5150 Department of Occupational Therapy

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935C Urban Life Building
404-413-1446
occupationaltherapy.gsu.edu/
Kinsuk Maitra, Department Chair

Faculty: Bhattacharjyia, Buchman, Chen, Goss, Finks, Lee, Maitra, Podolski, Rowe, Wen

Program Philosophy

The scientific study of humans as occupational beings is a central concept of the Occupational Therapy Master’s program at Georgia State University. Our concept of occupational therapy is based on The faculty believe the fundamental premise that occupation is an integral part of life and a prerequisite to participation (Kielhofner 2008; Christiansen & Townsend, 2010). The program is designed by keeping in mind the demand of the increasingly dynamic healthcare system that requires graduates to be flexible, autonomous, broadly educated generalists. The program also focuses to produce leaders who are able to use creative and critical thinking, as well as clinical reasoning, with great effectiveness and efficiency. This is accomplished through an enhanced understanding of the rich complexities of occupation. The intent of this understanding of occupation is to improve the effectiveness of using occupation as an assessment as well as intervention within the health and wellness system. This simply means that the students investigate the art and science of occupation: doing the everyday activities of life within their socio-cultural contexts; examining how lifestyles influence health and wellbeing, and how participation in occupation can be used therapeutically. Our curriculum philosophy therefore strongly embodies the profession’s Centennial Vision priorities of an evidence-based profession that is globally connected with a diverse workforce prepared to meet society’s occupational needs (AOTA, 2007).

Accreditation

The entry-level occupational therapy doctorate’s degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR).

Mission

The mission of Georgia State University’s program of occupational therapy Our mission is to improve human lives through innovations in research, community engagement, and education in occupational therapy and rehabilitation in general. We will prepare highly competent and ethical entry-level occupational therapists in the delivery of evidence-based, culturally competent, and compassionate care to improve the health and independence of individuals and communities within a highly technological and globally diverse environment

Our mission is to improve human lives through innovations in research, community engagement, and education in occupational therapy and rehabilitation in general. We will prepare highly competent and ethical entry-level occupational therapists in the delivery of evidence-based, culturally competent, and compassionate care to improve the health and independence of individuals and communities within a highly technological and globally diverse environment.

Vision

To be locally and globally recognized and regarded as a preferred destination for exemplary occupational therapy research and scholarly activity, education, and community engagement

Curriculum Design

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OT/D) curriculum is sequenced for the study of occupational behavior across the life span, therapeutic interventions to support occupational participation, professional skills, values and behaviors, and models of research and evidence-based practice. Understanding the complexities of occupation and how occupation can be used in assessments and interventions are fundamental aspects of the curriculum. Scholastic inquiry of occupation is woven through the curriculum and is paramount to the understanding of the complexities of occupation. Another fundamental component of the curriculum is the structure of the learning experiences based on adult learning theories to enhance the students’ development of the necessary skills for thinking, self-reflection, and reasoning as a therapist.

The curriculum sequence includes six identifiable threads:

1. Foundational Knowledge - Reflects broad areas of study (i.e. social, behavioral, biological, and physical sciences, education, and contemporary society) which serve as foundations to the basic premises of occupational therapy.
2. Understanding the Rich Complexities of Occupation (Individual, Family, Community, Society) - Addresses the reciprocal influence of lifespan development on areas of occupation and the health & wellness/illness continua. Focus is given to understanding the interdependent relationship between one’s ability or inability to engage in an occupation, and participation in life.
3. Using Occupation as a Basis of Assessment and Intervention: - Focuses on the influence of factors such as: performance skills, performance patterns, context, activity demands, and client factors on occupational performance. At this stage previously constructed knowledge is organized and applied to occupational therapy assessment and interventions throughout the life span. The influence of technology on occupational assessment and intervention is also applied.
4. Investigating Occupation By Integrating Science and Therapy - Focuses on developing research and scholarship skills as well as clinical reasoning skills to practice as an evidence-based therapist.
5. Applying knowledge to Practice - Applies problem-solving skills to assorted clinical contexts for the application of knowledge and skills in diversified environments.
6. Advocacy, Leadership, and Cultural Competency - Instills acceptance of self as a professional with recognition of concomitant responsibilities, duties, and rewards. Integrates the end process of the development of a professional and beginning of professional development as a culturally competent occupational therapist who can advocate for and lead the profession.

Certification and Licensure

All states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. Students should be aware that it is difficult (or impossible) to obtain a license if they have ever been convicted, plead guilty or nolo contendere to a felony violation.

Background Check and Drug Screening

All incoming students, as part of the admission process, must comply with the Lewis College of Nursing and Health Profession’s and Georgia State’s policy for health and immunization screening and background check. The health and immunization screening includes the following requirements:

• Immunization and /or titers of:
  • Varicella, Rubeola and Rubella, Mumps or MMR vaccine
  • Tetanus Toxoid booster; diphtheria; pertussis, or ADACEL vaccine
  • Hepatitis B Vaccine (3 doses)
  • PPD- 2 step-if 1st time taker
• Medical history and Physical
• CPR/BLS - for health care providers from AHA or American Red Cross
• Proof of major medical health insurance coverage
• 7 year employment verification

Occupational Therapy Department utilizes Advantage Students for criminal background check and drug screen. The background check includes social security number search (residency history, state and year SSN issued), criminal search (7 years), sex offender search, federal criminal search, and healthcare exclusion list.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission to the entry-level OT/D degree program must be able to demonstrate abilities to meet certain technical standards of performance necessary to carry out their activities as Occupational Therapists. The technical standards can be found in the program webpage at https://occupationaltherapy.gsu.edu/admissions-2/technical-standards/. They must demonstrate the functional use of their senses that will allow them to elicit appropriate information to perceive nonverbal communications from patients or clients. They must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form. Additionally, each candidate should be physically able to provide reasonable care and emergency treatment when necessary.

All candidates must possess those intellectual, ethical, physical, and emotional attributes required to undertake the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the faculty. They must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of these abilities in order to exercise good judgment in their activities as health professionals.

Programs

• Occupational Therapy, O.T.D.

Courses

• OT 5500 - Human Gross Anatomy for Occupational Therapy
• OT 5501 - Human Gross Anatomy for Occupational Therapy Laboratory
• OT 5600 - Medical Conditions across the Lifespan
• OT 6100 - Analysis and Adaptation of Occupation
• OT 6101 - Analysis and Adaptation of Occupation Lab
• OT 6110 - Social and Cultural Determinants of Health and Occupation across the Life Span
• OT 6120 - Functional Movement Across the Lifespan -Analysis and Assessment Lecture
• OT 6121 - Functional Movement Across the Lifespan -Analysis and Assessment Lab
• OT 6130 - Evidence Based Practice and Clinical Research I
• OT 6140 - Clinical Skills for Occupation Based Practice Seminar I
• OT 6150 - Neuroscience: Assessing Human Performance
• OT 6151 - Neuroscience: Assessing Human Performance Lab
• OT 6200 - Applied Concepts of Wellness and Illness
• OT 6210 - Occupational Assessment and Intervention Across the Lifespan
• OT 6211 - Occupational Assessment & Intervention Across the Lifespan Lab
• OT 6220 - Assistive Technology and Environmental Assessment and Intervention Across the Lifespan
• OT 6221 - Assistive Technology and Environmental Intervention in OT Lab
• OT 6230 - Evidence Based Practice and Clinical Research II
• OT 6240 - Clinical Skills for Occupation Based Practice Seminar II
• OT 7100 - Orthopedic Assessment & Intervention Across the Lifespan
• OT 7101 - Orthopedic Assessment & Intervention Across the Lifespan Lab
• OT 7110 - Disability Theory, Mental Health and Group Process: Assessment and Intervention Across the Lifespan
• OT 7111 - Disability Theory, Mental Health and Group Process: Assessment and Intervention Lab Across the Lifespan
• OT 7120 - Cognitive and Perceptual Assessment and Intervention Across the Lifespan
• OT 7121 - Cognitive and Perceptual Assessment and Intervention Across the Lifespan Laboratory
• OT 7130 - Masters Project I
• OT 7140 - Field Work I C and Skills for Occupational Based Practice Seminar III
• OT 7201 - Specialized Practice in Brain Injury
• OT 7210 - Neurologic Assessment and Intervention Across the Lifespan Lecture
• OT 7211 - Neurologic Assessment and Intervention across the Lifespan Lab
• OT 7220 - Community Based Practice Assessment and Intervention Across the Lifespan- Lecture
• OT 7221 - Community Based Practice Assessment and Intervention Across the Lifespan- Lab
• OT 7230 - Masters Project II
• OT 7240 - Fieldwork I D Skills for Occupation Based Practice Seminar IV
• OT 7300 - Clinical Review Seminar-Competency Testing
• OT 7310 - Fieldwork Experience II A
• OT 7311 - Fieldwork Experience II B Supplement
• OT 7320 - Fieldwork Experience II B
• OT 7330 - Masters Project Seminar III
• OT 7980 - Research Practicum
• OT 8100 - Health Services Systems and Policy in Occupational Therapy
• OT 8110 - Business Development and Managment in Occupational Therapy

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