General Curriculum Objectives
Upon completion of the Master of Occupational Therapy, the student will be able to:
- Articulate the role of occupation in the individual's life experience and the rationale for its use in occupational therapy practice.
- Synthesize normal human development processes and tasks throughout the life span into occupational therapy practice
- Analyze the impact of environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic influences on human development throughout the life span.
- Apply states of health and pathology to human development and occupational performance.
- Demonstrate respect for culture and diversity in occupation-centered practice.
- Integrate the historical, philosophical and theoretical values and beliefs basic to authentic occupational therapy and their application to consumer needs.
- Select appropriate occupational therapy screening and evaluation tools based on theoretical perspectives, models of practice, frames of reference, and cultural influences.
- Formulate and implement occupation-based intervention plans based on theoretical perspectives, models of practice, frames of reference, cultural influences, and the best available scientific evidence (EBP).
- Utilize evidence from published research & related resources to make informed clinical decisions.
- Successfully complete the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT) certification exam and become eligible for state licensure as an OTR.
Prerequisite Course Work: With a Bachelor's Degree
| Prerequisite Courses | Credits |
| General Biology with lab | 4 |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I with lab | 4 |
| Science Elective with lab (suggested courses would be Anatomy & Physiology II, Chemistry, Physics & or other biological sciences) | 4 |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Human Development Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Statistics for non math majors | 3 |
| Behavioral Science elective ( suggested course in psychology, sociology, antrhopology or health promotion) | 3 |
| Technical Writing or equivalent | 3 |
| Medical Terminology | 1 |
| Total Credits | 31 |
Master of Occupational Therapy Courses at UTEP
Students enrolled in the program must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA for the duration of the program. A student may pass a DRSC course with a grade of “C” provided that their overall GPA does not fall below 3.0. Any student who makes a “C” or lower in any OT course may be dismissed from the program.
OT 5611 Concepts and Foundations of Occupation Centered Practice (5-3)
Introduction to the profession and practice of occupational therapy. Professional conduct, occupational therapy history and theory, systems theory applied to the individual, family, and community, and human occupational performance in a variety of environments. Includes practicum.
DRSC 5300 Legal & Ethical Issues in Occupational Therapy (3-0)
Principles and history of law and bioethics applied to the provision of health care services, the roles and responsibilities of the occupational therapy practitioner, and the rights of the consumer.
OT 5301 Analysis and Adaptation of Occupation I (2-2)
Introduction to human occupation and occupational performance from a developmental and evolutionary perspective. Exploration of survival, recreation, work, and social occupations in individuals and societies; skill development in performance and teaching of selected tasks; and basic task analysis.
OT 5324 Occupation Performance in Early Childhood (2-3)
Introduction to the major theoretical frameworks, concepts, and models of practice used in occupational therapy evaluation and treatment of infants/young children from 0-5 years. An emphasis will be place on analysis of abnormal movement patterns, parent/family education and training, and use of occupation as a therapueutic medium for intervention.
DRSC 5389 Research Methods in Health Sciences (3-0)
Graduate research course focusing on basic principles and research design, including quantitative and qualitative designs. Prerequisite: Undergraduate statistics.
DRSC 5495 Anatomy for Health Sciences
(3-3) A study of the structure and function of the skeletal, muscular, and peripheral nervous systems of the human body as applied to humans’ locomotion, exploration, and manipulation of the environment.
OT 5102 Surface Anatomy
Students will identify bony landmarks, tendons, muscles, joint boundaries, and ligaments of the trunk, head, and extremities. This identification will be extended to include visualization of the locations and boundaries of deeper structures including bones, deep muscles, and internal organs.
OT 5325 Occupation Performance in School-Aged Children (2-3)
Integration of foundational knowledge, theoretical constructs, development-based models and treatment approaches for occupation-based evaluation and intervention with the pediatric population from 5 years to 22 years. Includes practicum. Prerequisite: OT 5321
DRSC 5390 Studies in Human Neuroscience (3-0)
A study in human neuroscience with emphasis on the structures and the functions of the nervous system as applied to occupational performance and performance components. Prerequisites: DRSC 5495
DRSC 5396 Medical Kinesiology and Biomechanics (2-3)
Theory and application of biomechanical principles in the evaluation and treatment of human occupational function related to strength, range of motion, endurance, and tissue integrity. Prerequisites: DRSC 5495
OT 5628 Occupational Performance in Adults I (4-4)
Integration of foundational knowledge, theoretical constructs, occupation-based evaluation, and compensatory intervention principles for clients/families/caregivers who have experienced orthopedic insults to facilitate occupational role performance in the home, community, and natural environment. Integration of foundational and theoretical knowledge and technical competencies in the evaluation, fabrication, modification, and application of orthotics and prosthetics to promote client occupation. Includes theory, evaluation, and intervention using outcome-based measurements for work readiness in a variety of populations and explores work and its role in human occupation. Prerequisites: OT 5611 and DRSC 5396, each with grades of B or higher.
OT 5629 Occupational Performance of Adults II (4-4)
Integration of foundational knowledge and theoretical constructs in neurodevelopmental and sensorimotor evaluation and intervention with adults with neurological dysfunction.
Prerequisite: OT 5628 with a grade of B or higher.
OT 5302 Analysis and Adaptation of Occupation II (2-2)
Advanced principles of person-centered occupation and task analysis, integration of biomechanics and person/task/ environmental demands applied to daily living skills. Prerequisites:OT 5201
OT 5136 Preceptorship
(0-0-40)
Seminar and intensive practicum that integrates applications of theoretical knowledge in a variety of practice areas and client populations. Prerequisite: Department approval. May be repeated for credit with instructor approval.
OT 5316 Leadership in Occupational Therapy (3-0)
Trends and influences that affect the delivery, evaluation and outcome of occupational therapy and the management skills needed for practice.
OT 5388 Graduate Project I (3-0)
Initial work on original development of a project/proposal under the direct supervision of a graduate faculty member. Requires satisfactory completion of the course, and a written report. May include practicum.
Prerequisites: Research Methods and Departmental approval.
OT 5389 Graduate Project II (3-0)
Continuous enrollment required while work on the Graduate Project continues. May include practicum. Prerequisite: OT 5388.
DRSC 5388 Human Adaptation to Pathophysiology (3-0)
The study of pathophysiological processes and their impact on the body systems, with special attention to disease or trauma-induced alterations of regulatory mechanisms in the human organism. Links foundational knowledge to the normal human structures and functions to disruptions affecting occupational performance. Prerequisite: DRSC 5495 and DRSC 5390.
OT 5321 Psychosocial Aspects of Occupation (2-2)
Foundations and knowledge related to psychosocial occupational function throughout the lifespan; intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, and cultural dynamics; general approaches for occupational therapy intervention. Includes practicum.
OT 5332 Environmental Influences on Living (2-3)
Advanced concepts of occupational and how the environment affects the lives of people. Needs assessment and community practice models are introduced with hands-on learning.
OT 5389 Graduate Project II(3-0)
Continuous enrollment required while work on the Graduate Project continues. May include practicum. Prerequisite: OT 5388.
OT 5424 Occupational Performance in Mental Health (3-3)
Theory, principles, and applications of client-centered occupational therapy evaluation and interventions with consumers experiencing psychosocial dysfunction. Includes practicum.
OT 5320 Occupational Performance of Older Adults (3-0)
Introduction to performance of older adults from a developmental perspective. Includes assessment and interventions unique to healthy and at-risk older adults in their social and physical environments.
OT 5340 Fieldwork II First Rotation(0-0-20)
Weeks 1-6 Intensive clinical or community-based practicum under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist (OTR). 12 weeks or equivalent part-time. This course is graded on a credit/no credit basis. Course related fee required. Prerequisite: Department approval. Corequisite: OT 5341 unless fieldwork is taken part time.
OT 5343 Fieldwork II Second Rotation (0-0-20)
Weeks 7-12 Intensive clinical or community-based practicum under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist (OTR). Six weeks or equivalent part-time. This course is graded on a credit/no credit basis. Course related fee required. Prerequisite: Department approval. Corequisite: OT 5342, unless fieldwork is taken part-time.
OT 5342 Fieldwork II Second Rotation (0-0-20)
Weeks 1-6 Intensive clinical or community-based practicum under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist (OTR). 12 weeks or equivalent part-time. This course is graded on a credit/no credit basis. This course is graded on a credit/no credit basis. Course related fee required. Prerequisite: Department approval. Corequisite: OT 5343, unless fieldwork is taken part-time.
OT 5341 Fieldwork II First Rotation (0-0-20)
Weeks 7-12 Intensive clinical or community-based practicum under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist (OTR). 12 weeks or equivalent part-time. This course is graded on a credit/no credit basis. This course is graded on a credit/no credit basis. Course related fee required. Prerequisite: Department approval. Corequisite: OT 5340 unless fieldwork is taken part-time.
OT 5170 Graduate Seminar (1-0)
A capstone experience in which students present their graduate projects in a colloquim setting.
OT 5398 and OT 5399 Thesis (3-0)
Continuous enrollment required while work on graduate thesis continues. May include practicum.
OT 5628 Occupational Performance in Adults I (4-4)
Integration of foundational knowledge, theoretical constructs, occupation-based evaluation, and compensatory intervention principles for clients/families/caregivers who have experienced orthopedic insults to facilitate occupational role performance in the home, community, and natural environment. Integration of foundational and theoretical knowledge and technical competencies in the evaluation, fabrication, modification, and application of orthotics and prosthetics to promote client occupation. Includes theory, evaluation, and intervention using outcome-based measurements for work readiness in a variety of populations and explores work and its role in human occupation. Prerequisites: OT 5611 and DRSC 5396, each with grades of B or higher.
OT 5629 Occupational Performance of Adults II (4-4)
Integration of foundational knowledge and theoretical constructs in neurodevelopmental and sensorimotor evaluation and intervention with adults with neurological dysfunction.
Prerequisite: OT 5628 with a grade of B or higher.
Optional Elective Courses:
OT 5538 Fieldwork II Elective (0-0-20)
Intensive clinical or community-base practicum under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist (OTR). Six week or equivalent part-time to provide the student with additional learning experience in an area of the student's choosing. Course related fee required. Prerequisite: Department approval.
OT 5250 Selected Topics in Occupational Therapy (2-0)
Selected topics of current interest. May be repeated when topic varies. Prerequisite: Department approval.
OT 5350 Selected Topics in Occupational Therapy (3-0)
Selected topics of current interest. May be repeated when topic varies. Prerequisite: Department approval.
OT 5352 Independent Study in Occupational Therapy (0-0-2)
Self-directed study planned to meet the learning objectives of the student in a special area of interest. Prerequisite: Department approval.
OT 5352 Independent Study in Occupational Therapy (0-0-3)
Self-directed study planned to meet the learning objectives of the student in a special area of interest. Prerequisite: Department approval.