Misericordia University

Catalog - Table of Index

Occupational Therapy Major

College of Health Sciences
Degree MS, Occupational Therapy
Department Chair Ellen McLaughlin, EdD, OTR/L
Coordinator, Weekend Program: Gwen Bartolacci, OTD, OTR/L

Faculty and Staff

Gwen Bartolacci, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, AS Mount Aloysious College; BS University of North Dakota; MS The Pennsylvania State University; OTD Nova Southeastern University

Joseph A. Cipriani, Professor of Occupational Therapy, BA Wilkes College; BS College Misericordia; MA Wichita State University; EdD Nova Southeastern University

Grace S. Fisher, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy; BA Wilkes University, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate University of Pennsylvania; MS College Misericordia; EdD Temple University

Amy Lynch, Coordinator of Post Professional Pediatric Certificate, BS, Gettysburg College; MS Tuft’s University

Ellen McLaughlin, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, BS, MS College Misericordia; EdD Rutger‘s University

Lalit J. Shah, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, BS University of Bombay; MS College Misericordia; EdD, Nova Southeastern University

Dawn Evans, Academic Coordinator of Fieldwork Education, BS, College Misericordia

Since 1985, the occupational therapy department has been preparing occupational therapy practitioners to utilize theory-based, occupation-focused assessment and intervention strategies to assist the individual in improving functional performance. Recently, the curriculum has been updated to reflect the three themes of occupation, evidence based-practice and community based practice. Successful completion of the program results in a professional master of science degree in occupational therapy. Graduates of the program can expect to practice successfully in a variety of traditional and non-traditional health care delivery models with clients across the lifespan.

Two entry options are available. The weekday program is five years in length and is traditionally selected by recent high school graduates. The weekend program utilizes a three-year model, with classes meeting on alternating weekends year round. This program is specifically designed for COTAs and those individuals already possessing a baccalaureate degree in another discipline.

The five-year weekday program combines the foundation of a liberal arts education with professional occupational therapy coursework to produce a holistic practitioner who has a strong background in the use of occupation and critical inquiry skills to advance the profession. Students achieve a bachelor’s degree in health science along with the master of science in occupational therapy degree. Opportunities exist to complete a bachelor of science degree in psychology, as well as a minor or certificate in several other areas of study, including a pediatric specialization.. This provides additional flexibility to the student who chooses to gain expertise to enhance the educational preparation within occupational therapy.

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, 4720 Montgomery Avenue, PO Box 31220, Bethesda, MD, 20814-3425, (301) 652-2682. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the occupational therapy examination given by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Successful candidates are able to apply for occupational therapy licensure in the state chosen for employment.

Mission
The mission of the occupational therapy department at Misericordia University is to provide an environment that reflects the values and attitudes of justice, mercy, service, and hospitality. The Trinity of Learning is exemplified by experiences in core courses in the liberal arts, the occupational therapy curriculum, and a variety of service-related experiences. We strive to provide quality education through high academic standards, an emphasis on understanding human occupation, and an emphasis on evidencebased practice; aim to offer outstanding professional preparation through specialty tracks and choices of undergraduate majors and minors directly related to the profession of occupational therapy; and work to serve others through an emphasis on volunteering and service learning experiences. We strive to provide educational opportunities in formats that are accessible to both entry-level and post-professional students through our weekday, weekend, and post-professional programs. Our ultimate mission is to help students become competent, responsible and involved professionals within their communities.

Philosophy
The individual is a holistic, dynamic system that consists of biological, psychological, sociocultural and spiritual dimensions in interaction with the environment. Occupations are the primary means for individuals to interact with their environment. Occupations are the organizing elements that influence our perceptions and actions in an individualistic and emergent fashion.

The individual possesses an innate drive to explore and accommodate to their environment that is essential to human existence, not only as a means of survival, but also as enabling the process of self actualization (AOTA, 2003). The drive toward action when channeled into occupation is fundamental to development, health, adaptation and satisfaction.

Occupational performance reflects the individual’s dynamic experience of engaging in daily occupations within the environment (Law & Baum, 1994). It includes the ability to adapt, cope with the challenges of daily living, and fulfill age specific life roles through goal directed meaningful occupations. The interpersonal relationships within an occupational context also influence performance. Dysfunction in occupational performance is an individually determined state of being defined at any one time by personal, social, and cultural variables (Fidler, 1996). Occupational therapy is the use and application of occupation and interventions to create a balanced lifestyle of occupational performance from the consumers' perspective. These interventions are based on a critical analysis of clinically relevant evidence and research literature. Occupational therapy prevents occupational dysfunction, and maintains, promotes and restores health and occupational performance through engagement in occupation and the use of compensatory, technological and environmental adaptation and modification (Practice Framework, 2002). The therapeutic relationship between consumer and therapist enhances occupational performance.

The education of the occupational therapy student is guided by several beliefs. We believe that individuals construct knowledge based on their unique interpretation of meaningful experiences. Education is not a product to be delivered, but rather is a process to be facilitated with each student. Faculty can encourage the construction of knowledge by setting the stage for meaningful interactions, reflections, and experiences (Howard, et al, 2000), however students are the architects of their own learning. The role of the student is to actively engage in occupations during the learning process, engage in self assessment and collaborate with other students in an increasingly self-directed manner. Involvement of the student in community based initiatives that reflect the values of mercy and service lead to the development of role emergent and creative professionals who are capable of taking the initiative to respond to the needs of their clients and communities. Engaging students in contribution’s that add to the profession’s body of knowledge provide a means for them to be developers of knowledge rather than merely recipients of information. Through this guided process, the student develops the ability to critically think, develop professional behaviors and integrate the skills necessary to become a life-long learner.

Goals and Objectives

Demonstrate skills necessary to participate in designing and implementing a beginning-level research project.
Describe the process an occupational therapist would use to engage in evidence based practice (EBP).
Demonstrate the usage of evidence based practice.
Recognize and respect the significance that incorporating EBP has for individual OT practitioners when interacting with their clients.
Demonstrate and analyze the role and importance of participation in occupation throughout the life span.
Assess client needs via an occupational profile and an occupational performance analysis.
Identify, analyze and apply major tenets from the discipline of occupational science.
Plan and implement occupation-based occupational therapy intervention programs that are culturally relevant, reflective of current occupational therapy practice and supported with appropriate theoretical perspectives.
Design and critique programs that promote access to occupational therapy and provide services for individuals, groups and populations, especially the underserved.
Demonstrate management and leadership skills that are applicable to a variety of practice settings.
Design creative and entrepreneurial ideas for occupational therapy services.
Demonstrate skilled collaboration and consultation when dealing with others in the community.
Evaluate the process for securing potential funding for pilot, start-up and on-going programs for occupational therapy.
Discuss and evaluate ongoing professional development to ensure a level of practice consistent with current and accepted standards.
Discuss major historical events and their influence on occupational therapy theory, models and practice.

Admissions
Students with a diverse background of extracurricular activity, leadership positions, an appreciation for the relevance that occupation plays in their individual lives and who meet the following criteria will be considered for the Occupational Therapy Program:

Weekday five-year professional entry level master's degree:

High school science background required in biology and mathematics; physics recommended
Minimum of 2.5 Cumulative High School GPA
1,000 SAT score and/or top 20th percentile in class ranking
Two letters of reference (at least 1 from an occupational therapist is highly recommended)
A full day (6-8 hours) of documented service in a health care setting with an occupational therapist by the beginning of studies.
Submission of a 500 word, typed statement of personal and professional goals
On a space-available basis, students who do not meet the minimum criteria for SAT or class rank will have their applications competitively reviewed. Individuals selected then need to be successfully interviewed by an occupational therapy faculty member
COTAs must submit evidence of current NBCOT certification
If a COTA, one year of full-time employment as a COTA is recommended.

Transfer into the Weekday five-year professional entry level master's degree:
Misericordia University accepts a limited number of transfer students into the weekday five year entrylevel master’s degree program. Transfer students are typically admitted at the first year or sophomore level of this program. Transfer admission into the sophomore level occurs only when space is available. Transfer credits are evaluated on an individual basis by the registrar. The following criteria is applied in a competitive process::

Minimum 2.8 college/university cumulative GPA (if GPA is based on less than 30 credits, a 1,000 minimum SAT score is also required)
Two letters of reference (at least one from an occupational therapist is highly recommended).
A full day (6-8 hours) of documented service in a health care setting with an occupational therapist by the beginning of studies.
Submission of a 500-word typed statement of personal and professional goals

Weekend College Professional Entry Level Master's Degree
Students who meet the following criteria will be considered for admission:

A baccalaureate degree in another discipline from an accredited program with a minimum of a 2.8 Cumulative Grade Point Average
A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant who has graduated from an accredited program with minimum of a 2.80 cumulative grade point average

Admissions candidates are required to submit:

Two letters of reference (at least one from an occupational therapist is highly recommended).
A full day (6-8 hours) of documented service in a health care setting with an occupational therapist by the beginning of studies.
Submission of a 500-word, typed statement of personal and professional goals.
Successful interview with an occupational therapy faculty member. All applications are competively reviewed prior to this phase.
COTAs must submit evidence of current NBCOT certification, with one year of employment as a COTA highly desirable.

Fieldwork
Fieldwork education is an integral part of the occupational therapy curriculum. Through various experiences in traditional and non-traditional settings, students learn about and participate in the occupational therapy process. The academic coordinator of fieldwork education arranges all fieldwork placement. Students are responsible for all costs incurred that are associated with fieldwork including but not limited to living arrangements, transportation, and meals.

Related Expenses
school patches, and a certification examination fee. Students are required to purchase an online practice examination, which will be added to fees for the final year of the program. As part of professional development, students are expected to become members of the American Occupational Therapy Association and are encouraged to become members of the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (each Association has reduced student rates; details are available in the occupational therapy office). Students entering the program are required to join the American Occupational Therapy Association, with membership added to student fees. Attendance at professional conferences is encouraged as students continue their lifelong commitment to learning. Students should plan on regular use of a computer for course communications and assignments. There are several state-of-the-art computer laboratories on campus.

Retention
Retention requirements for the occupational therapy program can be found in the occupational therapy program guide. Retention criteria for overall GPA, major GPA, and individual course grade minimums vary at different levels of the program. Refer to the occupational therapy program guide for details.

Degree and Options
Upon successful completion of all requirements students in the weekday program and COTAs in the weekend program are issued a BS in health sciences and a MS in occupational therapy. Students with bachelors’ degrees upon admission to the programs take relevant courses to be issued an MS in occupational therapy. There are several options available to students primarily in the weekday program for their undergraduate degree. Students can earn an undergraduate major in psychology by taking five additional courses in the spaces below marked “free electives,” plus doing some of their fieldwork in a psychiatric setting. A specialization in pediatrics is also offered to students in the traditional weekday program. Minors in several disciplines are also options. Finally, minors are

Sequence of Required Courses - Weekday Program

First Year

First Semester	Total Credits	16	Second Semester	Total Credits	16
PHY 107	Intro. Physics I	4	PHY 108	Intro. Physics II	4
MTH	Bank I	3	SOC 101	Comparative Sociology	3
PSY 123	Intro. to Psych.	3	MTH 115	Basic Statistics I	3
OT 103	Intro. to O.T.	3		Eng Core	3
	Eng Core	3		His or Pol Sci Core	3

Sophomore Year

First Semester	Total Credits	16	Second Semester	Total Credits	16
BIO 211	Anatomy & Physiology	4	BIO 212	Anatomy & Physiology	4
OT 205	Occupations I	3	OT 275	Occupations II	3
OT 220	Dimensions of Human Perf. I	2	OT 221	Dimensions of Human Perf. II	2
SWK 285	Communication Skills	3	OT 335	Context and Environment	3
OT 320	Impairments & Disabilities	3	PSY 290	Psychopathology	3

Junior Year

First Semester	Total Credits	16	Second Semester	Total Credits	16
OT 312	Applied Functional Anatomy	5	OT 313	Applied Neuroscience	5
OT 330	Conc. Foundations of O.T.	3	OT 520	Research Design in O.T.	3
OT 405	Occ. Performance Analysis	3	OT 410	Community based Practice I	2
OT 407	Clinical Skills	3	OT 510	Adult/Geriatric Occupational Performance Interventions I	4
	Elective	3		Religion Core	3

Senior Year

First Semester	Total Credits	16	Second Semester	Total Credits	17
OT 511	Adult/Geriatric Occupational Performance Interventions II	4	OT 512	Pediatric Occupational Performance Interventions II	4
OT 411	Community Based Practice II	1	OT 412	Community Based Practice III	1
OT 433	Evidence Based Practice in OT I	2		HIS Core	3
	PHL Core	3	OT 690	Research Project I	3
	HIS Core	3		PHL Core	3
	Elective	3		Elective	3

Graduate Year

First Semester	Total Credits	14	Second Semester	Total Credits	17
OT 601	Level II Fieldwork I	6	OT 570	Management & Entrepreneurship	3
OT 602	Level II Fieldwork II	6	OT 630	O.T. Issues & Trends	3
OT 633	Evidence Based Practice in OT II	2	OT 695	Research Project II	3
				Fine Arts Core	3
				Religion Core	3
				Elective	3

Total required for graduation 160 credits

Core curriculum sequence is suggested and may be adjusted in the event of scheduling conflicts.

Three-year Entry-level BS to MS Program

Weekend Program

Sequence of Required Courses - Weekend Program
The weekend program utilizes a three-year model, with classes meeting on alternating weekends year round. This program is specifically designed for individuals who possess a baccalaureate degree in another discipline. COTAs may meet the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in health sciences by completing the prerequisite year and the first year of the professional curriculum. The weekend program presents professional occupational therapy coursework in an adult learning model to produce a holistic practitioner who has a strong background in the use of occupation and critical inquiry skills to advance the profession. Some courses include the use of WEB CT as a distance learning component, with reduced face to face meeting time.

Prerequisite Year for Individuals with an Associate Degree

First Semester	Total Credits	13	Second Semester	Total Credits	10
BIO 211	Anatomy & Physiology I	4	BIO 212	Anatomy & Physiology II	4
PSY 290	Psychopathology	3		PHL Core	3
	ENG Core	3		RLS Core	3
	HIS Core	3
Summer	Total Credits	13
MTH 115		3
PHY 107		4
	FA Core	3
	Elective	3

First Year Professional Curriculum

First Semester	Total Credits	9	Second Semester	Total Credits	9
OT 103	Intro to OT	3	OT 205	Occupations I	3
OT 220	Human Development	3	OT 221	Human Development II	3
OT 320	Impairments & Disabilities	3	SWK 285	Communication Skills	3
Summer	Total Credits	10
OT 275	Occupations II	3
OT 330	Conceptual Foundations	3
OT 312	Functional Anatomy	4

Second Year Professional Curriculum

First Semester	Total Credits	10	Second Semester	Total Credits	9
OT 313	Applied Neuroscience	4	OT 410	Community-Based Practice I	2
OT 405	Occupational Performance	3	OT 510	Adult/Geriatric Occupational
	Analysis		Performance Interventions I	4
OT 407	Clinical Skills	3	OT 520	Research Design in OT	3
Summer	Total Credits	10
OT 335	Contextual Influences on
	Performance	3
OT 411	Community-Based Practice II	1
OT 433	Evidence-Based Practice in OT I	2
OT 511	Adult/Geriatric Occupational
	Performance Interventions II	4

Third Year Professional Curriculum

First Semester	Total Credits	8	Second Semester	Total Credits	14
OT 412	Community-Based Practice III	1	OT 601	Level II Fieldwork I	6
OT 512	Pediatric Occupational		OT 602	Level II Fieldwork II	6
	Performance Interventions	4	OT 633	Evidence-Based Practice in OT II	2
OT 690	Research Project 1	3
Summer	Total Credits	8
OT 570	Management & Entrepreneurship in OT	3
OT 630	OT Issues and Trends	2
OT 695	Research Project II	3

WEC students must complete the following prerequisite (cognate) classes before enrolling in an OT course:

Credits and Course

4 credits - Bio 211 Anatomy & Physiology I
4 credits - Bio 212 Anatomy & Physiology II
3 credits - MTH 115 Statistics
3 credits - PSY 290 Psychopathology
3-4 credits - PHY 107 Intro to Physics (with Lab)

The occupational therapy department reserves the right to make changes in schedules, sequences, and policies as the need arises.

Occupational Therapy Course Descriptions (OT)