Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
Dr. Michele Tilstra, Program Director
Program Vision
The Occupational Therapy program cultivates a learning environment that promotes critical thinking and autonomous problem-solving skills using evidence to meet the dynamic needs of society through occupational engagement in traditional and emerging practice areas.
The program prepares culturally sensitive occupational therapists who advance the profession through innovative thinking, collaboration, and service.
Program Mission
The mission of the Walsh University Occupational Therapy Program reflects the philosophy and vision of the profession of occupational therapy. The Occupational Therapy Program provides an educational experience that integrates active learning techniques, evidence-based practice, and collaboration with faculty who engage in scholarship. The program supports personal and professional growth through lifelong learning, critical thinking, professional behaviors, interprofessional collaboration, cultural awareness, and spirituality.
Graduates will facilitate participation in meaningful and necessary occupations with clients, families, and organizations within their communities. Graduates will contribute to the future of the profession through leadership, evidence-based practice, and service. The Occupational Therapy Program supports the missions of Walsh University and the School of Behavioral and Health Sciences, which encourage individuals to act in accordance with reason guided by the example and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Program Philosophy
We believe human beings have an innate desire to participate in occupation and by doing so become active members of their communities. Across the lifespan, participation in occupation enhances lives by providing a meaningful approach to health and wellness. Occupational therapists engage in professional relationships with consumers of their services to determine the intrinsic motivators for individuals or groups to enhance the quality of occupational performance. Occupation is fundamental to the profession of occupational therapy to advance individual, community, and global health.
We view our students as active learners who require dynamic, realistic contexts to apply acquired knowledge and develop critical thinking skills. We believe our students have an inherent desire to promote and advance the profession of occupational therapy by linking education to research through evidence-based practice and lifelong learning.
Program Themes
The Occupational Therapy program strives to educate competent, caring, entry-level practitioners. The curriculum serves as a structure to provide this education and is organized into five curricular themes that reflect the essence of our curriculum design:
- Professional Behaviors and Ethical Practice: Incorporate the AOTA Code of Ethics and Core Values (AOTA, 2020) to demonstrate ethical decision-making skills and articulate rationale for delivery of occupational therapy services across the lifespan in multiple contexts. Model behaviors consistent with the profession of occupational therapy and in alignment with the mission of Walsh University.
- Client-centered: Respecting client diversity and autonomy, integrate psychosocial, cultural, contextual needs and preferences of the client to develop intervention priorities and set goals to maximize participation in desired occupations.
- Critical Thinking: Integrate principles of occupational therapy along with knowledge of anatomy, medical conditions, human behavior, and human development to analyze client occupational functioning. Solve clinical problems using skills of observation, reflection, analysis, and interpretation combining current evidence and OT theory to synthesize components of the OT Process.
- Evidence-based Practice: Generate a clinical question and locate evidence relevant to OT practice. Evaluate, interpret, and synthesize results to determine applicability to client care. Integrate current literature, clinical experience, and client preferences to inform clinical decisions.
AOTA. (2020). Occupational therapy code of ethics. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74, (Supplement_3), 7413410005p1–7413410005p13. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S3006
Program Student Learning Outcomes
1. Graduates will demonstrate core knowledge competencies in the foundations and basic tenets of occupational therapy.
2. Graduates will apply clinical skills of screening, evaluation, intervention, and referral in occupational therapy service delivery.
3. Graduates will support clinical decisions with relevant, current evidence.
4. Graduates will model professional, ethical behaviors, and a respect for diversity in all interactions consistent with the profession of occupational therapy.
Academic Guidelines for Master of Occupational Therapy
Registration Procedures
Students fully admitted to the program will register electronically through the Cavalier Center. A registration pin # and instructions will be provided by Graduate Admissions.
Academic Standards
The Occupational Therapy program has three primary academic standards:
- Students must maintain a B (3.0) overall GPA throughout the program,
- Students must receive a satisfactory/passing grade for all Fieldwork I and II experiences,
- Students must receive a course grade of B- or higher in every course.
The Occupational Therapy program follows the Student Retention Policy in the MOT Program Student handbook, which outlines a stepped process of formative and summative assessment geared to ensure that students are informed of their academic standing and status in the program. Students who do not meet one or more of the primary academic standards may be given a warning and/or placed on probation with remediation as deemed appropriate prior to dismissal from the program.
Students must complete the didactic portion of their coursework within 36 months of admittance to the Master of Occupational Therapy program and complete Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.
Appeals
The Master of Occupational Therapy program adheres to the University guidelines for the appeal process as outlined in the Graduate Catalog. In addition, specific programmatic policies that lead up to the University appeal process are outlined in the Program Student Handbook.
Withdrawal
The Master of Occupational Therapy program is lock-step; therefore, students cannot withdraw from individual courses and continue in the curriculum. Students may need to withdraw from the program for various reasons including a medical leave of absence. Students wishing to return to complete the program at a later time should meet with their academic advisor or the program director to establish a plan prior to withdrawal. Students who are dismissed from the program will not have the option to return to complete the program.
Academic Advising
Upon entry into the Occupational Therapy program, each student is assigned an academic advisor. This advisor will assist/counsel the student as needed to help ensure success in the program. Students are required to meet regularly (at least one time per semester) with their advisor to facilitate communication and progression in the curriculum. If at any time there is a need for a change in academic advisor, the student and current advisor will present their request to the program director. The Office of Counseling Services is available in the David Campus Center for students having difficulties beyond the scope of academic advising.