This course introduces students to occupational therapy practice and the role of the occupational therapy assistant. Topics include history, principles, philosophy, and foundations that guide the profession of occupational therapy. An understanding of occupations as core to occupational therapy intervention and practice will be explored along with occupations-based models.

This is the concurrent practical applications course to OTA 110. The focus is on using hands-on experiences to understand human occupation and the language and concepts of the profession.

Students will explore normal human physical, social, behavioral and cognitive development, and performance throughout the lifespan. Typical changes in normative life tasks and occupational roles in relationship to environment and culture will be discussed. Theories including those of Maslow, Erikson and Piaget will be compared as they relate to normal development.

The focus of this course is to lay the foundation for movement analysis. Students will learn biomechanics, physical task skill analysis and kinesiology, the study of human movement. Joint motion and muscle action will be explored describing prime movers of the human body. The lab is a practical applications course for the understanding of normal movement, kinesiology, and body mechanics. Students will learn to assess strength and range of motion as well as to analyze movement during activities.

This course focuses on the study of pediatrics and the common disabilities treated in occupational therapy. The various environments in which occupational therapists practice with children will be explored. Students will gain an understanding of the pathology and dysfunction commonly treated in this population and will look at the occupational roles of normal as well as developmentally disabled individuals from infancy to adolescence. Human occupation and the occupational role of the child and adolescent will be reviewed in the context of living with disabling conditions. Legal and ethical considerations in pediatric practice will be discussed.

This course introduces students to occupational therapy process, evaluation, and treatment intervention in the area of pediatrics. Students will explore various assessments and treatment interventions used by the occupational therapy assistant in the pediatric practice area. Content will include postural control, feeding, positioning, and handling techniques, sensory integrative techniques, caregiver training, age-appropriate activities of daily living, education, play and leisure, and the student role. Instruction in performance areas for occupational therapy intervention for the pediatric population is provided. Practical applications, including treatment planning, treatment interventions, and the use of assistive technologies for the pediatric population will be explored.

This course is the first in the sequence of OTA courses related to a segment of occupational therapy practice. The lecture and lab content emphasize the knowledge that students need for successful work with people at various points on the mental health/illness spectrum. Information includes features of specific diagnoses and practice settings, frames of reference and safety issues. Students will be introduced to the tools commonly used to assess relevant client factors and occupational performance. Students will plan and practice individual and group intervention techniques, including the use of group dynamics. Emphasis is placed on understanding the importance of psychosocial issues and therapeutic use of self as components of the holistic approach of occupational therapy in helping people of all ages assume and resume desired occupations in various life contexts.

The first of two Level I fieldwork opportunities, this course offers students 30 hours of direct experience within the community in a clinical practice setting that focuses on the psychological and social factors that may limit engagement in occupation. Through interaction and selected participation, students will begin to integrate academic coursework with direct client interaction.

Level IB Fieldwork is the second of two 30-hour, on-site experiences which offers students direct interaction with the adult/geriatric population. Through observation and participation in practice settings, students will begin to integrate what they see in the community with their academic coursework, creating an opportunity for professional growth and development. The primary focus of this fieldwork experience will be to observe adults within a variety of service settings.

This course focuses on the pathology and dysfunction of the adult population treated by occupational therapy practitioners. It includes common conditions seen in occupational therapy. Students will explore the various occupations and occupational roles of adulthood and the effects of dysfunction on the adult. The study of environment and adaptations will be explored. Work, activities of daily living, and leisure will be addressed.

This course focuses on evaluation and treatment interventions used by the occupational therapy assistant working with adults with physical and cognitive/perceptual disabilities. Combining lecture and laboratory work, students will consider various practice models to plan, grade, and perform treatment interventions with an emphasis on purposeful activities and occupations to enhance role function. Use of adaptive equipment, splinting, and modalities will be explored.

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the unique needs of the older adult. Students will apply principles of physical rehabilitation and psychosocial practice in an effort to gain an understanding of geriatric occupational therapy. Students will learn therapeutic interventions aimed at both prevention of dysfunction and restoration of health in older adults. They will demonstrate an understanding of occupational roles in later life. Students will study treatment interventions, adaptive techniques, and environmental technology utilized to remediate dysfunction and maximize independence in elders. Students will discuss cultural issues and professional ethics as they relate to this population.

The foundation of occupational therapy practice lies in the ability to problem solve for a variety of conditions or situations to restore, remediate, or maintain function. Students will gain the additional knowledge needed to understand and apply clinical reasoning in the field of occupational therapy. Students will demonstrate their clinical reasoning with case-based projects. Students will be introduced to administrative duties typically required of an occupational therapy assistant in the practice areas they will enter for Level II fieldwork. Laws and ethical standards governing the practice of occupational therapy will also be discussed during this hands-on application course.

The Level II Fieldwork is the final phase of the OTA program. Working with occupational therapy recipients, students will participate in the evaluation process, planning and implementing treatment programs, communicating effectively, and developing professional relationships. Students will work under the supervision of a COTA or OTR who meets criteria as a clinical educator. The student and academic fieldwork coordinator will collaboratively select the practice environment. All practice environments must have a signed contract with the university. This is a full-time placement in a facility for 8 weeks. Actual contact time is 35-40 hours per week.

This course provides students the opportunity to complete a capstone project in an area of interest. Through a combined partnership with faculty, students will select a project of their choice and complete the project with faculty as advisers. Students will be given the opportunity to present the final projects in a senior colloquium. This final course of the OTA curriculum will allow students to expand their knowledge of legal, ethical and professional considerations in occupational therapy with application to the fieldwork they have just completed. Professional licensure requirements, resume writing and job searching, and preparation for the national certification exam will be emphasized.

This second Level II Fieldwork experience will offer students further exposure to occupational therapy practice. The second practice environment will provide a different experience for students to continue to develop skills as an occupational therapy assistant. Opportunities to engage in an emerging practice environment may be offered for either of the Level II Fieldwork courses. Supervision in these environments will be shared with occupational therapy practitioners and other healthcare providers. All practice environments must have a signed contract with the university. This is a full-time placement in a facility for 8 weeks. Actual contact time will be 35-40 hours per week.