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2004-2005 Springfield College Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Occupational Therapy
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The Occupational Therapy Department offers master’s degrees at two different
levels, for those entering the profession and for post-professional study. It
also offers for post-professional students a Certificate of Advanced Study and
practice certificates (inquiries about the practice certificate program should
be directed to the Occupational Therapy Department). The master’s degree programs
are designed for persons with various backgrounds and levels of education who
either wish to become occupational therapists or who wish to further their education
in the field. Most students choose to earn a master of education (M.Ed.) in Occupational
Therapy. The master of science (MS) option requires three additional research
related courses to be taken beyond the standard program requirements.
Fully encompassing Springfield College’s humanics philosophy, the occupational
therapy programs emphasize that health and learning are best gained through an
approach that unifies spirit, mind, and body. The overarching goal of the programs
is to foster in each student a strong sense of professional identity embracing
the basic tenets and ethical practices of the profession.
The entry level course of study includes occupational therapy theory, skills
and administration in working with individuals across the life span. The entry-level
curriculum meets and exceeds the requirements of the Accreditation Council for
Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association,
Inc. (4720 Montgomery Lane, P. O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220, telephone
301-652-2682 www.aota.org) Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Certification
Examination for the Occupational Therapist (National Board for Certification in
Occupational Therapy, 800 S. Frederick Avenue, Suite 200, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150,
telephone 301-990-7979 www.nbcot.org.). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an Occupational
Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states also require licensure in order to practice.
The post-professional degree programs are designed for students who have already
achieved national certification in occupational therapy at the professional level.
The curriculum focus is on theoretical foundations of occupational therapy practice,
advanced clinical competency, and professional leadership ability. Each post-professional
degree program requires a minimum of thirty-two semester hours of credit and may
culminate in the master’s degree (for students who enter with a baccalaureate
degree) or the certificate of advanced study (for students who enter with a master’s
degree). Full time students may complete the post-professional master’s or CAS
programs in one year, including two academic semesters and the summer term, unless
they choose a research project or thesis option, which typically requires one
additional semester.
Interested students are urged to contact the Occupational Therapy Department
at (413) 748-3762 to meet with a faculty member before or while applying for admission
to either program level. General criteria for admission are included on page 6
of the Graduate Catalog, and specific criteria are included under each of the
program descriptions that follow.
Entry-Level Master’s Degree Program in Occupational Therapy
Students in the entry-level program in occupational therapy learn to work with
individuals whose abilities to engage in the everyday tasks of living or the mastery
of self and the environment are challenged by developmental delays, mental or
social disabilities, physical dysfunction, chronic illness, or age. The curriculum
closely integrates academic course work with lectures, seminars, group projects,
and hands-on practice in supervised laboratories, and work with clients in service
delivery settings under the direction of experienced therapists. Such collaborative
activities facilitate the learning of essential technical and clinical skills,
critical problem-solving techniques, leadership skills, and the development of
self-confidence and professional identity.
Students may choose to pursue the master of education degree, which requires
successful completion of seventy-seven semester hours of graduate study including
a research requirement, or the master of science degree, requiring successful
completion of a three-credit independent research project and five semester hours
of graduate study beyond the master of education requirements, generally completed
in one additional semester. Students with prior occupational therapy course work
and/or experience may apply to waive and/or transfer up to twelve semester hours
of credit. Students in the Dual Degree and Advanced Senior Programs must complete
forty-eight semester hours at the graduate level for the master of education degree,
or fifty-six semester hours for the master of science degree.
Certified occupational therapy assistants with at least two years experience
may be eligible to waive certain program requirements and/or to substitute elective,
independent study, or post-professional courses. (Inquiries about these program
modifications should be directed to the Occupational Therapy Department Chair.)
Full-time students pursuing the master of education degree may complete the program’s
academic and clinical requirements in twenty-two months. Part-time study is possible
until the start of the six- to nine-month fieldwork requirement. Although most
classes are scheduled during the day, they are often offered in blocks (i.e.,
one three-hour class per week) for the convenience of part-time students. All
requirements for the degree must be completed within five years of entry into
the program, and the required six months of fieldwork must be completed within
two years of finishing the academic requirements of the program. Sample part-time
course plans may be obtained from the Occupational Therapy department.
Entry-Level Program Admission Requirements
Students who will have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college
or university by the time they enroll in the program may apply to the entry-level
master’s degree program in occupational therapy as graduate students. There are
also several entry points at the undergraduate level, which are described in further
detail in the Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog. These programs include
options for:
* Undergraduate applicants, who may enter the Occupational Therapy Dual Degree
Program as first-year students, simultaneously enrolling in a separate undergraduate
major and the graduate program in occupational therapy to earn both a bachelor
of science or arts degree in a field of study related to occupational therapy
and a master’s degree in occupational therapy in five years.
* Transfer applicants, including certified occupational therapy assistants and
others with associate degrees in related fields, as well as internal transfers,
who may be accepted to the dual degree program as space is available.
* Qualified students currently enrolled in an undergraduate major at Springfield
College, who may apply during their junior year to enter the occupational therapy
program as Advanced Seniors.
Graduate applicants must submit their complete applications and all required
credentials by January 1 for guaranteed consideration for acceptance the following
fall, though applications received after this date will be reviewed on a space-available
basis. The application must include transcripts, references, a resume, completed
prerequisite and experience worksheets, and a strong statement of personal and
professional objectives. Applicants must also have observed, volunteered, or worked
in an occupational therapy setting prior to application. Additional experience
working with people in an educational or health care setting, especially in the
capacity of full-time employment, is also highly valued. Reference to these experiences
will strengthen the applicant’s personal statement. One letter of reference from
an occupational therapist is also strongly recommended.
The following prerequisite courses with satisfactory grades are required of all
candidates:
Physical Sciences, which must include:
- Anatomy and Physiology with labs, taken within the last five years 6-8 s.h.
- One elective physical science (physics or kinesiology is strongly recommended)
3 s.h.
Social Sciences, which must include:
- Introduction to Sociology 3 s.h.
- Introduction to Psychology 3 s.h.
- Abnormal Psychology 3 s.h.
- One elective social science 3 s.h.
(Human Development is strongly recommended)
English, including one composition course 6 s.h.
Introduction to statistics 3 s.h.
To receive consideration for admission, applicants must have a minimum grade
point average of at least 3.0 in both the physical and social science prerequisite
courses, as well as a 3.0 overall cumulative average. Applicants must have completed
at least two courses in the physical science and two in the social science categories
at the time of application. Candidates may be accepted while still taking prerequisite
courses, but enrollment, if accepted, is contingent upon successful completion
of the remaining prerequisites. In some cases a student may be conditionally accepted
to a three-year accelerated entry track that includes several prerequisite courses
during the first year. Full acceptance will be considered once prerequisites are
successfully completed. CLEP examinations to fulfill prerequisites are also acceptable.
Those applicants with exceptional qualifications in all areas except meeting the
academic standards may be considered on a conditional basis.
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Curriculum Sequence for the Entry-Level Master’s Degree Program in Occupational Therapy
Students pursuing the Master of Education and Master of Science degrees follow similar
course sequences for the first four semesters of the program: First Winter Term - (3 s.h.)
First Spring - (14-15 s.h.)
Second Fall - (16 s.h.)
- M.Ed. students attend pre-fieldwork seminar Credits: 0 s.h.
Master of Education candidates
After the second fall semester the two tracks diverge. Students pursuing the
Master of Education degree leaving for fieldwork on the following schedule:
* Note: Dates listed depend upon availability and preferences of clinical sites
and clinical site supervisors. Second Winter Term (Jan. through March)*
Second Spring (April through June)*
June
- OCTH 587 - Clinical Education III continues with 1 week seminar on campus Credits:
0 s.h.
Master of Education candidates are then eligible to receive the Master of Education
in OT degree in August, and to apply to sit for the National Board for Certification
in Occupational Therapy examination early in the fall. Master of Science candidates
Students pursuing the Master of Science degree stay for an additional semester
to complete their research course work, and then move on to their fieldwork, as
shown: Second Spring (Total 9 s.h.)
- MS students attend pre-fieldwork seminar Credits: 0 s.h.
Second Summer (June through Sept.)*
* These dates depend upon availability and preferences of clinical sites and
clinical site supervisors. Third Fall (Sept. through Dec.)*
* These dates depend upon availability and preferences of clinical sites and
clinical site supervisors. November or December
- OCTH 587 - Clinical Education III continued with 3-day seminar on campus.
Master of Science candidates are then eligible to receive the Master of Science
in OT degree in December, and to apply to sit for the National Board for Certification
in Occupational Therapy examination early in the winter. Additional Fieldwork Options for Students in Either Degree Track
- OCTH 585 - Individualized Fieldwork in Occupational Therapy Credits: 1-6 s.h
May be elected by students at any time during program, subject to approval of Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and to site availability. - OCTH 686 - Specialty Clinical Education Credits: 0 s.h
Typically elected by M.Ed. students in their second summer, and by MS students in their third winter, subject to approval by Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and to site availability. (3 s.h. fee)
* These dates depend upon the availability and preferences of clinical sites and clinical site supervisors.
Post-Professional Graduate Degree Programs in Occupational Therapy
The post-professional degree programs have three components within the curriculum:
professional, research, and practice. Students complete nine semester hours of
academic course work in the professional component, a minimum of five semester
hours in the research component, and the remaining credits in the practice component
of the program.
The professional component consists of three Occupational Science and Clinical
Practice seminars which form the foundation of the program:
- OCTH 601: Theory and Practice of Human Occupation Credits: 3 s.h.
- OCTH 650: Understanding, Evaluating and Improving Clinical Practice Credits:
3 s.h.
- OCTH 682: The Challenge of Contemporary Practice Credits: 3 s.h.
These seminars address current issues in occupational therapy theory and practice,
with the general objective of helping advanced level practitioners become most
effective in their multiple service roles, as consultants, direct service providers,
educators, trainers, research or clinical team members, administrators and advocates.
Each seminar uses an informal group process model for class instruction. Participants
review the most current and relevant professional and popular literature in preparation
for class discussion and assignments. During seminar meetings, faculty present
participants with carefully constructed case studies, stories, and simulations
to facilitate participant engagement in active learning, using an adult educational
model believed to enhance learning and promote critical thinking. Students are
expected to demonstrate effective synthesis of theoretical and practical information
in particular topic areas through participation in group projects, individual
study and presentation of final projects during the seminar.
The specific requirements for the research component depend upon the student’s
choice of the master of education or master of science, according to the Graduate
School’s degree requirements (Plans A, B, or C) described earlier in this catalog.
All options require students to complete RSCH 610: Foundations and Methods of
Research, and to participate in a research endeavor. Each plan has different requirements
for fulfilling the research background and endeavor, however:
* The master of education (Plan A) requires students to participate in a research
project, such as a written scholarly project, a community service project, an
advanced clinical practicum in a specialty area, or OCTH 620, for a minimum of
two semester hours.
The master of science may be fulfilled in one of two ways under Plans B or C
and requires the following additional course work:
Plan B
- RSCH 612: Proposal Design Credits: 2 s.h.
- RSCH 620: Educational and Psychological Statistics I Credits: 3 s.h.
- RSCH 635: Thesis Credits: 4 s.h.
This is a traditional thesis option that requires each student to develop and
implement a research study independently with advisement by a thesis committee.
Plan C
- RSCH 620: Educational and Psychological Statistics I Credits: 3 s.h.
- RSCH 626: Research Project* Credits: 3 s.h.
* This research project may be completed independently or in collaboration with
one or two other students, and is advised by an OT faculty member.
Students in the certificate of advanced study program are required to complete
a graduate level research methods course and a research endeavor, but may be able
to waive these requirements if they present evidence of completion of comparable
coursework within a previous master’s degree program. Guidelines for course waiver
and transfer are available through the Occupational Therapy Department.
The practice component of the program is the most flexible, allowing students
to direct their study toward a particular practice area in which they wish to
expand their knowledge. Working closely with his or her adviser, a student assembles
a career development plan that includes eleven to eighteen semester hours of focus
on a specialty area of practice. This plan may include:
- selected course work within the entry level program (for those making a shift
to a new area of practice),
- selected related courses from other programs on campus (e.g., Education, Health
Care Management, Exercise Science, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Rehabilitation
and Disability Studies, Therapeutic Recreation),
- preparation for nationally-recognized specialty practice certification (e.g.
HTCC’s Certified Hand Therapist, RESNA’s Assistive Technology Practitioner, or
AOTA’s specialty certifications in geriatrics, neurorehabilitation, or pediatrics),
- independent study (which may incorporate approved professional education workshops
or materials with focused assignments),
- supervised fieldwork, and/or
- new advanced and special topics courses offered by the Occupational Therapy Department.
In certain specialty practice areas, completion of six semester hours of approved
course work in the practice component, three semester hours of course work in
the professional component, and RSCH 610 will qualify the student for a practice
certificate. Please contact the Occupational Therapy Department for more information
about the practice certificate programs.
Post-Professional Program Admission Requirements
Decisions concerning admission to the Post-Professional Program in
Occupational Therapy are made year-round, with applications accepted
and decisions made on the following schedule:
To begin classes in the Fall - Submit application by June 15th
To begin classes in the Spring - Submit application by November 1st
To begin classes in the Summer - Submit application by April 1st
Educational background: Applicants must have graduated from an accredited entry level program in occupational
therapy. This includes U.S. programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for
Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association,
as well as international programs recognized by the World Federation of Occupational
Therapy. The program must have been accredited at the time of the student’s graduation.
Included within the applicant’s educational preparation must be an introductory
course in statistics, completed with a grade of B or better, either prior to enrollment
or during the first semester of study.
Professional certification: Applicants must have been initially certified by the National Board for Certification
in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT; formerly the American Board for Certification
in Occupational Therapy), as evidenced by a copy of the certificate. Certification
need not be active at the time of application, but must not have been revoked.
Internationally educated therapists must either be initially certified by the
NBCOT, or must provide evidence of eligibility to sit for the NBCOT examination.
Professional experience: Applicants must have at least one year of full-time experience (or its equivalent
in part-time experience) as an occupational therapist at the professional level.
References: Applicants must include three letters of reference that collectively address
the applicant’s intellectual curiosity, creativity and problem-solving skills,
responsibility, initiative, communication and interpersonal skills, and commitment
to professional ideals and values. At least one reference from a supervisor in
a recent professional work setting is required. Additional references may be submitted
from professional colleagues, faculty members, or others who are qualified to
provide an appraisal of the applicant’s suitability for admission.
Resumé: A current resumé highlighting the applicant’s paid and volunteer work experiences
both within and outside the field of Occupational Therapy is also required. Applicants
are encouraged to include any specialty certifications or awards and recognition
earned, continuing education activities, presentations and publications, and professional
and community service.
Personal statement: The personal statement forms the core of the application, providing the applicant
with the opportunity to weave together the many strands of his or her personal,
academic, and professional lives. Applicants are encouraged to describe how their
understanding and philosophy of the profession have evolved with their experiences
in the field, and what they hope to achieve in pursuing advanced study. Examples
of specific information applicants may wish to include are descriptions of projects
or programs they have initiated or developed, how they have used their occupational
therapy skills or education within community service activities, or ways in which
they have demonstrated leadership at work or in professional or community organizations.
The personal statement should be limited to two or three pages in length, and
should represent the applicant’s best efforts to express himself or herself clearly
and succinctly. |
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