The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200
Bethesda MD, 20814-3449
(301) 652-AOTA
www.acoteonline.org
Program Description
During the program, students are required to adhere to all program, departmental, and school policies as outlined in the student handbooks, fieldwork manual, and course syllabi. Students typically complete Level II Fieldwork within 12 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program. Successful completion of the program leads to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Licensure requirements for occupational therapists vary by state according to practice act and state regulations that govern the practice of occupational therapy. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s eligibility to take the NBCOT Certification Examination or attain state licensure.
Program Mission
The mission of the TTUHSC Master of Occupational Therapy program is to provide students with a strong foundation in clinical reasoning, knowledge, and skills to become competent occupational therapists who improve the health of individuals and communities. Academic and professional citizenship of students is cultivated through mentorship in scholarly activities.
Philosophy Statement
G Grounded in Bloom’s Taxonomy
O Occupation-based approaches
T Teamwork in scholarship and practice
E Education of future professionals
C Clinical Reasoning/Case Mapping
H Hands on learning
Beliefs about Humans
Human beings possess a unique array of interests, values, skills, abilities, and experiences which influence the way each perceives, chooses, and engages in various, meaningful activities (also called occupations). Occupations are the ordinary and familiar things that people do every day. The selection of and engagement in these meaningful activities contributes to one’s identity, sense of purpose, health, and well-being.
Beliefs about the Nature of Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is the art and science of helping people do the day to day activities that are important and meaningful to them. Engagement in valued occupations is used in treatment to facilitate health and well-being. Valued occupations include the following areas: self-care, learning, work, play, leisure, social participation, and rest.
Occupational therapists work collaboratively with individuals, families, caregivers, and other groups whose life patterns and abilities to engage in valued occupations have been altered as a result of various circumstances (e.g. cognitive or developmental problems, injury or illness, social or emotional deficits, or the aging process). Occupational therapists apply clinical reasoning as they plan, facilitate, and reflect on client care. The focus of occupational therapy is to facilitate the individual’s ability to participate in meaningful, purposeful activities (occupations) at home, school, the workplace, community, and other various settings.
Occupational Therapy Practice Areas & Settings:
- Acute care
- Assistive technology
- Burn centers
- Case management
- Community health practice
- Driver rehabilitation
- Early intervention services
- Ergonomics consultation
- Hand rehabilitation
- Health and wellness consultation
- Home health
- Home modifications access
- Hospice services
- Hospitals
- Low vision services
- Nursing homes
- Private practice
- Psychiatric Hospitals
- Psychosocial needs of youth
- Rehabilitation centers (inpatient and outpatient)
- Schools
- State-Supported Living Centers
Beliefs about the Nature of Learning
Human beings learn through and are shaped by experiences throughout their lives. Opportunities for learning occur in many ways, such as acquiring knowledge, skill development, and personal growth. Through these varied experiences, changes in a person’s knowledge, abilities, behavior, and attitudes occur.
The curriculum of the occupational therapy program is shaped by two guiding frameworks. Bloom’s levels of learning serve as framework that faculty utilize to inform and guide the student learning process. Students develop critical thinking skills as concepts are introduced and reintroduced in increasing complexity. The other framework consists of the following six curriculum threads: Fundamental Concepts, Theoretical Foundations, Clinical Reasoning, Research Methods, Occupational Therapy Processes, and Professional Practice. These curriculum threads further focus the development of the students’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors with respect to the profession of occupational therapy. The program fosters the development of each student’s clinical reasoning and professionalism through a combination of didactic and experiential processes.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork education is an integral aspect of our program. Students must pass a Criminal Background Check, maintain CPR certification, maintain immunizations, and complete annual tuberculosis testing and influenza vaccination in order to participate in fieldwork experiences. The student is responsible for fees related to Criminal Background Checks, Drug Screenings, and Immunizations. Students must be approved for fieldwork placement by the Program Director and the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator. Considerations in this recommendation include student’s academic performance, completion of program requirements, and demonstration of adequate professionalism and behaviors indicative of the ability to be effective and productive during clinical training. This includes problem solving ability and critical thinking. Students on fieldwork are expected to follow safety procedures of the clinical site, plus any other requirements deemed important by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and/or Fieldwork Educator for a specific clinical site. Behaviors observed during the professional curriculum are taken to be a measure of a student’s readiness for Clinical Fieldwork. Students are responsible for all costs associated with fieldwork including transportation, housing, meals, uniforms, Criminal Background Checks, and other incidental expenses.
Students will be involved in Level I Fieldwork experiences during the second year in the program. Students complete 24 weeks of full-time Level II Fieldwork during the third year of the program. No part of Fieldwork Level I may be substituted for any part of Fieldwork Level II. The length of the entire program is two and a half years. Level II Fieldwork is typically completed within 12 months following the completion of academic preparation.
Fieldwork education consists of five experiences designed to prepare and expose the student to a variety of applied settings in occupational therapy:
- Fieldwork I: Pediatric Process in Fieldwork AND Fieldwork I: Psychosocial Group Process occur in the summer semester of the second year. The student will actively participate in active learning experiences within the community to develop professional and therapeutic skills.
- Fieldwork I: Adult Physical Dysfunction occurs prior to beginning classes in the spring semester of the second year. The student actively participates in occupational therapy as it is practiced in an adult physical disabilities setting for a total of 80 hours.
- Fieldwork II 1: This full-time fieldwork experience typically begins in May of the third year. The student integrates client evaluation and intervention planning/implementation skills and develops entry-level competency in essential skills. The student has the opportunity to develop advanced competencies beyond entry-level where applicable.
- Fieldwork II 2: This full-time fieldwork experience typically begins in September of the third year. The student integrates client evaluation and intervention planning/implementation skills and develops entry-level competency in essential skills. The student has the opportunity to develop advanced competencies beyond entry-level where applicable.
Clinical facilities that have occupational therapy clinical education agreements with TTUHSC may be used for Fieldwork sites. The MOT Academic Fieldwork Coordinator provides detailed information for selection procedures. The student’s selection of a Fieldwork site must be approved by the MOT Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and/or the Program Director prior to the student enrolling in the applicable Fieldwork courses. The MOT Academic Fieldwork Coordinator reserves the right not to approve a student’s selection of any clinical education site. The MOT Academic Fieldwork Coordinator may consult with MOT faculty and the MOT Program Director in order to determine a Fieldwork placement for any student.
As such, the MOT Academic Fieldwork Coordinator further reserves the right to place the student at any clinical site determined necessary for successful completion of a student clinical fieldwork experience, or to not allow a student to enroll in a clinical fieldwork experience, for the following reasons:
- The student is on Academic Probation.
- The student has previously displayed behavior resulting in counseling using the Generic Abilities.
Essential Functions
To successfully complete the didactic and clinical portion in the MOT program, a student must meet the following essential functions:
- Observation: Observe a patient’s/client’s activity and behavior accurately during assessment and treatment procedures. Accurately monitor, through both visual and auditory modalities, materials and equipment used for assessment and treatment of patients/clients.
- Communication: Communicate professionally (orally and in writing) as required for course work and clinical placements to ensure patient/client safety. Complete clinical instructions and maintain productivity standards in a timely manner according to facility guidelines for safe and effective entry-level patient care. Use technology to meet requirements of courses and clinical placements (e.g., computer skills including but not limited to internet access, word processing and spreadsheet programs, learning management systems, and electronic health records).
- Cognition: Comprehend, integrate and synthesize a large amount of information in a short period of time. Read, comprehend, record and interpret information accurately from diagnostic tests, equipment and patient/client records to ensure patient safety. Accurately self-assess clinical skills and academic performance.
- Social Behavioral Skills: Demonstrate respect for individual, social and cultural differences of fellow students, faculty, staff, patients’/clients’ and patient’s/client’s families during clinical and academic interactions. Demonstrate flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in academic and clinical situations. Conduct oneself in an ethical and legal manner, demonstrating honesty, integrity and professionalism in all interactions and situations.
- Motor Skills: Sustain necessary physical activity level required for classroom and clinical activities during the defined workday. Efficiently manipulate testing and treatment environment, materials and equipment. Access transportation to attend academic courses and clinical placements.
Admission to the Program
The MOT Program begins in late May each year. The application for the admissions cycle opens in July. A bachelor’s degree is required prior to beginning the program. The GRE is not required for admission into the program.
The Application Process
Applicants must complete both an application through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) and a supplemental application. The OTCAS application and the supplemental application can be accessed through the following link: http://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/admissions/application.aspx.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis for acceptance into the MOT program. The deadline for the receipt of the applications, supporting documentation, and application fee is November 15th. The application must be verified by OTCAS and the TTUHSC SHP supplemental application must be completed by the application deadline. Individual applications are only reviewed after the OTCAS verification process is completed, and the TTUHSC SHP supplemental application is submitted; therefore, it is in the applicant’s best interest to complete the application process, including submission of required documentation, as early as possible. Documentation that is required to be submitted includes: transcripts, verification of observation/experience hours in occupational therapy settings, two recommendation letters, verification of required immunizations, verification of CPR certification, and a personal essay.
Please note: There is a time lag in submitting your application to OTCAS and the application being verified. Applicants will need to plan accordingly. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all application materials have been received by OTCAS and the SHP Office of Admissions prior to the application deadline.
The selection process for the TTUHSC MOT Program is highly competitive; therefore, it is in the applicant’s best interest to complete the entire application process as early as possible. Applicants must meet the admission criteria and complete the application process prior to the deadline to be considered an eligible applicant. Many factors are considered in admissions decisions, and acceptance is offered to candidates that appear to be most highly qualified to meet the mission and goals of the MOT program. Invitations to interview with the MOT program faculty in Lubbock, Texas are extended to the most competitive applicants. Completion of prerequisite coursework, strength of the academic record, essays, letters of recommendation, and interviews are all strongly considered in the admissions process.
GPA Requirements
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum Science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are required. A competitive overall GPA and science prerequisite GPA are a consideration for admissions.
Transcripts and Coursework
Applicants must submit transcripts of all institutions attended. At the time of application, the student must demonstrate the ability to complete all pre-professional coursework prior to enrollment in the first semester of the professional curriculum.
Experience
Applicants are expected to have some knowledge of the occupational therapy profession. This can be acquired in several ways: volunteer work, paid work and/or observation in occupational therapy settings/services. It is in the best interest of the applicant to complete a substantial number of experiential hours (a minimum of 40 hours, preferably in a variety of different settings) prior to the application deadline for the program. Verification of observation/experience hours in occupational therapy practice must be submitted as a part of the application. Applicants are also encouraged to become familiar with the occupational therapy profession through exploring the professional literature and online resources.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be completed by an occupational therapist. Letters should be completed by professional personnel who have: (a) observed the applicant during any related volunteer, observation, or paid work, (b) been previous or present instructors and/or counselors, or (c) been previous or present employers.
Immunizations and CPR
Verification of required immunizations and CPR for the Healthcare Provider certification must be submitted prior to enrollment in professional curriculum, or preferably by the application deadline. CPR certification must be maintained throughout the professional program. Immunizations will be maintained by a national database which requires an annual fee to be paid by the student.
Personal Essay
The personal essays should be submitted with the application.
Personal Interview
Competitive candidates are invited for an on-site interview during the Fall or Spring semesters. Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview.
Prerequisite Courses
The completion of the Pre-Professional Curriculum is required prior to starting the program. Courses may be completed in any regionally accredited community college, or university. All prerequisite courses must be complete prior to matriculation. It is recommended that prerequisite courses be taken within the last seven years. For the file to be reviewed, no more than 9 prerequisite hours can be in progress, and at least two science prerequisites must be completed. AP and CLEP credit will not be accepted for any science prerequisite course. There is no advanced placement, transfer of credit or experiential learning credit within the TTUHSC MOT Program.
Below is the list of the courses that comprise the Pre-Professional Curriculum.
Required Course | Credit Hours |
| Anatomy & Physiology (with lab) | 6-8 |
| Physics, and/or Biomechanics, and/or Kinesiology | 3 |
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Developmental Psychology (Lifespan) | 3 |
| Statistics | 3 |
