Belmont University - Graduate Bulletin 2003-2004

Professional Entry-Level | Post Professional | Courses

Post-Professional Master of Science Degree Program

Purpose:

The School of Occupational Therapy is committed to provide continuing professional education to not just Belmont graduates but to all occupational therapists who have an interest or need. This is in keeping with Belmont University's vision of being a premier teaching university. The School of Occupational Therapy offers a post-professional Master of Science degree program using alternative delivery formats (to include web-based instruction and teleconferencing). This is designed for occupational therapists who have an earned entry level bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. The mission for this occupational therapy education program is:

To provide post-professional occupational therapy course of study.
To build upon the students professional preparation and provide an advanced knowledge base that will enhance their level of practice understanding
To teach and promote skills of inquiry and critical reasoning
To instill and nurture those attitudes, values and behaviors that exemplify professional leadership integrity and social consciousness
To embrace the vision and values of Belmont University and integrate the concepts of excellence, caring, honesty, and respect in all aspects of the education process.

Admission to the Post-Professional Master of Science Degree Program

Admissions to the post-professional Master of Science degree programs is competitive and is available to qualified applicants on a space available basis. Admission is awarded without regard to sex, race, color, age, religion, national origin or handicap. Application to the post professional Master of Science degree programs should be forwarded to the School of Occupational Therapy.

Requirements for admission to the post professional Master of Science degree program are as follows:

A completed application form submitted along with a $50 nonrefundable application fee.
A minimum of a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy and certification as an Occupational Therapist, Registered, by the NBCOT.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for full admission.
An acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Millers Analogies Test (MAT) taken within the past five years.
Two letters of reference attesting to your capabilities to pursue post-professional course of studies.

The Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee will make decisions regarding the acceptability of applicants for this program after evaluation of all pertinent application materials. Students can be admitted into the program either with full admission status or provisional status. Students admitted provisionally must petition for full admission status at the end of their first term.

Post-Professional Degree Graduation Requirements

The School of Occupational Therapy is committed to provide professional graduate education to all occupational therapists who have an interest or need for further education and offers programs in three areas of concentration: Early Childhood and School Based Therapy, Higher Education, and General Rehabilitation.

All students entering into the post-professional Occupational Therapy Master of Science degree program will be required to take the following courses: OCT 600, OCT 601, OCT 603, OCT 605 (see course descriptions). These 12 credits of core courses are required of all students. Students must complete 12-15 credits in one or more areas of specialization and 6 thesis credits. A minimum of thirty credit hours is required to qualify for graduation.

Post-Professional Curricula	Hours
Core Courses
OCT 600, Professional Issues	3
OCT 601, Occupation and Mechanisms of Therapeutic Change	3
OCT 603, Scientific Inquiry in Occupational Therapy	3
OCT 605, Graduate Seminar	3
OCT 695, Research Thesis I	3
OCT 696, Research Thesis II	3

Early Childhood and School Based Therapy Program Curriculum
OCT 610, Critical Management Issues in Traditional and Non-Traditional Settings	3
OCT 612, Environmental Dimensions in Human Performance	3
OCT 614, Clinical Neuroscience	3
OCT 616, Advanced Methods in Pediatric Assessments and Interventions	3
OCT 629, Independent Study in Occupational Therapy	3

Higher Education Program Curriculum
OCT 610, Critical Management Issues in Traditional and Non-Traditional Settings	3
OCT 612, Environmental Dimensions in Human Performance	3
OCT 620, Professional Development	3
OCT 622, Curriculum and Program Planning in Occupational Therapy	3
OCT 624, Instructional Delivery of Occupational Therapy Education	3
OCT 625, Adult Learning Methods in Occupational Therapy	3
OCT 629, Independent Study in Occupational Therapy	3

General Rehabilitation Courses
OCT 619, Biopsychosocial Aspects of Aging	3
OCT 612, Environmental Dimensions in Human Performance	3
OCT 614, Clinical Neuroscience	3
OCT 617, Musculoskeletal Assessment and Interventions in Occupational Therapy	3
OCT 618, Advanced Methods in Adult Assessments and Interventions in Occupational Therapy	3
OCT 629, Independent Study in Occupational Therapy	3

Admission Policies Applicable to all Occupational Therapy Graduate Students

Repeating Courses - If a student must repeat a course, it must be done the next term the course is offered. The last grade will be the permanent grade recorded, and the student's GPA will be recomputed accordingly. No course may be repeated more than once.

Limitation on Completion of Requirements - A graduate student in the Doctorate or master's program must complete all degree requirements within a six-year period. Time limits shall be computed from and will include the first semester of credit applied to the degree program.

Readmission - Students who fail to register for courses during a given semester are required to apply for readmission in the subsequent semester in which they are eligible to enroll for courses.

Thesis Committees

A thesis is required of all Doctorate and post-professional occupational therapy graduate students. The adoption of the thesis committee system for graduate study assumes the personalization of the program of study for each individual student and may be adapted to the specifications in each specialty area. Each committee includes: one chair who will serve as the student's advisor and one additional faculty member. The Chair of the Thesis Committee must have a terminal degree and one member of the committee must be an occupational therapist.