School of Health Sciences

Department of Athletic Training | Exercise Physiology Department | Health Informatics and Information Management Department | Occupational Therapy Department | Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Master of Science Program | Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy | Physical Therapy Department | Social Work Department

Health Sciences major

The Health Sciences major includes three choices:

1. The Health Sciences School concentration is intended for the student who has an interest in health care, but has not fulfilled the requirements for a specific program within the school. The Health Sciences degree is not intended as a primary major of study, but can be used as a foundation for the programs noted below and to create a defined focus of study when circumstances have prevented successful completion of the student's initial health care education choices. This major requires at least 36 credits in allied fields, with 16 credits in HSC designated courses or related courses approved by the dean of the School of Health Sciences. Sixteen of those credits must be at the upper division level. A clinical experience is highly recommended. Students with a departmental major within the health sciences are ineligible for this option. A student interested in this concentration must apply for an upper-division Health Sciences major through the school dean. There is no Health Sciences minor.
2. The Occupational Therapy concentration requires admission to the Occupational Therapy Program and satisfactory completion of the first year of the professional program. By entry into the Program in fall 2015, all students must have completed a bachelor's degree. See the Occupational Therapy Program description for further details.
3. The Athletic Training concentration requires admission to the Athletic Training Program and satisfactory completion of the first year of the professional program. See the Athletic Training Program description for further details.

A student graduating with a Health Sciences major from The College of St. Scholastica will:

1. Understand and articulate the broad relationships and connections among the disciplines studied within the school.
2. Understand and apply the most basic and essential principles of at least one allied discipline.
3. Knowledgeably analyze a problem germane to the allied disciplines or critically evaluate a proposition pertinent to the fields of study.
4. Clearly communicate his/her analysis of a problem or evaluation of a proposition.

Health Sciences major admissions and retention policies minimum admission requirements:

1. Junior level standing.
2. Cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale.
3. C (2.0) in all courses required by the major department.
4. Student will develop a set of professional goals.
5. Personal interview, health examination and/or psychological testing may be required.
6. Each department reserves the right to set more rigorous selection criteria than those stated above as appropriate to students' academic and personal suitability for entry into professional practice. If such criteria are set, the department will make them available to students interested in seeking admission to the department.
7. Each department reserves the right to select the applicants with the best qualifications from those who meet minimum criteria.

Retention requirements:

1. C (2.0) in each major course. In the case of sequential courses, it is necessary to obtain the grade before proceeding to the next level course.
2. A major course (one required by department) may be repeated once.
3. Each department reserves the right of retaining in the major only those students who satisfy requirements of scholarship, health and personal suitability for the profession.

Student alternatives:

1. If a student fails to meet standards as set forth above for admission or retention, the student may request probationary status from the department chair.
2. A student may appeal through the College academic grievance procedure.

Department of Athletic Training

Athletic trainers are allied health/sports medicine professionals responsible for the prevention, recognition, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation/reconditioning of the physically active population. Athletic trainers perform under a physician's direction and are typically employed with professional teams, colleges and universities, high schools, clinics and hospitals, industry, and other various settings.
The program of study is an entry-level MS program. It is intended for students seeking certification and registration or licensure as an athletic trainer. Students must successfully complete 70 graduate credits over 23 consecutive months, including clinical experiences, and other requirements to be awarded the Master of Science in Athletic Training degree.
Students interested in athletic training should be aware that enrollment is competitive and limited to a maximum 14 students per year. Fulfillment of requirements does not guarantee admission. Selection for admission is based on several elements including academic record, professional exploration, essay, recommendations, and interviews. Students must apply as a 3+2 candidate or have evidence of a completed bachelor's degree as well as fulfillment of the health/prerequisite requirements upon matriculation. However, there are no requirements in terms of the prospective student's undergraduate major.
Assistant Professor or Chair: Dr. Hal Strough

General Information

The program is accredited by the CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. Students should be aware they must be a graduate of an accredited program in order to be eligible for the BOC, Inc. (Board of Certification, Inc.) certification exam. Students that complete the exam would also be eligible for licensure/registration in any state throughout the country, except Texas which requires a separate state licensure exam.
Students should anticipate two academic years and two summers of study, the first of two occurring prior to the first academic year. The first summer session will involve academic coursework while the second summer session consists of an internship which must be secured by the student. Required clinical experiences are completed during the two academic years and second summer. These experiences frequently require commitments outside of the normal academic day and semester including evenings and weekends and, in some instances, necessitate personal transportation to clinical sites off campus. Students should keep these realities in mind when considering employment and other extracurricular obligations. They should also anticipate purchasing appropriate clothing for various clinical settings.

Admissions

Admissions decisions are based on assessment of the student application and previously completed work. Options for admissions are as follows:
Category #1: MS in 5 Option (AT-MS5): There will be a maximum of five slots in the program available to students through the MS in 5 option. Students enrolled at CSS may apply for the MS in 5 option during fall of their junior year. Transfer candidates must complete a minimum of 24 CSS credits prior to application. At the conclusion of the fourth year students will receive a BA in Health Sciences. Requirements for the BA in Health Sciences are as follows:
BA in Health Sciences, Athletic Training Concentration
BIO 1036 Cell Biology (2), BIO 2110 Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology I (4), BIO 2120 Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology II (4), CHM 1020 Introductory Chemistry for Health Science Majors (4) or CHM 1110 General Chemistry (4), EXP 3331 Exercise Physiology (4), PSC 2001 Physics I (4) or EXP 3322 Biomechanics (4), PSY 3331 Statistics (4), PSY 1105 General Psychology (4).
A minimum 6 Credits from the following: ATR 3000 Introduction to Athletic Training (2), ATR 3001 Service Learning in Athletic Training (2), BIO 3020 Pathophysiology (4), EXP 3321 Kinesiology (4), EXP 3323 Sports Nutrition (4), HSC 2203 Intro to US Healthcare System (4), PSC 2002 Physics II (4), PSY 2208 Lifespan Developmental Psychology (4), PSY 3341 Introduction to Counseling (2), PSY 3423 Abnormal Psychology (4).
In addition to the MS in AT application materials required for post-baccalaureate admissions, students must successfully complete the following to merit consideration:

• 3.0 composite GPA and completion of 7 prerequisite courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA and no grades lower than C (C-/CD not accepted).
• Two additional recommendation forms from CSS faculty verifying suitability for graduate studies. No score below 3 is permitted.
• Satisfactory interview with admissions committee.
• Document a minimum 50 hours of exploration with a certified athletic trainer(s).

Students admitted on this basis must be prepared to commit full time to study and clinical experiences. Students that are not admitted on this basis may apply as a Post Baccalaureate or Secondary Consideration student as outlined below.
Category #2: Post Baccalaureate Admissions: Students apply directly to the master's program for matriculation following completion of an undergraduate degree. Requirements for admission must be completed accordingly.

• Submit a completed Graduate Admissions Application form and nonrefundable fee of US $50;
• Provide evidence of at least a 2.8 cumulative and composite prerequisite GPA;
• Submit official transcript(s) of all previous graduate and undergradutate work confirming grades of C (C-/CD not acceptable) or higher in all individual prerequisite courses. These courses must be completed prior to matriculation;
• Provide evidence of professional exploration that reflects the breadth and depth of practice settings for athletic trainers (a minimum of two athletic training practice settings addressing the needs of distinct patient populations);
• Complete a Master's of Athletic Training essay;
• Submit a minimum two Graduate Recommendation Forms, at least one of which must come from athletic trainer and one from a faculty in a major or science course; and
• An interview with member(s) of the admissions committee may be requested.
• Consideration of transfer credits is done on an individual basis.

Category #3: Secondary Consideration Admission: Students in category #2 may be considered if there are vacant slots and the candidate falls below minimum requirements in one or more categories but otherwise shows potential for satisfactory performance in the graduate program. Students must address any deficiencies on their essay.
Post Baccalaureate applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning December 1st while MS in 5 applications are due October 15th. Upon acceptance, entry into the program begins in June. Once in the program, students must be enrolled full time, and all courses and clinical experiences must be successfully completed in the required sequence. Alterations in progression may be considered on an individual basis.
Applications for the program may be obtained by contacting:
Graduate Studies Office
Athletic Training Admissions
The College of St. Scholastica
1200 Kenwood Ave.
Duluth, MN 55811-4199
Prerequisites: Students must present evidence of successful completion of the following St. Scholastica courses (or equivalencies subject to consideration by the St. Scholastica Athletic Training Admissions Committee).
Required:

• BIO 2110 Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
• BIO 2120 Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
• CHM 1020 Introductory Chemistry for Health Science Majors (4) or CHM 1110 General Chemistry I (4)
• EXP 3331 Exercise Physiology (4)
• PSC 2001 Physics I (4) or EXP 3322 Biomechanics (4)
• PSY 3331 Statistics (4)
• PSY (4) (1105 General, 2208 Developmental, or 3423 Abnormal).
• NOTE: Equivalencies of 2110, 2120, 1020 and 2001 must include laboratory components.

Recommended:

• BIO 3020 Pathophysiology (4)
• HSC 2203 Intro to US Healthcare System (4)
• PSC 2002 Physics II (4)
• PSY 3341 Introduction to Counseling (2)

 

Exercise Physiology Department

Exercise Physiology is the study of physiological mechanisms underlying physical activity, the comprehensive delivery of treatment services concerned with the analysis, improvement and maintenance of health and fitness, rehabilitation of heart disease and other chronic diseases and/or disabilities, and the professional guidance and counsel of athletes and others interested in athletics, sports training and human adaptability to acute and chronic exercise. Scientific results from exercise physiology research help to understand the physiological effects of systematic exercise, and the extent to which exercise helps in developing and maintaining cardiovascular and musculoskeletal integrity.
The Department of Exercise Physiology offers a bachelor of science degree in Exercise Physiology. During the spring semester of the senior year, students complete an internship (EXP 4555).
Larry Birnbaum, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair

Entrance requirements:

Students should apply for admission to the department by January 31 of spring semester of their sophomore year in college. Applicants must have at minimum a 2.7 cumulative grade point average and no grade lower than a C- in any course. Application and information about the interview can be obtained from the chair of the department.
Upon completion of the academic degree in Exercise Physiology, the student will:

1. Justify the roles exercise physiologists play in health care, fitness, and athletics, including the treatment and prevention of a variety of diseases that have a strong behavioral component such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis.
2. Perform and interpret assessments of physical and physiological parameters that indicate client health and fitness.
3. Critically evaluate research studies and apply the results to athletes, various patient populations, and the general public.
4. Display professional behavior in all interactions with clients and colleagues.
5. Develop individual exercise programs for a wide assortment of clients including athletes, various patient populations, and the general public.
6. Discuss the mind-body connection and the role that emotional health and stress management play in maintaining an individual's health and well being.
7. Demonstrate effective written and oral communications skills.

Exercise Physiology major

All Exercise Physiology majors take the following prerequisite courses: CHM 1020*, CHM 1035, BIO/CHM 1036, MTH 1111, BIO 2110, 2120, PSY 2208, PSC 2001 and the following departmental core courses: EXP 1110, EXP 3321, EXP 3322, EXP 3323, EXP 3330, EXP 3331, EXP 3332, EXP 3334, EXP 4431, EXP 4436, EXP 4438, EXP 4555, PSY 3331.
*Students interested in DPT need CHM 1110 and CHM 1120 instead of CHM 1020, CHM 1035, and CHM/BIO 1036. They also need PSC 2001 and PSC 2002 as well as HSC 2209 and PSY 3423.

Health Informatics and Information Management Department

The major in Health Information Management is housed in the Department of Health Informatics and Information Management. It provides students with professional knowledge necessary to assume management responsibility for health records and health information systems in a variety of health related settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care settings, consulting firms, government agencies, insurance companies and software vendors. It is ideal for the person who likes the healthcare environment but does not want direct patient contact.
In 1934 The College of St. Scholastica became the first college in the U.S. to offer a major in this field. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Graduates are eligible to sit for the AHIMA national registration examination. Passing this examination entitles one to use the designation RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator) after his/her name.
Professional practice experience (internship) is required in the senior year. The PPE consists of a directed practice focused on operational functions of HIM, a management affiliation, and an explorations component that gives each student the opportunity to work in a specialized setting or functional area in which they have an interest. The student provides travel and living expenses during this time.
A distance-based program has been designed for registered health information technicians (RHITs) and others with healthcare experience which enables them to earn a baccalaureate degree in Health Information Management. Online courses, transfer of previously completed coursework, and professional practice placement components comprise the program. The professional practice experience, which is adapted to individual student needs, has three or four components for distance students: directed practice for students with no previous HIM education or experience; clinical visits; an administrative project; and a two to three week management affiliation in a healthcare facility.
A post baccalaureate certificate option is available to students who enter the program with a previously earned baccalaureate degree. The post-baccalaureate certificate program requires completion of all Health Information Management course requirements as outlined for the major. The certificate, in combination with the student's prior bachelor's degree, qualifies the student to sit for the American Health Information Management Association's national registration examination.
A graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Health Information Management was established in 1997. Students interested in the master's degree should refer to the Graduate Program section of this Catalog.
Chair: Ryan Sandefer, M.A.
Undergraduate Program Director: Kathleen M. LaTour, M.A., R.H.I.A., F.A.H.I.M.A.
A student applies to the Health Information Management Program during spring semester of his/her sophomore year or at the time of transfer to the College. Admission to the department is based on a cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, grade of C (2.0) in all courses required by the major, and completion of the department's admission process, including a panel interview.
The HIIM department reserves the right of retaining in the major only those students who satisfy requirements of scholarship, health and personal suitability for the profession.

Student alternatives:

1. If a student fails to meet standards as set forth above for admission or retention, the student may request probationary status from the department chair;
2. A student may appeal through the College academic grievance procedure.

A student graduating with a major in Health Information Management from The College of St. Scholastica is well prepared to assume an entry level position in this professional field. Specifically, program outcomes are designed to assure that graduates of the program will be prepared to demonstrate:

• Requisite professional knowledge, skills and competencies fundamental to the health information management profession.
• Self directed learning skills using a variety of resources and technology.
• Critical thinking and systems thinking skills.
• Effective communication skills
• Personal attitudes and attributes critical to professional leadership.

Major:

BIO 1110 or 1036, 2110, 2120, and 3020; CIS 1007, 1008, 3105, 3107, and 3108; HIM 2101 4556 (online BS in HIM students substitute HIM 4520 as needed, HIM 4530, 4540 and 4550 for HIM 4555); HSC 2203; PSY 3331; TRS 3311. Admission and retention policies for the Health Information Management Department are consistent with those of the School of Health Sciences.

Occupational Therapy Department

Occupational therapists are 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 strive to understand the importance of these occupations to the individual, and analyze the physical, mental, and social components of those occupations. They facilitate improved capability in the person, and then adapt the tasks and the environment, empowering the person to resume his/her occupations. Occupational therapists also provide support for wellness and prevention concerns. Occupational therapists work in schools, facilities for the elderly, clinics, and hospitals, as well as in alternative service delivery models such as prisons, community based settings, mental health agencies, and business/industry.

Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Master of Science Program

Department Chair: Diane Anderson, Ph.D, M.P.H., O.T.R./L.
Students may enter the Occupational Therapy Program during the senior year of undergraduate study or as a graduate student after completing a baccalaureate degree. (See section - Conversion to Post-Baccalaureate and 3.0 Entering GPA.) All liberal education requirements and Occupational Therapy Program prerequisites must be completed prior to beginning the occupational therapy coursework. Upon entry into the program, students will complete two consecutive years of professional occupational therapy education, plus six months of clinical fieldwork. Students will earn a Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy. (Students entering the program during their senior year will also earn a baccalaureate degree in Health Sciences.) The program is offered on both a full-time and a part-time basis.

Prerequisites for admission

Both undergraduates and applicants with degrees must take the following prerequisites (or their approved transfer equivalents) for admission into the Occupational Therapy Program: 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/WGS 2231 - Cultural Anthropology.

Admission

There are two methods of acceptance into the Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Master of Science (M.S.) Program, the First-Year Admissions Criteria Track (FACT) or the Standard Admissions Track.

First-Year Admissions Criteria Track (FACT)

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 1.
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 1). The first 20 qualified 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.
5. 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.)
6. 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.
7. Meet minimally one time per semester with an assigned member of the Occupational Therapy Program faculty.
8. 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.
9. 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.

Application

The Occupational Therapy Program uses the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) for those wishing to apply to the program. Prior to November 15 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/Applicant.aspx) 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 coursework.
  • Applicants must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 in all coursework and a 2.7 in each prerequisite course. (See section - Conversion to Post-Baccalaureate and 3.0 Entering GPA.)
• Official score from the 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.
  • The College of St. Scholastica will consider GRE test scores valid for five years from the test date.
• Documentation of a minimum of two 20-hour clinical 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 an occupational therapist or occupational therapist assistant.
  • This must be completed at two different locations with two distinctly different client populations (e.g. pediatrics and adult rehabilitation) to contribute to the applicant's understanding of occupational therapy and how their personal skills match the demands of being a care provider and a therapist.
• Two Letters of Reference
  • Each letter of reference should be from someone who is sufficiently familiar with the applicant to be able to speak to the applicant's qualifications for success in Graduate school and offer behavioral examples to support the applicant. It is recommended to have one letter of reference from an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. Students should also consider an employer, professor, or volunteer coordinator/supervisor. Directions for submitting letters of reference are available through the OTCAS website.

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 prerequisite requirements prior to the beginning of the occupational therapy courses.
• Prerequisite courses must be completed within the past 10 years.
• 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.
• Submit a TOEFL examination or the Michigan Test score, if applicant is an international student and the applicant's primary language is not English. The minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based text is required. A minimum Michigan Test score of 80 is required.

Note: Meeting minimal entrance requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission.
Preference is given to applications submitted by November 15 (of the 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 Avenue, Duluth, MN 55811-4199. Phone (218) 723-6285 or (866) 478-9277, Email gradstudies @css.edu.
Wait List Policy

• Qualified students who are not offered a seat after initial application review will be placed on a wait list.
• Students on the wait list will be rank ordered based on their qualifications and offered a place in the program as openings occur.
• Upon accepting 32 students, a waiting list will be established using the same admissions process outlined above. If vacancies occur, students on the waiting list will be notified and will have 10 business days from the time of their notification of acceptance to secure the offered position in the Occupational Therapy Entry Level Master's Program by making a non-refundable $250 fall tuition deposit and submitting an Intent to Enroll form.

Conversion to post-baccalaureate and 3.0 entering GPA

The Occupational Therapy Program has made the decision to convert the Program to a 4+2½ (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

Freshman Status in	Sophmore Status in	Junior Status in	Able to apply as Junior to the 3+2½ program with a minimum 2.7 GPA?	Senior* Status in
2008-2009	2009-2010	2010-2011	yes	2011-2012
2009-2010	2010-2011	2011-2012	yes	2012-2013
2010-2011	2011-2012	2012-2013	yes	2013-2014
2011-2012^	2012-2013	2013-2014	yes	2014-2015
2012-2013	2013-2014	2014-2015	no	2015-2016

^ The new catalog would reflect the 4+2½ model and change to a 3.0 preferred admission GPA; the FACT program would switch to the 3.0 preferred minimum GPA once the 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.
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.
Table 2: Transfer Student†, Academic Year, Application Year

Year	Year Able to apply as a junior to the 3+2½ program with a minimum 2.7 GPA?
	Internal transfer	External transfer
2010-2011	yes	yes
2011-2012	yes	yes
2012-2013	yes	yes
2013-2014	yes	no
2014-2015	no	no

^The new catalog would reflect the 4+2½ 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.

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 for 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 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.

Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy

The vision of the Occupational Therapy Department is to be the first choice for students who seek an academically rigorous occupational therapy education that prepares them to be thoughtful, innovative, collaborative and practice ready.
The mission of the Occupational Therapy Department is to prepare, within the Benedictine traditions, occupational therapy professionals who will:

• Assist people of all ages and abilities to effectively participate in their life occupations.
• Provide population-based occupational therapy intervention that addresses continually changing needs as identified by communities.
• Create new opportunities with community partners to impact future practice.

Accreditation

The Occupational Therapy 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 and their website is www.aota.org
Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. 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 educational 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).
All occupational therapy practitioners must pass the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam in order to practice. The graduates of the Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Master's Program at The College of St Scholastica have a high pass rate on the certification exam.
NBCOT Exam Graduate Pass Rates

Exam Year	2008	2009	2010	3 Year Total
Number of graduates	15	19	25	59
Number of first-time test takers	14	19	24	57
Number of first-time test takers who passed	11	14	20	45
Percentage of first-time test takers who passed	78.6%	73.7%	83.3%	78.9%
Pass rate of retake	100%	100%	100%	100%

Fees and expenses

Course fees are assessed in all occupational therapy courses 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 two and one-half year 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.

Additional information

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

Occupational Therapy curriculum

The following first-year graduate occupational therapy courses also serve as the final year of the undergraduate Health Science major for students accepted prior to completing a baccalaureate degree. 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 and at http://www.css. edu/Academics/School-of-Heath-Sciences/Occupational-Therapy.html

OTH 5331	Research I: Design and Proposal (2 cr.)
OTH 5501	Foundations in 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 5552	Level I Fieldwork - A (1 cr.)
OTH 5553	Level I Fieldwork - B (1 cr.)

Physical Therapy Department

The Physical Therapy Program is a post-baccalaureate, graduate program leading to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Entry into the program requires completion of a bachelor's degree and program specific prerequisites. The student should be aware that the application process is competitive and completion of all prerequisites does not guarantee admission to the program. Students who intend to apply to the DPT Program must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above based on all undergraduate degree coursework, and a program prerequisite coursework GPA of 3.0 or above.
Application to the DPT Program is made through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) which can be accessed at www.ptcas.org
Information about all program prerequisites and additional requirements for application is available on the PTCAS website, as well as the St. Scholastica Graduate Admissions and Physical Therapy Department websites. The deadline for applications is November 1 prior to the year of admission.
The maximum number of students admitted to the graduate program is thirty six. Up to twenty- four positions are reserved for qualified St. Scholastica graduates. A minimum of six transfer students who have completed a bachelor's degree at another institution will be admitted. The remaining positions will be selected from qualified applicants from either Scholastica or transfer institutions.
General information about the program and course of study can be found on the St. Scholastica Physical Therapy Department website.

Social Work Department

The mission of The College of St. Scholastica Social Work Program is to prepare social work practitioners who demonstrate entry-level competence, practice ethical behavior, promote social justice and serve diverse communities in the Benedictine tradition, which includes the values of community, hospitality, stewardship, and love of learning. Social work addresses the needs of individuals, families, groups and communities. The core values of the profession are service, social justice, dignity and worth of the individual, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence. The College of St. Scholastica Social Work Program embraces the mission of the social work profession in the context of the College's Benedictine tradition. The program requires graduates to be well prepared for beginning generalist professional practice.
The St. Scholastica Social Work Program is accredited by The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE is recognized by the Commission for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting body for social work education in the United States. All accredited programs must comply with CSWE established policies and program standards. CSWE states

The purpose of the social work profession is to promote human and community well-being. Guided by a person and environment construct, a global perspective, respect for human diversity, and knowledge based on scientific inquiry, social work's purpose is actualized through its quest for social and economic justice, the prevention of conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the quality of life for all persons (CSWE, 2008. Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.)

Generalist social work practice is grounded in the liberal arts and the person and environment construct. To promote human and social well-being, generalist practitioners use a range of prevention and intervention methods in their practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The generalist practitioner identifies with the social work profession and applies ethical principles and critical thinking in practice. Generalist practitioners incorporate diversity in their practice and advocate for human rights and social and economic justice. They recognize, support, and build on the strengths and resiliency of all human beings. They engage in research-informed practice and are proactive in responding to the impact of context on professional practice. Baccalaureate social work practice incorporates all of the core competencies.
Graduates find employment in a variety of settings, some of which include: child and family service agencies, hospitals and other health care facilities, community action agencies, schools, child and adult protection, residential treatment programs, tribal social service agencies, gerontological services, mental health settings, criminal justice, developmental/mental disability programs, and international social work.
St. Scholastica graduates also may enter most MSW programs with advanced standing, requiring only 12 months of graduate study. For students who care about people and want to make a difference, social work may be the appropriate major.
Department Chair/Program Director:
Lee Gustafson, Ph.D., M.S.S.W., L.G.S.W.
The St. Scholastica Social Work Program has three goals and eleven specified educational outcomes that are the basis for assessing program effectiveness. Students who graduate from this program have had courses grounded in the liberal arts and a successively more advanced set of professional learning experiences that lead to competence for entry-level social work practice, community service and graduate education. The mission, goals, and outcomes specified by the program are the same for the main campus and the distance sites, as follows:

Goal One

The College of St. Scholastica Social Work Program will prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Outcomes

Students will:

1. Apply the NASW Code of Ethics in academic and professional practice settings with an understanding of and respect for the positive value of diversity.
2. Understand the forms and mechanisms of discrimination and oppression and, with this understanding, participate in activities that promote social and economic justice.
3. Demonstrate the professional use of self.
4. Understand the bio-psycho-social-spiritual variables that affect individual development and behavior, and apply theoretical frameworks to understand the interactions among individuals and between individuals and their social environment.
5. Understand the development of social policies; analyze the effects social policies have on client systems, workers, and agencies; and develop advocacy skills to promote socially just policy development.
6. Demonstrate the ability to produce and effectively use social science research and, with supervision, evaluate their practice interventions.
7. Demonstrate effective use of communication skills with varied and diverse client populations, colleagues and members of the community.

Goal Two

The Social Work Program will foster the mission of the College and the values from the Benedictine heritage: community, hospitality, respect, stewardship, and the love of learning.

Outcomes

Students will:

1. Examine Benedictine values, personal beliefs and social work values, and develop an integrated personal and professional value statement.
2. Demonstrate personal and beginning professional contributions to the community through direct service, research, and modeling ethical behavior.
3. Engage in the political process by creating a sense of community while valuing the uniqueness of the individual.

Goal Three

The Social Work Program will prepare students for lifelong learning.

Outcome

Students will demonstrate the ability to develop and maintain professional relationships, and continue professional growth and development.
The College of St. Scholastica undergraduate Social Work Program prepares students in the generalist social work practice model, with emphasis on acquisition of basic knowledge, values and skills essential to beginning level professional practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. The program is guided by the liberal arts tradition of the College and integrates a humanistic, egalitarian educational philosophy with rigorous, sequential academic programming. Students completing the program are prepared to work in rural, urban, and international areas with diverse populations.

Core Competencies

Accreditation standards require that the baccalaureate social work curriculum prepares graduates for generalist practice through mastery of a set of core competencies. These core competencies are measurable practice behaviors that are comprised of knowledge, values, and skills. St. Scholastica Social Work students delineate the educational goals and objectives of the Social Work Program through demonstration of specific competencies that serve to inform and aid evaluation of those students' preparation for generalist social work practice. These competencies serve as a link between what may be observed or demonstrated in student knowledge, value and skill performance, and the program's curriculum expectations. In a general way, these competencies and accepted practice standards operationalize the educational objectives for students, faculty, and administration and provide a common set of definitions to gauge performance and behavior. The ten core competencies are listed below.

1. Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.
2. Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
3. Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
4. Engage diversity and difference in practice.
5. Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
6. Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
7. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
8. Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
9. Respond to contexts that shape practice.
10. Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Social Work Licensure

The College of St. Scholastica Social Work Program enables graduates to sit for licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) by the Minnesota Board of Social Work. Additionally, the curriculum is approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching for School Social Worker Licensure. Students seeking licensure as a school social worker are required to complete the social work major coursework and SWK 4555 Senior Field Practi-cum in a school setting under the supervision of a licensed school social worker, consisting of at least 400 contact hours during one school year.

Social Work major

General education requirements:

• BIO 1102 or BIO 2110 and 2120
• PSY 1105 or PSY 2208
• SOC 2265 or SOC 4405 or INS 4410 or INS 4415 or INS 4420 or WGS 1011
• SOC 1125 or HIS/WGS 2231 or SOC 2433 - Social/Behavior Science elective (4 cr.)
• Religion elective (4 cr.)

Social Work core requirements:

SWK 2240, 3000, 3339, 3360, 3362, 3370, 3383, 3385; 3315 or 3380 or 3390 or 3395 or 4777; SWK 3500, 3555, 4000, 4440, 4441, 4449, 4470, 4500, 4555.

Other requirements

Students provide their own transportation to community learning experiences such as their field practicum during the junior and senior years. Students are required to obtain professional liability insurance and submit a criminal background check before beginning field experiences. Students first become members of NASW at the beginning of their junior year and maintain membership through graduation. Students planning to attend graduate school (including programs offering advanced standing in social work) are strongly recommended to take PSY 3331 - Statistics.

Admission and retention procedure and policy

All entering students are encouraged to submit their application for the Social Work major with the Registrar's Office once they are an intended major. Social Work majors apply for formal admission to the Social Work Program during the spring semester of the sophomore year. For fall junior-status priority admission, students transferring from a community college with an A.A. degree should make application to both the College and the Social Work Program by April 15.
Admission to the Social Work Program is a prerequisite condition for registration in SWK 3370. Application to the Social Work Program includes the following:

1. Written application from the student.
2. One recommendation from a non-Social Work faculty member.
3. One recommendation from an agency supervisor who has observed the student in relationship to a client population.
4. One recommendation from a community member.
5. A structured writing sample.
6. Possible interview by the Social Work Program Admissions Committee.

The Social Work Program director/chair informs the student of the decision in writing by June 15. Possible actions include:

• Acceptance of application.
• Provisional acceptance of application.
• Denial of application. Students who are denied admission to the Social Work Program have the right to appeal the decision to the Social Work Advisory Council Grievance Committee.

Admission and retention criteria for the program are:

• Student must maintain acceptable academic standing. For admission this includes: junior standing; a 2.5 overall GPA (on a 4.0 scale); and a 3.0 cumulative GPA in psychology, sociology and social work courses. All social work courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C. Retention requires continuation of these minimum grades. Students who earn a grade below C in any required social work course must retake the course prior to enrollment in the next course in the professional practice sequence.
• Students are expected to exhibit commitment to the profession through attendance and active participation in classes.

Other evaluative criteria used by the program include:

• Ability to demonstrate increasingly more advanced writing skills.
• Demonstration of growth and maturity as a person and as a professional.
• Willingness to give and receive honest and respectful feedback.
• Increased growth in self-awareness.
• Satisfactory performance in prerequisite courses, as well as in seminar and field experiences.
• Positive references from academic and field representatives throughout the student's education.
• Proper use of supervisory and collegial resources.
• Ability to uphold the NASW Code of Ethics.

Many students enter St. Scholastica having first completed a portion of their education through a community college or other academic institution. In some cases, students complete associate degrees in human service or through other degree programs. The College recognizes previous academic work through recognition of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. Additionally, the Social Work Program maintains strong reciprocal relationships with a number of community colleges, using specific articulation agreements between the community college program and the College Social Work Department. These articulation agreements specify transfer course equivalencies and other conditions to help transfer students meet necessary prerequisites, program admission requirements, and enter Scholastica "seamlessly." Fulfilling the terms of an articulation agreement is necessary in order for a student to receive full credit of transferred coursework to be applied for St. Scholastica graduation. Please feel free to contact one of the Social Work Program distance-site coordinators or the department chair if you have questions about an articulation agreement.
The Social Work Program reserves the privilege of accepting and retaining in the program only those students who, in the judgment of the faculty, Admission Committee and Grievance Committee, satisfy the requirements of scholarship and the integrity of the social work profession as set forth in the NASW Code of Ethics. No academic credit is awarded for life or previous work experiences in this degree program.

Social Work Diversity Statement

The Social Work Program encourages all students to learn about the diversity in their communities. Program activities are dedicated to expanding students' experiences with diversity and to assist them in developing cultural competency. The Social Work Program conducts all of its activities without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, local commission status, or status with regard to public assistance.