Occupational Therapy (MSOT)

Dominican University of California offers a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree for students entering at the graduate level.

Occupational Therapy Overview

Occupational therapists are licensed health professionals who help people of all ages, with and without disabilities, do the things that are important to them in their daily lives. Occupational therapists work in hospitals, clinics, schools, business, industry, and community settings, serving persons of all ages with developmental, physical, psychiatric, or behavioral disabilities. Occupational therapists also promote health and help prevent disease and disability through occupation-centered interventions and environmental adaptations.

Occupation is a universal human process with physical, social, temporal, and spiritual dimensions. Through active engagement in valued activities, humans evolve, change, and adapt to injury, illness, developmental delay, or less than optimal social conditions may require that humans modify their daily occupations to achieve satisfying lives. Occupational therapists help people regain function through occupation.

Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Curriculum Themes and Design

Curricular Themes

The following curricular themes articulate our beliefs about occupation and occupational therapy, and help shape the focus of our curriculum:

1. Effective occupational therapy practice is occupation-based and client-centered.
   Occupations are freely chosen and unique to each individual or group served by the occupational therapists. Skilled occupational therapy practice is collaborative, creative, and client-centered.
2. Excellent occupational therapy practice is research-driven and evidence-based.
   Effective occupational therapy practice is theoretically grounded, based on strong scientific evidence, and supported by research and scholarship.
3. Psychosocial dimensions of human performance are fundamental to all aspects of occupation and occupational therapy practice.
   Inter and intrapersonal aspects of meaning, motivation, emotions, and relationships influence occupational behavior in all humans. Disruptions to normal occupational patterns elicit emotional and psychological responses that must be understood and addressed for effective therapy to take place.
4. Social, cultural, and political contexts significantly shape occupational performance.
   Human occupations reflect diverse social and cultural roles, beliefs, values, and traditions. People’s occupations are shaped by the opportunities afforded or denied them in social, cultural, and political contexts. Understanding diverse cultural perspectives is an essential element of occupational therapy practice.
5. Occupations take place in communities
   Occupations take place in communities. Community is a binding force in our society. In communities, we construct the meaning of our lives through engagement in occupations. Occupational therapists promote health, wellness and full community engagement for persons with and without disabilities.

Curriculum Design

The MSOT curriculum is a three-year course of study for individuals with a degree in another field. The concept of adaptation is viewed as a continuum from exploration, to competence, achievement, and mastery, and is used to organize the occupational therapy curriculum.

Year One: Exploration

Exploration of the profession of occupational therapy, including the history, philosophy, theory, and foundational concepts of the profession. Psychosocial aspects of occupation and occupations of adults and seniors are studied. Students begin Level One fieldwork, applying the knowledge gained in coursework to working with clients in community and clinical settings.

Year Two: Competence

Students continue gaining competence in diverse practice areas and settings including occupations of children and adolescents, and apply previously learned concepts of occupational performance, adaptation, clinical reasoning, and environmental modification to resolve problems for clients in community and clinical settings. At the conclusion of the Spring semester, students undertake their first Level Two fieldwork. Individual placements are determined with the fieldwork coordinator.

Year Three: Achievement

Students complete capstone and community program development projects. A professional issues course supports the students’ transition to practice. Special topics courses offer opportunities for increased breadth or depth in selected topics. Students complete a second Level Two fieldwork during the Spring semester, and a third fieldwork experience is strongly recommended.

Post-Graduation: Mastery

As students enter professional practice, they continue their professional development through continuing education and involvement in professional organizations at the local, state and national level. Mastery is achieved through professional practice, experience, reflection, and commitment.

Upon satisfactory completion of the occupational therapy curriculum and all required fieldwork experiences, students are eligible to take the national certifying examination offered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Occupational therapy is licensed in California and qualified individuals may contact the state licensing board for information on obtaining licensure. Please note that prior felony convictions may affect the ability to become certified or licensed.

The Occupational Therapy Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). For more information, contact:

ACOTE
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
Tel: (301) 652-6611
www.acoteonline.org

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation from the occupational therapy program at Dominican University of California, the student will:

1. Possess knowledge based on a broad foundation in the liberal arts and sciences that will support an understanding of occupations across the lifespan and in varied settings with diverse populations.
2. Articulate an understanding of the history and philosophy of occupational therapy, and the role of occupation in promoting health and preventing disease and disability.
3. Understand and apply theories of human occupation as they relate to the profession of occupational therapy.
4. Demonstrate the ability to use standardized and non-standardized assessment instruments and strategies to gain a comprehensive appreciation of client strengths and the need for occupational therapy services.
5. Demonstrate the ability to design, deliver, and evaluate evidence-based, occupation and client-centered skilled interventions that promote optimal functioning for individuals and groups.
6. Consider and value diverse social, educational, cultural, and political systems that influence the occupational health of individuals and communities.
7. Apply principles of management and leadership to develop skills in the design and delivery of occupational therapy services in a variety of institutional and community settings.
8. Demonstrate the ability to understand and apply research to support evidence-based practice and develop the knowledge base of the profession.
9. Understand and demonstrate the ethics, values, and responsibilities of the occupational therapy profession, including self-directed learning, involvement in professional associations, and adherence to the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics.
10. Demonstrate the ability to apply previous knowledge to meet fieldwork requirements of the profession.