Program Advisors: Anderson C (Academic Fieldwork Coordinator), Anderson T, Berg (Admissions Chair), Lawson, Olson, Sibla (Program Director), Schroeder

Program Overview

The Occupational Therapy Program at the University of Mary is a part of the School of Health Sciences and leads to a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree at the entry level of practice. The program provides learning experiences and opportunities in theory, occupational performance, human health and wellness, occupational therapy processes, and management issues. The program is based on the mission of the University of Mary, the Benedictine values, and current standards and practices of the occupational therapy profession. The liberal arts core curriculum, experiential learning, and courses within the profession prepare students to be change agents, servant leaders, lifelong learners, and competent and ethical practitioners. The department faculty members are known for their total commitment to students. Their mission is to teach students to think critically, to solve problems, and to express themselves clearly. During the program, students work closely with a faculty preceptor to develop a research study. This process results in a master's research article which may be submitted for publication. Upon completing a degree in OT at the University of Mary, graduates will have the skills and training necessary to practice in a variety of professional roles and settings, including the skills necessary to provide occupational therapy services to underserved and diverse populations.  

Mission  

The Occupational Therapy Program prepares its graduates to be competent occupational therapy practitioners to meet the occupational needs of individuals, groups and communities. Students will develop adept knowledge of humans as occupational beings, critical thinking abilities, commitment to lifelong learning and scholarship, and leadership abilities to effect change. Students are rooted in Christian, Catholic, Benedictine and professional occupational therapy values. These values provide a foundation for the formation and practice of professional skills, therapeutic use of self, respect for others, ethical decision making, and attitudes of service.  

Outcomes  

Upon completion of the professional occupational therapy education program at the University of Mary, the graduate will:       

• Function autonomously in a variety of roles and practice settings to:     
      
  • Use clinical reasoning based on best evidence to solve problems independently.   
    
  • Use the occupational therapy process in direct roles of assessment and intervention and in indirect roles such as supervisor, researcher, consultant, and educator.   
    
  • Use effective communication with professionals and consumers via traditional methods and through use of technology to convey information essential for safe, effective service delivery.
  
• Use servant leadership skills to:     
      
  • Make ethical decisions.   
    
  • Effect change utilizing best practice.   
    
  • Serve others as a means of demonstrating respect for the human mind, body, and spirit.
  
• Provide humane and competent occupational therapy services based on knowledge, skills, and attitudes that empower the graduate to:     
      
  • Meet the unique needs of individuals and populations, including those in underserved and rural areas and of diverse cultures and backgrounds.   
    
  • Appreciate, understand and use meaningful occupation that binds mind, body and spirit.   
    
  • Incorporate client-centered practice into the decision-making process.   
    
  • Utilize therapeutic use of self while engaged in professional service delivery    

Accreditation Status  

The University of Mary Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. AOTA's phone number is 301-652-2682. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the national certification exam 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). Most states require licensure in order to practice; state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.    

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Degree Programs of Study  

The University of Mary Occupational Therapy Program offers three different options of completion of the entry level degree of a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy.       

• Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (4 1/2 year option, 5 1/2 year option)     
      
  • The 4 1/2 year option requires students to complete liberal arts coursework over summer semesters and includes 3 years of professional coursework and 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork experiences.   
    
  • The 5 1/2 option requires students to complete liberal arts coursework over a 2 year period and follows with 3 years of professional coursework and 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork experiences.
  
• Bachelor of Science in related field to Master of Science in Occupational Therapy     
      
  • Designed for students who have a Bachelor's degree in a related field other than occupational therapy. This program takes 2 1/2 years to complete and includes 2 years of professional coursework and 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork experiences.
  
• Occupational Therapy Assistant to Master of Science in Occupational Therapy     
      
  • Designed for students who have an associate's degree in occupational therapy. The program takes 2 1/2 years to complete and includes 2 years of professional coursework and 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork experiences.

Admissions Requirements  

Applications can be found at the University of Mary website www.umary.edu and are accepted online in the fall of each academic year until early January.  

Students are required to complete the following:       

1. Occupational Therapy pre-requisite courses     
       
   • Composition II [writing course]   
     
   • Oral Communications [speech course]   
     
   • Fundamentals of Chemistry (with a lab)   
     
   • *Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab)   
     
   • *Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab)   
     
   • General Psychology   
     
   • Lifespan Psychology   
     
   • Medical Terminology   
     
   • College Algebra (or higher)   
     
   • Abnormal Psychology (only for students who are seeking a Bachelor's Degree to Master of Science in Occupational Therapy AND Occupational Assistant to Master of Science in Occupational Therapy)
      
     *Note: Anatomy & Physiology (with lab) may be separate courses 
  
2. Applicants for the 4 1/2 year or 5 1/2 year option must have completed or be enrolled in 6 of 9 required pre-requisite courses by January 2012. Applicants, who have a bachelor's degree or an OTA degree, must have completed 8 of 10 required pre-requisite courses by January 2012.   
  
3. Community Service and Volunteer Hours: All hours must be documented and signed for using the University of Mary Volunteer Hours Verification Form available on the University of Mary website at www.umary.edu     
       
   • Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (4 1/2 year option, 5 1/2 year option) & Bachelor's Degree to Master of Science in Occupational Therapy     
         
     • 20 hours volunteer service with an occupational therapist AND   
       
     • 20 hours community service (work hours are not accepted for community service hours)
     
   • Occupational Therapy Assistant to Master of Science in Occupational Therapy     
         
     • 15 hours of community service AND proof of completion of all Level II fieldwork experiences. Work hours will not be accepted for the community service hours
     
4. Three (3) letters of reference addressing moral and ethical behavior, academic abilities, and work ethic. One of these references must be completed by a previous or current work supervisor or from the OT supervising the volunteer hours. The reference letter form must be used for all references and is found on the University of Mary website at www. umary.edu   
  
5. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum grade of "C" in all prerequisite course work. Students may retake pre-requisite coursework one time.   
  
6. International students need to provide a copy of the score sheet from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or other documentation required by University policy for admission of international students.

Rolling Admissions  

If the class number does not reach the limit of 32 students, rolling admissions goes into effect. Students must meet all criteria previously outlined and participate in the formal interview process. Rolling admissions are considered until the first day of class in the fall. Applicants will be reviewed based on the time of submissions of a completed application.