Master of Science (MSc) in Occupational Therapy

OTH 600 Human Occupation

This course introduces students to the broad concept of occupation by exploring ways people acquire skills for occupational performance. Students will develop an understanding of the relations between health and occupation, disability and occupation, and explore how humans find meaning in their lives through occupation. Students will examine developmental themes and models of childhood and adolescent occupation, including activities of daily living, play, education, social skill development, and vocational exploration. The impact of physical, psychological, cognition, and social development on the child as well as the influence of caretakers, community, and culture will be addressed. Developmental themes and theoretical models of the adult life cycle, from early to late adulthood, will include examination of physical, psychological, cognitive, and social changes and the influence of culture, race, and gender on occupations and adaptation. Emphasis will be placed on individual differences and the impact of sociocultural context or areas of occupation such as work, activities of daily living, play, education, social participation, and spiritual practices.

OTH 604 Occupational Therapy Practice

Students will be introduced to foundation knowledge, values, and philosophy of occupational therapy practice and OT practice models and frameworks. Comparison of different frameworks will be conducted based on client profile, contextual surroundings, and individual therapy goals. Students will learn the skills necessary to apply professional behaviors and skills required to be ethical practitioners. They will learn about various practice settings and systems within which occupational therapists practice to prepare them to begin making decisions regarding their fieldwork site selections.

OTH 608 Occupational Therapy Practice in Psycho-Social Dysfunction/Lab (4 credit hours)

This course examines the evaluation of psychosocial and psychoemotional areas of occupational performance and the planning and implementation of occupation-based interventions across domains of practice and client populations. The course addresses developing a client's occupational profile, narrative reasoning, and therapeutic use of self, behavioral change, illness representation, and adjustment to chronic disorders. A specific focus of the course is evaluation of and intervention for clients presenting with mental health disorders. Students will review the theoretical backgrounds that have historical or current significance in the practice of occupational therapy with individuals who are mentally ill.
Prerequisites/corequisites: OTH 600, OTH 604, OTH 612

OTH 612 Occupational Therapy Practice in Physical Dysfunction/Lab (4 credit hours)

Basic treatment principles for neurologic, orthopedic, degenerative, and traumatic conditions, including CVA, arthritis, burns, fractures, and spinal cord injuries, as well as theory and research in relation to treatment, will be presented during lectures. A basic overview of human body-mind systems will be provided with an emphasis on pathology, the recognition of symptoms, their causes, and the occupational implications of the disorders. Laboratory experiences will stress motor, sensory, and perceptual evaluations; comprehensive treatment planning; splint fabrication; and transfers.
Prerequisites/corequisites: OTH 600, OTH 604, OTH 608

OTH 616 Group Dynamics/Lab (4 credit hours)

Group Dynamics involves the exploration of the interactions that occur in small and large group systems. Classes and readings focus on theories of group process that lead to effective group functioning, theories of small group functioning, and elements of group process that lead to effective group formation, development, and closure. Group experiences in class will assist in integrating theoretical learning, building upon skills for group observation, leadership, and individual membership. The class will be part of its own laboratory in small group dynamics.
Prerequisites/corequisites: OTH 600, OTH 604

OTH 620 Occupational Therapy Evaluation and Intervention for Children and Adolescents/Lab (4 credit hours)

Students will gain foundational knowledge of OT evaluation and intervention processes. Students will apply clinical reasoning for the evaluation and treatment of children with various conditions and across age groups. Course content will focus on supporting the occupations of the child within an environmental context with an emphasis on family and sociocultural factors. Students will examine major theoretical frames of reference based upon current research and will learn to apply this to planning occupational therapy evaluations and interventions. Students will learn common assessment tools used by occupational therapists, and they will explore how to select and critique evaluation methods. Select cases will be used for the application of knowledge, interventions, and frames of reference used with children.
Prerequisites/corequisites: OTH 600, OTH 604, OTH 608, OTH 612

OTH 624 Occupational Therapy Evaluation and Intervention for Adults and Older Adults/Lab (4 credit hours)

Students will gain foundational knowledge of OT evaluation and intervention processes with adults with neurological and orthopedic conditions. Students will apply the clinical reasoning processes to clinical practice with adults with various types of medical conditions. Students will learn about common assessment tools available to occupational therapists for adults, as well as where, when, and how to apply them. The course includes examination of theories of aging, including physiological, psychological, and functional changes and the influence of culture, race, and gender in the experience of aging. Through clinical reasoning, students will learn to evaluate and facilitate functional performance in older adults in a variety of environments, ranging from community to institutional settings. Students will develop technical skills in administering selected evaluation tools and integrating assessment data and demonstrate clinical decisions about intervention, planning, and implementation. Selected cases will be used for application of knowledge.
Prerequisites/corequisites: OTH 600, OTH 604, OTH 608, OTH 612

OTH 636 Research Methods

This course will explore components of the research process in the context of occupational therapy. This includes developing research questions, conducting a literature search and review, data collection and data analysis, drawing conclusions from data, ethics in research, and sharing research findings.
Prerequisites/corequisites: OTH 600, OTH 604, OTH 608, OTH 612

OTH 628 Community-Based Practice/Lab (4 credit hours)

Students will learn the necessary knowledge and roles utilized by occupational therapists in settings. Topics will include planning, design, and implementation; legislative and systems issues to community-based practice; program evaluation; entrepreneurship; and future directions in community-based practice. Students will discuss and evaluate models for early intervention programs, adult day health programs, primary care models, low vision and fall prevention programs, forensic mental health, return-to-work, and other similar models of community-based practice. This course includes a service learning component.
Prerequisites/corequisites: OTH 600, OTH 604, OTH 608, OTH 612, OTH 616, OTH 620, OTH 624

OTH 632 Assistive Technology

This course will examine the problems associated with designing and providing assistive devices to individuals with disabilities, in order to assist mobility, communication, positioning, environmental control, and daily living. Processes discussed will include needs assessment, search for available devices, resources available, and creative problem solving. Students will work with materials commonly used to create individualized devices, as well as in teams on a design for a specific user or group. Problems of funding and delivery of devices will also be explored.
Prerequisites/corequisites: OTH 600, OTH 604, OTH 608, OTH 612

HP 601 Health Ethics and Law

This course introduces students to the complex area of health ethics and law. Ethical and legal issues related to organizational and professional responsibility, patient rights and informed consent, reproduction and human genetics, end-of-life care, duty to treat and to warn, and clinical research and experimentation are among the areas of areas of study and discussion.
Prerequisites: HP 602, HP 609, or permission of the program director.

OTH 644 Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy

This course will focus on the development of occupational therapy reasoning skills based on theoretical and practice learning. Emphasis will be placed on the ability to make, reflect on, analyze, and critique observations, as well as make interpretations based on these observations. Students will explore the procedural components of the clinical reasoning process with reference to the profession's practice framework, evidence-based practice, selected theoretical models, and practice areas. Topics include principles of evaluation, outcome measures, evidence-based practice, client-centered practice, clinical documentation, pain management, client problem and goal identification, development of PICO questions, searching and analyzing literature, preparing Rx plans, and presentation to the client.
Prerequisites/corequisites: OTH 600, OTH 604, OTH 608, OTH 612, OTH 616, OTH 620, OTH 624, OTH 628

OTH 640 School-Based Practice

Students will gain knowledge and experience in the practical application of educationally relevant occupational therapy service provision in the context of the school. Topics include screening, assessment, planning, and implementation of interventions, consultation models, documentation, the individualized educational plan (IEP) process, understanding eligibility for special education services, evaluation of caseloads, and direct and alternative strategies for supporting children in the educational process.
Prerequisites/corequisites: OTH 600, OTH 604, OTH 608, OTH 612, OTH 620

OTH 648 Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation/Lab (4 credit hours)

This course will serve as an introduction to the specialization of hand therapy within the field of occupational therapy. Limitations in hand function can cause a decreased level of participation in life's tasks and individual roles. Therapies, interventions, modalities, and exercises to use in hand therapy will be addressed. The lab will be used for assessment and fabrication of splints to meet specific needs.
Prerequisites/corequisites: OTH 620, OTH 624

OTH 652 Occupational Therapy Leadership

Students will integrate concepts, principles, and strategies that are fundamental to the provision of occupational therapy services in the changing U.S. health care system. This course links system management, reimbursement mechanisms, and public policy found in occupational therapy practice settings to the populations served. Knowledge of leadership, management, ethics, and marketing principles that are necessary for success in today's health care industry are emphasized.
Prerequisites/corequisites: OTH 600, OTH 601, OTH 604, OTH 620, OTH 624

OTH 656 Special Topics in Occupational Therapy

Presentations will be given by faculty, guest lecturers, and students covering selected topics or subjects of special interest. Students will be required to research and present information related to one or more of the following areas: a) administration, b) clinical education, c) pediatrics, d) physical disabilities, e) mental health, f) gerontology/geriatrics, g) school-based practice, and others.
Prerequisites/corequisites: OTH 616, OTH 620, OTH 624, OTH 628, OTH 636

OTH 660A Fieldwork IA and IB (0.5 credit hours each; 1 credit hour total)

Students will perform observations in various occupational therapy settings and assist, as appropriate, in the planning and implementation of occupational therapy services. The Level I Fieldwork placement is scheduled during the second and third semesters of the full-time program (later in the progression for part-time students). The fieldwork components are associated with specific courses in the curriculum and will include reflective activities, such as in-class discussions, online discussion forums, or journals.
Prerequisites: B- or above in all coursework to date; students must have completed at least four courses within the MSOT program prior to beginning Fieldwork IA.

OTH 664B Fieldwork IIA and IIB (8 credit hours each; 16 credit hours total)

Each part of Fieldwork II is a 12-week, full-time internship that takes place after the completion of all required coursework. Level II fieldwork provides students with opportunities to experience in-depth delivery of occupational therapy services to clients and focus on the application of purposeful and meaningful occupation and/or research, administration, and management of occupational therapy services. Level II fieldwork is designed to promote clinical reasoning and reflective practice, to transmit values and beliefs that promote ethical practice and to develop professionalism and competence in career responsibilities. Students must complete both Fieldwork II segments to meet program requirements.
Prerequisites: Completion of all coursework (except for Fieldwork Discussion Course) with a B- or above and concurrent registration for Fieldwork Online Discussion course.

OTH 668 Level II Fieldwork Online Discussion Course (2 credit hours)

Students will respond to instructor-led discussion prompts as well as to postings of their classmates. The online discussion provides the opportunity for students to relate fieldwork experiential learning to all areas of Regis

College coursework, including mind-body systems, health-and-human systems of care, assessment, intervention, documentation, evidence-based practice, client-centered and occupation-centered practice, and application of research to practice. Students will engage in ongoing discussions about professional identity and the transition from student to professional as they describe and discuss fieldwork challenges and successes across a variety of practice settings. Must be taken concurrently with Fieldwork IIA and IIB.
Prerequisites: Completion of all coursework with a B- or above and concurrent registration for Fieldwork II.