Belmont University _ Graduate Catalog


Post-Professional
Master of Science Degree Core Courses

OCT 6000. Professional Issues (3). Analysis of social, legal, political, and economic issues influencing occupational therapy practice. Methods of proposing and implementing change for existing constraints will be explored. Specific skills needed for preparation of position papers, grant proposals, or public education materials will be presented. Students' potential for future professional leadership will be emphasized.

OCT 6010. Occupation and Mechanisms of Therapeutic Change (3). Presentation of theories and research related to mechanisms of therapeutic change in occupational therapy (e.g., interpersonal influence, motivation, learning, and purposeful activity/occupation). Examines these mechanisms and their study in light of our understanding of activity and occupation.

OCT 6030. Scientific Inquiry in Occupational Therapy (3). This course explores research in occupational therapy and related fields and develops the students' research skill as applied to this profession. It will include principles of research design, review and critique of occupational therapy research, recognition of ethical practices, and use of the computer in statistical analysis. Additional topics to include: the collection, classification, and presentation of descriptive data; the rationale of hypothesis testing; t-tests; simple correlation analysis; analysis of contingency tables; and analysis of variance. Special attention is directed to analysis, analysis of contingency tables, and analysis of variance. Special attention is directed to the ability to recognize and interpret statistical procedures in articles from current literature.

OCT 6050. Graduate Seminar (3). This course examines topics relevant to new developments in environmental adaptations, treatment techniques, and/or innovations in the delivery of occupational therapy services.

OCT 6950. Research Thesis I (3). Students will complete a thesis research project that contributes to the knowledge of the occupational therapy process. The outcome of this course will be an acceptable research proposal that has been successfully reviewed by the university's Institutional Review Board (IRB).

OCT 6960. Research Thesis II (3). Students will complete a thesis research project that contributes to the knowledge of the occupational therapy process. The outcome of this course will be the successful defense of the thesis project.

Post-Professional Early Childhood and School-Based Therapy Courses

OCT 6100. Critical Management Issues in Traditional and Non-Traditional Settings (3). Problem-solving management issues facing occupational therapists. Seminar discussion of: consultation, supervision, advocacy, and documentation of services. Management issues related to emerging areas of practice will be analyzed.

OCT 6120. Environmental Dimensions of Human Performance (3). The course will explore the impact of the non-human components of the environment on the functional performance of children with disabilities. Environmental adaptations (including assistive technologies) that allow a child with a disability to function more successfully in the environment will be examined. This course will examine the effect of sensory and physical aspects of the environment on the cognitive, physical, and emotional performance of children with disabilities. This course will examine how environmental factors influence control, independence, and freedom of the individual.

OCT 6140. Clinical Neuroscience (3). In-depth study regarding the function of the nervous system relative to human performance. Neuroscience rationale for therapeutic interventions will be examined.

OCT 6150. Interventions for Cognition and Perception Disorders (3). This course examines cognitive and perceptual disorders, congenital or acquired, that can affect individuals across the life span. The emphasis will be on advanced intervention skills that are available through occupational therapy.

OCT 6160. Advanced Methods in Pediatric Assessments and Intervention (3). Current issues and advanced application of theory and research relating to pediatric occupational therapy assessment. Advanced analysis and application of neurodevelopmental, sensory integrative, motor control and other frames of reference will be examined. Computer-assisted methods of measurement and program planning will be examined.

OCT 6290. Independent Study in Occupational Therapy (1-3). This course provides students an opportunity to pursue study in pediatrics that meets individual needs.

Post-Professional General Rehabilitation Courses

OCT 6170. Musculoskeletal Assessment and Interventions in Occupational Therapy (3). Current issues and advanced application of theory and research relating to upper extremity musculoskeletal assessment and interventions in occupational therapy. Special emphasis will be placed on anatomy, proper differential diagnosis procedures and the use of various modalities available for interventions.

OCT 6180. Advanced Methods in Adult Assessments and Interventions in OT (3). Current issues and advanced application of theory and research relating to adult rehabilitation assessment and intervention in occupational therapy. Advanced analysis and application of neurodevelopmental, motor control, ecological, and other frames of references will be examined.

OCT 6190. Biopsychosocial Aspects of Aging (3). Current issues and advanced application of theory and research relating the aging process is explored in this course. Special emphasis will be placed on the interrelationship between the biological, psychological and sociological systems on human performance.

Post-Professional Higher Education Courses

OCT 6200. Professional Development (3). This course provides an overview of professional conduct, ethics, roles and responsibilities associated with teaching. It explores the planning and implementing instruction to stimulate complex thinking in various learning styles. This course will use advanced technology and evaluation strategies to enhance learning and teaching.

OCT 6220. Curriculum and Program Planning in Occupational Therapy (3). This course provides an exploration of the major influences on curriculum formation, and the issues and trends impacting curricula. The process of curriculum development is examined, including the roles and responsibilities of the faculty and students in higher education. Both traditional and non-traditional (web-based instruction) curriculum delivery methods will be presented.

OCT 6240. Instructional Delivery of Occupational Therapy Education (3). This course provides an extensive exploration and analysis of instructional delivery strategies for both classroom and clinical environments. It will cover topics such as teaching theories, needs assessment, scope and sequence of course topics, and selection of appropriate instructional materials and evaluation strategies. Both traditional and non-traditional (web-based instruction) curriculum delivery methods will be presented.

OCT 6250. Adult Learning Methods in Occupational Therapy Education (3). Students explore the various methods associated with adult learning to include problem-based and cooperative learning styles. This course examines strategies of implementing appropriate learning strategies to achieve curriculum goals and objectives.

OCT 6290. Independent Study in Occupational Therapy (1-3). This course provides students an opportunity to pursue study in pediatrics that meets individual needs.

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