OTAP

This manipulation course introduces the use of tools, equipment, and basic techniques of therapeutic media within occupational therapy practice. Emphasis is placed on the analysis, selection, and instruction of activities commonly used as therapeutic media across community and clinical settings. Students examine occupations and activities to understand how therapeutic media support occupational performance, health, and participation for diverse individuals and groups.

This laboratory course provides hands on experiences that correspond to the didactic Occupational Analysis and Therapeutic Media course. Emphasis is placed on activity analysis, selection and adaptation of therapeutic media for diverse populations, and safe use of tools and equipment. Students practice analyzing activities, modifying media, and demonstrating skill, safety, and professional behavior within therapeutic contexts.

This lab provides hands-on experiences that correspond to the didactic portion of Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. It includes exploration of occupational therapy assessments, demonstration of selected practice skills, constructing assistive and adaptive equipment, and the ability to use the teaching-learning process with the pediatric patient, family, significant others, colleagues, other health providers, and the public.

This course introduces occupational therapy and the role of the occupational therapy assistant within contemporary practice. Content includes the history, philosophy, and foundational principles of occupational therapy; professional standards and ethical responsibilities; and the occupational therapy service delivery process across healthcare, education, community, and social systems. Students examine professional organizations, regulatory and legislative influences, credentialing and licensure requirements, and reimbursement mechanisms affecting practice. Ethical and legal considerations, including formal and informal conflict resolution processes, are explored to support professional decision-making and entry-level practice readiness.

This laboratory course provides hands on application of psychosocial occupational therapy concepts introduced in the companion didactic course. Emphasis is placed on experiential learning to develop professional behaviors, collaboration skills, and intraprofessional communication. Students engage in observation and guided practice related to occupational therapy assistant–level assessments, group process, and therapeutic interventions within psychosocial practice contexts. Instruction supports safe, culturally responsive, and evidence informed practice within individual and group settings.

This laboratory course provides hands on experiences that correspond to the didactic Applied Kinesiology for OTAs course. Emphasis is placed on surface palpation of joints and muscles and the application of biomechanical principles related to joint motion, posture, and balance. Students practice observing and analyzing movement patterns to support the occupational therapy assistant's understanding of functional and dysfunctional movement.

This course introduces occupational therapy practice concepts related to pediatric populations. Content focuses on human development, structure and function of the body, and behavioral concepts as they relate to occupational performance across childhood. Emphasis is placed on observation and documentation techniques, contextual influences on service delivery, and factors affecting discharge planning and referral. Students examine how environmental, policy, and community factors influence occupational therapy services for children, families, and populations.

This course examines psychosocial occupational therapy practice across the lifespan, emphasizing the impact of mental health conditions on occupational performance, participation, and roles. Students explore foundational psychosocial theories, models of practice, and the therapeutic use of self within individual and group contexts. Content includes evaluation and intervention processes, pharmacological considerations, documentation, reimbursement, discharge planning, advocacy, and professional collaboration in psychosocial practice settings. Leadership roles and the occupational therapy assistant’s contribution to mental health services across systems of care are emphasized.

This course expands upon previous knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy and neuromuscular physiology to include applied movement concepts and normal functional movement patterns, identifying anatomical position and major planes of the body, and the structure and basic functional implications of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems.

This course focuses on the etiology, clinical process, and prognosis of common diseases and illnesses, and the effect of disease or illness on an individual’s performance and the impact this has on the person, family, and society. Content includes physical, mental, developmental, and orthopedic conditions.

This course continues where Clinical Conditions I leaves off. It focuses on the effects of physical, developmental and mental health, heritable diseases and predisposing genetic conditions, disability, disease process, and traumatic injury to the individual within the cultural context of family and society on occupational performance.

This course provides knowledge related to therapeutic interventions and techniques used with adults experiencing functional deficits resulting from medical, orthopedic, and neurological conditions. Emphasis is placed on supporting functional ability and independence in daily life tasks and occupations across the lifespan, with primary focus on adult and geriatric populations. Course content integrates occupational therapy theories, models of practice, and evidence informed approaches that guide intervention planning within physical dysfunction.

This laboratory course provides hands on experiences that correspond to the didactic Occupational Therapy in Physical Dysfunction course. Emphasis is placed on the application of occupational therapy terminology, activity analysis, therapeutic exercise principles, and advanced positioning techniques. Students practice implementing occupation based interventions, adaptive equipment and techniques, and teaching–learning strategies to support functional performance, participation, and safety within physical dysfunction practice settings.

Preparation for full-time clinical practice, the national certification process, state licensure, and future employment.

This course expands the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses presenting aspects of OT practice, professional ethics, conduct, communication, and academic and clinical competencies required for testing and licensure, scope of practice, and the OTA’s professional organization.

This course expands the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses, presenting practical application and procedural aspects of OTA practice, professional ethics, conduct, and communication.

This laboratory course provides hands on learning experiences that correspond to the didactic course in Emerging and Specialty Areas of Occupational Therapy Practice. Emphasis is placed on the application of occupation based concepts within community based, work related, and non traditional practice settings. Students engage in activities related to wellness and population health, activity and job analysis, joint protection and energy conservation, assistive and adaptive equipment, seating and positioning, orthotics and prosthetics application, physical agent modalities, and dysphagia. Course activities support the development of professional reasoning, safety awareness, and collaborative practice skills relevant to emerging and evolving occupational therapy service delivery models.

This course provides students with an opportunity to observe and participate in clinical fieldwork. Students begin to develop professional work habits and are expected to function as participant observers in the assigned clinical setting. Students spend one week (40 clock hours each) in three different field work settings for a total of 120 clock hours.

This course provides information and guidance for the transitional process of becoming an occupational therapy practitioner. This course encompasses a variety of professional skills and concepts, completes documentation for state licensure, participates in final preparations for certification by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy, and examines employability skills.

This course examines the roles and functions of occupational therapy practitioners across medical, educational, community, and emerging areas of practice. Emphasis is placed on understanding occupational therapy roles within community based, non traditional, and specialty practice settings that are predicted to expand in the future. Students explore ethical considerations, professional advocacy, and current trends through case discussion, review of professional literature, and analysis of innovative service delivery models.

This application course synthesizes previous didactic instruction and clinical experiences obtained in Fieldwork I. Students may encounter a variety of populations in a traditional or non-traditional setting and assume increasing responsibilities under supervision as appropriate for the setting.

This application course synthesizes previous didactic instruction and experiences obtained in Fieldwork IIA. Students may also encounter a variety of populations in a traditional or non-traditional setting. Students are placed in a setting different from Fieldwork IIA. Students assume increasing responsibilities under supervision as appropriate for the setting.