Program Description
Occupational Therapy is a healthcare profession that helps people to maximize their functional independence after illness or injury, or, develop the social and emotional skills necessary to participate fully in everyday life. Occupational therapists assist children with motor, social and learning needs to be successful in school activities and family life. They help adults to develop strategies to address the physical and emotional changes associated with rehabilitation or long-term health needs. Therapy frequently involves assisting individuals to relearn old skills, develop new ways of doing, or adapt the environment to enable them to live satisfying and independent lives.
The accelerated BS in Health Sciences/Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) program is designed for students who know early on that they want to become occupational therapists. This dual degree program allows students to seamlessly complete undergraduate and graduate degrees in less time than would be required to complete both degrees separately. Undergraduate courses and extra-curricular experiences provide students with a foundation to develop the knowledge, values and interpersonal skills needed for success as an occupational therapist.
During the first three years of undergraduate coursework, students complete major requirements for the bachelor’s degree, including college studies and occupational therapy program prerequisites. Students who meet the graduate occupational therapy program progression criteria can enroll in first year Occupational Therapy graduate coursework during Year 4 of undergraduate studies. At the end of Year 4, students are awarded the BS in Health Sciences, and are eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony. Upon completion of graduate occupational therapy program requirements in Year 6, the doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy will be awarded.
The accelerated BS/OTD is a cohort program that requires uninterrupted enrollment. Once accepted, students may not accelerate (i.e. take additional courses during summer semesters to shorten program length) or decelerate (i.e. take a reduced course load in a semester and add another year to undergraduate study).
For more information about the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD), refer to the College of Rehabilitation Sciences section of the Catalog.
Curriculum: 6 years, 204 credits
-
120 credits BS
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Hallmark Courses | ||
| FYS 100 | Pathways Seminar | 1 |
| WRIT 101 | Writing Sem I: Written Comm. | 3 |
| WRIT 201 | Writing Seminar II:Multi Comm | 3 |
| BIOL 112 & 112L | Core Concepts of Biology and Core Concepts of Biol Lab | 4 |
| MATH 102 | Pre-Calculus (or higher) | 3-4 |
| AVIS 101 | American Visions | 3 |
| GDIV 2XX | Global Diversity | 3 |
| GCIT 2XX | Global Citizenship | 3 |
| ETHC 2XX | Ethical Reflection | 3 |
| ADIV 2XX | American Diversity | 3 |
| ISEM 3XX | Integrative Seminar | 3 |
| CGIS 300 | Contemporary Global Issues | 3 |
| PHIL 499 | Philosophies of the Good Life | 3 |
| Health Sciences Core Courses | ||
| HSCI 100 | Intro to Health Professions | 1 |
| HSCI 230 | Intro to Healthcare | 2 |
| HSCI 330 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| HSCI 225/STAT 220 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| HSCI 3XX | Health Sci Elective | 9 |
| HSCI/BIOL | Writing Intensive Designated Elective | 3-4 |
| Science Courses | ||
| BIOL 201 & 201L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anat & Physiology I Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 202 & 202L | Human Anatomy & Physiology II and Human Anat & Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| Designated Electives | 12 | |
| Psychology Courses | ||
| PSYC 101 | Intro to Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 201 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 213 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Year 4 | ||
| OT Doctoral Courses towards BS | 37 | |
| Year 5 & 6 | ||
| OT Doctoral Courses toward OTD | 79 | |
| Total Credits | 204-206 | |
*Designated Electives: HSCI, PSYC, BIOL, EXSC courses
Curriculum: Occupational Therapy (MS)
- Refer to the Jefferson College of Rehabilitations Sciences (JCRS) for graduate Occupational Therapy curriculum.