Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| OT 5520 |
Concepts of Occupation
This course is intended to ground the first semester students in both theoretical concepts important to occupational therapy practice and practical knowledge about the profession. Theoretically, students will be introduced to those fundamental concepts of occupation-based models of Ecology of Human Performance (EHP) and Occupational Adaptation (OA), as well as the tenants of the CUW OT Program curriculum. | 3 |
| OT 5530 |
Functional Anatomy
Functional Anatomy is an integrated approach to the gross anatomy of the human body, with particular emphasis on the musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous systems. Consideration will also be given to the study of cells, tissues, and organ systems. The laboratory portion of the course includes examination of prosected human cadavers. The students will use clinical reasoning to connect human anatomy to occupational performance and relate impairments in body structure and function to activity limitations. Course Prerequisites: Matriculation in the CUW’s Occupational Therapy Program, or consent of instructor. | 4 |
| OT 5550 |
Research in Practice I
This course will assist students in learning the basic skills of clinical research and scientific writing. Students will learn about evidence-based practice, research methodology, and how to retrieve, organize and synthesize information to effectively support an argument statement or research question in APA style and format.
| 4 |
| OT 5560 |
Occupations Across the Lifespan
This course provides the necessary understanding to the development of the human lifespan beginning at conceptions and ending at death through an occupational lens. This course will cover the physical, cognitive, and emotional changes that occur across the eight major stages of
development: prenatal, infancy, early childhood, mid-late childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood. | 3 |
| OT 5575 |
Community Clinic Foundations
This course is the first of three clinical courses and will focus on the OT process and clinical skills needed to assist clients in occupational performance. Students in this course will be mentored by and establish rapport with students in the third clinical course as they interact with community clinic clients during pediatric and adult rotations. Students will learn and apply TeamSTEPPS principles including giving and receiving feedback while developing effective communication and professional skills. Students will identify and explain the role of OT and the OT process in action while developing their observation skills. Students will complete occupational performance analysis while learning to grade/modify activities. Students will learn to train others in assistive equipment, ADLs, and adaptive techniques. Basic transfer techniques, client handling skills, introduction to a wheelchair, and bed mobility will also be explored. Students will develop an understanding of their own faith and how it impacts their vocation. | 5 |
| OT 5590 |
Functional Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation I
This course is an integrated approach to human nervous system structure and function, and the application of these principles to occupation and occupational therapy assessment following neurological injury or disease. Additionally neuroplasticity and implications for learning, memory, and recovery will be addressed. The course will cover sensory (somatic and special), motor (somatic and autonomic), limbic, cognitive, visual, vestibular, and ventricular systems and their interactions. Common neurological diagnoses and OT assessment of the sensory, motor, and postural systems in a neurological population will be introduced. The laboratory portion of the course includes gross examination of the human nervous system as well as activities designed to integrate neurological concepts. | 4 |
| OT 5600 |
Research in Practice II
This course is an introduction to the evidence-based practice process. Students will perform the first 3 steps of the evidence-based practice process, including asking a focused question, locating the best evidence, and critically appraising the evidence. Students will also create scholarly reports based on their appraisal of the literature. | 3 |
| OT 5620 |
Clinical Reasoning: Behavioral Health
This course covers the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders commonly seen in occupational therapy practice. Contemporary treatment approaches including interdisciplinary and occupational therapy models, assessment and treatment intervention will be explored. Students will practice leading and participating in group interventions as a primary mode of treatment for mental and behavioral health settings. Students will be exposed to community programs and resources providing mental health treatment in a variety of contexts. Students will develop documentation skills including note writing and treatment/ intervention plans. | 3 |
| OT 5630 |
Occupational Kinesiology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation I
This course teaches how concepts of biomechanics, human anatomy, and movement affect occupational performance and guide therapeutic intervention. Students will also develop assessment skills and begin to differentiate common pathologies. | 4 |
| OT 6520 |
Clinical Reasoning: Pediatrics
This course will lay the foundation for the study of occupational therapy in pediatric settings through exposure to a variety of developmental disabilities, pediatric assessment tools, treatment interventions, and areas of practice. Application of a variety of common pediatric frames of references will occur through case studies. Students will demonstrate clinical reasoning through the occupational therapy process of evaluation and treatment. | 3 |
| OT 6550 |
Level 1 Fieldwork Experience
This course provides students with hands-on experience under the supervision of an occupational therapy fieldwork educator or related professional. Students will observe and practice assessments, guided interventions, and OT management processes in a clinical setting. Students will be given an opportunity to translate classroom learning into real world practice. The Level I fieldwork experience is repeatable to allow students experiences with a variety of client populations; occupational therapy students are required to take this course at least 1 time, with a focus on behavioral/mental health. | 1 |
| OT 6580 |
Clinical Reasoning: Adult Practice Areas
This course provides students with a client-centered, evidence-based forum to integrate the evaluation, theory, and treatment of individuals with orthopedic, neurologic, and multiple physical disabilities within different contexts of service delivery (e.g., home health, subacute, case management, etc.). This course is intended to transition the student to fieldwork, so emphasis is placed on independent learning and decision making. | 3 |
| OT 6610 |
Clinical Reasoning: Orthopedic Rehabilitation II
This course is designed to teach evaluation, treatment planning, and documentation for orthopedic injuries, including occupation-based interventions and adjunctive/preparatory interventions (exercise, orthotic intervention, physical agents). By the end of the course, students will identify and apply indications, precautions, and contraindications for various interventions.
| 3 |
| OT 6620 |
Community Advocacy and Leadership
This course is designed to develop students as community advocates, while continuing to promote growth in personal advocacy and leadership. Students will build the skills necessary for effective community advocacy, including identifying needs, finding resources, communicating professionally, increasing legislative and regulatory literacy, and using innovation to address occupational injustice within communities. | 3 |
| OT 6630 |
Occupations of Health and Wellness
This course will introduce the student to health promotion. The concept of health promotion will be discussed through the exploration of wellness models and key components of health promotion and wellness. The student will be able to discuss the difference between rehabilitation and health promotion. This course will provide learning experiences that will enable the student to identify opportunities for the provision of health promotion services as an occupational therapist. Environments for health promotion will be explored that include traditional and nontraditional environments such as school systems and social systems in the community. | 3 |
| OT 6650 |
Community Clinic: Leading the OT Process
This course will offer students hands-on experience with both evaluating and implementing interventions. 3rd semester OT students will be paired with 1st semester OT students, in order to enhance their leadership skills. This course will prepare OT students for the final pro bono clinic semester, in which they will utilize leadership skills.
| 3 |
| OT 6710 |
Research in Practice III
This course prepares students to integrate theory and evidence with a client-centered perspective, implementing the five steps of evidence-based practice in a specific clinical context. Students will build on skills learned in Research Practice I and Research in Practice II, and apply this knowledge in a specific clinical context to address a question or need posed by a partnering community occupational therapist or occupational therapy practice setting. Students will elaborate on the fourth and fifth steps by contributing to the research process to generate new knowledge to fuel best practice and the steps of evidence-based practice. Students will work directly with a community site to write a clinical question linked to practice, review existing literature, create a plan to gather and analyze evidence to address the clinical question, and begin to formulate a plan for dissemination of results. | 3 |
| OT 6740 |
Community Clinic Administration
Learning didactic content including administration, management and the professionalism skills necessary for entry level practice in the current healthcare system. Applying these essential skills through clinical experiences involving evaluating, treating, managing care and documentation for adult and pediatric clients. Mentoring a second semester student to provide supervision of clinical skills. | 4 |
| OT 6760 |
Professional Advocacy & Leadership
This course is designed to develop students as advocates for the profession of occupational therapy, while continuing to promote growth in personal advocacy and leadership. Students will build the skills necessary to communicate and advocate for issues that influence practice, specifically promoting occupational therapy as an evidence-based and science-driven profession. | 2 |
| OT 6800 |
Clinical Reasoning: Gerontology
This course examines the impact of the aging process on engagement in occupation. The role of OT in rehabilitation, habilitation, and promotion of health and wellness for older adults will be explored, along with special considerations when working with this population. A secondary focus of the course is to learn the role of assistive technology in supporting participation in occupations throughout the adult lifespan. | 3 |
| OT 6850 |
Clinical Reasoning: Neurorehabilitation II
This course is a professional skills course using the principles begun in Functional Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation I. This course integrates principles of human nervous system structure and function to inform and advance understanding of occupational therapy assessment and treatment of individuals with neurological injury or disease. Principles of sensorimotor and contemporary treatment approaches to common neurological diagnoses, including cerebral vascular accident, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, concussion, and feeding and swallowing disorders will be examined. The course will include the practical application of occupational theories and frames of reference to treatment planning, along with practice in the patient handling skills and documentation required for client-centered care. Elements of activity analysis learned in previous semesters will be incorporated throughout. | 3 |
| OT 7550 |
Level II Fieldwork A
This course is designed to promote clinical reasoning and reflective practice, while developing a repertoire of assessment/treatment interventions related to human performance. Development of professionalism will emphasize application of ethical principles and Christian values. A minimum of three months full-time or six months half-time will be required for this course; each with a minimum of 408 hours (unless otherwise approved prior to clinical placement and following AOTA guidance). | 6 |
| OT 7580 |
Level II Fieldwork B
This course is designed to promote clinical reasoning and reflective practice, while developing a repertoire of assessment/treatment interventions related to human performance. Development of professionalism will emphasize application of ethical principles and Christian values. A minimum of three months full-time or six months half-time will be required for this course; each with a minimum of 408 hours (unless otherwise approved prior to clinical placement and following AOTA guidance).
| 6 |
| OT 8550 |
Research in Practice IV: Capstone Planning
This course prepares students to apply the knowledge gained in Research in Practice I-III to plan their capstone experience. ACOTE standard C.2.0 indicates the capstone may vary by student and site interests and needs. The student will design an appropriate capstone project that integrates research practice skills to meet the need of the setting. | 3 |
| OT 8600 |
Capstone Experience
This course will provide an in-depth exposure to one or more of the following: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development. The doctoral capstone consists of two parts: a 14 week capstone experience at a community site and a capstone project. The student will complete an individual capstone project to demonstrate synthesis and application of knowledge gained, which will be disseminated. | 7 |
| Total Hours | 89 | |
Please contact the Occupational Therapy Department for the course progression by track.