Occupational Studies Major

Occupational Studies Major

IN THIS SECTION

Get the training you need to help others be independent

The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies program offers a stimulating and challenging curriculum that blends professional coursework with a traditional liberal arts education. Students begin by learning the philosophy and founding principles of occupational therapy along with acquiring a thorough understanding of biological, psychological, and social aspects of human beings. In upper-division coursework, students learn to apply this knowledge and develop occupational therapy clinical reasoning skills for evaluation of and intervention with persons across the lifespan. Between the junior and senior years, students with good academic standing are eligible to apply for admittance to the Master of Occupational Therapy program. Acceptance and completion of the undergraduate program in occupational studies does not guarantee admission into the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program.

Any individual who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving an act likely to affect professional practice should meet with the Department Chair prior to applying to the program. Prior incidents may affect eligibility for fieldwork, certification, and employment. A CORI check and/or drug test is typically required prior to Fieldwork Level I and Level II placements.

Graduates of Worcester State’s MOT program are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination, for which this program boasts a consistently high pass rate. A passing score on this examination allows the graduate to apply for a license to practice that is required by most states within the United States, including Massachusetts. For further information regarding certification, contact: NBCOT, One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20878; 301-990-7979; or www.nbcot.org.

The Combined Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies and Master of Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. For further information regarding accreditation, contact: ACOTE, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814; 301-652-AOTA; or www.acoteonline.org. 

Explore sample courses in this program.

OT-101 Introduction of Occupational Studies of Wellness/Disability

Introduction to occupational therapy history, philosophy, wellness/illness/disability continuum, contexts, occupations, occupational performance, professionalism, and clinical reasoning.
3 credits

OT-102 Occupational Studies of Wellness/Disability Groups

Exploration of professional theme: philosophy, wellness/illness/disability continuum using groups, occupational performance and activity, professionalism, and clinical reasoning.
3 credits

OT-203 Occupational Therapy Theories

Investigation of theories of occupational therapy related to occupation, individual, and context. Includes current and developing models of practice.
3 credits

OT-211 Kinesiology Lab

Lab experiences and discussions integrate biological knowledge of movement with occupational therapy concepts of performance and function. This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate range of motion, muscle strength, and posture. Functional abilities needed in daily activities are analyzed.
1 credit

OT-301 Psychosocial Wellness/Disability

Historical themes of the profession, wellness/illness/disability continuum, occupation, and context as they apply to psychosocial performance in life roles.
2 credits

OT-302 Psychosocial Therapeutic Approaches

Occupational performance and context, professionalization, and clinical reasoning are applied to practice models when addressing psychosocial health and illness.
3 credits

OT-304 Psychosocial Therapeutic Approaches Lab

Directed observation and participation in the clinical application of theories and methods if occupational therapy intervention with psychosocial disorders. Includes Fieldwork I.
2 credits

OT-312 Physiological Wellness/Disability

Historical themes of the profession, wellness/illness/disability continuum, occupation, and context as they apply to physiological performance in life roles.
2 credits

OT-313 Physiological Therapeutic Approaches

Occupational performance and context, professionalism, and clinical reasoning are applied to practice models when addressing physiological health and illness.
3 credits

OT-317 Research I

Course examines measurement issues, concerns, and tools, and why and how to use evidence in practice.
3 credits

OT-318 Physiological Therapeutic Approaches Lab

Directed observation and participation in the clinical application of theories and methods of occupational therapy intervention with physiological disorders. Includes Fieldwork I.
2 credits

OT-401 Occupational Performance and Context for Older Adults

The wellness/illness/disability continuum is applied to occupational performance in life roles for the older adult population.
2 credits

OT-402 Therapeutic Approaches for Older Adults

Occupational therapy strategies for older adults across the wellness/illness/disability continuum with emphasis on occupational performance/context and clinical reasoning.
3 credits

OT-403 Therapeutic Approaches Lab for Older Adults

Experiential learning with assessments and intervention approaches for older adults. Includes Fieldwork I experience in various sites off-campus.
2 credits

OT-404 Assistive Technology I

Assistive technology related to the needs of the adult population are explored.
3 credits

OT-407 Research II

Course examines research design, quantitative and qualitative data, human subject protection, and program evaluation. Students develop a research proposal.
3 credits

OT-421 Occupational Performance and Context for Children/Adolescents

Wellness/illness/disability continuum are applied to performance in the life roles related to the child and adolescent populations.
2 credits

OT-423 Therapeutic Approaches Lab for Children/Adolescents

Directed observation and participation in the clinical application of theories and methods of occupational therapy intervention with the pediatric population. Includes observation in various sites off-campus.
2 credits

OT-424 Assistive Technology II

Assistive technology applied to the occupational performance and context of the child and adolescent populations.
3 credits

OT-426 Organizational and Professional Issues I

Introduction to principles of organization, administration, and management applied to the delivery of occupational therapy services in various practice settings. Work relationships, ethical issues, and laws influencing practice are also discussed.
3 credits

OT-427 Therapeutic Approaches for Children/Adolescents

Occupational therapy strategies for child and adolescent populations across wellness/illness/disability continuum with emphasis on occupational performance and context.
3 credits

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