Courses

• SAR OT 530: Occupation Based Practice with Groups
  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
  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, assessment procedures, user populations, environments, and the impact of assistive technology on occupation.
• SAR OT 556: Neuroscience for Occupational Therapy
  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
  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
  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
  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
  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 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
  This graduate course in occupational therapy is designed to be taken concurrently with two other complementary courses: OT 565 (Skills for Occupation Based Practice 2) and OT 586( Professional Service Management). This component of the course sequence focuses on knowledge and resources needed for effective clinical reasoning about occupation-based evaluation and intervention for the Biomechanical and Neurorehabilitation theoretical perspectives. Topics covered included diagnostic conditions and disorders, theoretical perspectives, research evidence, and practice contexts/environments. Content is applied to individuals living with chronic conditions who are most likely to benefit from remediation interventions to enable performance of meaningful occupations, e.g., ADLs/IADLs, work, education, play, leisure, rest and sleep, and social participation. Classes will consist primarily of lectures, group discussions, audiovisual presentations, and case study discussions. Considerable self-directed learning is expected.
• SAR OT 570: Special Topics in Occupational Therapy
  Advanced study in a selected area of occupational therapy theory or practice. Specific topic announced in the semester offered. Seminar and/or supervised laboratory study as appropriate to the particular topic.
• SAR OT 589: Orientation to Practice
  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 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.
• SAR OT 590: Fieldwork Seminar/Field Experience Fee
  Fee is equal to the cost of two credits. The Fieldwork Seminar is for students completing the didactic coursework in the program. Topics preparing for the transition from the academic setting to the practice setting, program policies and procedures, criteria for evaluating student performance, supervision issues, fieldwork experience responsibilities and information on certification, licensure and the job search.
• SAR OT 593: Level II Fieldwork I
  Full-time, on-site clinical experience.
• SAR OT 594: Level II Fieldwork II
  Full-time, on-site clinical experience.
• SAR OT 595: Level II Elective Fieldwork
  Optional (via petition) full-time, on-site clinical experience.
• SAR OT 610: Health Promotion and Wellness
  This on-line graduate course focuses on developing a health promotion program grounded in theory. After an introduction to the field of public health and the role of occupational therapy in the area of health promotion and wellness, the course guides the student in the development of a program related to a health issue in his or her practice setting. The student will be introduced to frameworks and theories from pubic health and other disciplines and will then apply these as he or she develops a health promotion program. The student will read about and discuss programs in health promotion at the individual, group, and population level, for people with and without disabilities, and in a variety of environments. (3 credits)
• SAR OT 617: Contemporary Trends in Occupational Therapy
  This on-line graduate course examines three important current topics of discussion in occupational therapy. The first theme is client-centered practice: What is contemporary thinking about this principle and how does my practice reflect this principle? The second theme is occupation-centered practice: What does it mean to have occupation as the core focus of practice and what are current challenges to keeping this focus? The third theme is looking outward: How do the concerns of occupational therapy relate to work emerging in other fields and where might we find knowledge to enhance our practice, or collaborators who share similar concerns and values? The course assignments are designed to facilitate critical reflection on the student's own practice in relation to these developments.
• SAR OT 620: Evidence-Based OT Practice II
  This second course in the evidence-based practice sequence focuses on critical analysis of research on intervention effectiveness. Students examine issues of internal, external, and statistical validity as they relate to the appropriate use of evidence for clinical decision-making.
• SAR OT 621: Evidence-Based OT Practice III
  This is the third course in a sequence that develops skills and knowledge for evidence-based occupational therapy practice. The course focuses on generating evidence for one's own practice. The course introduces students to methods to examine generating group level (program evaluation) individual outcomes (single subject design).
• SAR OT 713: Developmental Disabilities I: Evaluation, Assessment, Families and Systems
  This interdisciplinary course addresses issues relevant to professionals who work with people with developmental disabilities, their families, and the human service system. Understanding the professionals' role in diagnosing, evaluating and assessing children who have developmental disabilities or who are at high risk of acquiring them will be the emphasis for the first half of the semester. Specific discussions of families and services will highlight the second half of the term. This course is offered in collaboration with six area universities and colleges and meets off-campus at the Children's Hospital.
• SAR OT 714: Developmental Disabilities II: Values, Policy and Change
  This course focuses on the community, system and leadership components of developmental disabilities and is based on values of enhancing the quality of life of individuals with disabilities. Issues of systems change and policy implications are stressed while understanding disabilities for the persons' and families' perspective are maintained. This course is offered in collaboration with six area universities and colleges and meets off-campus at the Children's Hospital.

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