Oct 07, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

B.S. in Occupational Science/M.S. in Occupational Therapy


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Overview of Occupational Therapy Program and Certification/Licensure Eligibility

The entry-level degree for certification and licensure in occupational therapy is the Master’s Degree <Program Admissions and Formats | AOTA>.

In the Nazareth University 5-year combined BS/MS Degree in Occupational Therapy, the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Science component of the overall program offers students the opportunity to establish a foundation for understanding the influence of human occupation on development, health, and wellness; and the impact of a disability on individuals within their society and culture.  The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Science, however, does not provide eligibility for certification or licensure in occupational therapy. Students must complete the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree to be eligible for certification and licensure as an occupational therapist.  The Master of Science coursework requires the completion of 30 graduate credits in Nazareth University’s program for the student to be eligible for certification and licensure. A doctorate is not required to practice as an occupational therapist.

Occupational Therapy BS/MS Degree General Admission Requirements

The occupational therapy program has a freshman admission policy. Candidates for freshman admission are required to complete a rigorous high school preparatory program of study.  Students must demonstrate successful completion of high school math and science courses. Grades should be B level or better for consideration.

Transfer students who do not previously hold a bachelor’s degree are accepted on a competitive, space-available basis in the second or third year of the BS/MS program (see requirements below). A minimum grade of C in any science courses taken while in college is required to be accepted into the occupational therapy program. Science courses considered for acceptance must have been taken within 5 years of the student’s application to the OT Program. Note - all students transferring into the OT program must do so at the Sophomore or Junior level due to OT course curriculum requirements.

Transfer Admission Requirements for Students Holding a Bachelor’s Degree

Students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree and have completed all prerequisite coursework are eligible to apply to the OT program as a transfer student. Transfer students enter the program in the summer prior to the junior year curriculum. At the completion of the B.S. Occupational Science degree, students would then begin coursework in the M.S. in Occupational Therapy program. Prerequisite science courses must be taken within 5 years of the student’s application to the OT Program, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the science courses. See outline of program requirements (end of page) for transfer students who hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree (includes full list of prerequisites, science and other coursework). 

Transfer Admission Requirements for Students Holding an Associate’s Degree

Students who have previously earned an associate’s degree and have completed all prerequisite coursework are eligible to apply to the OT program as a transfer student. Transfer students enter the program in the summer prior to the junior year curriculum. For transfer students entering Nazareth with a previously earned A.A., A.S., or A.A.S. degree, all Core requirements are waived except for ACS 090 Academic and College Success for Transfer Students and CME 050 Core Milestone Experience. At the completion of the B.S. Occupational Science degree, students would then begin coursework in the M.S. in Occupational Therapy program. Prerequisite science courses must be taken within 5 years of the student’s application to the OT Program, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the science courses. See outline of program requirements (end of page) for transfer students who hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree (includes full list of prerequisites, science and other coursework).

Occupational Therapy Program Requirements

The combined 5-year BS/MS Degree in Occupational Therapy requires completion of 162 total credit hours (132 credit hours at the undergraduate level; 30 credit hours at the graduate level). Occupational Therapy undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0, a minimum grade of C or higher in all required science courses, and a minimum grade of B- or higher in all Occupational Therapy courses in order to proceed in the major. All graduate level coursework must be completed with a grade of B or higher (minimum overall GPA 3.0). Note - OT courses, as well as courses in the liberal arts and sciences program may be subject to change.

Occupational Therapy Program Fieldwork Requirements

The fieldwork educational component of the BS/MS Occupational Therapy program at Nazareth University is designed to meet all of the standards required by ACOTE for Fieldwork Education. There are two levels of fieldwork for the occupational therapy student.  These are described as Level I and Level II experiences.

Level I Fieldwork

The AOTA Standards describe the goal of Level I Fieldwork.  It is “to introduce students to the fieldwork experience, and develop a basic comfort level with an understanding of the needs of clients” (AOTA, 2018).

In their senior year, OT students will complete three Level I Fieldwork experiences, one related to adults, one related to pediatrics, and one related to psychosocial issues.

Level II Fieldwork

According to the AOTA, “The goal of Level II Fieldwork is to develop competent, entry-level, generalist occupational therapists.” (AOTA, 2018).  The Level II Fieldwork experience, an integral part of an OT education, is designed to promote clinical reasoning and reflective practice, to support ethical practice through transmission of the values and beliefs of the profession, to communicate and model professionalism as a developmental process and a career responsibility, and to expand knowledge and application of a repertoire of occupational therapy assessments and interventions related to human occupation and performance (AOTA, 2018).

Six months of Level II fieldwork are required by AOTA.  The first fieldwork is scheduled for 12 weeks in the Summer semester following the Senior year.  A second 12 week fieldwork experience is completed in the Fall of the 5th year of study. Both Level II fieldwork experiences are in the graduate phase of the program.

Core Curriculum Requirements


All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures  for specific core curriculum requirements. 

Required Courses for the B.S. in Occupational Science/M.S. in Occupational Therapy


OT B.S./M.S. Degree Course Requirements


Psychology & Statistics Requirements


Sample 5-Year BS/MS Program


 

FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
ACS 101 Academic and College Success   1 ENGW 102 Argument and Research   3
FYS course taken with ACS 101:
MTH.F 102 or MTH.F 109  recommended
3 PHY.Q 101 Conceptual Physics      4
Health & Wellness course 0 OTR 102 Introduction to the Occupational Therapy Profession II /OTR 102L   2
BIO.Q 103 Biological Systems I   3 History PEQ 3
BIO.Q 103L Biological Systems I Lab   1 SOC.Q 101 Introduction to Sociology  or ANT.Q 101 Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology   3
ENGW 101 Exposition    3 RES.Q 101 Exploring the World’s Religions   3
PSY.Q 110 Introduction to Psychological Science   3    
OTR 101 Introduction to the Occupational Therapy Profession I /OTR 101L   2    
TOTAL CREDITS 16 TOTAL CREDITS 18
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester   Spring Semester  
BIO 210 Human Anatomy and Physiology I   3 OTR 204 Occupational Science /OTR 204L   4
BIO 210L Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I   1 BIO 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology II   3
OTR 250 Human Development & Occupation Across the Lifespan /OTR 250L   4 BIO 211L Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab II   1
Liberal Arts Integrative Studies (IS) course 3 PHL.Q 101 Philosophical Inquiry   3
English/Literature PEQ 3 Liberal Arts Integrative Studies (IS) course 3
Visual and Performing Arts PEQ 3 DEIB/Liberal Arts Integrative Studies (IS) course 3
TOTAL CREDITS 17 TOTAL CREDITS 17
 
SUMMER AFTER SOPHOMORE YEAR
OTR 311 Human Gross Anatomy   6    
 
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
OTR 313 Kinesiology Analysis for Occupational Performance /OTR 313L               4 OTR 312 Neuroscience   4
OTR 315 Functional Analysis and Modification I: Occupational Performance  /OTR 315L   4 OTR 314 Pathophysiology   4
OTR 316 Occupational Theories and their Application   3 OTR 318 Functional Analysis and Modification II Environmental Modifications /OTR 318L   4
PSY 200 Statistics and Research Methods for Clinical Practice  or MTH 207  or MTH 208   3 OTR 320 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy   3
Elective (optional) 3 PSY 343 Abnormal Psychology   3
    CME 050 Core Milestone Experience   0
TOTAL CREDITS 14-17 TOTAL CREDITS 18
 
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester (UG & GR Coursework)
OTR 400 Level I Fieldwork and Seminar (I)  (possible Experiential Learning pathway) 1 OTR 422 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention IV: Neurodevelopmental and Neurological /OTR 422C /OTR 422L   4
OTR 420 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention I: Sensory Processing /OTR 420C /OTR 420L   4 OTR 426 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention V: Cognitive/Perceptual /OTR 426C /OTR 426L   4
OTR 424 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention II: Physical and Orthopedic /OTR 424C /OTR 424L   4 OTR 430 Health Policy and Administration   3
OTR 428 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention III: Psychosocial /OTR 428C   4 OTR 434 Level I Fieldwork and Seminar (II)   1
    OTR 498 Contemporary Issues in Interprofessional Team Practice   1
    OTR 510 Research I: Project Proposal Development   3
TOTAL CREDITS 13 TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS 13
    TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS 3
 
GRADUATE YEAR
Summer Semester, Graduate Year    
OTR 500 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Level II A    6    
OTR 501 Occupational Therapy Level II Fieldwork Seminar A   1    
OTR 511 Research Project Proposal Writing I   1    
TOTAL SUMMER CREDITS 8    
       
Fall Semester, Graduate Year Spring Semester, Graduate Year
OTR 512 Research Project Proposal Writing II     1 OTR 514 Research II: Writing and Presentation   3
OTR 550 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork II B   6 OTR 516 Advanced Concepts in Interprofessional Collaborative Practice   1
OTR 551 Level II Fieldwork Seminar   1 OTR 518 Leadership and Management in Occupational Therapy   3
    OTR 530 Interprofessional Health and Wellness   4
TOTAL CREDITS 8 TOTAL CREDITS 11

 

Program for Transfer Students Holding a Bachelor’s Degree


REQUIRED PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK
Must be completed prior to enrolling at Nazareth University

(click on course title to view course description)

Minimum GPA of 3.0 Required for Prerequisite Science Courses   Additional Prerequisite Requirements  
BIO.Q 103 Biological Systems I /BIO.Q 103L    4 PSY.Q 110 Introduction to Psychological Science   3
BIO 210 Human Anatomy and Physiology I /BIO 210L   4 PSY 200 Statistics and Research Methods for Clinical Practice  or MTH 207 Elementary Statistics  or MTH 208 Statistics for Scientists   3
BIO 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology II /BIO 211L   4 PSY 343 Abnormal Psychology   3
PHY.Q 207 Introductory Physics I with Integrated Laboratory /PHY.Q 203L   4 SOC.Q 101 Introduction to Sociology  or ANT.Q 101 Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology   3
 

COURSE OUTLINE AFTER ACCEPTANCE INTO THE OT PROGRAM

SUMMER PRIOR TO JUNIOR YEAR COURSEWORK
Occupational Therapy undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a grade of B or higher in all Occupational Therapy courses in order to proceed in the major.

Summer A   Summer B  
OTR 101 Introduction to the Occupational Therapy Profession I /OTR 101L       2 OTR 102 Introduction to the Occupational Therapy Profession II /OTR 102L    2
OTR 311 Human Gross Anatomy   6    
 
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
OTR 250 Human Development & Occupation Across the Lifespan /OTR 250L   4 OTR 204 Occupational Science /OTR 204L     4
OTR 313 Kinesiology Analysis for Occupational Performance /OTR 313L     4 OTR 312 Neuroscience   4
OTR 315 Functional Analysis and Modification I: Occupational Performance /OTR 315L   4 OTR 314 Pathophysiology   4
OTR 316 Occupational Theories and their Application   3 OTR 318 Functional Analysis and Modification II Environmental Modifications /OTR 318L   4
    OTR 320 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy   3
TOTAL CREDITS 15 TOTAL CREDITS 19
 
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester (UG & GR Coursework)
OTR 400 Level I Fieldwork and Seminar (I)                    1 OTR 422 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention IV: Neurodevelopmental and Neurological /OTR 422C /OTR 422L   4
OTR 420 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention I: Sensory Processing /OTR 420C /OTR 420L          4 OTR 426 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention V: Cognitive/Perceptual /OTR 426C /OTR 426L   4
OTR 424 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention II: Physical and Orthopedic /OTR 424C /OTR 424L   4 OTR 430 Health Policy and Administration   3
OTR 428 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention III: Psychosocial /OTR 428C   4 OTR 434 Level I Fieldwork and Seminar (II)   1
    OTR 498 Contemporary Issues in Interprofessional Team Practice   1
    OTR 510 Research I: Project Proposal Development   3
TOTAL CREDITS 13 TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS 13
    TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS 3
 
GRADUATE YEAR
​Students must successfully complete the undergraduate program to proceed into the graduate program.
Summer Semester, Graduate Year    
OTR 500 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Level II A     6    
OTR 501 Occupational Therapy Level II Fieldwork Seminar A   1    
OTR 511 Research Project Proposal Writing I   1    
TOTAL SUMMER CREDITS 8    
       
Fall Semester, Graduate Year Spring Semester, Graduate Year
OTR 512 Research Project Proposal Writing II     1 OTR 514 Research II: Writing and Presentation       3
OTR 550 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork II B   6 OTR 516 Advanced Concepts in Interprofessional Collaborative Practice   1
OTR 551 Level II Fieldwork Seminar   1 OTR 518 Leadership and Management in Occupational Therapy   3
    OTR 530 Interprofessional Health and Wellness   4
TOTAL CREDITS 8 TOTAL CREDITS 11

Program for Transfer Students Holding an Associate’s Degree


REQUIRED PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK
Must be completed prior to enrolling at Nazareth University

(click on course title to view course description)

Minimum GPA of 3.0 Required for Prerequisite Science Courses   Additional Prerequisite Requirements  
BIO.Q 103 Biological Systems I /BIO.Q 103L   4 PSY.Q 110 Introduction to Psychological Science    3
BIO 210 Human Anatomy and Physiology I /BIO 210L    4 PSY 200 Statistics and Research Methods for Clinical Practice  or MTH 207 Elementary Statistics  or MTH 208 Statistics for Scientists   3
BIO 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology II /BIO 211L   4 PSY 343 Abnormal Psychology   3
PHY.Q 101 Conceptual Physics    4 SOC.Q 101 Introduction to Sociology  or ANT.Q 101 Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology   3
 

COURSE OUTLINE AFTER ACCEPTANCE INTO THE OT PROGRAM

SUMMER PRIOR TO JUNIOR YEAR COURSEWORK
Occupational Therapy undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a grade of B or higher in all Occupational Therapy courses in order to proceed in the major.

Summer A   Summer B  
OTR 101 Introduction to the Occupational Therapy Profession I /OTR 101L           2 OTR 102 Introduction to the Occupational Therapy Profession II /OTR 102L   2
OTR 311 Human Gross Anatomy   6    
 
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
OTR 250 Human Development & Occupation Across the Lifespan /OTR 250L   4 OTR 204 Occupational Science /OTR 204L   4
OTR 313 Kinesiology Analysis for Occupational Performance /OTR 313L   4 OTR 312 Neuroscience   4
OTR 315 Functional Analysis and Modification I: Occupational Performance /OTR 315L   4 OTR 314 Pathophysiology   4
OTR 316 Occupational Theories and their Application   3 OTR 318 Functional Analysis and Modification II Environmental Modifications /OTR 318L   4
    OTR 320 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy   3
TOTAL CREDITS 15 TOTAL CREDITS 19
 
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester (UG & GR Coursework)
OTR 400 Level I Fieldwork and Seminar (I)    1 OTR 422 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention IV: Neurodevelopmental and Neurological /OTR 422C /OTR 422L   4
OTR 420 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention I: Sensory Processing /OTR 420C /OTR 420L     4 OTR 426 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention V: Cognitive/Perceptual /OTR 426C /OTR 426L   4
OTR 424 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention II: Physical and Orthopedic /OTR 424C /OTR 424L   4 OTR 430 Health Policy and Administration   3
OTR 428 Occupational Therapy Evidence Based Evaluation and Intervention III: Psychosocial /OTR 428C   4 OTR 434 Level I Fieldwork and Seminar (II)   1
    OTR 498 Contemporary Issues in Interprofessional Team Practice   1
    OTR 510 Research I: Project Proposal Development   3
TOTAL CREDITS 13 TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS 13
    TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS 3
 
GRADUATE YEAR
​Students must successfully complete the undergraduate program to proceed into the graduate program.
Summer Semester, Graduate Year    
OTR 500 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Level II A    6    
OTR 501 Occupational Therapy Level II Fieldwork Seminar A   1    
OTR 511 Research Project Proposal Writing I   1    
TOTAL SUMMER CREDITS 8    
       
Fall Semester, Graduate Year Spring Semester, Graduate Year
OTR 512 Research Project Proposal Writing II   1 OTR 514 Research II: Writing and Presentation   3
OTR 550 Occupational Therapy Fieldwork II B   6 OTR 516 Advanced Concepts in Interprofessional Collaborative Practice   1
OTR 551 Level II Fieldwork Seminar   1 OTR 518 Leadership and Management in Occupational Therapy   3
    OTR 530 Interprofessional Health and Wellness   4
TOTAL CREDITS 8 TOTAL CREDITS 11

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