Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Chair
Dr. Dana Howell
(859) 622-3300
Dizney 103
Associate Chair and Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Renee Cause-Upton
(859) 622-3300
Dizney 103
Faculty
A. Balser, L. Bray, S. Brito, C. Carrico, R. Causey‑Upton, J. Duckart, C. Ginn, L. Hardman, J. Hight, D. Howell, C. Humphrey, A. Keener, S. O’Brien, C. Privott, K. Puckett, L. Simpkins, C. Skubik‑ Peplaski, G. Spira, and C. West
The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy provides a continuum of educational experiences that prepare a student at the undergraduate level for a career as a non-credentialed health and human service professional and at the graduate level for a career as an occupational therapist. Undergraduate students (1st degree pathway), or students who already hold an undergraduate degree in a field other than Occupational Science (2nd degree pathway), can enter the Occupational Science program, receive a Bachelor of Science degree, and apply for admission to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program. After completing the OTD degree, students are eligible to take the occupational therapy national certification examination.
The OTD program is accredited by the
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-6611
www.acoteonline.org
Certification for the occupational therapy profession is provided through the
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
One Bank Street, Suite 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
www.nbcot.org
Courses
OTS 101. Occupation Perspectives: Human Services. (3 Credits)
A. An occupational science perspective of health and human service professions. Through lecture, active learning and community experiences, students will explore the themes of occupation, professional identity, reasoning, communication and diversity in professional responsibilities.
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OTS 205. Horse and Human Co-Occupation:. (3 Credits)
(3) A. Course provides information regarding the equine industry in connection with human health and wellness. Areas of focus include career directions, understanding horse/human co-occupation and equine movement in concert with human interaction.
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OTS 300. Foundation in Occupation I. (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: Junior Standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Foundational knowledge in occupational science and occupational therapy, including history, philosophy, theory, context, diversity, process, and reasoning. Emphasis on active learning and reasoning skills including information literacy of research.
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OTS 301. Practicum I: Concepts. (4 Credits)
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OTS 301Z. Practicum in Occ Therapy I. (3 Credits)
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OTS 302. Practicum II: Life Narratives. (3 Credits)
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OTS 311. Self as Occupational Being. (3 Credits)
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OTS 312. Occupation by Design. (3 Credits)
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OTS 313. Occupation in Diverse Contexts. (3 Credits)
A. Prerequisites: Junior Standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Application of the constructs of context to understand the impact on occupation and health. Introduction to cultural awareness and diversity. Enhance understanding of ability and disability concerns in social and environmental contexts.
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OTS 321. Occupation Across the Lifespan. (3 Credits)
A. Prerequisites: Junior Standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Observation and analysis of human development and participation in occupation across the lifespan. Content explores life-stage characteristics and contextual aspects as articulated in varied models and theories.
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OTS 322. Impact of Conditions on Occupation. (3 Credits)
A. Prerequisites: Junior Standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Introduction to human occupation in the context of function and impairment. Content includes pathophysiological, behavioral, and developmental issues which have an impact on human occupation.
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OTS 330. Gender and Work in the U.S.. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: ENG 102 or 105 (B) or HON 102 or departmental approval. A survey view of occupational science and sociological constructs related to gendered work. Includes content on family work linkages, gendered organizations, and public policies in the workplace. Credit will not be awarded to students who have credit for OTS 480, WGS 380, or WGS 480.
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OTS 335. Professional Dynamics. (3 Credits)
A. Corequisite: OTS 302. Analysis and application of communication skills necessary for becoming an effective team member. Emphasis on theories of group dynamics, leadership and professional interaction skills, decision making and conflict resolution through active learning.
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OTS 340. Foundations in Occupations II. (3 Credits)
A. Prerequisite: OTS 300. junior standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Further exploration of concepts of occupational science and how they inform occupational therapy practice. Occupation-based theories, models of practice, and frames of reference will be applied.
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OTS 360. Designing Occupations. (3 Credits)
A Prerequisites: Junior Standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Foundational problem solving, task, and activity analysis concepts related to designing occupations for individuals and groups. Students design, implement and analyze individual and group activities. Emphasis on group dynamics and leadership.
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OTS 362. Kinesiology for Occupation. (3 Credits)
A. Prerequisites: BIO 271; Junior Standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Application of the physics of movement and biomechanical analysis for occupational performance. Includes evaluation procedures for muscle strength and range of motion.
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OTS 365S. Engagement and Advocacy for Elders. (3 Credits)
(3) A, I, II. Supervised service learning oppurtunities to create and implement occupation-based programming at a community-based respite care program and to advocate for elders with Alzheimer's Disease. Credit will not be warded for both OTS 365S and special topics course OTS.
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OTS 380. Gender and Work in the U.S.. (3 Credits)
Cross-listed as OTS 380. Prerequisite: ENG 102 or 105(B) or HON 102 or departmental approval. A survey view of occupational science and sociological constructs related to gendered work. Includes content on family work linkages, gendered organizations, and public policies in the workplace. Credit will not be awarded to students who have credit for OTS 480, WGS 380, or WGS 480.
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OTS 400. Research Methods in OT I. (3 Credits)
A Prerequisites: Junior Standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Introduction to research design and methods in OT; critical analysis of occupational science and occupational therapy research for evidence based practice.
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OTS 401. Practicum III: Diversity. (3 Credits)
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OTS 402. Practicum IV: Advocacy & Research. (3 Credits)
A. Pre-requisite: OTS 401. Co-requisites: OTS 362, 430, and 478 or 478W. Participatory experiences in the application of advocacy, eithics, and research to advance health and wellness. Course includes self-reflection and portfolio completion. Credit will not be awarded to students who have credit for OTS 402S.
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OTS 402S. Practicum IV: Advocacy & Research. (3 Credits)
(3) A. Pre-requisite: OTS 401. Corequisites: OTS362, 430, and 478 or 478W. Participatory experiences in the application of advocacy, ethics, and research to advance health and wellness. Course includes self-reflection and portfolio completion. Credit will not be awarded to students who have credit for OTS 402.
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OTS 410. Independent Study in Occupational Science. (1-3 Credits)
(1-3) A. Student must have the independent study proposal approved by faculty supervisor and department chair prior to enrollment. Directed study on an area of interest in Occupational Science. May be retaken to a maximum of six hours.
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OTS 420. Neuroscience and Occupation. (3 Credits)
A Prerequisites: Junior Standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Analyze how brain function is shaped by occupation. Understand the relationship among neuroscience concepts and occupational engagement evidence to support occupation-based interventions for clients with a variety of conditions.
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OTS 421. Occupation Across the Lifespan. (3 Credits)
A. Co-requisite: OTS 302. Observation and analysis of participation in occupation across the lifespan. Content explores life-stage characterisitcs and contextual aspects as articulated by varied models and theories.
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OTS 422. Impact of Conditions on Occ. (4 Credits)
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OTS 430. Occupational Therapy Assessment. (3 Credits)
A. Prerequisites: Junior Standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Overview of primary concepts related to the components of healthcare occupational assessments, intervention and documentation as an occupational therapy provider including observation, interview, standardized administration, interpretation and dissemination of results.
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OTS 432. Research in Occupation. (4 Credits)
I, II. Prerequisite: STA 215. Co-requisites: OTS 301 & OTS 311. Students will learn to be consumers and participants in qualitative andquantitative research, examine methods of research design, data collection, and prepare a research prospectus related to occupational science. Apply statistical methods to the study of occupation.
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OTS 435. OT Professional Seminar. (2 Credits)
Seminar course in which students will discuss and debate health issues related to practice. Concepts of position statements, strategic planning, and self-directed learning will be emphasized.
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OTS 440. Research Methods in OT II. (3 Credits)
A Prerequisites: OTS 400, Junior Standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Application and analysis of research methods in OT; critical analysis of occupational science and occupational therapy research for evidence based practice.
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OTS 450. OBP: Orthopedics. (3 Credits)
A Prerequisites: Junior Standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Evaluation and intervention of clients with orthopedic diagnoses. Applying prevention, compensation, and remediation including transfers, orthotics, and assistive technology to support occupational performance.
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OTS 460. OBP: Older Adults. (3 Credits)
A Prerequisites: Junior Standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Evaluation and intervention related to the health of older adult clients in community, home, and medically-based contexts including cognition, vision, and behavioral health to support occupational performance.
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OTS 470S. Advocacy and Ethics in OT. (3 Credits)
A. Prerequisites: Junior Standing and B.S in Occupational Science majors only. Participatory experiences in the application of advocacy and ethics through supporting evidence to advance occupational justice, health and wellness within the community. Some travel within the community and the Commonwealth is required.
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OTS 475. Special Topics in Occup Scien. (1-3 Credits)
A. Prerequisite: permission of department. May be retaken under different subtopics for a total of 6 credits. Advanced study of selected topics in occupational science.
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OTS 478. OT in Health Care Systems. (3 Credits)
A. Prerequisite: ENG 102 or 102R, 105(B), or HON 102. An introduction to the history of health care systems, models of health care, and contemporary health policy issues and trends. Includes content on financing, professional roles, and ethics related to health care. Credit will not be awarded for both OTS 478 and OTS 478W.
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OTS 479. Equine Assisted Activity. (3 Credits)
A. Explores equine assisted activity, therapeutic horseback riding, equine facilitated mental health, and hippotherapy. Content includes supervised service learning experiences with individuals of varying ages and conditions in a horse-related environment.
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OTS 479S. Equine Assisted Activity. (3 Credits)
A. Explores equine assisted activity, therapeutic horseback riding, equine facilitated mental health, and Hippotherapy. Content includes supervised service learning experiences with individuals of varying ages and conditions in a horse related environment. Credit will not be awarded for both OTS 479 and 479S.
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OTS 499. Constructs of Occupation. (6 Credits)
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OTS 515. Early Child Sensorimotor Development. (3 Credits)
A. Provides an overview of normal sensorimotor development in infants and young children. Includes contrasting normal/ abnormal development and application of appropriate developmental tasks. Laboratory experiences will be provided.
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OTS 520. Providing Health Services in Appalachia. (3 Credits)
A. Cross listed as APP 520. Prerequisite: departmental approval. An analysis of development and delivery of health care services in Appalachia. Examination of relevant current and historical factors which have an impact on the health of Appalachian people. Credit will not be awarded to students who have credit for APP 520.
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