Graduate Program in Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy* is the art and science of the analysis and application of meaningful activities to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance; to facilitate learning of those skills and functions essential for adaptation, productivity, and engagement; to diminish or correct pathology; and to promote and maintain health.
Occupational Therapy is skilled treatment wherein the fundamental concern is directed toward developing and maintaining the skills necessary for individuals to participate in activities for independent and satisfying lives. Occupational Therapy involves the selection of occupations and activities for specific clients to meet therapeutic goals. Occupational Therapy provides services to enhance performance for individuals without disabilities and to those whose abilities to cope with the tasks of living are threatened or impaired by developmental deficits, the aging process, poverty and cultural differences, mental illness, and/or learning disabilities.
* “Occupation” in this context refers to everyday life activities that have meaning and value to the individual.
The Entry Level Master's Program
Dominican College’s B.S./M.S. Occupational
Therapy Graduate Program is a full time entry-level master's degree program that
meets on the weekends and is designed for qualified students with various
educational backgrounds.
The program presents a sequence of courses in
the Graduate Weekend College's trimester-based weekend system (Fall, Spring and
Summer), with class sessions meeting approximately every third weekend. There are approximately six weekend sessions every trimester. There are three four-month trimesters per year.
Classes meet on Friday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m, on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Through a series of intensive, sequential
learning experiences, the student is actively engaged in his or her own
professional development.
Graduates of
accredited programs are able to sit for the national certification examination
for Occupational Therapists administered by the National Board for
Certification of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT). After successful completion
of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered
(OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state
licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification
Examination.
The entry-level Master's program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, St 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449; phone (301) 652-AOTA.
Click here for information about the Occupational Therapy Admission and Program Standards