|
HTH 438/OT 538. Administrative Functions for OTs
|
3
|
|
BIO 414/514.
Functional Anatomy for Occupational Therapists
|
4
|
|
|
7
|
|
Fall: Year One
|
|
|
HTH 409/OT
510. Therapeutic Interaction
|
3
|
|
HTH 424/OT
520. Occupational Development through the Lifespan
|
3
|
|
HTH 431/OT
530. Human Occupational and the Foundations of the Profession
|
3
|
|
BIO 440/540.
Functional Neuroscience
|
3
|
|
HTH 445/OT
540. The Occupational Therapy Process
|
3
|
|
Tutorial
Group
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spring: Year One
|
|
|
HTH 435/OT 555. Level I Fieldwork One
|
1
|
|
HTH 460/OT
560. Sensorimotor Foundations of Occupational Engagement
|
2
|
|
HTH 461/OT
570. Assistive Technology and Therapeutic Media
|
3
|
|
HTH 478/OT
580. Occupational Dysfunction: Cause and Impact
|
3
|
|
HTH 479/OT
590. Foundations of Research in Occupational Therapy
|
3
|
|
Elective
|
2
|
|
Tutorial Group
|
|
|
|
|
Students enrolled in the
program at the undergraduate level would receive a Bachelor of Science degree
in Health Sciences at this time. These students would have the option of
earning a minor in Gerontology, Substance Abuse or Special Education
(non-teaching) if appropriate course work is completed.
|
Fall: Year Two
|
|
|
OCT 600.
Occupational Therapy Intervention in Mental Health
|
3
|
|
OCT 610.
Occupational Therapy Intervention in Pediatrics
|
3
|
|
OCT 620. School Based Practice
|
2
|
|
OCT 630. Evidence Based Practice
|
3
|
|
OCT 645. Level I Fieldwork Two
|
1
|
|
Tutorial Group
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spring: Year Two
|
|
|
OT 640. Occupational Therapy Intervention with Adults
|
3
|
|
OT 650. Occupational Therapy Intervention in Geriatrics
|
2
|
|
OT 651. Community Based Practice
|
3
|
|
OT 652. Innovative Practice in Human Services
|
3
|
|
OT 655. Level I Fieldwork Three
|
1
|
|
Tutorial Group
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summer: Year Two
|
|
|
OT 663.
Policy Analysis and Systems of Service Provision
|
3
|
|
OT 665. Level II Fieldwork One (12 week placement)
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
Fall: Year Three
|
|
|
OT 675. Level II Fieldwork Two (12 week placement)
|
6
|
|
OT 680. Independent Study
|
3
|
|
|
|
Students would receive a Masters of Occupational Therapy
degree at December commencement once they conclude all academic and clinical
course work.
Course Offerings
OT 510. Therapeutic Interaction. 3 credits.
This course focuses on the therapeutic process,
small group dynamics, professional interactions, cultural sensitivity, and
client-practitioner relationships. Topics include professional socialization,
communication skills, and exploration of self within the context of personal
and professional attitudes, values, and beliefs. Prerequisites: Admission to
the Occupational Therapy Program.
OT 520. Occupational Development
Through the Lifespan. 3 credits.
Occupational development from infancy to old age
comprises the content. The specific interactions of the human and the environment
in fostering physical, social, emotional, cognitive, moral and psychological
growth are covered. The acquisition of values, roles, habits, temporal
adaptations and interests during each stage of life are explored. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program.
OT 530. Human Occupation and the
Foundations of the Profession. 3
credits.
Occupation as a fundamental human behavior is
explored. The conceptual basis of occupational engagement including time, tool
use, environmental press, activity analysis, grading, approaches to change and
other foundation concepts are linked to occupational science. How these
coalesce into a professional focus and a profession completes the
content. Prerequisites: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program.
OT 538. Administrative Functions
for OTs. 3 credits.
This course provides an introduction to the
management functions, tasks, roles and responsibilities as they are carried out
in health and human service organizations. Discussion of emerging issues impacting
health care practitioners is provided. Supervisory issues specific to the
occupational therapist will be explored. Prerequisites: Admission to
the Occupational Therapy program.
OT 540. The Occupational Therapy
Process. 3 credits.
The occupational therapy process is taught. Types,
purposes and methods of assessment are taught as the initial and defining stop
in the therapeutic process. Problem setting, client centered goal development,
intervention and appropriate termination of services are covered. Documentation
of the process is also included.
OT 555. Level I Fieldwork One. 1 credit.
This course provides an opportunity for the student
to gain clinical experience serving pediatric and adolescent clients in the
areas of education, health or human services. This clinical experience is
designed to enrich didactic course work through directed observation and
participation in selected aspects of the occupational therapy process. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 560. Sensorimotor Foundations
of Occupational Engagement. 2 credits.
The foundations of sensory processing and motor
response allow the human to engage in purposeful and meaningful occupations.
The important components of movement and behavior provide the underlying
construct for much of occupational engagement. Normal and abnormal sensorimotor
processing is presented with particular emphasis on how dysfunctions in these
areas impact occupational engagement. Prerequisites: Admission to the
Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all previous courses
in the curriculum, or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 570. Assistive Technology and
Therapeutic Media. 3 credits.
The focus of this course is to provide an overview
of therapeutic applications of craft media, assistive devices and assistive
technology utilized in practice. Introduction to occupational activity analysis
and compensatory strategies relative to performance areas, performance
components and performance contexts. Prerequisites: Admission to the
Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all previous courses
in the curriculum, or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 580. Occupational
Dysfunction-Cause & Impact. 3
credits.
Reasons for occupational dysfunction in the areas of
development, trauma, disease, degenerative and environmental conditions are
examined in relation to their specific pathology and their effect on human
occupational performance. Treatment approaches, assessment and intervention
strategies specific to each condition will be developed. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 590. Foundations of Research
in Occupational Therapy. 3 credits.
The core research course introduces the student to
the reasons, types and processes of research. Exposure to critical review of published
research, specific emphasis on evidence based practice and the use of research
in clinical decision-making is emphasized. Prerequisites: Admission to the
Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all previous courses
in the curriculum or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 600. Occupational Therapy
Intervention in Mental Health. 3
credits
Review of abnormal psychiatric conditions across the
lifespan and their impact on individual occupational performance. Evaluation,
and individual and group treatment will be applied. Signs, symptoms, and
psychopharmacological treatment will be addressed. Historical overview of
occupational therapy in behavioral health service provision will be covered
including current continuum of care. Prerequisites: Admission to the
Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all previous courses
in the curriculum, or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 610. Occupational Therapy
Intervention in Pediatrics. 3 credits.
Designed to provide an overview of occupational
therapy in pediatrics, this course emphasizes the child and their family in
context of environment and culture. The effect of disability on occupational
development and performance frames the clinical reasoning used in decision making.
Assessment, intervention planning and implementation, including intervention
techniques, from a variety of theoretical perspective will be explored. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 620. School Based Practice. 2 credits.
An overview of occupational services provided under
the individuals with Disabilities Education Act frames the content of this
course. Understanding the school as an institution with a mission and culture,
working in teams and supporting educational objectives and achievement is
stressed. The early intervention programs as designed under IDEA are included. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the program or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 630. Evidence Based Practice.
3 credits.
Evidence based practice is considered to be the
foundation and standard regarding clinical performance in the health and
medical fields. This course introduces the student to the methodology of
evidence-based research and its applicability to occupational therapy. The
content of this course builds on knowledge gained in the introductory research
course (OT 590). Prerequisites: Admission to the Occupational Therapy
Program and successful completion of all previous courses in the curriculum or
permission of the program coordinator.
OT 640. Occupational Therapy
Intervention with Adults. 3 credits.
This course provides an in-depth examination of the
occupational therapy process that occurs when deficits in occupational
performance, performance components and performance contexts occur with adults.
Special emphasis will be given to orthopedic and neurological conditions.
Traditional and contemporary treatment approaches will be reviewed. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 645. Level I Fieldwork Two. 1 credit.
This course provides an opportunity for the student
to gain clinical experience serving clients with psychosocial conditions in the
areas of education, health or human services. This clinical experience is
designed to enrich didactic course work through directed observation and
participation in selected aspects of the occupational therapy process. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 650. Occupational Therapy
Intervention in Geriatrics. 2 credits.
This course provides analysis of the role of the
occupational therapist with the elderly client. Development and age related changes
that occur in all body systems will occur as pertinent theoretical approaches,
assessments and interventions are examined. The continuum of service programs
available to the older client will be explored. Prerequisites: Admission to
the Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all previous
courses in the curriculum, or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 652. Innovative Practice in
Human Services. 3 credits.
This course will prepare the student to develop an
innovative practice concept in contemporary areas of human service. Identifying
a business idea, developing a mission statement/goals and objectives for the
product/service to be delivered will lead to performing a needs assessment
through establishing a marketing and practice plan. Prerequisites: Admission
to the Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all previous
courses in the curriculum, or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 655. Level I Fieldwork Three.
1 credit.
This course provides an opportunity for the students
to gain clinical experience serving clients with orthopedic or neurological
conditions in the areas of education, health or human services. This clinical
experience is designed to enrich didactic course work through directed observation
in selected aspects of the occupational therapy process. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 651. Community-Based Practice.
3 credits.
Students conduct a needs assessment, explore
community resources, consider alternative funding sources, and develop an
occupational therapy program to provide services for individuals who are
experiencing occupational dysfunction in various community settings. This
course exposes students to community-based models and provides interaction with
local agencies. Prerequisites: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program
and successful completion of all previous courses in the curriculum, or
permission of the program coordinator.
OT 663. Policy Analysis and
Systems of Service Provision. 3
credits.
Federal, state, and local laws and regulations
related to health and human services are identified and their impact on
occupational therapy practice is examined. Particular emphasis is placed on
access to services, systems of services and payment for services. The role of
advocacy in change is emphasized. Prerequisites: Admission to the
Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all previous courses
in the curriculum or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 665. Level II Fieldwork One. 6 credits.
This supervised 12-week fieldwork external
affiliation provides in-depth experience in delivering occupational therapy
services on-site at a hospital, community agency, or human service setting.
Students demonstrate an ability to evaluate, treat, document, and discharge
clients. Professionalism, clinical reasoning skills, and communication with
clients, significant others and professional colleagues are enhanced. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the program coordinator.
OT 675. Level II Fieldwork Two. 6 credits.
Students participate in a second 12-week in-depth
supervised fieldwork affiliation in a different practice setting such as a
hospital, community agency, or human service settings. Students demonstrate
increased independence in evaluating, treating, documenting and discharging
clients. Professionalism, clinical reasoning, and communication skills are
further enhanced. Prerequisites: Admission to the Occupational Therapy
Program and successful completion of all previous courses in the curriculum, or
permission of the program coordinator.
OT 680. Independent Study in
Occupational Therapy. 3 credits.
This course provides an opportunity for the student
to explore theoretical, clinical and evidence based practice concepts related
to experience gained from both didactic and fieldwork education in greater
breadth and depth. Exploration and dissemination of current health and human
services professional literature will be emphasized as students examine the
efficacy of traditional and contemporary practice approaches. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the program coordinator.
