Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

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1 Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

1.1 Faculty in Occupational Therapy

1.2 Description

1.3 Degree Requirements

1.3.1 Required Courses

1.9 Course Descriptions

Faculty in Occupational Therapy

Dr. Lisa Simmons, Assistant Professor, Program Director (Master of Occupational Therapy)
Dr. Rashida Daye, Assistant Professor, Program Director (Occupational Therapy Assistant-Bachelor)
Ms. Angela Karpieniak, Assistant Professor
Mr. Richard Osborne, Assistant Professor, Fieldwork Coordinator
Dr. Olivia White, Assistant Professor

Description

The Master of Occupational Therapy program (MOT) is designed to prepare students for entry-level practice while incorporating flexibility to support advancement of working and non-traditional students. The MOT is a 70-credit program that meets eight weekends each semester for seven semesters. The program requires five semesters of full-time didactic study (including the summer between the first and second year), followed by two 12-week Level II fieldwork placements in two healthcare settings. The program utilizes a blended-learning, hybrid format where nearly 50% of the course content is delivered online and the rest delivered face-to-face on campus in an alternate format eight weekends per semester.

The online experience incorporates best practices in hybrid learning to include directed reading, lectures, podcast, quizzes and assignments. The face-to-face sessions include lecture, discussion, group activities, experiential learning and practicum experiences. Students also supplement classwork with community placement for Level I fieldwork, designated each semester. The fieldwork placements provide opportunities to interact with clients, families and professionals in diverse practice settings. Students will observe and participate in select aspects of the occupational therapy process under the supervision of an occupational therapist or other qualified professional.

The Master of Occupational Therapy program is designed to:

Prepare students for success in fieldwork, the NBCOT certification exam, and entry-level practice as a generalist practitioner
Provide access to high quality occupational therapy education to students from diverse educational and professional backgrounds through a blended learning educational model that combines online instruction, weekend classes, and community fieldwork placements

Program prerequisite requirements include:

Anatomy and Physiology I and II: Two semesters of human anatomy and physiology, including labs
Statistics or Research Methods: At least one semester
Sociology: At least one semester
Three Psychology Courses: Introduction to Psychology, Lifespan Development (courses that meet the lifespan development requirement are: Child Psychology, Human Development, and Developmental Psychology), and a psychology elective

Applicants must demonstrate technological competence with Microsoft Office, email and web searching prior to admission. Applicants who are admitted into the MOT program must have ready access to computer technology that meets Trinity’s minimum computing standards and regular, dependable internet connectivity.

Successful completion of all coursework and fieldwork is necessary to graduate with the Master of Occupational Therapy degree.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Occupational Therapy program involves five semesters of full-time study, followed by two 12-week full-time Level II fieldwork placements. Students enter the program in the fall semester and are expected to maintain continuous enrollment until graduation. All students must complete the program within four years.

To earn the Trinity MOT degree, students must:

Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 to graduate.
Meet ethical standards and professional behavioral expectations as determined by faculty review and as outlined on the Professional Behavioral Plan.
Successfully pass all Level I and Level II fieldwork placements.
Document ongoing compliance with required health, insurance and Life Support Skills requirements.

Students who receive a grade of F in any course will be automatically dismissed from the program. Students dismissed from the program may reapply after 12 months following the MOT program dismissal. Reapplication does not guarantee readmission to the program.

Required Courses

Semester I: Fall Year 1 (12 credits)
OTM 520 Foundations of OT Practice
OTM 521 Occupational Development Across the Lifespan
OTM 522 Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology
OTM 525 OT Process I: Basic Skills

Semester II: Spring Year 1 (13 credits)
OTM 532 Functional Neuroscience: Sensory-Motor Foundations of Occupation
OTM 533 Research to Practice I
OTM 534 Pediatric Interventions
OTM 535 OT Process II

Semester III: Summer Year 2 (6 credits)
OTM 620 Administration, Management, and Leadership
OTM 623 Research to Practice II: EBP

Semester IV: Fall Year 2 (13 credits)
OTM 614 Psychosocial/Behavioral Foundations and Intervention
OTM 615 OT Process III
OTM 624 OT Interventions with Adults
OTM 630 Policy, Advocacy, and Ethics

Semester V: Spring Year 2 (11 credits)
OTM 625 OT Process IV: Treatment Planning and Documentation
OTM 632 Special Topics in OT II
OTM 634 Interventions for Participation, Health, and Aging
OTM 635 OT Process V: Environments and Technology

Semester VI: Summer Year 3 (6 credits)
OTM 691 Level II Fieldwork I

Semester VII: Fall Year 3 (9 credits)
OTM 692 Level II Fieldwork II
OTM 694 Professional Seminar V: School to Practice
NBCOT Practice Exam

Program Policies

CPR Certification:
CPR certification is required of all MOT students. Students must complete The American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification (for the Health Care Professional) prior to the beginning of the first Level I fieldwork and are required to maintain current CPR certification throughout the program at Trinity. Students must maintain an updated copy of the CPR card with the MOT office and may not begin Level II fieldwork with expired certification.

Criminal Background Check:
A criminal background check including sex offense registry and check for crimes against minors is mandatory for all admitted MOT students prior to their first Level I fieldwork. MOT students may be required to complete a criminal background check including fingerprinting at the request of a fieldwork facility. The MOT program retains the right to review the results of the background check and to share these results with fieldwork settings when requested. The MOT program and/or a fieldwork site may deny student placement based on results of the criminal background check.

Grades in Graduate Courses:
Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 to graduate. Students who receive a grade of F in any course will be automatically dismissed from the program. Students dismissed from the program may reapply after 12 months following the MOT program dismissal. Reapplication does not guarantee readmission to the program.

Health and Immunization Requirements:
In order to comply with Trinity policies, meet the regulations of fieldwork sites and to minimize risks to student health, all MOT students must provide evidence of good health and comply with current immunization, vaccine and screening requirements set by the Trinity MOT program. Students are required to provide annual documentation of influenza immunization and TB test results. The student must notify the program office promptly with any changes or up-dates. Students without current documentation on file will not be permitted to attend Level I or Level II fieldwork. Students should be aware that some fieldwork placements may require additional vaccinations or tests and will be required to comply with all site-specific requirements as requested.

HIPAA compliance:
Trinity MOT students must complete HIPAA training during orientation week. A copy of course completion must be provided to the MOT office no later than the first day of class. This information may be shared with fieldwork sites as requested.

Pass/No Pass:
Graduate students may not elect to take courses on a Pass/No Pass basis. The MOT program assigns a pass/fail grade only to OTM 691 and OTM 692.

Personal Health Insurance: All MOT students are required to present evidence of personal health insurance prior to beginning coursework.

Students must be covered by year-round health insurance. This may be obtained through the Trinity Health and Wellness Center or through private insurance.
Students must provide proof of health insurance coverage by providing a copy of both sides of their insurance card to the MOT main office. This information will be kept on file while students are in the program. Students must notify the program if insurance coverage changes and are expected to maintain a current card on file.
Health insurance information must include the type of insurance and information about where the student may be treated if medical services are required. Trinity MOT and/or fieldwork supervisors must have this information on file in the case of a healthcare emergency.
Students are responsible for any medical costs incurred while in the MOT program that are not covered by their personal health care insurance. Trinity does not assume liability for an incident or injury that may occur during a clinical or lab experience.

Transfer Policy:
The Master of Occupational Therapy degree program does not accept transfer credits from other occupational therapy programs. Students are required to complete all coursework and fieldwork as Trinity students in order to graduate with the Master of Occupational Therapy degree.

Mission

Trinity Washington University’s Master of Occupational Therapy program aims to develop competent, caring, and committed generalist practitioners who exemplify core values of respect, justice, and service that are reflective of the occupational therapy profession and Trinity, and are prepared to meet the occupational needs of diverse populations in our community. Trinity’s blended learning program is committed to:

Offering high-quality hybrid professional education to a diverse student population;
Providing classroom, clinical and community experiences that enrich student learning and prepare students for current and emerging practice settings in their communities
Establishing strong clinical partnership with the local and global community

Vision

The Master of Occupational Therapy program at Trinity envisions building a community of faculty, students and alumni with strong ties to the OTA and other allied health profession programs at Trinity, and to the community of Washington, DC. Trinity aspires to have its programs recognized for:

The quality of faculty, program of study, and clinical experiences;
The professional preparation and quality of graduates; and
Significant contributions to promoting access and health through consultation, collaboration, research, and service.

Philosophy

The Trinity MOT program is designed in accordance with the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Philosophy of Occupational Therapy Education (AOTA, 2007) to meet the missions of both Trinity Washington University and the Master of Occupational Therapy program. The program seeks to educate clinicians who embody the core values of Trinity and the profession of occupational therapy and who possess the necessary skills for success in entry-level practice. With practical and fieldwork experiences the program develops clinical skills, supports evidence-based practices and builds professionalism. The MOT is committed to providing innovative teaching, mentoring, and supportive learning to educate strong, caring clinicians who contribute to the practice and profession of occupational therapy.

Occupational Therapy Program Philosophy:

The Trinity MOT program is designed to meet the missions of the University and the OT program. The educational goal is to train clinicians who embody the core values of Trinity and the profession of occupational therapy, and who possess the necessary skills for success in entry-level practice. Educating future professionals is a complex process, and current models of medical education suggest that occupational therapy education must combine academic knowledge with training in clinical skills and professional identity in order to prepare graduates for entry-level practice (Harden, Sowden & Dunn, 1984). The MOT program combines foundational knowledge about occupation, occupational therapy, and biomedical and sociocultural contributors to health and disability, with practical and fieldwork experiences that develop clinical skill, support evidence-based practice, and build professionalism. Innovative teaching and professional mentoring support a learning environment to educate strong, caring clinicians who contribute to the practice and profession of occupational therapy.

Students must be prepared to invest considerable time and effort outside of class, and to participate actively in classroom discussions, assignments, practicums, simulations and clinical placements. Students who invest in learning will be challenged to become self-directed learners, reflective and critical thinkers and creative problem-solvers, which is the ultimate goal of all graduate and professional education (Knowles, et al., 1998). These skills and a commitment to lifelong learning are needed for occupational therapy practice in current practice settings, and will provide skills to expand occupational therapy into emerging settings and new communities and populations.

Trinity’s View of Learning and Occupational Therapy Education:

In a professional program, learning must be an interactive and reciprocal process that requires both teacher and learner to be involved and committed. The Trinity MOT program recognizes that students come to their professional program with a variety of educational backgrounds and life experiences, as well as different preferred ways of learning. Trinity’s integrated MOT curriculum is designed to help students with varying backgrounds and learning preferences make on-going connections between coursework and clinical practice and to apply what they are learning to clinical situations from the first semesters of the program. The curriculum is designed so that core concepts and themes connect between courses and across semesters. Courses are constructed with clear learning outcomes that allow students to measure what they are learning, and faculty are committed to providing varied learning experiences and utilizing pedagogies that make course material accessible and meaningful to every student who enters the program. This integrated model of professional education will facilitate active learning, build clinical reasoning and professional-practice skills, and prepare students from diverse backgrounds for entry-level practice and professional success.

Students in a graduate programs must take responsibility for their own learning and become actively engaged in the learning process. To succeed in this program, students need to be prepared to invest considerable time and effort outside of class and to participate actively in classroom discussions, assignments, practicums, simulations and clinical placements. Students who invest in learning will be challenged to become self-directed learners, reflective and critical thinkers and creative problem-solvers.

Accreditation

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA 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 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, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Course Descriptions

OTM 520 Foundations of OT Practice
OTM 521 Occupational Development Across the Lifespan
OTM 522 Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology
OTM 525 OT Process I: Basic Skills
OTM 532 Functional Neuroscience: Sensory-Motor Foundations of Occupation
OTM 533 Research to Practice I
OTM 534 Pediatric Interventions
OTM 535 OT Process II
OTM 614 Psychosocial/Behavioral Foundations and Intervention
OTM 615 OT Process III
OTM 620 Administration, Management, and Leadership
OTM 623 Research to Practice II: EBP
OTM 624 OT Interventions with Adults
OTM 625 OT Process IV: Treatment Planning and Documentation
OTM 630 Policy, Advocacy, and Ethics
OTM 632 Special Topics in OT II
OTM 634 Interventions for Participation, Health, and Aging
OTM 635 OT Process V: Environments and Technology
OTM 691 Level II Fieldwork I
OTM 692 Level II Fieldwork II
OTM 694 Professional Seminar V: School to Practice

Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.) - NHP