Occupational Therapy/Art Therapy Dual Degree Program

Undergraduate degree in Art Therapy, followed by a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. (Generally, students complete a minimum of 120 undergraduate credits and 50 graduate credits). Requirements are subject to change.

Graduates in this major have the professional preparation necessary to work with people of all ages with varying degrees of functional or organic impairment, as well as with traditional populations in schools. Through art therapy, the therapist provides an opportunity for nonverbal expression and communication, which can promote a reconciliation of emotional conflicts and foster self-awareness and personal growth.

Graduates are prepared for work in a variety of settings, including psychiatric hospitals and clinics, community mental health centers, geriatric centers, drug and alcohol clinics, nursing homes, halfway houses, prisons, and special needs schools. Some may choose to work in private or public schools and institutions for emotional problems, learning differences, developmental delays, brain damage, deafness, vision impairments, physically challenged, and disabled children.

The curriculum is designed to prepare students for a graduate program in the art therapy field, as students wishing to become registered art therapists by the American Art Therapy Association must obtain a graduate degree. For more information about the art therapy major contact Dr. Simone Alter-Muri at (413) 748-3752 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

For additional information on the Occupational Therapy dual degree program click here

Download an Art Therapy / Occupational Therapy dual degree Program Checksheet

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

I. General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)

The General Education program at Springfield College is informed by its century-old Humanics tradition of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. These requirements have the goal of developing literate, thoughtful, socially responsible students, and instilling in them a spirit of inquiry into the nature of humankind and the universe. Towards those ends, the requirements emphasize and encourage: the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and competency essential for the improvement of the human condition in a diverse society; a search for personal and spiritual values; and the development of an understanding and appreciation of physical well-being. For specific requirements, see the General Education Program section or the Program Checksheet for this major.

II. Major Requirements

C. Occupational Therapy Graduate Course Requirements (see Graduate catalog for course descriptions)

OCTH 531 - Occupation, Dysfunction, and Adaptation in Adults I Credits: 3.sh.
OCTH 532 - Occupation, Dysfunction, and Adaptation in Adults II Credits: 3
OCTH 533 - Occupation, Dysfunction, and Adaptation in Adults III Credits: 4
OCTH 534 - Occupation, Dysfunction, and Adaptation in Adults IV Credits: 4
OCTH 535 - Development and OT Adaptation for the Older Adult Credits: 3
OCTH 541 - Occupation, Dysfunction, and Adaptation in Adults I Lab Credits: 0
OCTH 542 - Occupation, Dysfunction, and Adaptation in Adults II Lab Credits: 0
OCTH 543 - Occupation, Dysfunction, and Adaptation in Adults III Lab Credits: 0
OCTH 544 - Occupation, Dysfunction, and Adaptation in Adults IV Lab Credits: 0
OCTH 550 - Occupational Therapy Management Credits: 3
OCTH 582 - Graduate Seminar Credits: 3
OCTH 586 - Clinical Education II Credits: 10
OCTH 587 - Clinical Education III Credits: 10
OCTH 620 - Research in Occupational Theory Practice Credits: 2
OCTH 686 - Specialty Clinical Education Credits: 3
RSCH 610 - Fundamentals and Methods of Research Credits: 3

III. Electives (to complete a minimum of 120 credits)

Program Standards

Students will be expected to maintain performance standards required for their undergraduate major as they progress through their undergraduate years. In addition, they will also be required to follow the standards outlined in the Occupational Therapy Student Manual, which include both academic requirements and professional behaviors. Academic requirements include the following:

1. A 3.000 average in the OT preprofessional social sciences.
2. A 3.000 average in the OT preprofessional physical sciences.
3. A 3.000 average in other occupational therapy preprofessional requirements.
4. A 3.000 overall GPA.

Before continuation into the professional portion of the occupational therapy program (after approximately five semesters or 85 s.h.), students will be reviewed by the Occupational Therapy Review Committee to determine if all standards have been accomplished.

Clinical Education Courses
Several courses include fieldwork experiences, allowing students numerous opportunities to work with occupational therapy clinicians and clients throughout the greater Springfield area. In addition, the Occupational Therapy Department has fieldwork contracts with over 300 sites throughout the United States where students may engage in the 3-week and 3-month long fieldwork experiences. It is the responsibility of the student to absorb expenses and plan logistics related to these experiences, including travel, living arrangements, uniforms and liability insurance.

Minimum Competencies
It is also the responsibility of the student to meet the requirements of the Occupational Therapy Program Minimum Competencies as described in the Occupational Therapy Student Manual, which is available upon request from the Admissions Office. These standards include, but are not limited to, skills in observation, communication, sensory and motor coordination and function, cognition, and behavioral and social attributes. All standards must be met for the student to continue through and complete the program. Requests for reasonable accomodations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Advanced Senior Option

In addition to the dual degree program, the Occupational Therapy Department offers an advanced senior program. Qualified students may apply to the program in the second semester of their junior year. Students must complete an application packet, including a resume, references, and a personal statement. To be eligible for the advanced senior program, students must document that they have completed or will complete the following before the start of their senior year:

1. All requirements for a related undergraduate major.
2. A minimum of 97 credits including General Education Program courses.
3. The occupational therapy prerequisites (see below).

A 3.000 overall minimum GPA and a 3.000 average for the occupational therapy prerequisites are also required. If accepted, students begin taking occupational therapy courses in their senior year. They graduate in May of their senior year with an undergraduate degree in a related major and an accelerated start to their graduate requirements.

The advanced senior program is designed for students who discover their interest in occupational therapy after their first years of baccalaureate study. The dual degree program is designed for students who have developed a career goal for occupational therapy before they enter college. The advantages of the dual degree include guaranteed admittance to the professional level of the program (as long as all program standards are met), the opportunity for students to work with an occupational therapy faculty mentor from their first entry into the College, and earlier exposure to occupational therapy coursework and practicums.

The occupational therapy prerequisites for the advanced senior program include the following courses or equivalents:

BIOL 130 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 3
BIOL 131 - Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 3
BIOL 132 - Anatomy and Physiology I Lab Credits: 1
BIOL 133 - Anatomy and Physiology II Lab Credits: 1
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 211 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 3
or
MATH 215 - Probability and Statistics Credits: 3
PSYC 221 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
SOCI 101 - Contemporary Society Credits: 3
Physical Science Elective
Sociology, Anthropology, or psychology elective

Academic Catalog