Occupational Therapy (OCTH)

OCTH 512 Foundational Skills in Occupational Therapy 3 Credits

Analysis of occupation, focusing on its various forms as defined in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF), including activity demands across the lifespan. Students learn to compare and select occupation-based activities based on activity demands and cultural, social, personal, and temporal contexts for diverse populations. This course introduces formal and informal assessment tools to support clinical reasoning and inform practice.

Prerequisites: Admission into the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Corequisites: OCTH 513, OCTH 516, OCTH 517, OCTH 518, OCTH 519, and OCTH 550.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

OCTH 513 Functional Anatomy 4 Credits

Exploration of human anatomical structures and physiological processes essential for occupational performance. Students examine musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiopulmonary systems through the lens of functional movement and daily activities. Content integrates anatomical knowledge with occupational therapy practice, emphasizing how body systems support participation in meaningful occupations across the lifespan.

Prerequisites: Admission into the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Corequisites: OCTH 512, OCTH 516, OCTH 517, OCTH 518, OCTH 519, and OCTH 550.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

OCTH 516 Applied Theories in Occupational Therapy 2 Credits

Exploration of the history of the occupational therapy profession, occupational science, and applied theories including occupation-based models and frames of reference. Emphasis on building skills in professional reasoning and theory selection in alignment with the occupational therapy process.

Prerequisites: Admission into the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Corequisites: OCTH 512, OCTH 513, OCTH 517, OCTH 518, OCTH 519, and OCTH 550.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

OCTH 517 Applied Kinesiology in Occupational Therapy 2 Credits

Analysis of human movement and biomechanical principles applied to occupational therapy practice. Students develop skills in range of motion assessment, manual muscle testing, functional screening, and transfer techniques. Content integrates movement analysis, body mechanics, positioning strategies, and safety considerations for therapeutic intervention and activity modification across clinical settings.

Prerequisites: Admission to the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Corequisites: OCTH 512, OCTH 513, OCTH 516, OCTH 518, OCTH 519, and OCTH 550.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

OCTH 518 Creative Occupations 2 Credits

Introduction to the use of creative media to build skills in activity analysis, professional reasoning, and application of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF). Emphasis on adapting processes, modifying environments, implementing assistive technology or adaptive equipment, and applying ergonomic principles. Students will gain understanding of occupational therapy as both art and science.

Prerequisites: Admission to the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Corequisites: OCTH 512, OCTH 513, OCTH 516, OCTH 517, OCTH 519, and OCTH 550.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

OCTH 519 Evidence-Based Practice 2 Credits

Introduction to evidence-based decision-making for occupational therapy practice. Students will learn to navigate online databases, locate and evaluate peer-reviewed journal articles, determine levels of evidence, and interpret data. Emphasis on building foundational skills in APA formatting.

Prerequisites: Admission to the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Corequisites: OCTH 512, OCTH 513, OCTH 516, OCTH 517, OCTH 518, and OCTH 550.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

OCTH 520 Neuroanatomy 2 Credits

Exploration of the structures and functions of the brain and nervous system and the consequences of neurological dysfunction on occupational performance. Topics include: the neuronal pathways underlying function with emphasis on sensation, movement, cognition, pain, behavior, emotion, sex, sleep/rest, language, and learning. Students learn to articulate how occupational performance affects, and is affected by, neurological structure processing.

Prerequisites: OCTH 512, OCTH 513, OCTH 516, OCTH 517, OCTH 518, OCTH 519, and OCTH 550.

Corequisites: OCTH 521, OCTH 522, OCTH 526, OCTH 528, and OCTH 551.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

OCTH 521 Occupational Therapy Assessment and Evaluation 3 Credits

Introduction to occupational therapy evaluation methods and standardized assessment tools for clinical practice. Students learn selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of formal and informal assessments while examining psychometric properties including reliability, validity, and normative data. Emphasis on clinical reasoning, evidence-based decision making, and client-centered evaluation approaches across diverse populations and practice settings.

Prerequisites: OCTH 512, OCTH 513, OCTH 516, OCTH 517, OCTH 518, OCTH 519, and OCTH 550.

Corequisites: OCTH 520, OCTH 522, OCTH 526, OCTH 528, and OCTH 551.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

OCTH 522 Conditions in Occupational Therapy 3 Credits

Introduction to etiology, symptoms and prognosis of conditions commonly seen in occupational therapy throughout the lifespan. Students will apply the Occupational Therapy Process to analyze the potential impact of these conditions on occupational engagement as well as gain understanding of common evidence-based interventions.

Prerequisites: OCTH 512, OCTH 513, OCTH 516, OCTH 517, OCTH 518, OCTH 519, and OCTH 550.

Corequisites: OCTH 520, OCTH 521, OCTH 526, OCTH 528, and OCTH 551.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

OCTH 526 Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics I 3 Credits

Exploration of pediatric theory and occupation-based practice, with a focus on infancy through middle childhood. Topics include: application of the Occupational Therapy Process across a variety of pediatric conditions and settings. Emphasis is placed on client-centered care and its influence on the physical, mental, and emotional health of children and families.

Prerequisites: OCTH 512, OCTH 513, OCTH 516, OCTH 517, OCTH 518, OCTH 519, and OCTH 550.

Corequisites: OCTH 520, OCTH 521, OCTH 522, OCTH 528, and OCTH 551.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

OCTH 528 Research I 3 Credits

Introduction to the research process and developing skills in scholarly writing. Students will begin research projects in small groups under a faculty research mentor. Emphasis on identifying current and relevant journal articles and writing a literature review that requires analysis and synthesis of data.

Prerequisites: OCTH 512, OCTH 513, OCTH 516, OCTH 517, OCTH 518, OCTH 519, and OCTH 550.

Corequisites: OCTH 520, OCTH 521, OCTH 522, OCTH 526, and OCTH 551.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

OCTH 535 Physical Rehabilitation I 4 Credits

Introduction to physical rehabilitation interventions for individuals experiencing various medical conditions across multiple body systems. Students examine disease processes, clinical presentations, and functional impacts while developing skills in evaluation, treatment planning, and intervention. Content covers orthopedic, neurological, cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, hepatic, renal, autoimmune, and visual disorders affecting occupational performance and daily living skills.

Prerequisites: OCTH 520, OCTH 521, OCTH 522, OCTH 526, OCTH 528, and OCTH 551 (OCTH 551 with a grade of "P").

Corequisites: OCTH 536, OCTH 537, OCTH 538, and OCTH 552.

Terms Typically Offered: Summer.

OCTH 536 Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics II 3 Credits

In-depth analysis of pediatric theory and occupation-based practice, with a focus on middle childhood through adolescence. Topics include: the application of the occupational therapy process across a variety of pediatric conditions and settings. Emphasis is placed on client-centered care and its influence on the physical, mental, and emotional health of children and families.

Prerequisites: OCTH 520, OCTH 521, OCTH 522, OCTH 526, OCTH 528, and OCTH 551 (OCTH 551 with a grade of "P").

Corequisites: OCTH 535, OCTH 537, OCTH 538, and OCTH 552.

Terms Typically Offered: Summer.

OCTH 537 Leadership and Management in Occupational Therapy 2 Credits

Preparation for leadership roles, with a focus on ethical decision-making and professional judgement. Topics include: policy development, advocacy, business and financial aspects of practice, entrepreneurship, legislation and regulation, professional development, quality management and improvement, and supervision of personnel.

Prerequisites: OCTH 520, OCTH 521, OCTH 522, OCTH 526, OCTH 528, and OCTH 551 (OCTH 551 with a grade of "P").

Corequisites: OCTH 535, OCTH 536, OCTH 538, and OCTH 552.

Terms Typically Offered: Summer.

OCTH 538 Research II 3 Credits

Continuation of the research process and developing skills in scholarly writing. Emphasis on writing the introduction and method sections, submitting an IRB application, and developing a proposal defense presentation.

Prerequisites: OCTH 520, OCTH 521, OCTH 522, OCTH 526, OCTH 528, and OCTH 551 (OCTH 551 with a grade of "P").

Corequisites: OCTH 535, OCTH 536, OCTH 537, and OCTH 552.

Terms Typically Offered: Summer.

OCTH 542 Community-Based Practice in Occupational Therapy 3 Credits

Exploration of approaches to occupational therapy for populations through community-based practice. Students will conduct a needs assessment, and engage in program development, implementation and evaluation. Emphasis on cultural humility, social determinants of health, and current evidence relevant to individual populations.

Prerequisites: OCTH 535, OCTH 536, OCTH 537, OCTH 538, and OCTH 552 (OCTH 552 with a grade of "P").

Corequisites: OCTH 544, OCTH 545, OCTH 548, OCTH 553, and OCTH 593.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

OCTH 544 Mental Health in Occupational Therapy 3 Credits

Exploration of the role of occupational therapy in mental health practice across various settings. Emphasis on occupational therapy’s client-centered and holistic approach. Students will explore how theory informs clinical reasoning and the OT process for individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

Prerequisites: OCTH 535, OCTH 536, OCTH 537, OCTH 538, and OCTH 552 (OCTH 552 with a grade of "P").

Corequisites: OCTH 542, OCTH 545, OCTH 548, OCTH 553, and OCTH 593.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

OCTH 545 Physical Rehabilitation II 4 Credits

Examination of advanced physical rehabilitation for complex and progressive conditions affecting occupational performance. Students will examine neurological diseases, critical care scenarios, transplant protocols, dementia care, and end-of-life considerations. Content will address acute care settings, medical complexity, progressive disorders, and specialized intervention approaches for individuals with multiple comorbidities and advanced medical needs.

Prerequisites: OCTH 535, OCTH 536, OCTH 537, OCTH 538, and OCTH 552 (OCTH 552 with a grade of "P").

Corequisites: OCTH 542, OCTH 544, OCTH 548, OCTH 553, and OCTH 593.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

OCTH 548 Research III 3 Credits

Continuation of skill development in research and scholarly writing. Emphasis on data analysis and interpretation, writing the results, discussion and conclusion sections, and developing a final defense presentation.

Prerequisites: OCTH 535, OCTH 536, OCTH 537, OCTH 538, and OCTH 552 (OCTH 552 with a grade of "P").

Corequisites: OCTH 542, OCTH 544, OCTH 545, OCTH 553, and OCTH 593.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

OCTH 550 Fieldwork Level IA and Seminar 1 Credit

Introduction to the professional environment of occupational therapy. Emphasis on developing foundational skills in professionalism, ethical behavior, and effective communication. Students will engage in reflective learning to enhance self-awareness, promote personal wellness, and strengthen their understanding of ethical and professional behaviors in diverse practice settings. This class will serve to prepare students for their Fieldwork experiences.

Prerequisites: Admission into the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Corequisites: OCTH 512, OCTH 513, OCTH 516, OCTH 517, OCTH 518, and OCTH 519.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

OCTH 551 Fieldwork Level IB and Seminar 2 Credits

Introduction to fieldwork in a pediatric setting. Emphasis on applying knowledge to practice and developing an understanding of the needs of the pediatric population. Students will engage in reflective learning to develop skills in professionalism and effective communication within the pediatric setting.

Prerequisites: OCTH 512, OCTH 513, OCTH 516, OCTH 517, OCTH 518, OCTH 519, and OCTH 550.

Corequisites: OCTH 520, OCTH 521, OCTH 522, OCTH 526, and OCTH 528.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

OCTH 552 Fieldwork Level IC and Seminar 2 Credits

Introduction to fieldwork, with emphasis on applying knowledge to practice with the adult population in rehabilitation settings. Students will engage in reflective learning to develop skills in professionalism and effective communication.

Prerequisites: OCTH 520, OCTH 521, OCTH 522, OCTH 526, OCTH 528, and OCTH 551 (OCTH 551 with a grade of "P").

Corequisites: OCTH 535, OCTH 536, OCTH 537, and OCTH 538.

Terms Typically Offered: Summer.

OCTH 553 Fieldwork Level ID and Seminar 2 Credits

Introduction to fieldwork, with emphasis on applying knowledge to practice with the mental health population in community-based settings. Students will engage in reflective learning to develop skills in professionalism and effective communication.

Prerequisites: OCTH 535, OCTH 536, OCTH 537, OCTH 538, and OCTH 552 (OCTH 552 with a grade of "P").

Corequisites: OCTH 542, OCTH 544, OCTH 545, OCTH 548, and OCTH 593.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

OCTH 554 Fieldwork Level IIA 6 Credits

First Level II fieldwork rotation. Application and integration of academic knowledge and experiential learning in an occupational therapy setting under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. Students must demonstrate entry-level competencies in all areas of the occupational therapy process (evaluation, intervention, and outcomes), documentation, professional behavior, and clinical reasoning.

Prerequisites: OCTH 542, OCTH 544, OCTH 545, OCTH 548, OCTH 550, OCTH 551, OCTH 552, OCTH 553, and OCTH 593 (OCTH 553 with a grade of "P").

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

OCTH 555 Fieldwork Level IIB 6 Credits

Second Level II fieldwork rotation. Application and integration of academic knowledge and experiential learning in an occupational therapy setting under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. Students must demonstrate entry-level competencies in all areas of the occupational therapy process (evaluation, intervention, and outcomes), documentation, professional behavior, and clinical reasoning.

Prerequisites: OCTH 542, OCTH 544, OCTH 545, OCTH 548, OCTH 550, OCTH 551, OCTH 552, OCTH 554, and OCTH 593 (OCTH 554 with a grade of "P").

Corequisites: OCTH 594.

Terms Typically Offered: Summer.

OCTH 593 Occupational Therapy Culminating Experience 2 Credits

Completion of culminating experience to demonstrate knowledge and skills gained from a graduate-level research project. Emphasis on dissemination of research findings through poster presentations, conference proposals, and manuscript submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Prerequisites: OCTH 535, OCTH 536, OCTH 537, OCTH 538, and OCTH 552 (OCTH 552 with a grade of "P").

Corequisites: OCTH 542, OCTH 544, OCTH 545, OCTH 548, and OCTH 553.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

OCTH 594 Fieldwork Seminar 1 Credit

Application of knowledge of the regulatory and credentialing process required for occupational therapy practice in the United States. Students will determine pathways to obtain state licensure and board certification through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) to facilitate their transition to a licensed and credential practitioner.

Prerequisites: OCTH 542, OCTH 544, OCTH 545, OCTH 548, OCTH 550, OCTH 551, OCTH 552, OCTH 554, and OCTH 593 (OCTH 554 with a grade of "P").

Corequisites: OCTH 555.

Terms Typically Offered: Summer.