Larry Snyder, Interim Head
615-963-5891
Faculty: P. Gailey, D. Smart, L.Snyder
General Statement: Occupational Therapy is skilled treatment that
helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives.
Occupational Therapy gives people the "skills for the job of living"
necessary for independent and satisfying lives. Services typically include:
- Customized treatment programs to improve one's ability to perform daily activities
- Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations
- Performance skills assessments and treatment
- Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training
- Guidance to family members and caregivers
About Occupational Therapy Practitioners
Occupational Therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education
includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on
the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury. The
occupational therapist enters the field with a bachelors, masters, or
doctoral degree. “Practitioners work in a variety of systems including
health care, education, academic, governmental, social, and corporate
settings” (http://www.aota.org/featured/area6).
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, “Students today
can look forward to dynamic careers working in multiple settings with people
of all ages. And the employment outlook for occupational therapists is
bright!” Recent information published by the U.S. Department of Labor's
Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that the job outlook for occupational
therapists will improve substantially in the next several years and will
continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Specifically, it states that:
“Employment of occupational therapists is expected to increase faster than
the average for all occupations through 2010," meaning that employment is
expected to increase by 21-35% (http://www.aota.org/featured/area2/links/link10.asp).
Individuals interested in learning more about a career in Occupational
Therapy are encouraged to contact the American Occupational Therapy
Association (AOTA) at (301) 652-AOTA.
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
Entering freshman and transfer students must meet Tennessee State University
admission standards and have cumulative, science, and prerequisite grade
point averages of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Acceptance into the
pre-professional phase of the program does not ensure acceptance in the
professional phase and is not prerequisite to acceptance.
Acceptance into the professional program (junior and senior year courses) is
the result of a competitive process separate from, and in addition to,
admission to the University. Minimum requirements for application to
professional student status include:
- Admission to Tennessee State University
- Successful completion of all prerequisite courses with minimum cumulative, science, and prerequisite GPAs of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Proof, (official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended) of course completion must be provided prior to entrance into the professional component of the program.
- Submission of the completed APPLICATION TO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY postmarked no later than January 31 to be considered for entry into the professional program.
NOTE: A personal interview may be conducted as part of the admissions process. Completion of minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview with the Admissions Committee nor acceptance into the professional phase of the program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to have a minimum of 45 hours in volunteer or work experience in Occupational Therapy.
RETENTION POLICY
In order to be retained in good standing in the Occupational Therapy
Program, the following standards must be met. Failure to maintain good
standing will result in dismissal from the program, but not from the
University. Because of the pending termination of the baccalaureate program
in 2006, no readmissions will be considered. Other disciplinary actions
established by the University may apply.
- Students must successfully complete all major field courses with a grade of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale. No major field courses, aside from fieldwork experiences, may be repeated. Students who do not pass a major field course must complete the degree requirements for another major.
- Students may repeat one 3000 level fieldwork course (OCCT 3814, 3914) or one 4000 level fieldwork course (OCCT 4474, 4734, 4744, 4754, 4764) only once. Failure to pass the second enrollment of a fieldwork course with a grade of 2.0 (C) will result in dismissal from the program.
- Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above.
- Students must register for Occupational Therapy courses each semester while in the program.
- Students must complete all degree requirements by the final day of classes in fall 2006 in order to sit for the national certification examination.
- Students must comply with the practice and academic policies established by the Program and institutions providing fieldwork experiences.
Additional Requirements
- Applicants accepted into the professional phase of the program are
required to submit a physician’s statement indicating satisfactory current
health status. If at any point in the program the student’s health status
changes, a physician’s statement that clears the student for full
participation or details any restrictions in participation in all
classroom or out of classroom activities must be provided to the program
director before resuming classes.
- In addition to Tennessee State University tuition and fees, students in the professional phase are responsible for providing health insurance, textbooks, prescribed uniforms, professional liability insurance, transportation to assigned clinical experiences, current certification in child and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and housing arrangements for clinical assignments outside of the Nashville area.
General Education Core Requirements (41 credit hours) including,
ENGL 1010, 1020; COMM 2200; ENGL Literature; Humanities/Fine Arts 6 hours;
PSYC 2010, Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 hours; HIST 2010, 2020; BIOL 1010,
1011, 1020, 1021 or BIOL 2210, 2211, 2220, 2221 (8 hours); MATH 1110.
Additional Required Courses (26 credit hours) HLSC 1000; HIMA 1040;
COMP 2010 or BISI 2150; PSYC 2180, 3210, 3510; OCCT 2140; CHEM 1110, 1111,
1120, 1121.
Professional Core Requirements: (minimum of 83 semester hours) OCCT
3010, 3050, 3110, 3120, 3121, 3140, 3141, 3160, 3161, 3200, 3300, 3400,
3401, 3420, 3500, 3501, 3550, 3600, 3650, 3814, 3914, 4000, 4101, 4450,
4460, 4474, 4700, 4730 4744, 4754 or 4764. (OCCT 3430, 3440 are elective
courses and cannot substitute for core requirements.)
Departmental Requirements: For a Bachelor of Science degree in
Occupational Therapy, students must complete a minimum of 150 semester
hours, (67 prerequisites and 83 professional course hours).
| Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy. | ||||
| FRESHMAN YEAR | ||||
| Fall Semester Courses | HR | Spring Semester Courses | HR | |
| HLSC 1000 | 1 | MATH 1110 | 3 | |
| BIOL 1010/1011or BIOL 2210/2211 | 3/1 | BIOL 1020/1021or BIOL 2220/2221 | 3/1 | |
| CHEM 1110/1111 | 4/0 | CHEM 1120/1111 | 4/0 | |
| ENGL 1010 | 3 | ENGL 1020 | 3 | |
| PSYC 2010 | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | 3 | 17 | ||
| 18 | ||||
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | ||||
| Fall Semester Courses | HR | Spring Semester Courses | HR | |
| HIST 2010 | 3 | HIST 2020 | 3 | |
| Computer Literacy | 3 | ENGL Literature | 3 | |
| HIMA 1040 | 3 | PSYC 2180 | 3 | |
| OCCT 2140 | 3 | PSYC 3210 | 3 | |
| PSYC 3510 | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| COMM 2200 | 3 | 15 | ||
| 18 | ||||
| JUNIOR YEAR | ||||
| Full Summer (10 Weeks) | HR |
Summer Session - Begins Professional Phase of Program |
||
| OCCT 3010 | 1 | |||
| OCCT 3110 | 7 | |||
| 8 | ||||
| Fall Semester Courses | HR | Spring Semester Courses | HR | |
| OCCT 3050 | 3 | OCCT 3160/3161 | 3/2 | |
| OCCT 3200 | 3 | OCCT 3400/3401 | 3/2 | |
| OCCT 3120/3121 | 3/1 | OCCT 3550 | 3 | |
| OCCT 3140/3141 | 3/1 | OCCT 3600 | 3 | |
| OCCT 3330 | 3 | OCCT 3814 | 1 | |
| 17 | 17 | |||
| SENIOR YEAR | ||||
| Summer Session | HR | |||
| OCCT 3420 | 3 | |||
| OCCT 3500/3501 | 3/2 | |||
| OCCT 3650 | 3 | |||
| OCCT 3914 | 1 | |||
| 12 | ||||
| Fall Semester Courses | HR | Spring Semester Courses | HR | |
| OCCT 4000 | 3 | OCCT 4744 | 6 | |
| OCCT 4101 | 2 | OCCT 4754/4764 | 6 | |
| OCCT 4450 | 3 | (Fieldwork Experience) | 12 | |
| OCCT 4460 | 2 | |||
| OCCT 4474 | 2 | |||
| OCCT 4700 | 3 | |||
| OCCT 4730 | 1 | |||
| 16 | ||||
ACCREDITATION
The Occupational Therapy undergraduate program is accredited by the
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), of the
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O.
Box 312020, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220, (301) 652-AOTA.
Beginning in 2007, ACOTE requirements dictate that all occupational therapy
practitioners must graduate with the minimum of a master’s degree.
Therefore, the last class of students being accepted to matriculate in the
undergraduate program in Occupational Therapy will be admitted summer 2004
and will graduate no later than December 2006. These students will be
eligible to sit for the certification examination offered by the National
Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) in 2007. After
successful completion of this examination, the individual will be an
Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) and will meet the educational
requirements for licensure in Tennessee and most other states that regulate
the practice of Occupational Therapy.
NOTE: A program leading to the master of occupational therapy is
proposed to begin enrollment in summer 2005.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Occupational Therapy (OCCT)
OCCT 2140 Principles of Motion (3). This course will provide students the
opportunity to learn the basic principles of motion so they may acquire a
sound basis, facilitating their subsequent work in OCCT 3140 (Biomechanics).
This course is designed to incorporate practice in relating scientific
principles and models to real world phenomena. (Formerly OT 214)
Prerequisite: MATH 1110.
OCCT 3010) Foundations in Occupational Therapy (1). Introduction to
occupational roles and the theoretical basis for using purposeful activity.
Includes history and development of the profession; personal ethics and
values, socio-cultural systems; and therapeutic use of self. (Formerly OT
301) Prerequisite: OCCT professional student status.
OCCT 3050 Health Maintenance and Wellness (3). This course provides a
holistic focus on health maintenance and prevention from an occupational
therapy perspective. Theoretical concepts are introduced and explored
through active learning strategies. An emphasis on group/team dynamics and
problem solving and study of emotional and physical daily living skills from
a personal perspective provides students with multiple opportunities for
insight into theory and health. (Formerly OT 305) Prerequisites: OCCT 3010,
3110.
OCCT 3110 Cadaver Anatomy (7). Study of the human body through laboratory
dissection and lecture. Includes musculoskeletal, skeletal, cardiovascular,
and neurological systems. (Formerly OT 311) Prerequisite: OCCT professional
student status.
OCCT 3120 Neurobiology (3). Study of structure and function of the human
nervous system including principles and concepts related to control of
physiological functions in normal and abnormal states. (Formerly OT 312)
Prerequisite: OCCT 3110.
OCCT 3121 Neurobiology Laboratory (1). Laboratory to be taken concurrently
with OCCT 3120. (Formerly OT 312L).
OCCT 3140 Biomechanics & Kinesiology (3). Laboratory course applying anatomy
and kinesiology to the evaluation of joint range of motion, muscle strength,
muscle tone and coordination, and construction and use of static hand
splints. (Formerly OT 314) Prerequisite: OCCT 3110.
OCCT 3141 Biomechanics Laboratory (1). Biomechanics laboratory to be taken
concurrently with OCCT 3140. (Formerly OT 314L).
OCCT 3160) Occupational Therapy Principles and Practice in Mental Health
(3). The study of interpersonal skills, self-expression, coping skills, time
management, and self-control, and to foster the psychosocial competencies of
the student. This course is part of the educational foundation for all
occupational therapy practice, regardless of the treatment setting,
including applications for physical disabilities. Students are also
introduced to specialization in mental health practice. Course includes
application of core and specialized knowledge of those individuals with a
diagnosis of mental illness for which psychopathologies impact the ability
to cope with and manage daily living roles and activities. (Formerly OT 316)
Prerequisites: PSYC 3210, 3510; OCCT 3010, 3050.
OCCT 3161 OT Psychosocial Laboratory (2). Laboratory to be taken
concurrently with OCCT 3160. (Formerly OT 316L).
OCCT 3200 Medical Conditions (3). The study of the etiology, prognosis
progression and medical management of major conditions that cause
difficulties in daily-living tasks for the individuals served by
occupational therapists. Emphasis is on teaching the thinking process
employed by occupational therapists to determine what occupational therapy
services as the individual patient/client needs. (Formerly OT 320)
Prerequisites: OCCT 3010, 3110.
OCCT 3300 Activity Processes (3). Therapeutic application of media
techniques, activity analysis, and teaching methods for individual and group
treatment. (Formerly OT 330) Prerequisite: OCCT 3010.
OCCT 3400 Physical Disabilities, Principles and Practice I (3). Study of
orthopedic conditions and evaluation and treatment techniques. (Formerly OT
340) Prerequisites: OCCT 3010, 3050, 3110, 3120, 3140, 3200.
OCCT 3401 Physical Disabilities Laboratory I (2). Laboratory course to be
taken concurrently with OCCT 3400. (Formerly OT 340L).
OCCT 3420 Special Topics in Development (3). Study of current topics in
adult development and their application in occupational therapy. (Formerly
OT 342) Prerequisites: PSYC 3210; OCCT 3050, 3160.
OCCT 3430 Upper Extremity Injuries and Orthotics (1). A laboratory course
teaching upper extremity pathology and orthotics; theory and fabrication.
This is an elective course (Formerly OT 343) Prerequisite: Permission of
Department Head.
OCCT 3440 Modalities in Occupational Therapy (1). A laboratory course
teaching theory and treatment procedures and applications of various
therapeutic modalities. This is an elective course. (Formerly OT 344)
Prerequisite: upper class status in occupational therapy professional
program.
OCCT 3500 Physical Disabilities Principles and Practice II (3). Course
devoted to theories and approaches to evaluation and treatment of adults
using the neurodevelopment, cognitive, and cognitive behavioral frames of
reference. It will include applications of positioning approaches, such as orthotics and seating, as well as physical agent modalities. Evaluation and
treatment are examined in content of time, environmental, cultural, and
social factors to promote successful adaptation to disability. (Formerly OT
350) Prerequisites: OCCT 3400, 3401.
OCCT 3501 Physical Disabilities Lab II. (2) Laboratory course to be taken
concurrently with OCCT 3500. (Formerly OT 350L).
OCCT 3550 Organization and Administration (3) An introductory course on the
business of health care and managerial skills. Topics include: health care
reform, administration, planning, financial management, marketing policies
and procedures, clinical supervision, OCCT ethics and standards of practice
and role delineations. (Formerly OT 355) Prerequisite: Permission of
Department Head.
OCCT 3600 Assistive Technology in Rehabilitation and Education (3). Lecture
laboratory based introduction to the use of computers, adaptive technology
and software as applicable to individuals with disabilities. (Formerly OT
360) Prerequisite: COMP 2010 or BISI 2150.
OCCT 3650 Community Practice (3) Fundamentals of community practice,
consultation and use of community resources. Exploration of non-traditional
community settings, goal writing and funding. (Formerly OT 365)
Prerequisite: Permission of Department Head.
OCCT 3814 Clinical Practicum II (1). Weekly seminar and 40 hours of clinical
experience in a setting in which the biomechanical and/or rehabilitative
frames of reference are used. Skills in documentation and professional
behavior are enhanced, as appropriate to these settings. (Formerly OT 381)
Prerequisites or corequisites: OCCT 3400, 3401.
OCCT 3914 Physical Disabilities II Clinical Practicum (1). Weekly seminar
and 40 hours of clinical experience in a setting in which the neurodevelopmental and cognitive/ cognitive behavioral frames of reference
are used. Skills in documentation and professional behavior are further
refined, as appropriate to these settings. (Formerly OT 391) Prerequisites
or corequisites: OCCT 3500, 3501.
OCCT 4000 Occupational Therapy Principles III (3). Study of various
developmental disabilities, their impact on family and social systems, and
occupational therapy theory and treatment. (Formerly OT 400) Prerequisites: OCCT 3500, 3501.
OCCT 4101 Occupational Therapy Practice III (2). Laboratory practice of
occupational therapy assessments and intervention techniques for individuals
with developmental disabilities. (Formerly OT 410) Corequisite: OCCT 4000.
OCCT 4450 Community Mental Health (3) This course includes the study of
psychological dysfunction throughout the life span, including child and
family issues and issues that arise for people functioning in community
settings. (Formerly OT 445) Prerequisites: OCCT 3050, 3160, 3161, 3650.
Corequisites: OCCT 4460, 4474.
OCCT 4460 Community Mental Health Practice (2). This course will encompass
the study of psychosocial factors affecting one’s overall health and ability
to function within the community and society. This course will also study
the psychosocial factors that impact health throughout the life span. (Formerly OT 446) Prerequisites: OCCT 3050, 3160, 3161, 3650 Corequisites:
OCCT 4450, 4474.
OCCT 4474) Community Mental Health Practicum (2). Students participate in a
community-based fieldwork experience where they have opportunities to work
with individuals of various ages, ranging from childhood to late adulthood,
and with psychosocial and/or physical illness or disability. This course
will provide experience in applying the holistic perspective of occupational
therapy. (Formerly OT 447) Prerequisites: OCCT 3050, 3160, 3161, 3650.
Corequisites: OCCT 4450, 4460.
OCCT 4700 Senior Project (3). This course provides an opportunity to
students to plan and implement either a research project or special project.
The project development and implementation will be supported by course
material including research design, human subject review protocol, and
analysis of other occupational therapists related work. (Formerly OT 470)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
OCCT 4730 Clinical Practicum III (1). Level I field experience within a
pediatric setting. includes 1 hour seminar and 30-40 hours working with a
person with a developmental disability. (Formerly OT 473) Prerequisite or corequisite: OCCT 4000, 4001.
OCCT 4744 Field Work Experience (6). 12 weeks of full-time supervised
clinical experience in a hospital, clinical or other center-based facility
approved by the Department. The supervision should be provided by a
registered occupational therapist with at least one year of experience. (Formerly OT 474) Prerequisites: Completion of all other degree requirements
and permission of Department Head.
OCCT 4754 Field Work Experience (6). 12 weeks of full-time supervised
fieldwork experience in a community based or psychosocial practice setting
approved by the Department Head. A minimum of six hours of supervision is
required by a registered occupational therapist, with at least one year of
experience, in a community setting. However, full-time supervision by a
registered occupational therapist, with at least one year of experience, is
required in an outpatient medical setting. (Formerly OT 475) Prerequisite:
Completion of OCCT 4744 or concurrent enrollment.
OCCT 4764 Field Work Experience (6). 12 weeks of full-time supervised
fieldwork experience in a pediatric, educational, or family centered model
approved by the Department Head. The supervision should be provided by a
registered occupational therapist with at least one year of experience. (Formerly OT 476) Prerequisite: Completion of OCCT 4744 or concurrent
enrollment.