Occupational Therapy Assistant

Faculty

Dr. Kristen Maisano, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Director
Ms. Tasha Champagne, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Description

Trinity offers an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Associate of Applied Science degree. This degree educates students to work under the supervision and in cooperation with an occupational therapist (OT) to help people across the lifespan engage in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities called occupations.

This major prepares you to work in various settings that include hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, sub-acute facilities, psychiatric and community based programs, schools, nursing homes, private practice and other emerging practice areas.

Degree Requirements

Students complete 26 credits of pre-requisite courses before applying to the OTA program. These can be taken at Trinity in either the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Professional Studies, or credits can be transferred. Students then complete 44 credits of OTA-specific courses, which blend online and on-campus learning.

Prerequisite Courses (26 credits)

BIOL 121 Human Anatomy and Physiology IA systematic approach to the study of the human body. The first part of this year -long course emphasizes the tissues, the integumentary system, the bones and skeletal tissue, muscles and muscle tissue, and the nervous system. Students have the opportunity to apply concepts discussed during the lecture portion of the class to clinical questions presented throughout the semester. Three hours of laboratory per week. Does not fulfill Biology major requirement. There is an additional laboratory fee.
4 credits
Pre-/Co-requisite: MATH 102, MATH 108 or MATH 109.
Pre-requisite: BIOL 101 (SPS); BIOL 101 or placement test score (CAS).
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area.
BIOL 122 Human Anatomy and Physiology IIA systematic aproach to the study of the human body. The second part of this year-long course emphasizes the endocrine, lymphatic, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Students have the opportunity to apply concepts discussed during the lecture portion of the class to clinical questions presented throughout the semester. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Does not fulfill Biology major requirement. Prerequisite BIOL 121. There is an additional laboratory fee.
4 credits
ENGL 107 College CompositionDevelops skills necessary for effective writing of thesis-centered essays at the college level, including analytical, critical, and argumentative essays. Research and documentation techniques included. Students in the School of Professional Studies may not take this course pass/fail. Formerly ENG 107 College Composition.
3 credits
Prerequisites for College of Arts and Sciences: ENGL 105 with grade of "C" or better or placement test proficiency
Prerequisites for School of Professional Studies: ENGL 105 with a grade of C or better OR score of 9 or higher on Writing portion of Accuplacer test.
General Education: Foundational Skills Area
FLC Area I Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
HPNU 110 Professional and Career Success in the Health ProfessionsThis course is intended as an introductory professional genesis course for students entering the health professions and introduces the concepts of knowledge, skills, values, meanings, and experiences as the basis for professional practice. This course is designed to strengthen the student's critical reading skills through close readings of texts on contemporary health care issues. Students will explore the evolution of the various disciplines in the health professions and models of professional socialization. Current issues and trends influencing the health care delivery system, such as increased use of technology, rising health care costs, and maintaining quality in health care agencies are among the topics of discussion. Students will be exposed to the use of select electronic data bases as information sources, as well as techniques of professional writing.
3 credits (SPS students) or CRS 101 Critical Reading SeminarStrengthens critical reading skills through close readings of disciplinary texts. The course focuses on foundational critical reading objectives, among which are identifying the text's thesis or themes, main points, and types and quality of evidence, paraphrasing or summarizing the content and meaning of the text, identifying the text's purpose and audience, identifying the author's organizational and rhetorical strategies, and recognizing strengths, weaknesses, and inconsistencies in the text.
3 credits
Prerequisite: CRS 100S with a grade of C or better, or placement test proficiency (CAS students–Health Professionals designated section)
MATH 108 Finite MathematicsThis course is intended to provide a broad-based general overview of college mathematics, especially for those majoring in health professions and education. Topics include a continuation of the algebra topics of Math 101S, such as critical thinking skills, sets, logic and the real number system. Also covered are graphs, functions, modeling and data analysis, use of matrices to solve systems of equations, systems of linear inequalities and understanding of dimensional analysis, and conversions to and from the metric system. Formerly MATH 108 and MAT 108 Elementary Mathematical Modeling.
4 credits
Prerequisites: None
General Education Area: Foundational Skills
PSYC 101 Introductory PsychologyIntroduces the student to the scientific study of the mind and behavior. All major sub-areas of psychology (social, developmental, clinical, physiological, motivation and emotion, sensation and perception) are explored, as well as the major theoretical perspectives (behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, and humanistic). Formerly PSY 121 Introductory Psychology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core: Area II
PSYC 231 Child PsychologyReviews theories of development and contemporary research and how they relate to current social issues concerning children. The developmental period from conception through middle childhood is the focus, with topics including cognitive changes, language acquisition, sensory-motor, moral, and socioemotional development. Formerly PSY 257 Child Psychology.
3 credits
FLC Area V
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor
SOCY 100 Introduction to SociologyIntroduces students to the science of sociology and prepares students for upper-level social science course work. Formerly SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core Area II: Understanding the Self and Society

OTA Courses (44 credits)

Semester 1 (12 credits)
OTA 100 Introduction to Occupational TherapyThis course will introduce the occupational therapy assistant student (OTA) to the role of occupational therapy in promoting the health and participation of people, organizations and populations through engagement in occupation. Topics include history, the professions philosophical base, the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process, Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, AOTA official documents, and the delineation of roles between registered occupational therapist and certified occupational therapy assistant. The Occupational Adaption model will be introduced as a theoretical framework for the OTA program.
2 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIOL 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107.
OTA 110
OTA 120 Functional Movement and Occupational PerformanceThe course will focus on kinesiology concepts and basic principles of biomechanics to understand how movement affects occupational performance. Systems reviews will include, but are not limited to, central nervous system. Topics include formal and informal analysis and assessment of movement as well as analysis of movement in areas of occupation.
4 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIOL 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107.
OTA 124 Pathology for the OT PractitionerThis course examines specific conditions or diagnosis seen in occupational therapy practice. Musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and general topics in clinical medicine will be investigated with emphasis on etiology, basic pathogenesis, commonly observed signs and symptoms, course, prognosis, and precautions. Concepts of health, illness and disability will be addressed in relationship to theories used in occupational therapy practice as well as the effects of a condition on occupational performance and occupational well-being.
2 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIOL 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107.
OTA 130 Analysis and Performance of Occupations Across the LifespanThis course will introduce the OTA student in observation skills, assessment, documentation, teaching, adapting, and grading activities related to all persons across the lifespan. Once the above skills are demonstrated, students will apply the skills to case studies related to normal and abnormal occupational performance across the lifespan, including, but not limited to, planning and facilitating groups, therapeutic use of self, and occupation based interventions.
4 credits
Prerequisites BIOL 121, BIOL 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107.

Semester 2 (12 credits)
OTA 114
OTA 104 Professional Issues in OT/ Critical Thinking IThis course will examine standards of practice for the occupational therapy assistant delivering occupational therapy services. The role of agencies and associations related to OT will be reviewed. The need for and process of advocacy will be discussed. Critical thinking and professional reasoning skills of communication and collaboration, as well as understanding the relationship between theory and practice, will be emphasized through case studies, discussions and role playing. Critical reasoning and problem solving will be discussed as the skills related to the OT process.
2 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIOL 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107, OTA 100, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 130
OTA 134 Intervention and Tools in Mental HealthThis course will examine the occupational therapy process in mental health practice. Topics include historical events in the development of psychosocial and mental health care throughout the life course, introduction of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM), including co morbidities with severe and persistent mental illness, psychotropic drugs, use of theory, evaluation and data collection, evidence and occupation-based intervention, and issues that impact psychological and social factors of mental health and occupational performance.
3 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, OTA 110, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 130, and PSYC 231
OTA 128 Rehabilitative/Universal/ Assistive TechnologiesThis course will introduce the OTA student to technology used to increase, maintain or improve occupational performance in persons with disabilities. Topics include: low and high technology devices, communication and mobility aids, orthotics/prosthetics, positioning devices, computer programs, physical agent modalities (PAMS), and universal design.
2 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, OTA 110, OTA 120, OTA 124, and OTA 130
OTA 138 Intervention and Tools in GeriatricsThis course will examine the occupational therapy process in geriatrics. Topics include trends and concepts of aging, health and well-being, health equity and determinants of health that interfere with participation in daily occupations. Use of theory, evidence and occupation-based interventions and review of current geriatric literature will define this expanding OTA practice area. The Life Style ReDesign® model will be used as an example to create programs for older adults with and without disabilities.
3 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, 110, 120, 124, and 130

Semester 3 (12 credits)
OTA 204 Professional Issues in OT/ Critical Thinking IIThis course will build on the skills gained in OTA 104 with a focus on building critical thinking skills, preparing for level II fieldwork, licensure, certification, and securing employment. The importance of professional development will be reviewed.
2 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIOL 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107, OTA 100, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 130, OTA 104, OTA 140, OTA 236, OTA 238
OTA 210
OTA 234 Intervention and Tools in Adult RehabilitationThis course will examine the occupational therapy process in physical dysfunction practice. Topics include history, trends and OT management of acute and chronic neurological, orthopedic, cardiac, oncology and infectious conditions; use of theory, evaluation and data collection, evidence and occupation-based intervention, as well as clinical pharmacology. Emphasis will be placed on client factors and its affect on occupational performance.
3 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, 104, 110, 114, 120, 124, 128, 130, 134, and 138
OTA 238 Intervention & Tools in PediatricsThis course will examine the occupational therapy process in pediatrics. Topics include review of typical and atypical human development and the study of occupations for the infant, child through adolescence from a reflexive, sensory, motor, behavior, social and activity standpoint. Use of theory, frames of reference, evaluation and data collection, evidence and occupation-based interventions with the typical and atypical child are emphasized. This class includes level I fieldwork experience. Level I fieldwork is designed to introduce students to a variety of settings and increase the student's comfort level with a diverse populations and diagnoses.
4 credits
Prerequisites: BIO 121, BIO 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107, OTA 100, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 130
INT 109 Information LiteracyTechnology has brought a vast new world of information resources into the classroom and the University. We are accessing, analyzing and communicating information faster than every before. A measure of success today is how well one can discover, retrieve, evaluate, manage and communicate all forms of data, information and knowledge within a technological environment both ethically and legally. This course introduces Trinity students to the information and technology tools that support the information discovery, analysis and integration that are part of critical thinking and communicating. This includes having a fundamental understanding of the ethical and legal issues.
3 credits
Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life (SPS students) or COM 110 Communication for Academic SuccessThis course is designed to help students develop the skills that are necessary for effective interpersonal and small group communication. Students will learn to participate in varied communication contexts that involve both formal and more interactive formats. The course provides them with the opportunity to communicate more effectively with an audience in small group and public contexts.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Foundational Skills (CAS students)

Semester 4 (8 credits, full-time fieldwork)
OTA 291 Level II Fieldwork IA minimum of 8 weeks of supervised experience applying occupational therapy skills and concepts. Students will actively engage in the OT process while developing and practicing skills of an entry-level OTA. Students will be assigned to practice setting working with individuals with developmental, physical or emotional challenges. Fieldwork is off campus and students are responsible for transportation and room and board.
4 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIO 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107, OTA 100, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 130, OTA 104, OTA 140, OTA 204, OTA 206, OTA 228, OTA 236, OTA 237, OTA 238, OTA 240
OTA 292 Level II Fieldwork IIA minimum of 8 weeks of supervised experience applying occupational therapy skills and concepts. Students will actively engage in the OT process while developing and practicing skills of an entry-level OTA. Students will be assigned to practice setting working with individuals that differs that offered in Fieldwork I. Fieldwork is off campus and students are responsible for transportation and room and board.
4 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIO 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107, OTA 100, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 130, OTA 104, OTA 140, OTA 204, OTA 206, OTA 228, OTA 236, OTA 237, OTA 238, OTA 240

Program Policies

Questions from non-Trinity students regarding the application process and acceptance criteria should be directed to the Admissions Office. Questions from a current Trinity student regarding the application process and acceptance criteria should be directed to the student’s undergraduate advisor in either the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Professional Studies or to the Nursing Program Office (202.885.9670).

Requirements for the Degree:
Students must meet four general requirements to graduate and receive an Associate of Applied Science degree with an occupational therapy assistant major:

• Successful completion of all program pre-requisite courses
• Completion of the major program’s course of study (70 credits) including fieldwork experiences
• All OTA-designated courses completed at Trinity with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better
• Completion of all credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5

Required Documentation: 
Prior to enrolling in any OTA fieldwork course, students are required to present documentation of the following:

• Current immunization or titers for: DPT; MMR; Hepatitis B (3 doses); Tetanus; Influenza (annual); TB (annual)
• National criminal background check
• Current major medical health insurance

Additional Expenses:
As part of professional behavior and professionalionalism on Fieldwork I and II as well as community learning experiences, students in the OTA program should expect to incur the following additional expenses beyond tuition and fees:

• OTA polo shirt
• Name badge
• Goniometer
• Local travel and transportation
• Books
• Health insurance
• Criminal background check

The Associate of Applied Science Degree:
The requirements to graduate from Trinity with an Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.) in health professional programs include the successful completion of the following:

• A minimum of 70 credits.
• For students matriculating after Fall 2002, 45 of the final 60 credits, excluding credits for experiential learning, and all OTA-designated courses must be completed at Trinity.
  • All specific course work required for a major program of study in the respective health care program
  • Completion of all fieldwork requirements

Mission

The OTA program strives to educate students to be competent, ethical and committed occupational therapy practitioners who promote health and well-being of all people as they engage in everyday activities called occupations. Through dynamic classroom, clinical and community experiences, OTA students graduate prepared to meet the ever-changing occupational needs of society and address social justice and occupational justice issues locally and globally.

Vision

Within Trinity’s founding traditions, we envision the OTA program as a center where the occupational therapy assistant and the occupational therapist can study the process of adaptation and its effect on occupational performance as it relates to the person’s search for meaning and fulfillment as occupational-beings.

Philosophy

The OTA program’s philosophy reflects occupational therapy’s fundamental ideals in that it is based on the profession’s belief that humans are complex beings who are continuously engaged in their environment. Learning is an active and social process where learners learn to discover principles, concepts and facts through interactions with each other and with the environment they live in.

Occupational Therapy Program Philosophy

The Philosophical Base of Occupational Therapy (AOTA, 1979, 1955) provides the foundation for our philosophy of humans and how they learn. The organizing philosophical framework of the OTA curriculum is derived from the belief that engagement in occupations can influence the health and well-being of individuals and populations. Through engagement or doing, we survive: we find meaning and find balance in our lives. Successful engagement in occupations requires constant mastery of occupations and the ability to adapt (Schultz, 2009). This interaction between the person, the environment and the occupation influences health and well-being. Adolph Meyer’s philosophy of occupational therapy summarizes the Trinity OTA perspective of occupation as it relates to health and well-being:

Our conception of man is that of an organism that maintains and balances itself in the world of reality and actuality by being in active life and active use, i.e. using and living and acting its time in harmony with its own nature and the nature about it. It is the use that we make of ourselves that gives the ultimate stamp to every organ. (Meyer, 1922)

The OTA program’s philosophy is guided by two major areas. These areas are (1) occupation and the process of occupational adaptation and (2) the professional curriculum and learning-teaching style.

Our Fundamental Beliefs about Human Beings

Humans are complex beings that are constantly interacting with the physical, social, temporal, cultural, psychological, spiritual and virtual environment through their actions. We are active beings who have the ability to adapt, modify and affect the quality of our life by engaging in the things we want and need to do called occupations. These occupations are the actions that support survival, provide self-actualization and help us find occupational balance (AOTA, 2007). However, when a person is faced with an occupational challenge because of impairment, disability or a stressful event, the innate process of human adaptation may become impaired (Schultz, 1992; Schultz & Schkade, 1992). Through occupational therapy intervention, the occupational therapy practitioner’s “therapeutic use of self,” management of the environment and use of “occupations as tools” promote the client’s ability to adapt to life’s challenges for successful occupational performance.

Our View of Learning

Learning is an active and social process in which learners learn to discover principles, concepts and facts through interactions with each other and with the environment in which they live (Brown, 1989; Ackerman, 1996). Trinity acknowledges learners are unique individuals with unique needs and diverse backgrounds while being complex and multidimensional. Using a constructivist viewpoint to guide the learning process, we see that the responsibility for learning resides with the learner; motivation for learning strongly depends on the learner’s confidence in his or her potential to learn (Prawat & Floden, 1994); and instructors are facilitators that create guidelines and set the stage within the environment for learning. The learning experience is shaped by the instructor’s as well as by the learners’ values; culture and background are shared and respected (Ernest, 1991; Prawat et al., 1994). The faculty of Trinity Washington University’s OTA program demonstrate support for students to become effective and critical thinkers through the “beyond the comfort zone” academic challenge (Vygotsky, 1978) that will also translate into critical thinking and reasoning skills in the OT practice setting through use of activities as interventions.

Accreditation

The occupational therapy assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (A.C.O.T.E.) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (A.O.T.A.), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. A.C.O.T.E.’s telephone number, c/o A.O.T.A., is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (N.B.C.O.T.). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (C.O.T.A.). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the N.B.C.O.T. Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the N.B.C.O.T. certification examination or attain state licensure.

Course Descriptions

BIOL 121 Human Anatomy and Physiology IA systematic approach to the study of the human body. The first part of this year -long course emphasizes the tissues, the integumentary system, the bones and skeletal tissue, muscles and muscle tissue, and the nervous system. Students have the opportunity to apply concepts discussed during the lecture portion of the class to clinical questions presented throughout the semester. Three hours of laboratory per week. Does not fulfill Biology major requirement. There is an additional laboratory fee.
4 credits
Pre-/Co-requisite: MATH 102, MATH 108 or MATH 109.
Pre-requisite: BIOL 101 (SPS); BIOL 101 or placement test score (CAS).
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area.
BIOL 122 Human Anatomy and Physiology IIA systematic aproach to the study of the human body. The second part of this year-long course emphasizes the endocrine, lymphatic, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Students have the opportunity to apply concepts discussed during the lecture portion of the class to clinical questions presented throughout the semester. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Does not fulfill Biology major requirement. Prerequisite BIOL 121. There is an additional laboratory fee.
4 credits
ENGL 107 College CompositionDevelops skills necessary for effective writing of thesis-centered essays at the college level, including analytical, critical, and argumentative essays. Research and documentation techniques included. Students in the School of Professional Studies may not take this course pass/fail. Formerly ENG 107 College Composition.
3 credits
Prerequisites for College of Arts and Sciences: ENGL 105 with grade of "C" or better or placement test proficiency
Prerequisites for School of Professional Studies: ENGL 105 with a grade of C or better OR score of 9 or higher on Writing portion of Accuplacer test.
General Education: Foundational Skills Area
FLC Area I Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
HPNU 110 Professional and Career Success in the Health ProfessionsThis course is intended as an introductory professional genesis course for students entering the health professions and introduces the concepts of knowledge, skills, values, meanings, and experiences as the basis for professional practice. This course is designed to strengthen the student's critical reading skills through close readings of texts on contemporary health care issues. Students will explore the evolution of the various disciplines in the health professions and models of professional socialization. Current issues and trends influencing the health care delivery system, such as increased use of technology, rising health care costs, and maintaining quality in health care agencies are among the topics of discussion. Students will be exposed to the use of select electronic data bases as information sources, as well as techniques of professional writing.
3 credits
COM 110 Communication for Academic SuccessThis course is designed to help students develop the skills that are necessary for effective interpersonal and small group communication. Students will learn to participate in varied communication contexts that involve both formal and more interactive formats. The course provides them with the opportunity to communicate more effectively with an audience in small group and public contexts.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Foundational Skills
CRS 101 Critical Reading SeminarStrengthens critical reading skills through close readings of disciplinary texts. The course focuses on foundational critical reading objectives, among which are identifying the text's thesis or themes, main points, and types and quality of evidence, paraphrasing or summarizing the content and meaning of the text, identifying the text's purpose and audience, identifying the author's organizational and rhetorical strategies, and recognizing strengths, weaknesses, and inconsistencies in the text.
3 credits
Prerequisite: CRS 100S with a grade of C or better, or placement test proficiency
INT 109 Information LiteracyTechnology has brought a vast new world of information resources into the classroom and the University. We are accessing, analyzing and communicating information faster than every before. A measure of success today is how well one can discover, retrieve, evaluate, manage and communicate all forms of data, information and knowledge within a technological environment both ethically and legally. This course introduces Trinity students to the information and technology tools that support the information discovery, analysis and integration that are part of critical thinking and communicating. This includes having a fundamental understanding of the ethical and legal issues.
3 credits
Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
MATH 108 Finite MathematicsThis course is intended to provide a broad-based general overview of college mathematics, especially for those majoring in health professions and education. Topics include a continuation of the algebra topics of Math 101S, such as critical thinking skills, sets, logic and the real number system. Also covered are graphs, functions, modeling and data analysis, use of matrices to solve systems of equations, systems of linear inequalities and understanding of dimensional analysis, and conversions to and from the metric system. Formerly MATH 108 and MAT 108 Elementary Mathematical Modeling.
4 credits
Prerequisites: None
General Education Area: Foundational Skills
PSYC 101 Introductory PsychologyIntroduces the student to the scientific study of the mind and behavior. All major sub-areas of psychology (social, developmental, clinical, physiological, motivation and emotion, sensation and perception) are explored, as well as the major theoretical perspectives (behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, and humanistic). Formerly PSY 121 Introductory Psychology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core: Area II
PSYC 231 Child PsychologyReviews theories of development and contemporary research and how they relate to current social issues concerning children. The developmental period from conception through middle childhood is the focus, with topics including cognitive changes, language acquisition, sensory-motor, moral, and socioemotional development. Formerly PSY 257 Child Psychology.
3 credits
FLC Area V
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor
SOCY 100 Introduction to SociologyIntroduces students to the science of sociology and prepares students for upper-level social science course work. Formerly SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core Area II: Understanding the Self and Society
OTA 100 Introduction to Occupational TherapyThis course will introduce the occupational therapy assistant student (OTA) to the role of occupational therapy in promoting the health and participation of people, organizations and populations through engagement in occupation. Topics include history, the professions philosophical base, the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process, Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, AOTA official documents, and the delineation of roles between registered occupational therapist and certified occupational therapy assistant. The Occupational Adaption model will be introduced as a theoretical framework for the OTA program.
2 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIOL 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107.
OTA 110
OTA 120 Functional Movement and Occupational PerformanceThe course will focus on kinesiology concepts and basic principles of biomechanics to understand how movement affects occupational performance. Systems reviews will include, but are not limited to, central nervous system. Topics include formal and informal analysis and assessment of movement as well as analysis of movement in areas of occupation.
4 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIOL 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107.
OTA 124 Pathology for the OT PractitionerThis course examines specific conditions or diagnosis seen in occupational therapy practice. Musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and general topics in clinical medicine will be investigated with emphasis on etiology, basic pathogenesis, commonly observed signs and symptoms, course, prognosis, and precautions. Concepts of health, illness and disability will be addressed in relationship to theories used in occupational therapy practice as well as the effects of a condition on occupational performance and occupational well-being.
2 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIOL 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107.
OTA 130 Analysis and Performance of Occupations Across the LifespanThis course will introduce the OTA student in observation skills, assessment, documentation, teaching, adapting, and grading activities related to all persons across the lifespan. Once the above skills are demonstrated, students will apply the skills to case studies related to normal and abnormal occupational performance across the lifespan, including, but not limited to, planning and facilitating groups, therapeutic use of self, and occupation based interventions.
4 credits
Prerequisites BIOL 121, BIOL 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107.
OTA 114
OTA 104 Professional Issues in OT/ Critical Thinking IThis course will examine standards of practice for the occupational therapy assistant delivering occupational therapy services. The role of agencies and associations related to OT will be reviewed. The need for and process of advocacy will be discussed. Critical thinking and professional reasoning skills of communication and collaboration, as well as understanding the relationship between theory and practice, will be emphasized through case studies, discussions and role playing. Critical reasoning and problem solving will be discussed as the skills related to the OT process.
2 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIOL 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107, OTA 100, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 130
OTA 134 Intervention and Tools in Mental HealthThis course will examine the occupational therapy process in mental health practice. Topics include historical events in the development of psychosocial and mental health care throughout the life course, introduction of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM), including co morbidities with severe and persistent mental illness, psychotropic drugs, use of theory, evaluation and data collection, evidence and occupation-based intervention, and issues that impact psychological and social factors of mental health and occupational performance.
3 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, OTA 110, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 130, and PSYC 231
OTA 128 Rehabilitative/Universal/ Assistive TechnologiesThis course will introduce the OTA student to technology used to increase, maintain or improve occupational performance in persons with disabilities. Topics include: low and high technology devices, communication and mobility aids, orthotics/prosthetics, positioning devices, computer programs, physical agent modalities (PAMS), and universal design.
2 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, OTA 110, OTA 120, OTA 124, and OTA 130
OTA 138 Intervention and Tools in GeriatricsThis course will examine the occupational therapy process in geriatrics. Topics include trends and concepts of aging, health and well-being, health equity and determinants of health that interfere with participation in daily occupations. Use of theory, evidence and occupation-based interventions and review of current geriatric literature will define this expanding OTA practice area. The Life Style ReDesign® model will be used as an example to create programs for older adults with and without disabilities.
3 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, 110, 120, 124, and 130
OTA 204 Professional Issues in OT/ Critical Thinking IIThis course will build on the skills gained in OTA 104 with a focus on building critical thinking skills, preparing for level II fieldwork, licensure, certification, and securing employment. The importance of professional development will be reviewed.
2 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIOL 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107, OTA 100, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 130, OTA 104, OTA 140, OTA 236, OTA 238
OTA 210
OTA 234 Intervention and Tools in Adult RehabilitationThis course will examine the occupational therapy process in physical dysfunction practice. Topics include history, trends and OT management of acute and chronic neurological, orthopedic, cardiac, oncology and infectious conditions; use of theory, evaluation and data collection, evidence and occupation-based intervention, as well as clinical pharmacology. Emphasis will be placed on client factors and its affect on occupational performance.
3 credits
Prerequisites: OTA 100, 104, 110, 114, 120, 124, 128, 130, 134, and 138
OTA 238 Intervention & Tools in PediatricsThis course will examine the occupational therapy process in pediatrics. Topics include review of typical and atypical human development and the study of occupations for the infant, child through adolescence from a reflexive, sensory, motor, behavior, social and activity standpoint. Use of theory, frames of reference, evaluation and data collection, evidence and occupation-based interventions with the typical and atypical child are emphasized. This class includes level I fieldwork experience. Level I fieldwork is designed to introduce students to a variety of settings and increase the student's comfort level with a diverse populations and diagnoses.
4 credits
Prerequisites: BIO 121, BIO 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107, OTA 100, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 130
OTA 291 Level II Fieldwork IA minimum of 8 weeks of supervised experience applying occupational therapy skills and concepts. Students will actively engage in the OT process while developing and practicing skills of an entry-level OTA. Students will be assigned to practice setting working with individuals with developmental, physical or emotional challenges. Fieldwork is off campus and students are responsible for transportation and room and board.
4 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIO 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107, OTA 100, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 130, OTA 104, OTA 140, OTA 204, OTA 206, OTA 228, OTA 236, OTA 237, OTA 238, OTA 240
OTA 292 Level II Fieldwork IIA minimum of 8 weeks of supervised experience applying occupational therapy skills and concepts. Students will actively engage in the OT process while developing and practicing skills of an entry-level OTA. Students will be assigned to practice setting working with individuals that differs that offered in Fieldwork I. Fieldwork is off campus and students are responsible for transportation and room and board.
4 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 121, BIO 122, MATH 108, SOCY 100, PSYC 101, PSYC 231, HPNU 120, ENGL 107, OTA 100, OTA 120, OTA 124, OTA 130, OTA 104, OTA 140, OTA 204, OTA 206, OTA 228, OTA 236, OTA 237, OTA 238, OTA 240