Occupational Science, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Occupational science, an evolving social science, is the study of human occupation. Occupational scientists study why and how we occupy our time through activity, organize ourselves through activity patterns and habits, respond to the context in which occupations occur, and create meaning through occupations.
Students may combine the study of human occupation with other areas of interest through electives or a minor, including but not limited to Horses, Humans and Health, Psychology, Child and Family Studies, Biology, Community Health, Gerontology, and Business. Students who apply for the Baccalaureate Degree in Occupational Science are expected to progress to the OTD program. However, some may choose other graduate education options or seek employment in non-credentialed health care, education or community positions. These careers may include case manager, independent living skills coordinator, activity coordinator, medical sales representative, senior citizen program coordinator, mental health associate, and job coach for persons with developmental disabilities.
The five themes of the occupational science curriculum are occupation, communication, critical thinking, leadership, and practice. Interwoven are the curriculum elements of concepts and knowledge, active community learning experiences, and authentic assessment and portfolio development. A value inherent in the curriculum model is that learning is optimal when educators guide student immersion in personally meaningful challenges that are processed in a supportive environment.
Graduates of the Occupational Science program meet the following outcomes:
- Identify occupational needs, and apply occupational science and occupational therapy concepts to self and others to promote participation in occupation.
- Utilize professional written, oral, and non-verbal communication to express the language and ideas of occupational science and occupational therapy.
- Critically read to analyze scholarly literature to understand the impact on healthcare, occupational science, and occupational therapy.
- Demonstrate professional behavior in the roles of student and advocate to begin to develop the identity of a doctorally prepared occupational therapist.
- Demonstrate knowledge of occupational science concepts and therapeutic use of self to engage in the occupational therapy process for individuals, groups, and populations.
- Explain concepts and roles in healthcare delivery models.
Admission and Progression Requirements
All students who are accepted by EKU’s Admission office and declare their major as Occupational Science are admitted to the University as pre-Occupational Science majors; however, admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the Occupational Science program. Admission is competitive and based on a review of the applicants’ academic history by the department’s Admission, Progression and Retention Committee. Students seeking consideration for admission to the Occupational Science program must meet the following requirements by May in the semester preceding the Fall semester start of the program:
- Completion of 60 hours of coursework, including prerequisites courses
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or above
- A minimum of 4 “B”s and 1 “C” in the following prerequisite courses or their equivalents
Course List Code Title Hours BIO 307 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 3 BIO 308 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 3 HSA 200 Medical Terminology 3 STA 215 Introduction to Statistical Reasoning 3 or STA 270 Applied Statistics PSY 200 Introduction to Psychology 3 - Completion of the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT)
- Three completed recommendation forms
- Application with personal statement
Application to the Occupational Science Program does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
Students seeking admission to the Occupational Science program must follow this process:
- By April 15th prior to progressing to the Occupational Science program, all students must submit an Application for Admission to the Department Chair.
- Transfer students, including 2nd degree pathway students, must be fully admitted to the University by April 15th to be considered for admission to the Occupational Science Program. Students are responsible for submitting their official transcripts to the Office of the Registrar.
- Based on a competitive admissions review, students will be informed of admission to the Occupational Science program after Spring semester grades are posted.
- Students accepted to the Occupational Science program will then be allowed to register for classes in the program.
To progress in the program, all required major and support courses in the first professional year of the program must be completed with a grade of “B” or better, with the exception of BIO 271 and BIO 371 which must be completed with a grade of “C” or better for progression.
To graduate and progress to the OTD program, BIO 271 and BIO 371 must be completed with a grade of “C” or better and all other all required major and support courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better as well as completion of general education and university requirements for graduation. Students must also successfully complete a summative Annual Competency at the end of Professional Years 1 and 2. Following the Professional Year 1 Annual Competency, students will formulate and initiate an Annual Competency Self-reflection and Action Plan to enact throughout Professional Year 2. If the student does not remediate the noted areas of concern during Professional Year 2, they will not advance to the OTD program.
For additional admission information please refer to the Selection Criteria at http://www.ot.eku.edu/
Completion of the undergraduate program in Occupational Science does not guarantee admission into the graduate program in Occupational Therapy. Students must meet Department and Graduate School requirements to progress. Refer to the Graduate Catalog for admission requirements and procedures regarding application to the OTD program.
Appeals
Students may petition for a waiver of any regulations. Appeals regarding waiver of a regulation should be addressed to the Admissions and Progression Committee. Grade Appeals should be addressed to the Academic Practices Committee. See the University Student Handbook for details of the appeal procedures.
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 51.2306
Summary Checklist for General Education
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Element 1 | ||
| A: Written Communication | 3 | |
| B: Written Communication | 3 | |
| C: Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Element 2 | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Element 3 | ||
| A: Arts | 3 | |
| B: Humanities | 3 | |
| Element 4 | ||
| Natural Sciences | 6 | |
| Element 5 | ||
| A: Historical Science | 3 | |
| B: Social Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Element 6 | ||
| Diversity of Perspectives Experiences | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Students are expected to complete Elements 1 and 2 within their first 60 hours of college credit.
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Graduation Requirements | ||
| Waived for 2nd degree pathway students | ||
| General Education | 36 | |
| Student Success Seminar | ||
| HSO 100 | Student Success Seminar (waived for transfers with 30+ hrs.) | 1 |
| Upper division courses (42 hrs. distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Gen Ed/Free Electives categories) | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| OTS 300 | Foundation in Occupation I | 3 |
| OTS 313 | Occupation in Diverse Contexts | 3 |
| OTS 321 | Occupation Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| OTS 322 | Impact of Conditions on Occupation | 3 |
| OTS 340 | Foundations in Occupations II | 3 |
| OTS 360 | Designing Occupations | 3 |
| OTS 362 | Kinesiology for Occupation | 3 |
| OTS 400 | Research Methods in OT I | 3 |
| OTS 420 | Neuroscience and Occupation | 3 |
| OTS 430 | Occupational Therapy Assessment | 3 |
| OTS 478W | 3 | |
| OTS 440 | Research Methods in OT II | 3 |
| OTS 450 | OBP: Orthopedics | 3 |
| OTS 460 | OBP: Older Adults | 3 |
| OTS 470S | Advocacy and Ethics in OT | 3 |
| Supporting Course Requirements | 18-19 | |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
| Advanced Human Anatomy | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| Neuroanatomy | ||
| Medical Terminology | ||
| Introduction to Psychology (Element 5B) G | ||
or PSY 200W | Introduction to Psychology: Writing Intensive | |
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Choose from one of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Reasoning (Element 2) G | ||
| Applied Statistics (Element 2) G | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Choose from 19-20 hours of free electives | 19-20 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- G
Course also satisfies a General Education element. Hours are included within the 36 hr. General Education requirement above.
Due to the transition from the Masters to the Doctorate, transfer students who are accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Science program as juniors for the 19/20 or 20/21 academic year must refer to their advisor and degree audit for the appropriate curriculum.