Department of Occupational Therapy

Purpose

This professional Masters program is designed to provide entry-level graduate education in the field of occupational therapy. Students learn entry-level skills and techniques commonly used in the practice of occupational therapy in a variety of areas and with diverse populations. They develop the ability to apply these skills through effective clinical reasoning based on a solid theoretical foundation of human function. The purpose of occupational therapy is to help individuals achieve a maximum level of independence in all areas of their lives. Occupational therapy is needed when an individual's ability to live independently, to care for personal needs, and to participate in work, school, family and community life is disrupted by illness or injury. Occupational therapists also provide education and training for wellness and prevention concerns. Occupational therapists work in schools, skilled nursing facilities, clinics, and hospitals, as well as alternative service delivery models (e.g., prisons, community mental health agencies and business/industry).

Prerequisites for Admission

The following prerequisites (or their approved transfer equivalents) are required for admission:
BIO 1110: General Biology
BIO 2110 and BIO 2120: Anatomy Physiology I & II
BIO 3020: Pathophysiology
HSC 2209: Medical Terminology
PSC 1501: Physics* (or PSC 1201)
PSY 1105: General Psychology
PSY 2208: Life Span Developmental Psychology
PSY 3330: PSY/SOC Research Methods
PSY 3331: Statistics
PSY 3423: Abnormal Psychology
Choice of SOC 1125: Basic Concepts and Principles of Sociology; SOC 2433: The Family and Society; HON 2125: Global Sociology or HIS/WMS 2231, Cultural Anthropology
(*preferred)

Occupational Therapy Entry-level Master's Program

Department Chair: Diane Anderson, PhD., M.P.H., OTR/L

General Information

All occupational therapy practitioners must graduate from an accredited occupational therapy program and pass the national certification examination in order to practice. In addition, most states require occupational therapy practitioners to be licensed.

The Occupational Therapy Entry-level Master's Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. AOTA's phone number is (301) 652-AOTA. Their website is www.aota.org.

Upon completion of all academic and fieldwork requirements of the Occupational Therapy Program, students are awarded a Master of Science (M.S.) degree. Graduates of the Program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for Occupational Therapists administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Information about NBCOT and the certification examination can be found at www.nbcot.org. Note: A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. An individual, who has a felony background and is considering entering an occupational therapy program, can have his or her background reviewed prior to actually applying for the exam by requesting an Early Determination Review (http://www.nbcot.org/pdf/Early%20Determination%20Review.pdf ).

After successful completion of this examination, the individual will be a registered occupational therapist (OTR or OTR/L). State licensure is usually based on graduating from an accredited occupational therapy education program and passing the NBCOT certification examination. All occupational therapy practitioners must pass the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist in order to practice.

NBCOT Exam Graduate Pass Rates

Occupational Therapy Entry-level Master's Program

The Occupational Therapy Entry-level Master's Program is currently a 3 plus 2.5 year model for incoming first-year students. During the first three years, students take the prerequisites for the Occupational Therapy Program, complete the College's general education requirements, and may complete courses that would contribute to a minor.

During the final year of undergraduate study, the student completes the first year of the 2.5 year Occupational Therapy Entry-level Master's Program and receives a baccalaureate degree (B.A.) in Health Sciences. These are the first-year graduate occupational therapy courses that also serve as the final year of the undergraduate Health Science major:

OTH 5331: Research I: Design and Proposal 2 cr.
OTH 5501: Foundations of Occupational Therapy 4 cr.
OTH 5502: Life Span Occupational Performance: Task Analysis and Media 4 cr.
OTH 5503: Motor Functioning Across the Life Span 2 cr.
OTH 5504: Assessment and Intervention Skills 2 cr.
OTH 5505: Functional Anatomy 4 cr.
OTH 5515: Neuroscience 5 cr. (Cross-listed as PTH 5511)
OTH 5521: Biomechanical Practice in Occupational Therapy 4 cr.
OTH 5522: Psychosocial Occupational Therapy 4 cr.
OTH 5544: Documentation 2 cr.
OTH 5552: Level I Fieldwork - A 1 cr.
OTH 5553: Level I Fieldwork - B 1 cr.

As a graduate student, the student completes the final 1.5 years of professional preparation, including the graduate research project and the required six months of full-time fieldwork experience, to earn an entry-level Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Occupational Therapy.

Students who hold a baccalaureate degree may take the 2.5 year entry-level Masters Degree program as graduate students. Baccalaureate holders must complete the Occupational Therapy Program prerequisites prior to admission to the Masters program.

Transfer students who do not hold a baccalaureate degree must complete 96 credits, general education requirements, and the Occupational Therapy Program prerequisites prior to admission to the Program.

Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Master's Program Conversion to Post-Baccalaureate and 3.0 Entering GPA

The Occupational Therapy Program has made the decision to convert the Program to a 4+2 1/2 (post-baccalaureate) model of education and require a 3.0 preferred minimum GPA for application into the program. These changes will phase in according to the following schedule. The College of St. Scholastica defines a full-time St. Scholastica student as one who is registered for at least 12 credits/semester at St. Scholastica for two consecutive semesters immediately preceding the application, not including the semester in which the student is applying. An internal transfer is a student who does not meet the criteria for a full-time St. Scholastica student, but is registered at St. Scholastica for the fall in which they are applying to the program. An external transfer is a student who has never registered as a full-time St. Scholastica student.

Conversion Phase-In Plan

Table 1: St. Scholastica Student, Academic Year, Application Year

 ^The new catalog would reflect the 4+2 1/2 model and change to a 3.0 preferred admission GPA; the FACT program would switch to the 3.0 preferred minimum GPA once that information is listed in the catalog. 
*Students are able to apply/reapply during their senior year.

A St. Scholastica student who applies to the Occupational Therapy Program in November 2014 must be either in their senior year or already have a bachelor's degree. By entry into the program in Fall 2015, all students must have completed a bachelor's degree.

Table 2: Transfer Student, Academic Year, Application Year

This table indicates if a transfer student is able to apply as a junior to the 3+2 1/2 program with a minimum 2.7 GPA

 ^The new catalog would reflect the 4+2 1/2 model and change to a 3.0 preferred admission GPA.
+ Transfer students must complete all occupational therapy application requirements; if they apply prior to completing an undergraduate degree, they must also complete the Benedictine Liberal Arts requirements.

An internal transfer student (a student who is attending St. Scholastica but doesn't meet the criteria of a St. Scholastica student) must be a senior or have a bachelor's degree to apply to the Program during the Fall 2014 application cycle. An external transfer (a student who is not enrolled in St. Scholastica during the fall in which he/she applies) must be a senior or have a completed bachelor's degree to apply to the program during the Fall 2013 application cycle.

Admission Requirements

There are two methods of acceptance into the Occupational Therapy Program, the First-Year Admission Criteria Track (FACT) or the Standard Admissions Track.

Application

The Occupational Therapy Program uses the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) for those wishing to apply to the program. Prior to November 1st of the application year, all students, FACT and Standard Admissions Track, will use the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) to apply to the Occupational Therapy Program. Visit the OTCAS website at AOTA (http://www.aota.org/Educate/EdRes/OTCAS) for more information.

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program will consider only those applicants who submit a completed application through OTCAS including:

• All official transcripts of Baccalaureate and graduate course work.
  • Applicants must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 in all course work and a 2.7 in each prerequisite course (See section Conversion to Post-Baccalaureate and 3.0 Entering GPA.)
• Official score from the current (not revised) GRE general test (http://www.ets.org/gre/).
  • Record your GRE score on the OTCAS application
  • Submit official documentation of your score to the Graduate Admissions Office at The College of St. Scholastica.
• Documentation of a minimum of two 20-hour observations completed within two years prior to application.
  • Each observation must meet the minimum 20-hour requirement.
  • The observations must be in a setting that offers the student the opportunity to work with either occupational therapist or occupational therapist assistant.
• Two Recommendations
  • It is recommended that one of the three letters of recommendation be from an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who knows the applicant well enough to speak to her/his qualification for graduate school. If it is not possible to obtain a recommendation from an occupational therapist, consider an employer or professor who can speak to the applicant's qualifications for success in graduate school.

Standard Admissions Track:

In addition to applying to OTCAS, Standard Admissions Track applicants will need to:

• Complete interviews with faculty of the Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee.
• Have completed all prerequisites requirements prior to the beginning of the occupational therapy courses.
• Have completed a baccalaureate degree from a nationally accredited institution. According to the conversion plan students may be accepted prior to completion of a baccalaureate degree. No specific baccalaureate major is required.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test scores, including the TWE (Test of Written English) essay rating. A score of 550 on the written test, score of 213 on the computer-based test or a score of 79 on the iBT TOEFL test or a four on the TWE essay rating are required for admission. The British International English Test (IELTS), will also be acceptable, a minimum score of 6.5 is required for admission.

Note: Meeting minimal entrance requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission.

Preference is given to applications submitted by November 15 (of junior year for those following the schema). Applicants will be considered after the submission date if there are spaces available. The initial acceptance pool consists of up to 20 qualified FACT students and the remainder of qualified St. Scholastica and transfer students for a class of 32.

For assistance with applications, students may contact the Office of Graduate Admissions, The College of St. Scholastica, 1200 Kenwood Ave, Duluth, MN 55811-4199. Telephone (218)723-6285 or (866)478-9277, Email gradstudies@css.edu

FACT (the First-Year Admission Criteria Track):

First year students at The College of St. Scholastica may apply for early application to the Occupational Therapy Program by following FACT, the First-Year Admissions Criteria Track. FACT is a criterion-based early admission program for the graduate Occupational Therapy Program. Students who declare their intent to pursue an M.S. degree in occupational therapy by the end of their first-year will be guaranteed admission to the program after three years of undergraduate work, should the student meet the plan criteria. FACT is available for up to 20 first year students on a first-come first-serve basis with applications accepted until May 1st.

Students who have enough credits when they arrive at The College of St. Scholastica as first year college students to make them sophomores (or higher), may apply as FACT applicants only if there are less than 20 FACT applicants in the future occupational therapy class with whom they will apply.

FACT criteria:

1. Register as a FACT student with the Graduate Admissions office by the end of the first year (deadline for application is May 1st.) The first 20 applicants will be accepted into the FACT program.
2. Complete 96 semester credits prior to entry into the professional program; including a minimum of 16 upper division credits.
3. Complete all general education requirements.
4. Complete all prerequisite courses for the Occupational Therapy Program.

•   Maintain an overall and a prerequisite grade point average of 2.7 with a grade of 2.0 or better in all prerequisite courses. (See section Conversion to Post-Baccalaureate and 3.0 Entering GPA.)

1.  Obtain a minimum grade of 2.7 on the first year English composition course. Beginning with the Fall 2011 cohort of FACT students (first year students in Fall 2011), the required grade for the first year English composition course is a minimum of 3.0.
2. Meet minimally one time per semester with an assigned member of the Occupational Therapy Program faculty.

Students who do not meet the criteria will be removed from the guaranteed FACT admission track, but may still apply to the graduate Occupational Therapy Program through the standard application process.

Benefits to the FACT applicant include guaranteed admission into the graduate Occupational Therapy Program, continuous access and interaction with an Occupational Therapy Program faculty member, and exemption from the application interview.

In addition to the above criteria, students will be assigned to an Occupational Therapy Program advisor at the end of the spring semester of their first year.

Additional Requirements Once Accepted into the Program

Once accepted into the Occupational Therapy Program, and prior to beginning classes, students must submit the following documentation to the Department of Occupational Therapy:

• A copy of proof of current certification in CPR ("CPR for the Professional Rescuer" through the American Red Cross or "Healthcare Provider BLS" through the American Heart Association).
• A copy of proof of current certification in First Aid for adults and pediatrics.
• Students must obtain a health screen either through the College's Student Health Services or the student's own physician, including proof of immunizations (Varicella titer, Rubella titer, and Tdap.)
• All occupational therapy students, regardless of state of residency, are required to submit an annual Minnesota background study. The study must be completed and returned with a "clear" status before the student may participate in clinical fieldwork. Students will be notified in September to submit the appropriate forms for the Minnesota background study and for a background study in student's home state, if other than Minnesota.
• Occupational therapy students are also required to submit a federal criminal background study. Students will be notified on how to submit the appropriate forms. The $50 cost is paid through course fees. NOTE: Students should be aware that if they have a criminal record, they may not be able to participate in fieldwork, obtain certification by NBCOT, or become registered / licensed by individual states to practice as an occupational therapist.
• Additional requirements for participation in fieldwork may include a drug test/screen, finger printing, additional immunizations or titers, etc. These requirements are site specific.

Fees and Expenses

Course fees are assessed each semester for course materials and other expenses. The amount is determined from actual costs each year. Students can anticipate total charges of approximately $1,200 for course fees and approximately $2,000 for textbooks and resources, during the course of the 2-1/2 year Occupational Therapy Program. During the time a student is completing fieldwork, the student is responsible for living expenses, transportation to and from the site, and other related costs. Level II Fieldwork experiences are full-time (40 hours/week) work experiences that often require homework assignments and outside responsibilities.

Student handbooks are provided to all accepted applicants for specific policies and procedures related to academics and fieldwork.

Occupational Therapy Curriculum

Students may enroll on a full-time or part-time basis. All courses, however, must be completed successfully in sequence. Following completion of the academic component of the Occupational Therapy Program, the student completes fieldwork experiences, each typically 12 weeks in length. Fieldwork is arranged by the Occupational Therapy Program at approved sites throughout the United States.
The first year of the Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Master's Program presents history, foundational concepts, contemporary practice models, and occupational therapy intervention methods. The second year is designed to develop clinical reasoning, intervention strategies and critical inquiry skills. Working with Occupational Therapy Program faculty, students complete a capstone experience and/or a quantitative or qualitative research study or project. The third year is devoted to a minimum of two 12-week clinical experiences. Throughout the Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Master's Program, students are challenged to analyze and integrate didactic material with clinical experiences.

The occupational therapy curriculum is in the process of revision. The complete and up-to-date curriculum is detailed on the Occupational Therapy Program website at http://www.css.edu/Academics/School-of-Health-Sciences/Occupational-Therapy.html.

Curriculum - First Year

OTH 5331: Research I: Design and Proposal
2 credits
Guides students through the preliminary proposal stage of their graduate research project. Students review library use (including using online databases) and APA format, and basic writing skills. Students are guided in mapping/outlining project ideas, critiquing available qualitative and quantitative research, applying rules of evidence, and writing a formal research question (including introduction with a short, preliminary review of the literature, significance of the question, brief methodology, and a sample of articles in preparation for completing a systematic literature review.)

OTH 5501: Foundations of Occupational Therapy
4 credits
Introduces the historical concepts and contexts in occupational therapy, and explores contemporary occupation based practice models and frames of reference. The value of occupational performance and activity in prevention, intervention and health maintenance is addressed.  Course introduces concepts such as professional ethics, professional roles and therapeutic use of self.

OTH 5502: Life Span Occupational Performance: Task Analysis and Media
4 credits
Analyzes occupational tasks and activities. Students develop an understanding of the dynamic and interdependent relationship between people and their chosen occupations and performance context. Through related lab experiences, students gain an advanced understanding of the use of therapeutic media. Students analyze a variety of functional tasks, grade activities, adapt equipment and recommend assistive technology to meet the individualized needs of a variety of populations. Students explore the use of media as means of understanding a client's cognitive and functional performance.

OTH 5503: Motor Functioning Across the Life Span
2 credits
An advanced overview of normal human motor development and changes from the prenatal period through older adulthood. Emphasis is on specific roles and tasks as they relate to development and changes in motor behavior. Students analyze motor components used to achieve milestones, with emphasis placed on issues related to the development of and changes in gross and fine motor skills, postural control, and body mechanics.

OTH 5504: Assessment and Intervention Skills
2 credits
Develops basic skills in therapeutic intervention including techniques to evaluate and treat deficits related to strength, range of motion, sensation, pain, edema, and fine motor ability. Students also become competent in a variety of patient transfer and mobility techniques. Students learn about available adaptive equipment to compensate for deficits in activities of daily living (ADL) skills and how to evaluate for and prescribe wheelchairs.

OTH 5505: Functional Anatomy
4 credits
An advanced, regional, musculoskeletal anatomy course that emphasizes the study of functional relationships between musculature, nervous tissue, vascular, and skeletal components for the extremities and axial skeleton. Cadaver dissection laboratory experience is used to enhance understanding of three dimensional anatomical relationships for specific body regions.

OTH 5515: Neuroscience (Cross-listed as PTH 5511)
5 credits
Studies the anatomy and physiology of the adult nervous system. Sensation, perception, cognition, and motor control are examined. Application includes analysis of normal functions and the effects of pathological lesions affecting the nervous system.

OTH 5521: Biomechanical Practice in Occupational Therapy 
4 credits
Presents a variety of conditions including upper extremity/hand injury (including splinting), back injury, arthritis, joint replacement, amputation, cardiopulmonary problems, burns and various metabolic diseases. Students investigate the impact of these conditions on daily life and learn specific assessment and intervention techniques for each condition. Students also learn the role of occupational therapy in industrial rehabilitation

OTH 5522: Psychosocial Occupational Therapy
4 credits
Presents the history, theory, and practice of occupational therapy in mental health settings. Relates normal and dysfunctional psychosocial processes to human occupational performance. Individual, group and community intervention approaches are discussed, as are multiple service delivery models. Students analyze and construct evidence based responses to contemporary psychosocial policy issues. The course is taken concurrently with OTH 5552, Level I Fieldwork.

OTH 5544: Documentation
2 credits
Introduces concepts of documentation, the documentation process and various kinds of documentation used in occupational therapy. Students learn to record objective observations, identify problem areas relevant to occupational therapy, and write behavioral objectives, intervention plans, progress and discharge notes. Students also learn coding and prior authorization basics. Simulated case situations provide students with an opportunity to practice these documentation skills. Documentation principles concerning public policy, following federal and state guidelines for reimbursement are also included.

OTH 5552: Level I Fieldwork - A
1 credit
Integrates a seminar format with hands-on experiences. Provides opportunity to discuss and practice professional behaviors and professional relationships. Students integrate occupational therapy theory into practice and begin to develop clinical reasoning skills. Incorporates concepts of respect for the client's situation, respectful communication, and respectful interactions. Fieldwork experiences are set up in either a community-based or traditional mental health setting and are designed to familiarize students with occupation-based practice with individuals with psychosocial issues and conditions. Students integrate material from OTH 5522 - Psychosocial OT into this experience.

OTH 5553: Level I Fieldwork - B
1 credit
A 35 - 40 hour fieldwork experience scheduled in the summer following the first year of the Occupational Therapy Program. Students may request sites from a variety of traditional and emerging practice settings throughout the United States, and will be assigned based on availability. The fieldwork experience reinforces clinical skills, professional behaviors and professional relationships, clinical reasoning skills, ethical issues, and how to integrate occupational therapy theory into practice. In addition, it is designed to familiarize students with various intervention settings and clinical conditions. Students may be provided initial hands-on experiences under direct supervision when determined to be appropriate by the clinical supervisor/educator. Upon completion of the clinical hours, the students attend a seminar to discuss various aspects of the experience.

Curriculum - Second Year

OTH 6332: Research II: Data Collection
3 credits
The pragmatics of conducting a systematic literature review as a form of research are discussed and practiced. Students begin a critical review of the literature to answer the research question proposed in OTH 5331: Research I. They learn to locate and make critical decisions on articles for inclusion in their study, and organize and analyze their articles. Research ethics and the role of the Institutional Review Board are discussed, and students complete a sample of an IRB proposal and consent form. Grantsmanship and clinical research methodologies are addressed.

OTH 6333: Research III: Data Analysis and Completion
4 credits
Provides students with the opportunity to analyze the data (research articles) collected for their research utilizing methods consistent with a systematic literature review. Students submit a final written report of their findings for approval by their faculty advisor. A critiqued poster session allows students to share their findings with peers, other faculty, and local clinicians.

OTH 6522: Level I Fieldwork - Adult Clinic
2 credits
A clinical experience scheduled in the fall semester of the second year of the Occupational Therapy Program. Designed to reinforce clinical skills, professional behaviors and professional relationships, clinical reasoning skills and ethical issues, and provides an opportunity to integrate occupational therapy theory in practice. This Fieldwork I experience includes hands-on learning experiences providing occupational therapy intervention to individuals with neuro-based diagnoses. Client evaluation, intervention and documentation are critical components. Students use the ATHENS EHR System in this course to develop their confidence and competence with electronic health records in occupational therapy practice.

OTH 6523: Neurorehabilitation in Occupational Therapy
4 credits
Presents assessment and intervention techniques for impairment in vision, perception, cognition, swallowing, driving, bladder control, and vestibular dysfunction, as they relate to a variety of neurological conditions including brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and various other neuro-based conditions. Students also analyze traditional and contemporary approaches to assess and intervene with clients who have neuromotor impairment and investigate the psychosocial impact of neurological impairment. Students learn through lecture, group work, analysis of case studies and hands-on lab work. Students have the opportunity to tie real-life client treatment back to topics introduced in class.

OTH 6524: Gerontic Occupational Therapy
6 credits
Focuses on specific issues related to the aging process, common pathologies and functional deficits seen by occupational therapists. Specific physical, psychological and cognitive problems common to this population are discussed and considered relative to human performance in work, self-care, leisure, social and family/caregiver functioning. Students gain knowledge of the role of occupational therapy in providing assessment and intervention with the older adult population in multiple service delivery models. Public policy, funding and reimbursement issues that pertain to older adults are reviewed. As part of this course, students have an experience working hands-on with older adults in community settings.

OTH 6525: Pediatric Occupational Therapy
6 credits
Presents theory, scope of practice, and common developmental and pediatric conditions seen by occupational therapists. Human performance is emphasized and related to normal processes affecting growth, development, self-care, play/leisure and family functioning. Students integrate and apply the above information to occupational therapy assessment and intervention techniques in sensory, perceptual, motor, cognitive, emotional and social skill development. Study also provides information on public policy related to children. Students learn the importance of functional, developmental, age-appropriate activities and family involvement. The course is coordinated with OTH 6526, Level I Fieldwork-Pediatric Clinic.

OTH 6526: Level I Fieldwork - Pediatric Clinic
2 credits
A clinical experience scheduled in the spring semester of the second year of the Occupational Therapy Program; companion to the OTH 6525 Pediatric Occupational Therapy course. Designed to reinforce clinical skills, professional behaviors and professional relationships, clinical reasoning skills and ethical issues, and provides an opportunity to integrate occupational therapy theory into practice. This Fieldwork I experience includes hands-on learning experiences providing occupational therapy intervention to children with a variety of pediatric diagnoses. Client evaluation, intervention and documentation are critical components. Students use the ATHENS EHR System in this course to develop their confidence and competence with electronic health records in occupational therapy practice.

OTH 6543: Administration and Supervision in Occupational Therapy
2 credits
Presents an overview of administrative and organizational structures of health care facilities and organizations of various types. Basic management and supervisory strategies are presented. Professional relationships with various health care providers, including certified occupational therapy assistants are included. Administrative and supervisory issues in rural practice are discussed, as well as Benedictine values as they relate to administration and supervision issues.

OTH 6545: Leadership Issues in Occupational Therapy
2 credits
Examines and provides discussion of traditional and recent leadership models and styles, professional ethics and behaviors, and development of multicultural competency. Students explore personal values and attitudes and the relationship to the provision and leading of occupational therapy services. A review of the legislative process, public policy and the effect on occupational therapy practice is included. Participation in a hands-on leading/teaching experience and case study reviews are also included.

OTH 6546: Critical Analysis in Occupational Therapy
2 credits
Capstone course designed to integrate theory, knowledge of pathologies and intervention strategies with an understanding of human performance and adaptation. Focuses on student abilities to integrate and articulate the role of the occupational therapist in a variety of complex situations and practice settings involving individuals and populations. Specific issues in health care and developments in occupational therapy theory are analyzed through collaborative learning.

OTH 6554: Level I Fieldwork - C
1 credit
A 35 - 40 hour fieldwork experience that occurs over the semester break of the second year or as scheduled throughout the spring semester. The combination of all of the Fieldwork I experiences is designed to familiarize students with various treatment settings, age groups and diagnoses. This fieldwork experience may involve hands-on experiences under direct supervision when determined to be appropriate by the fieldwork supervisor/educator.

This fieldwork experience also includes a seminar during the spring semester of the second year of the Occupational Therapy Program. During the seminar, the students discuss various aspects of their Level I Fieldwork experiences and prepare for the transition to Level II Fieldwork. The seminar focuses on the clinical skills, professional behaviors, professional relationships, clinical reasoning skills, ethical issues, the supervisory process and integration of occupational therapy theory into practice that will be encountered during the Level II Fieldwork experiences.

Fieldwork

OTH 6555 and OTH 6556 Level II Fieldwork
6 credits each 
A two course sequence where students are provided with in-depth fieldwork experiences in delivering occupational therapy services to clients, focusing on the application of the OT Process, including the application of purposeful and meaningful occupation and evidence, and administration and management of occupational therapy services. Students are expected to develop the professional competencies of entry-level therapists for the particular site by the conclusion of this experience.

OTH 6557: Level II Fieldwork - Advanced Practice
2-6 credits
A Level II Fieldwork experience in an area of advanced practice to be scheduled when all required academic and fieldwork experiences are completed. The advanced practice experience typically ranges from 4-8 weeks in length depending on the requirements of the setting. This fieldwork experience is designed for the student seeking advanced learning opportunities in specialty areas of occupational therapy practice, including but not limited to: rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, pediatrics, school therapy, psychosocial dysfunction, gerontics, hand therapy, industrial rehabilitation/work hardening, administration, community practice, research and numerous emerging practice areas. The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator at The College of St. Scholastica will arrange the fieldwork experience. The fieldwork experience will be completed under the direct supervision of an NBCOT registered occupational therapist with a minimum of one year's experience in the practice specialty. Prerequisites are satisfactory completion of OTH 6555 and OTH 6556.

OTH 6777: Physical Agent Modalities (PAMs) in Occupational Therapy
1 credit
Online with two 4-hour labs in November (TBA)
Students will learn the theoretical aspects of a number of physical agent modalities (PAMs) including heat therapy, cryotherapy (cold), ultrasound, and electrostimulation. Information will be presented online and through books. Students will take online objective tests and will apply knowledge through appropriate cases. Students will also participate in two 4-hour hands-on labs that address all the modalities described above. This course provides the theoretical and hands-on instruction required by the State of Minnesota for certification in PAMs. Students may apply for this certification when they apply for licensure after graduation.

OTH 6900: Continuing Enrollment
0 credits
Students are required to be enrolled continuously until the final research project and fieldwork are completed. A fee equal to one master's credit will be assessed each fall and spring semester until Occupational Therapy Program requirements are completed, if not registered for another OTH professional program course.

Occupational Therapy Entry-level Master's Program Student Learning Outcomes

The Student Outcomes of the Program in Occupational Therapy are guided by the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics, Core Values and Attitudes of Occupational Therapy Practice, and the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework. The outcomes are described in five broad areas, found below, including professional identity, cultural competence, communication, leadership and disciplinary excellence.

1. Professional Identity in Occupational Therapy Practice
   Graduates will demonstrate the values, attitudes and behaviors of entry-level occupational therapy professionals in their relationships with clients and colleagues. Their ability to foster intentional relationships, necessary for the effective client-centered approach, involves both self-awareness and awareness of the uniqueness of every individual.

Graduates will: 

• Integrate the behaviors, values and ethics of an entry level occupational therapist into their classroom and experiential activities.
• Demonstrate the ability to develop intentional relationships with clients
• Work effectively with supervisors, employers, and other professionals
• Balance physical, social, emotional and spiritual aspects of self and clients.

2. Cultural Competence in Occupational Therapy Practice
   "Cultural competence means having the self-awareness, knowledge, skills and framework to make sound, ethical and culturally appropriate decisions. It is the integration and transformation of knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific standards, policies, practices and attitudes, used in appropriate cultural settings, to increase the quality of service, thereby producing better outcomes." To practice in a diverse work environment, graduates will demonstrate behaviors and attitudes that foster cultural competence.

Graduates will: 

• Articulate the process of becoming culturally proficient through the understanding and appreciation of others' beliefs, values and diverse life experiences.
• Evaluate ethnic, religious, sexual, socioeconomic, age and gender discrimination inherent in health care environments and practices.
• Create and adapt intervention strategies that effectively address cultural and social influences that impact client progress. 

3. Communication in Occupational Therapy Practice
   Graduates will be able to effectively present, discuss and defend the concepts and opinions of the profession of occupational therapy through verbal, non-verbal and written language, using a variety of methods, techniques and technology.

Graduates will: 

• Demonstrate effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills with healthcare professionals, clients, families, agencies, or other consumers of occupational therapy services.
• Interpret, synthesize and apply information from a wide range of sources to contribute to and inform professional practice.
• Produce clear and accurate client documentation and respect confidentiality of client information.

4. Leadership in Occupational Therapy Practice
   Graduates will be knowledgeable about basic principles of management and leadership. At interpersonal and interdisciplinary levels, graduates will integrate the profession's values and ethics as they thoughtfully promote collaboration between stakeholders. Incorporating their knowledge of the latest policy directions, graduates will be involved in professional organizations, ever mindful of being good stewards, team members and advocates of people in need.

Graduates will: 

• Knowledgeably represent the domains of occupational therapy.
• Articulate ethical principles of management and leadership.
• Analyze current local, state and national trends in healthcare and anticipate future trends that may impact the practice of occupational therapy.

5. Disciplinary Excellence in Occupational Therapy Practice
   Grounded in the theory and foundation of the profession, graduates will critically analyze, interpret and synthesize information needed to provide client-centered care. Graduates will be dedicated to improving people's lives through innovation, research, education and services in the field of occupational therapy.

Graduates will: 

• Be knowledgeable in specific content areas of the profession, including emerging practice areas.
• Apply the theoretical foundation of the profession to practice.
• Collaborate effectively with COTAs, OT aides and other disciplines in client intervention.
• Take initiative to direct one's own learning. 

Wells, S.A. (2005). On cultural competency and ethical practice. Retrieved from 
http://www.aota.org/Practitioners/Ethics/Advisory/36525.aspx.