SHS: Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy Curriculum

The curriculum has been designed to provide an education in occupational therapy that begins with a strong foundation in basic and social sciences. Therapists apply basic science to clinical practice. Hence, the program curriculum concentrates its first year on basic science courses with the introduction of occupational therapy and practice. The first year also includes two semesters of psychosocial studies. After this sequence of coursework, the student begins to apply the knowledge base to practice during the first Level II Fieldwork placement.

The second year of the curriculum builds on the knowledge base already acquired. Coursework is designed to add information on pathological processes. Theory and practice courses continue to foster the integration of knowledge and clinical practice.

The final year provides for advanced theory and practice courses in areas of special interest. The student begins to develop areas of interest and expertise within the vast diversity of present-day occupational therapy through graduate-level coursework. Other concepts and skills emphasized in the final year include the completion of a research project, the refinement of administrative and diagnostic skills, and the enhancement of skills in analyzing and synthesizing theory and practice. All are essential for professional practice in the field of occupational therapy.

Throughout the curriculum, there is a close correlation between theory and practical application in the classrooms, laboratories, and clinics. The program includes a variety of teaching methods including lectures and discussions, laboratory practice, seminars, student presentations, and conferences. Competency and proficiency are determined by written, oral, and practical examinations, as well as by student presentations and projects.

Upon successful completion of the third year and a research project, the student is awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences combined with a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy.

Sequence of Course Offerings BS/MS Program:

First Year

First Semester
• HS104/105 Human Gross Anatomy (*)
• HS101 Physiology
• OT122 Growth and Development I
• OT130 Psychosocial Studies and Group Process I
• OT170 Introduction to Occupational Therapy

* HS104/105 Human Gross Anatomy at the Long Island Campus is taught utilizing Human Cadaver Dissection. At the New York Campus it is taught utilizing computers, models, and other multimedia applications.

Second Semester
• HS190 Neuroscience
• OT123 Growth and Development II
• OT131 Psychosocial Studies and Group Process II
• OT135 Substance Abuse Seminar
• OT150 Kinesiology
• OT175 Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice I

First Level II Fieldwork
• OT100 Level II Fieldwork and Seminar
  12 weeks, Full-time in a Psychosocial setting

Second Year

Third Semester
• HS240 Human Disease Processes I
• OT215 Pediatrics
• OT260 Prosthetics and Orthotics
• OT270 OT Theory and Practice II
• OT275 OT Theory and Practice III
• OT295 Research Design and Statistics I

Fourth Semester
• HS241 Human Disease Processes II
• HS247 Health Promotion/Patient and Professional Education
• OT205 Gerontology
• OT265 Rehabilitation Design
• OT276 OT Theory and Practice IV
• OT296 Research Design and Statistics II

Second Level II Fieldwork
• OT200 Level II Fieldwork and Seminar
  12 weeks Full-time in Physical Disabilities setting

Third Year

Fifth Semester
• HS350 Administration/Health Care Delivery
• OT340 Current Trends in Occupational Therapy Practice
• OT370 Advanced Analysis and Synthesis of Activity
• OT395 Thesis Research I
• Select two of the following (*availability depends on enrollment; subject to change):
  OT360 Advanced Clinical Neurology
  OT361 Cognitive Rehabilitation
  OT362 Vocational Readiness
  OT363 Advanced Clinical Orthopedics

Sixth Semester - Ten (10) Weeks
• OT350 Specialty Seminar: select one option offered
  (*availability depends on enrollment; subject to change), including:
  Hand Therapy
  School-Based Occupational therapy
  Gerontology
  Adult Rehabilitation
  Pediatric Rehabilitation
  Developmental Disabilities
  Adult Psychosocial Rehabilitation
  Child Psychosocial Rehabilitation
  Other Specialty Topics
• OT355 Advanced Clinical Reasoning
• OT375 Advanced OT Theory and Practice
• OT396 Thesis Research II

Third Level II Fieldwork - "Specialty"
• OT300 Advanced Fieldwork Elective and Seminar
  (minimum of 8 weeks full-time in an elective area)

Any Time Prior To Graduation
• HS 201 Independent Study-Community Service - All students of the School of Health Sciences must complete a one credit independent study in Community Service, HS201, to be eligible for graduation. This course may be taken at any time during the student’s time at Touro; however, fall semester of the first year is not recommended. OT185G or OT385G also will meet this requirement. See your advisor regarding these courses.

Total Credits for BS/MS

PLEASE NOTE: The faculty of the School of Health Sciences reserves the right to make recommended changes in course sequence and credits. Please be sure to obtain the most current, up-to-date copy of the program brochure at the time of your inquiry.

Full- and Part-Time Status

Students are generally admitted and expected to progress through the program on a full-time schedule. The occupational therapy curriculum is designed as an integrated, developmental process; courses are offered once a year and must be taken in sequence. Completion of the program, as established, requires three years of study.

Part-time study in the Occupational Therapy Programs has recently been restructured. The curriculum may be undertaken on an individualized, variable-length basis. Students availing themselves of this alternative must communicate their desire to do so prior to the commencement of each semester. Tuition and financial aid status may be affected by this option. Students should examine these factors before beginning part-time study and are encouraged to seek advisement from the Touro College Financial Aid Office as well as from the Occupational Therapy Program.

Occupational Therapy Assistant to Occupational Therapist Transition

Touro College, School of Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Program offers a BS/MS OT that recognizes the value of the Occupational Therapy Assistant’s educational and clinical experience. We encourage OTA practitioners to join 'traditional' students in a 'transfer-friendly', multicultural environment. Applicants who are qualified Occupational Therapy Assistants will have their transcripts reviewed on an individual basis.

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork experience is an integral and integrated part of the student’s occupational therapy education at Touro College. It provides students with opportunities to practice new skills, observe client/patient behavior, model practice after master clinicians, and explore the application of didactic and theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom.

Level I fieldwork consists of one or more site visits usually related to a particular class to clinical settings while classes are in session. These visits are intended as preliminary exposure and exploration opportunities, although they may also include specific assignments. Level I fieldwork occurs throughout the curriculum and it is expected that student performance, comfort, and sophistication will increase as the student moves through the program. Time for Level I fieldwork is built into the student’s schedule. Students are expected to attend all Level I sessions unless they have a medical excuse. If so, they are to call in to the school and the fieldwork site if an absence occurs, and they are to make up any missed sessions.

Level II fieldwork is a full-time, work week placement in a clinical setting under the supervision of an experienced community occupational therapist. Level II fieldwork is generally either twelve (OT 100 and 200) or eight (OT 300) weeks full-time in a single site, although special alternative placements may be arranged from time to time. Students on Level II fieldwork are expected to look and act like entering professionals abiding by the legal, ethical, and procedural standards of the center, the profession, and the school. Scheduling for Level II placement is done by the Fieldwork Coordinator with centers with whom Touro has a contractual agreement. Only the School and the Program can act as representatives in the development of such a clinical contract. In this case, the student, the center, and the school are mutually responsible to each other.

Students will be scheduled for fieldwork in advance from our pool of centers. Placement may be at local or distant, out of town sites. While some fieldwork centers provide stipends, meals, parking, and/or housing options, students should be prepared to handle the uniform, travel, housing, and meal expenses involved in fieldwork assignments. Students should expect to travel either as commuters or residential boarders to at least some of their fieldwork assignments.

Clinical fieldworks are sequentially arranged and interspersed throughout the program and must be completed in the prearranged sequence. No student can enter into the Third Year Specialty courses, or Level II SPECIALTY Fieldwork without having first demonstrated clinical competence in the previous Level II Fieldworks. Failure to complete the proper sequence may significantly interrupt the sequence of courses available and/or the timely completion of the entire program of study. Students in the BS/MS - OTR program must complete all Level II Fieldwork within 24 months of the completion of all courses.