Occupational Therapy

• SAR OT 151: Occupation and Health: Introduction to Occupational Therapy
  Examination of the nature of occupation and its relation to health and well-being and of the factors that influence one's choice of and ability to perform activities. Students will explore their own activity (occupation) choices and patterns as well as those of the community through directed observation, laboratory experiences, and written assignments.
• SAR OT 317: Professional Preparation Seminar for Occupational Therapy
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: Junior students in the BS/MSOT program only.
  Preparation for the OT graduate professional program through participation in a volunteer experience and critical discussion. Emphasis on developing independent and reflective learning, critical reasoning skills, and professional behaviors necessary for effective participation in the graduate-level curriculum. Students will examine key issues in health and disability, culture, and values as they influence occupational therapy practice. Includes both a seminar class and outside volunteer experience.
• SAR OT 497: Independent Study
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: Consent of supervising instructor
  Individually supervised study for advanced student wishing to pursue a specialized area of interest in occupational therapy. Undergraduate level.
• SAR OT 500: Integrative Seminar I and LIFW
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: MSOT students only
  This course is the first integrative seminar in a four-seminar sequence designed to enhance clinical reasoning processes by integrating knowledge from previous educational and work experiences with current courses and weekly fieldwork experiences. Using problem based case scenarios, simulated classroom activities, and fieldwork experiences, this seminar focuses on reasoning related to professional socialization, group processes, diversity, therapeutic relationships, ethical practice and other professional issues related to working with persons and populations of all ages with a variety of needs for occupational therapy practice. This seminar provides multiple opportunities for development of oral and written communication skills, individually and in groups. Self-directed, collaborative learning and class participation are an essential aspect of this seminar.
• SAR OT 501: Integrative Seminar II and LIFW
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: OT500, OT513, OT520, OT526, OT529, OT589; MSOT students only.
  This course is the second in a four-seminar sequence designed to develop and enhance professional reasoning processes by integrating knowledge and skills from previous educational and work experiences and from concurrent OT courses with weekly fieldwork experiences. This seminar focuses on reasoning related to theories of learning and behavior change; the assessment, intervention, and documentation process; use of theory and research evidence in practice; therapeutic rapport and communication; and other professional topics and issues as they relate to working with persons and populations of all ages in a variety of OT practice contexts. Self-directed and collaborative learning, class participation, reflective writing for application and analysis of learning, case-based learning, and ongoing development of a professional portfolio are essential aspects of this seminar.
• SAR OT 502: Integrative Seminar III and LIFW
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: OT501, 0T524, 0T556, OT562, OT620; MSOT students only.
  This is the third course in a sequence designed to develop clinical reasoning by integrating course-related knowledge with weekly fieldwork experiences. The course uses problem-based case scenarios and fieldwork experiences to practice reasoning about evaluation and intervention for person of all ages with a variety of disabling conditions. Students apply client-centered, occupation and evidence-based practice concepts to their evaluation and intervention plans.
• SAR OT 513: Analysis and Adaptation of Occupation
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: MSOT students only
  This course introduces students to the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain of practice (2nd edition). Students will learn the skills of occupation analysis, grading, and the adaptation of activity. They will also develop skills to assess the environment for barriers to successful engagement. Students will examine the historical roots of occupational therapy, the changes the profession has experienced over the century, and the impact on occupational therapy practice over the years. Participation in National school Backpack Awareness Day is a major community activity.
• SAR OT 520: Evidence-Based Practice I
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: Basic Statistics; MSOT students only.
  Graduate Prerequisites: basic statistics course.
  The first course in a sequence designed to develop knowledge and skills for using scientific evidence in clinical decision-making. The course focuses particularly on analysis and application of descriptive, relational, and qualitative research evidence.
• SAR OT 524: Introduction to the OT Process
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: OT500, OT513 OT520, OT526, OT529, OT589; MSOT students only.
  Graduate Prerequisites: SAR OT 500 ; SAR OT 513 ; SAR OT 529.
  This course introduces students to the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Process of intervention. Through collaborative learning, students will experience the process of evaluation, intervention planning and implementation, and discharge for occupation-based, wellness interventions. Students will learn to administer occupation-based assessments, goal writing and to support their interventions with evidence. Students also gain practice in interviewing and therapeutic use of self, and develop clinical reasoning skills related to OT practice. Students will also learn the skills necessary for accurate and timely documentation of services.
• SAR OT 526: Functional Movement: Analysis and Assessment
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: Gross Human Anatomy; MSOT students only
  This course examines changes in gross and fine movement skills across the life course and the relation of these changes to occupational performance. In addition, students learn biomechanical principles and their application to functional activities including seating, transfers, and mobility. Principles covered in lecture are applied through practical experiences and discussions during application sessions.
• SAR OT 529: Occupation Across the Life Course
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: Developmental Psychology; MSOT students only
  This course examines current theory and research related to the development of human occupation throughout the life course. Human development is viewed from occupation-based and ecological perspectives, emphasizing the inextricable links among person, environment, and occupation. The performance of activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, work/education, play/leisure, and social participation, especially as potentially affected by health and disability, will be examined across the life course. Students are required to observe, interpret, and describe occupational performance, and to apply relevant theories and constructs to understand the development of human occupation. Students will begin to develop a base of knowledge about different types, administration, and interpretation of assessment methods and measures.
• SAR OT 530: Occupation Based Practice with Groups
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: OT502, OT538, OT563, OT564, OT621; MSOT students only
  Graduate Prerequisites: SAR OT 524 ; SAR OT 533 ; SAR OT 535 ; SAR OT 537.
  This Level I Fieldwork Practicum and Integrative Seminar in Occupational Therapy is the culminating course in a four-semester course sequence. It is designed to enhance clinical reasoning by integrating knowledge and skills from current and previous courses with a weekly fieldwork experience. Students use principles of program development, needs assessment, group intervention planning and implementation, along with theory and research evidence, to design and co-lead occupation-centered groups in a variety of practice settings and contexts with child, adult and elder populations. Readings, independent learning, and group supervision are combined with assignments specific to planning and leading a group. Class participation and independent learning are an essential aspect of this course.
• SAR OT 538: Assistive Technology
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: OT501, OT524, OT556, OT562, OT620; MSOT students only
  Graduate Prerequisites: SAR OT 513.
  This course provides a lecture and laboratory-based introduction on the use of assistive technologies and related issues, such as funding and legislation. It is designed to provide a basic understanding of various types of technologies, user populations and environments.
• SAR OT 556: Neuroscience for Occupational Therapy
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: OT500, OT513, OT520, OT526, OT529, OT589; MSOT students only
  In this foundation neuroscience course, the student will be presented with topics including histology of the central nervous system, gross anatomy and organization of the central nervous system, cross-sectional anatomy of the brainstem and spinal cord, autonomic nervous system anatomy and function, ascending sensory pathways, descending motor pathways, cranial nerves: location, fibers course and function, vasculature of the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord, visual system, vestibular system, auditory system, cerebellum, basal ganglia, cerebral cortical structure and function, limbic system: learning and memory, and development and normal aging of the nervous system. In addition to an in depth discussion of the neuroanatomy of each of the above systems and structures, each topic will have an applied component in which students will investigate the impact of these systems and structures on function. Students will be presented with case studies in class and in the lab portion of the course which reinforce the clinical application of the course topics. In lab, students will also conduct exercises related to the testing of neurological function and investigate neuranaotmic structures using brain atlases and images.
• SAR OT 562: Learning and Behavior Change
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: OT500, OT513, OT520, OT526, OT529, OT589; MSOT students only
  This course examines interdisciplinary theories of learning and behavior change that underlie current OT theories and practice. The course explores the impact of various clinical conditions and cognitive function on learning and behavior change. The course provides foundation knowledge underlying occupational therapy theories and frames of reference.
• SAR OT 563: Context and Occupational Performance
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: OT501, OT524, OT556, OT562, OT620; MSOT students only
  This graduate course in occupational therapy is designed to be taken concurrently with two other complementary courses: OT 564 and OT 503. This course focuses on knowledge and resources needed for effective clinical reasoning about occupation-based evaluation and intervention. Topics covered include diagnostic conditions and disorders, practice contexts/environments, models and theories of practice, research evidence, healthcare/education regulations and policies, and interdisciplinary practitioner roles. Content is applied particularly to individuals living with long-term conditions who are most likely to benefit from compensatory and adaptive interventions to enable performance of meaningful occupations such as ADL/IADLs, work, education, play, leisure, and social participation. Classes consist primarily of lectures, group discussions, audiovisual presentations, and case study discussions. A high level of self-directed learning is expected.
• SAR OT 564: Skills for Occupation Based Practice I
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: OT501, OT524, OT556, OT562, OT620; MSOT students only
  This companion course to OT563 Context and OT502 Integrative Seminar III emphasizes the development of assessment and intervention skills for working with individuals living with long-term conditions likely to benefit from compensatory and adaptive strategies. Students will have opportunity for hands-on practice in selecting, administering, and interpreting assessments, as well as choosing and implementing occupation-based interventions. Best practice is promoted by requiring students to support their assessment and intervention choices through theoretical and empirical evidence.
• SAR OT 565: Skills for Occupation Based Practice II
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: OT502, OT538, OT563, OT564, OT621; MSOT students only
  This companion course to OT566 Client Factors emphasizes the development of assessment and intervention skills for working with individuals living with conditions likely to benefit from remedial interventions directed toward performance skills and client factors. Students will have opportunity for hands-on practice in selecting, administering, and interpreting assessments, as well as choosing and implementing occupation-based interventions. Best practice is promoted by requiring students to support their assessment and intervention choices through theoretical and empirical evidence.
• SAR OT 566: Client Factors and Occupational Performance
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: OT502, OT538, OT563, OT564, OT621; MSOT students only
  This companion course to OT565 provides students the knowledge and resources needed for effective clinical reasoning about occupation-based evaluation and intervention applying the biomechanical and neurorehabilitation frames of reference. Topics covered include diagnostic conditions and disorders, models and theories of practice, research evidence, and practice contexts/environments. Content is applied to individuals living with long-term conditions who are most likely to benefit from remediation interventions to enable performance of meaningful Occupations, e.g., ADL/IADLs, work, education, play, leisure, and social participation.
• SAR OT 589: Orientation to Practice
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: MSOT students only
  This graduate course in occupational therapy is designed to orient and introduce students to current and emerging areas of practice. Guest faculty and practitioners will share their experience and expertise for various areas of practice to aid students in understanding the typical contexts of fieldwork experiences that will be an integral part of the curriculum. This course is intended to introduce students to common types of client populations across the lifespan and typical interventions and goals for for areas of practice addressing mental health, pediatrics, and physical disabilities occupational needs and services. Goals, guidelines, policies and procedures for participating in the academic program's Level I (LIFW) and Level II (LIIFW) fieldwork programs will be reviewed. Training in confidentiality/privacy laws will be provided to support students in abiding by professional ethics and behaviors. Additionally, opportunities for professional development within and outside of the University will be highlighted.