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Curriculum – Entry-level OTD

Spalding University Entry-Level OTD Curriculum

Our entry-level OTD can be completed in nine 13-week trimesters.

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Trimester 1 (16 Credits)

Introduces basic tenets of occupational therapy and practice service delivery models. Students will describe and demonstrate an understanding of the philosophical base of the profession and its importance in meeting society’s current and future occupational needs through explaining the meaning and dynamics of occupation and activity; including the interaction of areas of occupation, performance skills, performance patterns, and activity demands. Demonstration of task analysis within practice context(s), including client factors, will occur and provide the basis for attaining course learning outcomes. (4 credit hours)

Promotes students’ development of scholarship skills including effectively locating, understanding, critiquing, and evaluating research using this knowledge for informing occupational therapy practice. Students will articulate the importance of how scholarly research contributes to the development of knowledge as it relates to occupational therapy. This course includes a review of descriptive and inferential statistics for understanding and critiquing the validity of research. Competence in critiquing the validity of research studies, including designs and methodologies for both quantitative and qualitative research are major learning outcomes of the course. (4 credit hours)

Emphasizes knowledge of anatomical foundations of the structure of the musculoskeletal and peripheral neuromuscular system(s). Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of the human body and connections with the occupation, activity, and occupational therapy practice. The course applies anatomical knowledge including gross anatomy and experiential learning competencies to the rehabilitation processes. Correlation of knowledge to occupational therapy practice is an outcome for successful course completion. (4 credit hours)

Presentation of professional values, ethics and legal issues for ethical decision-making skills within occupational therapy practice. Students will demonstrate the capacity to analyze ethical issues and make decisions to resolve personal, professional and organizational ethical conflicts including the use of informal and formal strategies within varied practice settings. Developing an ethical and competency-based professional development plan is an outcome for successful completion of the course. (4 credit hours)

Trimester 2 (16 Credits)

Presents concepts focusing upon the study of the structure and function of the central nervous system. Specific correlates of occupation and occupational performance related to somatosensory, somatomotor, vestibular, diffuse modulatory systems, limbic and higher association cognitive processes are discussed. Demonstrating conceptual knowledge of the concepts of neuroplasticity’s impact on occupational performance, rehabilitative and habilitative processes are major outcomes for successful course completion. (4 credit hours)

Analyzes the structure and function of the human body using applied functional movement principles related to occupational therapy intervention. This includes using biomechanics, kinematics, and kinetics of human movement through didactic and lab experiences. Students will demonstrate the use of standardized and non-standardized musculoskeletal assessment tools along with skilled observation to document the need for occupational therapy intervention. Evaluation procedures including manual muscle testing, range of motion, and other related skills are presented. Students will demonstrate task analysis competence and safety of self and others in teaching-learning training for enhancing functional mobility. (4 credit hours)

Presents theoretical constructs of occupation and occupational performance and how they form the basis for occupation-based evaluation and intervention. Environmental concepts influencing occupational performance and quality of life will also be discussed. A major goal of this class is to compare and contrast current theoretical models of practice and frames of references including their use for specific populations. As part of this process, students will articulate how the history of the profession contributed to the development of models and frames of references and how they have been influenced by the profession’s current emphasis on evidence-based practice. (4 credit hours)

This course builds upon the knowledge and evidence-based practice skills developed in OT 701. Students will advance their ability to apply evidence to practice by implementing scholarly activities and study for evaluating occupational therapy practice, service delivery, and/or professional issues. Developing and evaluating scholarly proposal(s), data collection instrument psychometrics, data analysis, obtaining external funding, and articulating the steps for writing a systematic review of the literature are learning outcomes in this course. (4 credit hours)

Trimester 3 (12 Credits)

Emphasizes assessment of occupational performance, client factors and environmental context(s) of work, industry, and community. The utilization of superficial and deep physical agent modalities as preparatory methods, the design and fabrication of orthotic devices for enhancing occupational performance and interventions for wound healing are examined. Measures to manage pain, enhance mobility and encourage health and wellness are emphasized. This course has a lab component to provide the opportunity to apply knowledge and develop reasoning skills for entry-level practice. Effectively communicating and working interprofessionally for diagnosing, executing and evaluating the therapeutic intervention(s) and client outcomes are highlighted. (5 credit hours)

Includes clinical and practice experiences designed to enrich concepts presented in OT 740 through directed observation and participation in occupational therapy services for adults with physical, psychosocial, orthopedic, or motor performance deficits. An occupational therapist or a practitioner in a related discipline within a practice setting supervises students for individuals, groups, organizations, and/or populations. The course has integrated learning outcomes designed to demonstrate practice skills learned in OT 740. Online and face-to-face seminar discussion and occupational therapy practice competency outcomes will occur. (1 credit hour)

Emphasizes occupational therapy assessment and intervention related to rehabilitation services for pathological conditions requiring skilled occupational therapy services. Examination of rehabilitative principles including sensorimotor, visual perceptual, and cognitive evaluation and intervention approaches is explored. Students will demonstrate competency in wheelchair management, neurological splint fabrication and interventions to remediate or compensate for neuromotor and/or cognitive deficits. This course has a lab component to provide the opportunity to apply knowledge and develop reasoning skills for entry-level practice. Effectively communicating and working interprofessionally for executing and evaluating occupational therapy intervention(s) and measuring therapeutic outcomes within rehabilitation context(s) are highlighted. (5 credit hours)

Includes experiences designed to enrich concepts presented in OT 750 through directed observation and participation in services for individuals with physical, cognitive, perceptual, sensory, neuromuscular and behavioral deficits that impact occupational performance. An occupational therapist or a practitioner in a related discipline within a rehabilitation practice setting supervises students. The course has integrated learning outcomes designed to demonstrate practice skills learned in OT 750. Online and face-to-face seminar discussion and occupational therapy practice competency outcomes will occur. (1 credit hour)

Trimester 4 (12 Credits)

Emphasizes occupational therapy psychosocial assessment, intervention, and community-based recovery programming for individuals, groups, organizations, and populations. Roles of the occupational therapist in a variety of community and inpatient mental health settings are examined. Analysis of the impact of health and wellness within natural contexts, consumer access to services, health literacy, and interventions designed for improving the welfare of the community are explored. This course has a lab component to provide the opportunity to apply knowledge and develop reasoning skills for entry-level practice. Learning outcomes include designing, developing, facilitating and implementing group interventions for varied populations. (5 credit hours)

Directed observation and participation in a psychosocial and social practice setting for individuals, groups, and populations with behavioral impairments that impact occupational performance. Psychosocial factors that influence engagement and participation in occupation for enriching the concepts presented in OT 760 are the major focus. An occupational therapist or a practitioner in a related discipline will supervise students. The course provides learning outcomes designed to develop the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant team process. Online and face-to-face seminar discussion, as well as occupational therapy practice competency outcomes, will occur. (1 credit hour)

Examines evaluation and intervention for infants, children, and youth through age twenty-one focusing on typical and atypical development. Planning and applying interventions for addressing physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory, and motor performance of children in a variety of contexts are explored. Emphasis is placed on working with the family, in school settings and with diverse populations. This course has a lab component to provide the opportunity to apply knowledge and develop reasoning skills for entry-level practice. Students participate in lecture, discussion, demonstrations, and group work. Interprofessional work and communication for executing components of an intervention plan for pediatric populations is emphasized. (5 credit hours)

Includes experiences designed to enrich concepts presented in OT 770 through directed observation and participation in a variety of services for children and youth. An occupational therapist or a practitioner in a related discipline within a pediatric practice setting supervises students. Online and face-to-face seminar discussion and occupational therapy pediatric practice competency demonstrations will occur. (1 credit hour)

Trimester 5 (15 credits)

Provides an overview and analysis of varied measures of occupation and occupational performance and relates these measures to theoretical practice constructs and outcome measures within diverse practice settings. Diagnostic measures used across the rehabilitation continuum are explored. The process of screening, evaluation, referral, and diagnosis as related to occupational performance and participation is emphasized. Students will analyze and evaluate various contexts and policy issues as they relate to the practice of occupational therapy. Creation of an integrated personal frame of reference for professional practice is required for successful completion. (4 credit hours)

Emphasizes practice issues concerning the occupations of aging. Areas of focus include changes in physical, sensory, perceptual, and cognitive function, as well as examination of emotional and spiritual health. Transitions in late life as influenced by personal and environmental factors are investigated. Interventions designed to promote health and wellness, the prevention of injury and chronic disease management will occur. This course has a lab component to provide the opportunity to apply knowledge and develop reasoning skills for entry-level practice. Learning outcomes include designing and implementing evidenced-based interventions focusing on theoretical frames of reference applicable to aging populations. (5 credit hours)

Provides an experiential learning project within a retirement community that creates the opportunity to understand the lifestyles of older adults better. Insight into client factor changes, occupational performance patterns rituals and routines, and contextual demands of housing and environmental influences that impact occupation are explored. Integrated learning outcomes offered with concurrent programming in OT 790 through online and face-to-face seminar discussion as well as occupational therapy practice competency outcomes will occur. (1 credit hour)

This is a specialty topic course focusing on current and emerging practice areas for a student’s enhanced learning beyond general entry-level practice. Students have the opportunity to focus on advancing knowledge, skills and competence in focused practice areas by selecting 1 – 3 areas to explore over the 3-week focused experience. This course has lab components for providing the opportunity to apply knowledge and develop reasoning skills within the selected practice areas of the student’s choice. Effectively communicating and working to evaluate and design occupational therapy intervention(s) and measuring therapeutic outcomes within a specific context(s) are highlighted. (5 credit hours)

Trimesters 6 & 7 (17 Credits)

Includes benchmarking competency assessment(s) for demonstrating the student’s integration and synthesis of occupational therapy practice, education, and research concepts. Students must meet or exceed minimum set standards on the nationally normed assessment(s). Creating a professional development plan and making formal application for the OT 900 Occupational Therapy Capstone will occur. (1 credit hour)

An in-depth 12-week experience delivering occupational therapy services for the development of entry-level practice skills. The experience occurs in an approved setting under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist with a minimum of one-year practice experience. The supervisor guides and mentors the student and serves as a role model for ethical practice. The experience is designed to promote clinical reasoning and reflective practice in a setting that demonstrates client-centered, meaningful, occupation-based interventions. The opportunity to competently apply the didactic materials provided throughout the curriculum will occur. Setting assignments are reflective of the diversity of occupational therapy practice settings. (8 credit hours)

An in-depth 12-week experience delivering occupational therapy services for the development of entry-level practice skills. The experience occurs in an approved setting under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist with a minimum of one-year practice experience. The supervisor guides and mentors the student and serves as a role model for ethical practice. The experience is designed to promote clinical reasoning and reflective practice in a setting that demonstrates client-centered, meaningful, occupation-based interventions. The opportunity to competently apply the didactic materials provided throughout the curriculum will occur. Setting assignments are reflective of the diversity of occupational therapy practice settings. (8 credit hours)

Trimester 8 (12 Credits)

The application of management principles within complex systems for the evidenced-based competent provision of occupational therapy services for individuals, groups, organizations, and populations will occur. Students will discuss various contextual influences on management, supervision/collaboration, financial/reimbursement, program development, and evaluation; legislative/regulatory implications for practice. Demonstration of knowledge of national requirements for credentialing, state licensure, reimbursement systems, and the ability to determine need for, plan, develop, organize, market and evaluate services is required. (4 credit hours)

Examines the varied roles and responsibilities of the occupational therapist as a leader in practice, education research, consultative and entrepreneur arenas. Roles include involvement in international, national, state, and local professional associations. Application of leadership theory, adult learning, change, program development, and marketing strategies in health or community settings is analyzed. The impact of professional and personal accountability, competency and advocacy strategies for the profession is emphasized. The development of an electronic professional portfolio is a major outcome of the course. (4 credit hours)

Focuses on the analysis of evidence-based occupational therapy practice using a critically appraisal process. Professional presentation of research evidence and systematic review analysis that focuses on occupational therapy practice assessment, diagnosis, interventions and outcomes will occur. Demonstration of the ability to use evidence-based reasoning to analyze, evaluate and diagnose problems related to daily occupational performance, participation and resultant quality of life are the major course outcomes. This course is designed to serve as an evidence-based preparation process for OT 900. (4 credit hours)

Trimester 9 (10 Credits)

This course engages students in advanced clinical/critical reasoning and competence measures in a pre-identified, specialized area of practice. The student is given an opportunity to demonstrate advanced integrated knowledge, skill and competence in a specialty area of occupational therapy practice. Through the fifteen-week course, students will identify the relevant issues impacting the role of occupational therapy in the designated specialty area. They will complete readings in relevant literature, engage in communication exchanges with a professional leader in their identified area, and conclude their capstone project with a product reflecting the extent of their learning. Students will be assigned a faculty capstone advisor and participate in mandatory online modules embedded throughout the course to help guide the student during their capstone experience. (10 credit hours)

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