Post-Professional Masters Degree Program

Frequently Asked Questions (click here)

OT Students The Post-Professional Masters in Occupational Therapy is designed as a 30 credit graduate program with two tracks, an interdisciplinary and pediatric concentration. Students in all tracks of the program will complete a total of 30 graduate credits. These credits will be distributed among the following categories:

Theory and Core: 9 credits
Research: 9 credits

Concentration: 12 credits

This program is offered primarily in distance and intensive on-campus (5 day experiences) formats.

The concentration courses can be taken in a pediatric or interdisciplinary track. The pediatric track includes courses currently being offered in the Post-Professional Pediatric Certificate Program. This allows for students who are interested in later applying for the Masters Degree to transfer their graduate credits from the certificate program into the Post Professional Masters Degree program. The interdisciplinary track includes courses from a variety of departments including education, nursing, and organizational management.

Post Professional MS Program
30 Credit Program

An applicant who holds a baccalaureate degree in Occupational Therapy from a regionally accredited college or university must have Statistics as a prerequisite.

Two (2) Year Completion

Fall	Spring	Summer
Year 1	Year 1	Year 1
Specialization Class (3 cr)	OT 520 Research Methods (3 cr)	OT 690 Research Project I (3 cr)
		OT 570 Management (3 cr)
Year 2	Year 2	Year 2
OT 695 Research Project II (3 cr)	HP 670 Grant Writing (3 cr)	Specialization Class (3 cr)
Specialization Class (3 cr)	Specialization Class (3 cr)	OT 630 Issues & Trends OR HP 600 Adv. Practice Pediatric Issues & Trends (3 cr)

Specialization classes are offered each semester. A total of 4 specialization classes are required.

Three (3) Year Completion

Fall	Spring	Summer
Year 1	Year 1	Year 1
Specialization Class (3 cr)	OT 520 Research Methods (3 cr)	OT 690 Research Project I (3 cr)
Year 2	Year 2	Year 2
OT 695 Research Project II (3 cr)	HP 670 Grant Writing (3 cr)	OT 630 Issues & Trends OR HP 600 Adv. Practice Pediatric Issues & Trends
Year 3	Year 3	Year 3
Specialization Class (3 cr)	Specialization Class (3 cr)	OT 570 Management (3 cr)
		Specialization Class (3 cr)

SPRING 2013

OT 520 (77) RESEARCH DESIGN IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Course Description: This course presents the principles and processes involved in research. Qualitative and quantitative approaches are reviewed and analyzed relative to their strengths, limitations, and practical uses. The application of appropriate research methods to problems worthy of study is stressed. The student will complete a research proposal as part of this course.

Three on-campus weekend days and distance learning format in between weekends Spring semester. Sundays-1-5PM 1/20/13; 3/3/13; 4/21/13

HP 670 (70) GRANT WRITING
Course Description: This course is designed to provide an extensive overview of the grant writing process. Students will learn how to identify a funding need, develop a case for support, and research potential funding opportunities. The student will develop a comprehensive grant proposal that directly responds to an identified funding opportunity. The various components of a grant proposal are explored, including the introduction, problem statement, objectives, methodology, evaluation, budget, and summary sections. Strategies for persuasive writing techniques are presented.

Distance learning 1/14/13 through 5/1/13

*SPECIALIZATION CLASSES

HP 640 (77) *HAND AND UPPER EXTREMITY REHABILITATION
Course Description: This course offers students the opportunity to learn hand and upper extremity anatomy and physiology, orthotic fabrication skills and occupation-based treatment approaches to facilitate the healing process for those who suffer from upper extremity pathologies. The process of intervention which this course emphasizes includes: screening, assessment, formulation of intervention plans, treatment implementation, and discontinuation of services and documentation of services.

Three on-campus weekend days and distance learning format in between weekends Spring semester.
Saturdays 8am-5pm
1/26/13, 3/9/13, 4/20/13

HP 615 (70) *TREATMENT AND EVALUATION OF PEDIATRIC FEEDING ISSUES

HP 660 (77) *AUTISM & PDD: EVALUATION & INTERVENTION STRATEGIES

GCM 501-Online Course
Geriatric Care Management II - This course will cover an understanding of the continuum of care, providing for nutrition, senior community centers, adult day care, home health organizations, housing options, transferring from home to institutional settings, report writing, counseling and other related topics. Ethical and spiritual issue will also be completely addressed.

GCM 505-Online Course
Anatomy and Physiology of Aging - This online course provides an overview of the basic structure and functions of the human body, emphasizing anatomy and physiology. With this foundation, age-related characteristics and some dysfunctions associated with the aging process are studied. Students will utilize the tools of analysis, synthesis and evaluation to assess body functions and age related changes.

*INTERDISCIPLINARY TRACK

EDU 510: LEARNING*
Course Description: Relates major contemporary theories of education to current methods of teaching. Discusses how the theories and methods affect curriculum and curriculum decisions. Students create a project that relates theories and methods to curriculum decisions.

OM 500: ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR*
Course Description: Social and behavioral science approaches to the study of human activity in organizations. The course is designed to equip administrators with skills for managing interactions, differences and relationships in organizational settings.

OM 536: MARKETING MANAGEMENT*
Course Description: An analytical approach to the study of marketing issues. Focus is on influence of the market place and the marketing environment, on decision making in regard to the determination of the organization’s services, fee structures, channels and strategies of communication and the organization’s system for planning and controlling its marketing effort.

OM 538: PERSPECTIVES IN MANAGEMENT*
Course Description: This course focuses on the changing nature of management in response to new challenges in the internal and external managerial environment. Emphasis is placed on the problem-solving aspects of the managerial process. Special areas include globalization of the decision-making/problem-solving process, motivation for performance, and fostering an atmosphere for innovation and creativity.

Admissions Requirements:
The Post-Professional Masters degree program requires submission of the following information for admissions consideration:

NBCOT initial certification as an occupational therapist
College transcripts from all prior academic work
Basic Statistics course
Undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or higher
Statement of professional goals and how matriculation in the Post Professional Masters degree Program can contribute to those goals.
2 letters of reference

Students taking courses in the Pediatric Certificate Program who wish to move into the Post Professional Masters Degree Program should apply by the final semester of their 12 credit certificate, if they have not completed formal application prior to that point.

If students are not enrolled in the Pediatric Certificate Program, and they are interested in pursuing the Masters degree, they must formally apply to the Post Professional Masters Degree program after 6 credits of coursework.

Transferring in Courses:
Students in the Post Professional Masters Degree Program must take 30 graduate credits to receive the Masters of Science Degree. Credits transferable to this degree must be within the following guidelines:

All courses transferred in must be formally evaluated by the Registrar’s Office for transferability.
Students who have completed the Pediatric Certificate may apply the 12 credits toward the elective requirement of the post professional Masters. In all other instances, a maximum of 6 transfer credits will be accepted towards the 30 required for the Masters of Science degree.

Coordinator of the Post-Professional Programs

Ellen McLaughlin, EdD, OTR/L
Associate Professor
570-674-6399
E-mail

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I take to complete the Degree? The 30 credit Degree may be completed in as few as 2 years (5 semesters –completing 2 classes per semester) or up to a maximum of 3 years.
Can I take more than 1 class per semester? Yes, you may complete up to 3 classes per semester in the fall and spring and up to 4 classes in the summer.
When can I start? Students may begin any semester.
What kind of computer access do I need?
Technology-click here.
Can these courses be applied towards the 36 Professional Development Units required by NBCOT for Certification renewal? Many of the courses in the Master’s degree can be applied to the PDU’s required by NBCOT. According to NBCOT, all content being offered for PDU credit must be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. All courses in the Master’s degree program designated either OT or HP meet this requirement. A 3 credit graduate level course earns 30 Professional Development Units (PDU).
Can I take individual classes or must I complete the entire degree? You may take individual classes, but space may be limited to practitioners intending to complete the degree. Strong preference is given to those who register early and commit to the Degree.
What type of credits am I earning? All courses are graduate level courses.
What can I expect in class size? Class size is between 10-20 students.
What types of Financial Aid are available to me? In order to be considered for financial assistance, a student must be enrolled for a minimum of six (6) credits per semester. Students with a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for federal or state grant money. An alumni discount is available to Misericordia University degree or certificate holders. However, federal loan money is available. Tuition is $625 per credit.
How does employer reimbursement or payment work? A tuition reimbursement letter stating the terms of the benefit, from the employer must be on file prior to registration. This payment plan permits tuition and fees to be paid up to thirty (30) days after the issuance of grades instead of at the time of registration. It is the responsibility of the student, not the employer to ensure that payment is made. Students receiving only partial tuition benefits must make arrangements to pay the costs that are not covered by the employer at the time of registration.
Who can help me if I have questions? For information on the Post-Professional Masters of Occupational Therapy, please contact: Dr. Ellen McLaughlin, 570-674-6399 or E-mail.
What areas of specialization are offered? Students may choose to apply 12 elective credits to Pediatric, Geriatric or an Interdisciplinary concentration.