MOT Curriculum

Curriculum

The full-time MOT program can be completed in 6 trimesters or 2 years and the Flex MOT program can be completed in 9 trimesters or 3 years. The full time OTD program is 8 trimesters in length. Both Master of Occupational Therapy programs are 93 credit hours and prepare you to take the national licensure exam necessary to practice Occupational Therapy.

Course Descriptions

HSC 5130C – Patient/Client Care Management

Introduces principles and techniques of basic patient care, therapeutic communication and touch, and interprofessional collaboration skills.

HSC 5135 – Evidence-Informed Practice

Combines instruction in clinical problem solving and critical thinking to introduce evidence informed skills of practice: logic, problem synthesis, hypothesis generation, reflective-practice, and decision making. Includes analysis of evidence and research design.

OCT 5135C – Anatomy Applied to Occupation

Applies knowledge of human anatomy to occupational performance. Covers assessments related to palpation, muscle testing, and goniometry with a focus on analyzing the impact of dysfunction to occupational performance.

OCT 5140 – Domain of OT

Examines the historical foundation and philosophical base of occupational therapy. The profession’s core values and code of ethics are introduced. The Occupational Practice Framework is examined with a focus on occupations, client factors, performance skills, and the influences and effects that environment, context, and performance patterns have on persons, groups, and populations. Explores the importance of lifelong learning in developing professional behavior and
communication skills.

OCT 5145 – Occupational Engagement and Theories of Practice

Introduces typical occupational activities that individuals and groups engage in throughout the lifespan. Topics include discussion of developmental stages and how occupations are influenced by changes, normal and atypical.

OCT 5210 – Scholarly Design

Focuses on the development of writing and reasoning skills related to research planning and design. Skills progress through an evaluation of existing research to developing a scholarly project/study, inclusive of understanding the components of an IRB proposal and sound research plan.

HSC 5310C – Clinical Neuroscience

Focuses on foundations of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology and their applications to neurological conditions seen in clinical practice.

OCT 5215C – Human Movement for Occupational Performance

Focuses on foundational knowledge regarding kinesiology and movement task analysis. Presentation of historical and contemporary motor control theories to synthesize how occupation based treatment is influenced and supported by motor control principles.

OCT 5225C – Process of Occupational Therapy

Examines the Occupational Practice Framework with emphasis on the components of evaluation, intervention, and target outcomes. Explores the service-delivery settings, frames of reference, and models that guide occupational therapy treatment. Explores various professions that work on health care teams with occupational therapists. Ethical considerations in regards to treatment and documentation within the health care system are explored. An experiential lab component integrating foundational concepts in varied community settings is included.

OCT 5230C – Conditions Impacting Occupational Performance

Selected medical conditions throughout the lifespan and how they impact occupational performance are discussed. Diagnosis, clinical features, and medical treatment including pharmacology are reviewed. Case studies, student presentations of evidence-based articles on medical management, and hands-on practice of appropriate diagnostic assessments are included.

OCT 5330C – OT Methods I: Assistive Technology

Introduces a variety of assistive technology devices with application throughout the lifespan. Universal design and environmental modifications are explored in depth. Focuses on the role of the occupational therapist’s use of technology to assist and prepare a client for independence in occupational engagement and performance.

OCT 5340 – Scholarly Implementation and Dissemination

Focuses on the development, integration, and implementation of data collection skills and the evaluation of the quality and equity of data related to research design and methodology.

OCT 5430 Scholarly Application and Professional Seminar

Integrate clinical reasoning, evidence-based inquiry, and critical thinking to analyze professional issues and current trends in healthcare. Create plans for professional development emphasizing leadership within the varied roles of the occupational therapy practitioner. Utilize scholarly skills to identify problems and develop solutions for individuals, populations, or society needs.

OCT 5510 MOT Seminar 1

Collaborate and reflect on issues related to clinical practice including service delivery, supervision, and ethical considerations across a variety of practice settings. Participate scholarly inquiry to reinforce evidence-based practice and support knowledge translation.

OCT 5625 MOT Seminar 2

Integrate clinical reasoning, critical thinking, and evidence-based decision making to reflect on the context of various service delivery models. Use scholarly inquiry to solve clinical scenarios and demonstrate the ability disseminate knowledge to peers. Develop professional goals to facilitate life-long learning.

HSC 5665 – Wellness and Health Promotion

Focuses on ways to promote health and wellness through behavioral change and identification of barriers to change. Health promotion planning will include individual, group, and population-based interventions. Examines risk behaviors that can compromise health throughout the lifespan. Applications to clinic/home/community situations and participation in selected complementary and alternative health interventions are included.

OCT 5335C – Clinical Applications in Psychosocial & Community Settings

Presents the theory and rationale of competency and evidence based OT assessment and intervention for psychosocial dysfunctions across the lifespan. Examines community based settings, lifestyle redesign, and therapeutic use of self. Level I fieldwork experiences enable students to observe, integrate, and apply concepts of the course in clinical situations.

OCT 5355C – Clinical Applications in Pediatrics/Adolescence

Presents the theory and rationale of competency-based assessments and interventions for physical, developmental, sensory integrative, perceptual/cognitive, and psychosocial dysfunctions as they apply to early lifespan development. Applies pediatric frames of reference to specific problems, including gross, fine and oral-motor skills; behavioral and social issues, handwriting, sensory integrative, visual, cognitive, and psychosocial problems within the framework of the multicultural family. Fieldwork Level I experiences integrate course content and clinical application.

HSC 5670 – Administration & Management in Rehabilitation Services

The application of managerial and administrative principles to rehabilitation services within a changing health care environment and the impact upon the delivery of services in a variety of practice settings. Primary topics addressed include organizational and legal structures, supervision and management, quality assurance, fiscal management, human resources, collaboration and team functions, and marketing.

OCT 5410C – Clinical Applications in Adulthood

Presents the theory and rationale of evidence based assessment and intervention for physical, developmental, sensory, perceptual/cognitive, psychosocial, and neurological dysfunctions as they apply to middle lifespan. Fieldwork Level I experiences will integrate course content and clinical application.

OCT 5425C – Clinical Applications in Geriatrics

Presents the theory, rationale, and evidence supporting assessments and interventions with aging adults, including sensory, physical, perceptual/cognitive, and psychosocial dysfunctions as they apply to late lifespan. Fieldwork Level I experiences integrate course content with clinical application.

OCT 5445C – OT Methods II: Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Modalities

Presents the theory and evidence-based clinical application of physical agent modalities, orthotics, and prosthetics. Emphasizes principles of differential diagnosis and wound/tissue healing when selecting and applying the appropriate physical agent modality. Focuses on the design and application of orthotic devices to enhance occupational performance and participation.

OCT 5550 – Fieldwork IIA*

The first of two off-campus fieldwork experiences with an emphasis on the application of occupational therapy theory and skills acquired in the didactic coursework to a clinical setting. Students will demonstrate entry-level competency and standards of practice within this practice area. Weekly online interaction with faculty facilitates student learning through reflective practice.

OCT 5660 – Fieldwork IIB*

The second of two off-campus fieldwork experiences with an emphasis on the application of occupational therapy theory and skills mastered in IIA in a different clinical setting. Students will demonstrate entry-level competency and standards of practice within this second practice area. Includes weekly online interaction with faculty to facilitate student learning through reflective practice.

*USAHS has a diverse and extensive network of clinical partners where students may be assigned to complete their fieldwork experiences. Although USAHS will make its best effort to find a placement in close proximity of a student’s current location, students should plan on the potential need to travel or relocate for fieldwork experiences.

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