Course Descriptions

This course provides a lecture and laboratory-based study of human anatomy. Students develop three-dimensional anatomical knowledge that is required for occupational therapy practice. Case studies are used to foster familiarity with typical clinical presentations, and to learn how to approach diagnoses from an anatomical perspective. Laboratory sessions include the study of human cadaveric prosections, and a regional dissection of a portion of the human body.

Credits: 4

Designed to develop the student’s knowledge of neuroscience to a level required for clinical practice, this course presents information about principal structural components intertwined with the corresponding functions of the nervous system and the impact of neurological dysfunction on human occupation. The course also provides opportunities to apply neuroscience principles to motor and sensory learning for occupational performance.

Credits: 4

The Interprofessional Healthcare course involves the Colleges of Dental Medicine, Health Sciences, Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. The course is designed to teach all clinically-based students about each other's clinical programs, how they might interact together as part of an interprofessional healthcare team, and the importance of an interprofessional approach to patient care. The class consists primarily of online presentations that are delivered by interprofessional team members from each of the clinical programs. Associated quizzes will also be completed online. Occasional lectures, panel presentations, or group assignments may also be incorporated.

Credits: Each course 0.5

Fieldwork experience consists of guided learning experiences in various healthcare and/or community settings that provides students with direct opportunities to observe and interact with clients engaged in functional living activities that are appropriate for their respective cognitive, psychosocial and physical stage of development. Observational and documentation skills are emphasized.

Credits: 1

As developing professionals in healthcare, students will learn the definition, privileges, and obligations of belonging to a profession in preparation for socialization as professionals. This course will also include strategies for effective studying and learning in graduate professional education as compared to strategies common to the undergraduate learning experience.

Credits: 0.5

This introductory course emphasizes the recognition, assessment, measurement, and description of normal and abnormal movement in static and dynamic activities. Emphasis is on the development of the skills necessary to accurately measure and assess muscle strength and joint motion.

Credits: 2

This is an introductory course focused on the foundations and scope of occupational therapy practice. The philosophy of the profession, with its unique emphasis on supporting performance, participation, health and well-being are presented from both historical and current perspectives. Occupation is discussed from the perspectives of roles and participation for meaningful engagement. Professionalism, in accordance with the AOTA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice that guide practice across varied roles, responsibilities and involvement is also addressed.

Credits: 4.0

This course addresses the risk factors, clinical signs and symptoms, pathogenesis, and differential diagnosis of selected neurological diseases/problems most common to the adult population. The application of selected models of practice and strategies for occupational therapy practice with adults who have occupational performance dysfunction related to cognitive, perceptual, psychosocial, and neuro-motor disabilities is emphasized. Therapeutic approaches and clinical skills for working with individuals within the home, community, and clinical settings are explored. Current research in etiology and treatment are discussed.

Prerequisites: ANATG 582 Neuroscience

Credits: 5

This course is the first of a two-course series that introduces the philosophical assumptions, theories, and frames of reference underlying the practice of occupational therapy. The various aspects of professional reasoning are also introduced, culminating in the integration of these assumptions, theories, and frames of reference with professional reasoning to guide intervention with clients.

Credits: 3

Using the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, the process of analyzing various components of activities and occupations is introduced, emphasizing the value of occupation and purposeful activities not only as an outcome, but also as a treatment modality. The ability to grade and adapt activities and occupations is emphasized in preparation for the clinical courses that follow.

Credits: 2

This introductory course provides students with opportunities to learn basic principles of therapeutic relationships. Topics include aspects of “personality”, “emotional intelligence”, and “first impressions” as they relate to therapeutic use of self; the intentional therapeutic relationship model; basic interviewing and motivational interviewing consistent with the practice and ethics of the OT profession. Learning strategies include small group discussion and simulated client encounters, in addition to traditional didactic instruction.

Credits: 2

The first of a four-course series, this course provides content foundational to understanding and applying research to the provision of occupational therapy services. Students gain skills in searching for, understanding, interpreting and critiquing research articles. Students learn how to apply research evidence to clinical problems and engage in shared decision making with clients.

Credits: 2

Early in the curricular sequence, this course lays the foundation for intervention with human conditions as they are encountered in subsequent quarters. The course addresses different components of cognition and perception, including memory, attention, learning, executive function and visual-perceptual skills, with an emphasis on examining the interplay of cognition and perception with performance in areas of occupation. Causes of cognitive and perceptual dysfunction and the impact on function are explored and interpreted. Different theories and models of practice for cognition and perception are analyzed.

Credits: 3

Fieldwork experience consists of guided learning experiences in various healthcare and/or community settings that provides students with direct opportunities to observe and interact with clients engaged in functional living activities that are appropriate for their respective cognitive, psychosocial, and physical stage of development. Observational, as well as foundational experiential and documentation skills are emphasized.

Credits: 1

This course is the third and final course in the core sciences, addressing basic biomechanical principles and their application to occupational therapy intervention relative to static and dynamic movement, force analysis and its implications on functional movement and activity. The structure and function of joints, connective tissues, and muscles are addressed, along with the recognition, assessment, and description of normal and abnormal movement. The development of skills necessary to accurately measure and assess joint range of motion and muscle strength, and the influence of task and pathology on function of the musculoskeletal system is emphasized.

Prerequisites: ANATG 502 Anatomy

Credits: 3

This course provides introductory experience in the evaluation and treatment process with clients throughout the lifespan and across the domain of occupational therapy practice. Learning opportunities develop introductory skills in evidence-based practice, professional reasoning, and documentation of the therapy process in preparation for further development in subsequent courses.

Credits: 2

This foundational course is designed to introduce students to psychiatric diagnoses, the impact of psychiatric conditions on occupational performance, and settings in which occupational therapists provide services to individuals with psychiatric diagnoses. General approaches to assessment and intervention are also introduced.

Credits: 3

This course introduces the student to the clinical education program, including its goals and objectives, policies, the types of clinical education experiences provided, and the expectations for student participation. Students begin to focus on increasing self-awareness through reflective exercises to foster development of professional behaviors.

Credits: 1

This course focuses on clinical education experiences and coincides with the Fieldwork I-B course. The focus of this course is to provide structure for the observational and experiential activities of the level I fieldwork experience. Students continue to develop professional behaviors and self-awareness through reflective exercises that encourage increasing participation in self-directed learning.

Prerequisites: OTHEG 550 Fieldwork Foundations I

Credits: 0.5

This is the first course of three that are focused on pediatric occupational therapy services. This course addresses occupations in typical childhood development and occupational challenges caused by neurodevelopmental conditions in childhood. Facilitation of supports to family and child participation in occupations are emphasized. Identification and prevention of barriers for family and child participation in occupations are analyzed.

Credits: 3

This course focuses on the role of the OT practitioner as an inter-professional team member considering, assessing, and treating persons using augmentative and alternative communication devices and services to enhance occupational performance to foster participation and well-being.

Credits: 3

Building on skills introduced in Occupational Therapy Process, this course addresses the aging process, common conditions in the aging population, chronic disease management, and aging in place. Risk factors, signs and symptoms, pathogenesis, medical intervention, and occupational therapy intervention are explored. Therapeutic approaches in a variety of practice settings are explored including the home, community, hospital, skilled nursing, and outpatient clinic.

Prerequisites: OTHEG 538 Occupational Therapy Process

Credits: 2

This course develops the student’s knowledge of professional communication skills and methods needed to articulate the unique value of occupational therapy, to educate clients and others, to document the therapy process, and advocate for clients and populations who may benefit from services. This course also focuses on contexts of practice, and personnel, reimbursement, supervision and management strategies for effective service delivery. Finally, students gain in-depth understanding of entities that influence or regulate practice either through policy, reimbursement, and credentialing, while gaining appreciation for the value of professional organizations in advancing the development of the practitioner and the profession.

Credits: 3

This course provides students with opportunities to learn basic principles in group process and is presented in a laboratory format. Group dynamics, group components, and evolutionary phases of historical and current occupational therapy group applications are emphasized.

Credits: 2

This course emphasizes the application of selected models of practice and strategies for occupational therapy practice with young children (birth to 5 years of age) who have deficits in occupational performance related to developmental, neuro-motor, psychosocial, or medical challenges. Therapeutic approaches and clinical skills for working with children and families within the home, community, and clinical settings are emphasized. Practice settings for early intervention and family centered pediatric practice are discussed.

Prerequisites: OTHEG 601 Childhood Occupations

Credits: 5

This course focuses on the development of skills necessary to evaluate the trustworthiness of qualitative research. Students learn how to use qualitative research to better understand the experiences of clients and apply this information to the provision of occupational therapy services.

Prerequisites: OTHEG 523 Evidence-Based Practice I

Credits: 2

This course focuses on occupational therapy services directed toward communities and populations through culturally responsive, customized, and cost-effective programs. It further develops the concept of emerging practice areas and leads to subsequent development of a proposal for an innovative program directed toward maximizing health, well-being, and quality of life for communities and populations.

Credits: 3

This course emphasizes the application of selected models of practice and strategies for occupational therapy practice with school-aged children (ages 6-21 years) who have deficits in their occupational performance related to developmental, neuro-motor, psychosocial, or medical differences. Therapeutic approaches and clinical skills for working with children within their school, community, and clinical settings are emphasized. Practice settings for youth-centered pediatric practice are discussed.

Prerequisites: OTHEG 611 Pediatrics I: Young Children/Early Intervention

Credits: 5

Building on skills introduced in Occupational Therapy Process, this course addresses the aging process, common conditions in the aging population, chronic disease management, and aging in place. Risk factors, signs and symptoms, pathogenesis, medical intervention, and occupational therapy intervention are explored. Therapeutic approaches in a variety of practice settings are explored including the home, community, hospital, skilled nursing, and outpatient clinic.

Prerequisites: OTHEG 503 Aging I

Credits: 3

Fieldwork experience consists of guided learning experiences in various healthcare and/or community settings that provides students with direct opportunities to observe and interact with clients engaged in functional living activities that are appropriate for their respective cognitive, psychosocial, and physical stage of development. Observational, as well as foundational experiential and documentation skills are emphasized.

Credits: 1

Building on knowledge from the biomechanics course, this course focuses on evaluation and intervention strategies for the remediation of musculoskeletal physical limitations of the upper extremity. Emphasis is placed on impairments of the upper extremity, including fractures, tendon injuries, pain syndromes, arthritis, burns, amputations, and soft tissue disorders, and their effect on occupational performance.

Prerequisites: ANATG 502 Anatomy

Credits: 3

This course focuses on the occupation of work and its importance and meaning to various populations. It includes application of occupational therapy evaluation and treatment approaches within the workplace, including the application of ergonomic principles and strategies to prevent injury, and functional capacity evaluations and work rehabilitation to promote return to work.

Credits: 2

Following the upper extremity rehabilitation course, this course emphasizes the fundamental principles of orthotic design and fabrication, and the theoretical principles and practical application of thermal and electrotherapeutic modalities within the practice of occupational therapy. Anatomical and biomedical principles that pertain to orthotic design and fabrication, and the physiological, neurophysiological, and electro-physical changes that occur with application of selected physical agent modalities are emphasized.

Credits: 3

This course focuses on clinical education experiences and coincides with the Fieldwork I-C course. The focus of this course is to provide structure for the observational and experiential activities of the level I fieldwork experience. Students continue to develop professional behaviors and self-awareness through reflective exercises that encourage increasing participation in self-directed learning.

Credits: 0.5

Students conduct a systematic review to apply their knowledge of evidence-based practice to a specific clinical question. In this two-course sequence, students begin the process by writing a clinical question, finding the relevant evidence, abstracting the evidence, and writing the introduction and methods sections of their review paper.

Prerequisites: OTHEG 613 Evidence-Based Practice II

Credits: 3

Building on Psychosocial Practice I, this course focuses on the application of selected models of practice and strategies in occupational therapy. The course provides exposure to and practice with assessments and interventions used in psychosocial practice.

Prerequisites: OTHEG 544 Psychosocial Practice I

Credits: 3

This course serves as a continuation of Evidence Based Practice III in which students complete a systematic review on a specific clinical question. During this quarter, students write the results and discussion sections of their review paper and present their findings in an oral presentation. Based on their analysis of the findings, students derive specific implications for occupational therapy practice.

Prerequisites: OTHEG 653 Evidence-Based Practice III

Credits: 3

CORE elective courses during Winter Quarter of the second year will vary from year to year depending on student interest and faculty availability. Students may select from courses offered by members of the OT Program that have been approved by the OT Program Education Committee, or offerings of other programs or colleges that have been approved by the CHS Curriculum Committee and OT Program Education Committee.

Credits: 1-6

This three-month internship is comprised of supervised field experience with clients and/or client groups who exhibit a variety of medical conditions, which include physical and/or psychosocial disabilities. This internship emphasizes the development of disciplined, higher-level critical thinking skills necessary to plan and provide high-quality client care. Students are supervised by registered occupational therapists with a minimum of one year of experience.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of all prior coursework

Credits: 12

Building on the first Level II Fieldwork experience, this course challenges students to reflect on their individual abilities and competencies in service delivery and therapeutic use of self. They further reflect on the characteristics of the context in which they trained, the trends observed in service delivery and federal/state policies or regulations, anticipating the potential effect on future practice in that context. Students share experiences with documentation and supervision during their training. Finally, as it is the last academic quarter of the program, this course reviews the professional credentialing process and begins preparation for the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Prerequisites: OTHEG 605 Professional Development I

Credits: 3

This course provides an opportunity for students who have completed Fieldwork II-A to reflect on the theories, frames of reference, professional reasoning, and intentional relationship strategies used with the clients they encountered. It encourages them to focus on and refine aspects of clinical practice to enhance their performance in Fieldwork II-B, as well as prepare for their transition from student to entry level practitioner.

Prerequisites: OTHEG 517 Therapeutic Reasoning I

Credits: 2

This course focuses on principles of teaching and learning, which practitioners can apply as they prepare and give educational in-services, participate in advocacy work, or transition to academia. It also includes teaching and learning theories that can be applied to teaching patients, caregivers, and fieldwork students.

Credits: 3

Continuing the professional development of students, this course cultivates the knowledge and skills to develop new service provision models, or adapt existing models, to meet occupational needs within the context and environment of individuals and populations. Students integrate current socioeconomic, cultural, political, geo-demographic, and technological factors to plan, develop, and market a program; and design evaluation methods to support quality improvement. Students utilize theoretical constructs and evidence to justify the program and promote policy development in areas of need.

Prerequisites: OTHEG 605 Professional Development I

Credits: 4

This three-month internship is comprised of supervised field experience with clients and/or client groups who exhibit a variety of medical conditions, which include physical and/or psychosocial disabilities. This internship emphasizes the development of disciplined, higher-level critical thinking skills necessary to plan and provide high-quality client care. Students are supervised by registered occupational therapists with a minimum of one year of experience.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of all prior coursework

Credits: 12