Occupational Therapy

View Programs and Courses

Faculty

Associate Professor Jeanne Sheehan Corcoran, Chairperson

Associate Professors: Jean MacLachlan, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator; Jeramie Silveira, Graduate Coordinator

Programs Offered

A Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

**Note: Only Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants with an Associate’s Degree from an accredited institution may apply to this program. If you are not an OT Assistant, you may contact www.aota.org for OT Program listings nationwide.

The Occupational Therapy Program Description (B.S. Degree in Occupational Health Studies )

In April 1999, the Representative Assembly (RA) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) passed Resolution J (requiring entry-level education in occupational therapy at the post-baccalaureate level). As a result of this, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) has determined that all occupational therapy educational programs need to transition to the post-baccalaureate level by January 1, 2007. The OT Program at Salem State is a part-time evening program where students complete a combined BS/MS degree.

The Occupational Therapy Program at Salem State University was granted re-accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in May 2008. A student interested in becoming a registered occupational therapist will be required to complete the BS/MS degree in occupational therapy to qualify for the OT national certification examination.

Students meeting all academic and fieldwork requirements are eligible to sit for the National Board of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Certification examination and will be eligible to obtain a state license to practice. It is important to note that any student that has been convicted of a prior felony may be considered ineligible by NBCOT to sit for the NBCOT examination and may be unable to attain an OT license from the State License Board.

For information regarding program accreditation contact the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. Telephone # 301.652.2682.

This innovative program at Salem State University is designed to provide an educational path for occupational therapy assistants to become registered occupational therapists. Unlike any other program offered in New England, Salem State University’s occupational therapy curriculum is designed to build on an OTA’s previous knowledge and work experience to create a competent entry-level practitioner. The program is offered on a part-time evening basis to allow individuals to remain employed.

The Occupational Therapy Mission

The mission of the Occupational Therapy Department is congruent with the Salem State University mission which emphasizes cultural diversity with a commitment to continuing education, research, and life-long learning. The focus of the occupation therapy program is to prepare the OTA adult learner for transition to registered therapist through a flexible part-time evening program which encompasses a philosophy of progressive education. The philosophy of the occupational therapy curriculum encourages both short and long term development of professional skills and knowledge in the areas of clinical reasoning, communication and leadership, scientific inquiry and the occupational therapy paradigm. The curriculum also will support and develop student’s expertise in the areas of research, education and professional competence.

Occupational Therapy Program Objectives

The program objectives for the Occupational Therapy Program at Salem State University constitute the foundation of the program and represent a dynamic interrelationship that exists in conjunction with the program mission, model, and philosophy. The objectives stated are derived from the six major themes or strands that exist throughout the occupational therapy core curriculum. The six major strands incorporated into the program include:

Professional Development
Clinical Reasoning
Occupational Science
Research
Civic Advancement
Educational Leadership

The objectives specifically relate to the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) Standards developed and enacted in 1998. Listed below are overall program objectives outcomes.

Design, develop, and implement a specifically designed combined BS/MS Degree program for occupational therapy assistants that meet all 2007 occupational therapy curriculum accreditation standards to enhance the skill of each student to a level of entry-level practitioner.
Design, develop and implement an education program that emphasizes a “generalist” perspective, offering a broad exposure to multiple delivery models and treatment contexts including non-traditional and emerging practice areas.
Design, develop, and implement an occupational therapy program that stresses a student-centered learning model that promotes further construction of skills and knowledge attained from previous OT experience.
Design, develop, and implement an occupational therapy program that acknowledges and promotes in its students a passion and commitment to the occupational therapy profession, and commitment to the goal of becoming and remaining a life-long learner.
Design, develop, and implement an occupational therapy program that promotes flexibility in its mission to educate the adult learner in both the academic and clinical aspects of the program.