Master of Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Master of Occupational Therapy Program

In the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program at Tennessee Wesleyan, you will gain the knowledge and skills to transform lives and make a significant impact in the day-to-day lives of individuals contending with a physical, developmental, social, or emotional challenge.

Program Description

The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program at Tennessee Wesleyan University provides students with a high-quality, enjoyable program which prepares them for a rewarding career in Occupational Therapy.

The engaging and career-focused MOT Program includes rigorous coursework that centers on the theory, research, evidence-based practice and ethics of the occupational therapy profession.

Undergraduate students looking to attend the Master of Occupational Therapy program can complete an undergraduate degree at TWU in exercise science with a concentration in pre-occupational therapy.

Occupational Therapy Certification

The MOT program is designed to help you become a well-rounded, leadership-focused, advocacy-minded occupational therapy practitioner and to succeed at passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Examination.

By participating and successfully completing the occupational therapy program curriculum, you will be fully equipped to meet your clients’ diverse occupational needs and serve individuals, families, and communities across a wide array of contexts and settings.

An entry-level master or doctorate degree is required to become eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Examination, which is required for state licensure to practice. 

Admissions

To apply for the MOT Program, students must complete their graduate application and submit all needed documents through OTCAS, The Centralized Application Service for Occupational Therapy.

Students are welcome to contact Aaron at 865-444-3518 for questions about summer courses and availability.

Degree Requirements

Conferred Bachelor’s Degree (from an accredited institution of higher education)

Course Requirements

Biology (3.0 credits)
Anatomy & Physiology I & II (8.0 credits)
Kinesiology (3.0 credits)*
Epidemiology (3.0 credits)*
Developmental Psychology (3.0 credits)
Abnormal Psychology (3.0 credits)
Introductory Sociology (3.0 credits) OR Introductory Anthropology (3.0)
Medical Terminology (3.0 credits)
Statistics (3.0 credits)
There are no advanced placement, credit for experiential learning or work experience requirements at this time. Transfer of previously completed OT-related coursework or credit into the MOT program are not accepted at this time.

*TWU offers summer courses for Epidemiology and Kinesiology for those who still need these courses prior to classes starting in the fall.

GPA Requirement

3.0 or better (Overall GPA)

Volunteer Hours

40 documented hours in OT or related field
Download: Occupational Therapy Observation Hours

Letters of Recommendation

3 Letters of Recommendation submitted to OTCAS

Background

No Felony or substantial criminal background as per State Licensure Requirements; Signed Affidavit

Program Location

The MOT program is located near downtown Knoxville in the Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.

Address:  2001 Laurel Avenue, Suite N-604, Knoxville, TN 37916

Visit Campus

While touring the MOT campus, visitors will be able to view the main classroom as well as various labs and OT equipment our students use. Visitors will also tour the Student Research and Resource Area where students can study and conduct research, practice lectures, or simply relax after a test. Furthermore, visitors will be shown the surrounding area of the campus, which includes two hospitals, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Please note that due to COVID-19 precautions, touring inside the hospitals will be limited. We look forward to seeing you, and are excited to have you explore the MOT campus with us!

Contact Aaron Van Landingham by email or call 865-444-3518 to set up your tour.

Mission & Core Values
Our Mission

The Master of Occupational Therapy program at Tennessee Wesleyan University seeks for its students the highest quality and most enjoyable educational experience with the spirit of the liberal arts and within the framework of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

In keeping with the OT program’s themes: Service & Spirituality, Creativity, Innovation, Leadership, Lifelong Learning & Scholarship, it will produce well-prepared and highly sought-after graduates that will continuously add value to the profession of occupational therapy while serving their clients’ and community’s needs.

Program Vision

The Master of Occupational Therapy program at Tennessee Wesleyan University will be recognized as an exemplary model occupational therapy program, housed within a comprehensive church-related institution centered in faith and reason that inspires and prepares students to become servant leaders for all people, populations, and communities through effective solutions as presented by the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Vision Statement.

Core Values

Tennessee Wesleyan University values a student-centered, engaging learning environment that meets the highest ethical and academic standards. Below are the Values we have prioritized at this time:

Inquiry

We value the pursuit of knowledge and strive to develop an enduring passion for learning in others.

Community

We are a community of learners who are united in a common mission to provide a transformational education for our students.

Diversity

We value all peoples and their diverse ways of learning, living and worshiping.

Excellence

We set high standards for scholarship, service, and leadership.

Engagement

We value opportunities that allow our students to apply learning outside the classroom through internships, service learning, study abroad programs, and research.

Sustainability

We value the planet and the preservation of it.

Service

We value our commitment to improving the conditions of others.

Observation Hours

Download: Occupational Therapy Observation Hours

Accreditation

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Full-Accreditation Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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). In addition, 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. Additionally, all students must complete the graduation requirements of the program and complete 24 weeks of Level-II fieldwork within 12 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition: $800.23 per credit hour

Total Credit hours = 71

Total Cost of Tuition: $56,817 (in-state and out-of-state)

Total Cost per Semester (6 semesters): $9,469.50

Fees: $325 per semester (fees subject to change)

Estimated Total Cost of Books: $3,250; avg/semester $542*

Estimated Total Cost of Housing/Room & Board: N/A

*Depends on sources of purchase and format, subject to change
Program Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
 
2021
2022
2023
 
Graduation Rates
100% (30/30)100% (28/28)96% (25/26)83/84
NBCOT Pass Rate
100%96%92%96%

NBCOT Results by School

Graduation Requirements

Students must meet the following requirements in order to receive the Master of Occupational Therapy degree.
1. A TWU Intent to Graduate form must be submitted at the beginning of the MOT program
2. Completion of 76 credit hours in the MOT program
3. Cumulative GPA in the TWU MOT program of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
4. No more than two course grades of C
5. Completion of the master’s thesis
6. Completion of competency package
7. Completion of two Level-II fieldwork rotations
8. Completion of the NBCOT and state licensure applications
9. Completion of all program requirements no later than 3 years from the start of the program; or 1.5 times the length of the program.

Curriculum & Course Descriptions

OCT 507: Introduction into Occupational Therapy (3 credits)

Course Description: This course is designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge of the history, theoretical, and philosophical base of occupational therapy along with basic occupational therapy principles used as a foundation for practice. Students will learn about and verify knowledge about key official documents that guide OT practice, roles and responsibilities of an occupational therapist, and ethical dispute resolution strategies. Prerequisite: Acceptance to MOT Program. 

OCT 508: Standardized and Non-Standardized Assessments (3 credits)

Course Description: This course is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills to be able to administer both standardized and non-standardized assessments in occupational therapy.  Students will learn a variety of assessments to be utilized throughout their curriculum, but also as a practicing occupational therapist.  In addition to assessments, students will learn the differences in normative and criterion references assessments, the meaning of validity and reliability regarding assessments, and other criteria. Students will be able to interpret the scores from these evaluations in order to use the data to justify occupational therapy services and create a plan of care.  Prerequisite: Acceptance to the MOT Program. 

OCT 509: Functional Anatomy Lecture & Lab (5 credits) 

Course Description: This course is designed to facilitate students understanding of the clinical significance of human anatomy as related to occupational therapy.  Students will receive instruction and apply knowledge of various systems on the human body  including: the skeletal system, nervous system, muscular system, and circulatory system.  Students will develop further understanding of biomechanics, osteokinematics, and arthokinematics as related to functional movement of the body. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the MOT Program. 

OCT 522: Research & Leadership in OT Practice I : Science Driven OT Practice (1 credit)  

Course Description: This course is the first of the formal research-related courses of the MOT Program. On a broad scale, students will practice and explore the various aspects of locating, critiquing, and determining the quality of evidence and research, including organizing, collecting, and analyzing data for use in the OT evaluation and the overall delivery of OT services process. Students will practice utilizing scholarly literature to make evidence-based decisions and evaluate techniques of research, such as use of descriptive, correlational, and inferential quantitative statistics and coding, analyzing, and synthesizing qualitative data. Students will critique the validity of research and the various methodologies used as they present argument presentations on various OT related topics of interest. Students will use research to begin formulating topics for their research topics to be used during the remainder of the program.  Prerequisite: Acceptance to the MOT Program. 

OCT 608: Activity Task Analysis and Use of Self (3 credits)

Course Description: Students will utilize requisite, acquired knowledge in anatomy, kinesiology, physiology and other program prerequisite courses, and apply that knowledge to the analysis of human movement, human cognitive processes, and human emotion as they relate to task performance.  Students will learn the components of therapeutic use of self and develop an ability to utilize it as they perform analysis of functional abilities during occupations.  The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF): Domain and Process document and other official guiding documents will be studied as students begin to demonstrate knowledge and skill required for client screening, client assessment, and intervention planning. Students will study concepts related to professional judgment, safety, risk-awareness, ergonomics, environmental modification, and teaching and learning strategies.  Prerequisite: Acceptance into the MOT Program. 

OCT 613: Pathologies & Interventions Lecture and Lab Series I (5 credits)  

Course Description: This course is designed to provide students with knowledge related to areas of neurology, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, and degenerative diseases. Students will demonstrate knowledge of typical development and the impacts of disease as related to physical, mental, cognitive, perceptual, neuromuscular, behavioral, and sensory skills and deficits. Students will develop intervention skills to address functional deficits impacting occupations.   Prerequisites: All first semester MOT Program courses. 

OCT 614: Practice in Occupational Therapy: Evaluation and Assessment (3 credits) 

Course Description: Students, utilizing the occupational profile and Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, will learn the OT process beginning from evaluation and the intervention process, to discharge planning. Students will learn the basics of goal writing, discharge notes, soap notes, and other documentation used in occupational therapy.  Prerequisites: All first semester courses.  

OCT 615: Technologies in Occupational Therapy Lecture & Lab (3 credits) 

Course Description: In the Assistive Technologies in Occupational Therapy lab and lecture course, students will further incorporate co-requisite knowledge gained in the areas of anatomy, universal design, accessibility, and ergonomics while assessing and performing task analyses to determine the need for assistive technologies to ensure optimal occupational performance in all domain areas as per the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework.  Students will create intervention plans based on assessments and task analyses, create assistive technology devices, review payment options, documentation requirements, training and education for clients and caregivers, indications and contraindications for use, and advocate for clients who need assistive technologies. 

OCT 622: Research & Leadership in Occupational Therapy Practice II : Master’s Thesis Plan (1

Course Description: In this course, students will begin creating a Master’s Thesis Plan while practicing and exploring the various aspects of locating, critiquing, and determining the quality of evidence and research, including organizing, collecting, and analyzing data for use in the OT evaluation and the overall delivery of OT services process. Leadership in healthcare concepts in occupational therapy practice will be linked to quality evidence-based research and practice. Students will practice utilizing scholarly literature to make evidence-based decisions and evaluate techniques of research, such as use of descriptive, correlational, and inferential quantitative statistics and coding, analyzing, and synthesizing qualitative data. Students will critique the validity of research and the various methodologies used as they prepare their topic of interest Master’s Thesis Research Plan. During this course, students will also begin preparing their Institution Review Board (IRB) application for submission. Prerequisites: All first semester MOT Program courses. 

OCT 701: Modalities & Upper Extremity Lecture and Lab (5 credits) 

Course Description: This course and lab are designed to give students opportunities to deeply analyze the upper extremity within occupations and provide basic competency and practice opportunities in the concepts of occupational therapy related to common upper body deformities, trauma, and injuries requiring surgeries or immobilization. Rehabilitation indications, with a review of commonly used surgical techniques, will be reviewed to build the base of knowledge needed to evaluate, assess, and treatment plan for the design, fabrication, application, fitting, and training for assistive technologies and devices used to enhance occupational performance in daily life tasks. Deep-thermal, electrotherapeutic, and other preparatory modalities will be reviewed. Students will provide educational sessions/presentation on proper techniques, indications, contraindications, safety and risk awareness and more. Prerequisites: All first, second, and third semester MOT Program courses. 

OCT 704: Advocacy, Leadership, and Administration in Occupational Therapy (2 credits

Course Description: This course offers occupational therapy students the opportunity to explore advocacy and leadership within the profession of occupational therapy. Students will learn of the importance of advocating for those who are considered vulnerable, at risk, or who have experienced occupational injustice, deprivation of needed services, social hardships, and overall welfare difficulties in various contexts. Policy review, strategies for change, and opportunities for leadership for OTs span over social, economic, political, geographic, and demographic factors that impact OT practice. OT models of practice and frames of reference will be used to assess traditional and emerging practice areas for OTs and consider the roles of health promotion, prevention of disease and dysfunction, care coordination, case management, transition services, fieldwork, and more. Management and collaboration of OT and related healthcare services will be discussed. Prerequisites: All first semester MOT Program courses.

OCT 713: Pathologies & Interventions Lecture and Lab Series II (5 credits)  

Course Description: This course is designed to provide students with knowledge related to pathologies impacting older adult populations. Students will demonstrate knowledge of normal aging and understand the impact disease and dysfunction have on older adults. Students will develop intervention skills focused on aspects of occupations related to remediation, and compensation for physical, mental, cognitive, perceptual, neuromuscular, behavioral, and sensory skills and deficits. Prerequisites: All first and second semester. 

OCT 721: Introduction to Level I Fieldwork / Level 1 Fieldwork Experience (2 credits)  

Course Description: Students will analyze and practice, within various community and emerging practice settings across the life span, the identification of the need for OT services and the evaluation and intervention of clients. Under the supervision of MOT Program Faculty, students will practice skills with appropriate evaluation and assessment tools, treatment planning, treatment implementation, documentation as per facility and reimbursement requirements, and various other aspects of OT services. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the legal aspects and obligations of working with various clients across the lifespan with a focus on the mental and psychosocial health components. Students will interact with live clients under the supervision of MOT Program Faculty to practice their patient/client-practitioner interaction and therapeutic use-of-self skills. This course meets the first of the two Level-I Fieldwork Hours Requirements of the MOT Program.   

OCT 722: Research & Leadership in Occupational Therapy Practice III: Masters Thesis Implementation (2 credits) 

Course Description : In this course students, building upon the foundation created in Research & Leadership in Occupational Therapy Practice II : Master’s Thesis Plan, students will continue to create their Master’s Thesis and begin working toward and completing implementation. Students will develop strategies to be used to complete their data collection and communicate their needs to professionals, stakeholders, and/or community members as needed. Students will collaboratively or individually work toward finalizing their analysis, evaluating the meaning of their results and the impact that it has on the occupational therapy profession. Following data collection students will continue to work toward completion of their Master’s Thesis.  All second semester MOT program courses. 

OCT 806: Pediatric and School-Based Occupational Therapy Lecture and Lab (5 credits) 

Course Description: Students will gain knowledge and review skill and technique requirements of pediatric and school-based occupational therapy practice. In this course, students will explore evidence-based assessment and evaluation tools, documentation requirements, reimbursement systems and mechanisms, inter and intra-professional collaboration, and practice skills in educating clients and related parties. Students will demonstrate knowledge of typical and atypical development of children less than 1-year-old through 18 years old and will focus on aspects of occupations related to development, remediation, and compensation for physical, mental, cognitive, perceptual, neuromuscular, behavioral, and sensory skills and deficits. 

OCT 807: Mental Health and Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: Traditional and Community Based Practice Lecture and Lab (5 credits) 

Course Description: This course is designed to explore the mental health and psychosocial components of traditional, community-based, and emerging practice settings.  Students will analyze various mental health practices as related to occupational therapy. Students will develop skills to address areas of evaluation, treatment planning/ implementation and discharge planning.  Prerequisites: All first, second, and third semester MOT program coursework. 

OCT 821: Introduction to Level II Fieldwork / Level 1 Fieldwork Experience (2 credits) 

Course Description: In this course Students will learn of all processes related to the Fieldwork portion of the MOT program, including necessary paperwork, facility-specific orientations and paperwork, background checks, drug screens, policies and procedures, ethics, laws and rules, and more. Students will receive and work through the MOT Fieldwork Manual and practice completing paperwork and case scenarios related to the various sites they will be attending for Fieldwork. All components of the OTPF will be reviewed as it relates to Fieldwork. Prerequisites: All first, second, and third semester coursework. 

OCT 822: Research & Leadership in OT Practice IV: Masters Thesis Completion & Presentation (2 credits) 

Course Description: In this course, students will refine, complete, and formally present their Master’s Thesis. Students will reflect on how they have explored the various aspects of locating, critiquing, and determining the quality of evidence and research, including organizing, collecting, and analyzing data for use in the OT evaluation and the overall delivery of OT services process. They will demonstrate how their Master’s Thesis topic of interest captured and incorporated concepts of leadership in healthcare and in occupational therapy practice. Students will present how their research has built upon and was based on high quality, evidence-based research findings and sound therapy practices. Students will explain their processes and use of scholarly literature to make evidence-based decisions and evaluate techniques of research, such as use of descriptive, correlational, and inferential quantitative statistics and coding, analyzing, and synthesizing qualitative data. Students will explain how they have critiqued the validity of research and the various methodologies used as they prepared their topic of interest Master’s Thesis Research Plan and implementation. Students will coordinate with their Master’s Thesis Advisor all final and required paperwork for submission and presentation of their Master’s Thesis. 

OCT 815: Research in OT Practice Continuation (1-2 credits) 

Course Description: This course is the Master’s Thesis continuation course. If students do not satisfactorily complete their Master’s Thesis in the allotted timeframe, they will have to enroll in this course to complete the Master’s Thesis requirement of the MOT Program. In this course, students will refine, complete, and formally present their Master’s Thesis. Students will reflect on how they have explored the various aspects of locating, critiquing, and determining the quality of evidence and research, including organizing, collecting, and analyzing data for use in the OT evaluation and the overall delivery of OT services process. They will demonstrate how their Master’s Thesis topic of interest captured and incorporated concepts of leadership in healthcare and in occupational therapy practice. Students will present how their research has built upon and was based on high quality, evidence-based research findings and sound therapy practices. Students will explain their processes and use of scholarly literature to make evidence-based decisions and evaluate techniques of research, such as use of descriptive, correlational, and inferential quantitative statistics and coding, analyzing, and synthesizing qualitative data. Students will explain how they have critiqued the validity of research and the various methodologies used as they prepared their topic of interest Master’s Thesis Research Plan and implementation. Students will coordinate with their Master’s Thesis Advisor all final and required paperwork for submission and presentation of their Master’s Thesis. Prerequisites: All first, second, third, fourth, and fifth semester MOT Program courses. 

OCT 896: Level II Fieldwork Experience Rotation I (9 Credits)  

Course Description: Students entering their first Level II Fieldwork (FW) Rotation will have successfully completed all previous didactic coursework from semesters 1-4. During Level II FW, students will reflect upon and utilize the skills, techniques, knowledge, clinical reasoning, and critical thinking skills. They will apply their knowledge of frames of references of OT practice, occupation-based practice, client-centered practice appropriate for the setting and developmental level of clients. Students will demonstrate sound clinical judgement, safety and risk awareness, and therapeutic use of self under the supervision of an experienced and licensed occupational therapist. Overall, students will demonstrate most, if not all skills expected of a pre-entry level occupational therapist. Students will complete 12 full-time weeks of Level II FW and receive, at minimum, a midterm and final evaluation using the Level II Fieldwork Performance Evaluation approved and provided by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Prerequisites: All previous didactic coursework (i.e., first, second, third, and fourth semester coursework). 

OCT 897: Level II Fieldwork Experience Rotation II (9 Credits) 

Course Description: Students entering their second Level II Fieldwork (FW) Rotation will have successfully completed all previous didactic coursework from semesters 1-5 and their first Level II FW Rotation. During Level II FW, students will reflect upon and utilize the skills, techniques, knowledge, clinical reasoning, and critical thinking skills. They will apply their knowledge of frames of references of OT practice, occupation-based practice, client-centered practice appropriate for the setting and developmental level of clients. Students will demonstrate sound clinical judgement, safety and risk awareness, and therapeutic use of self under the supervision of an experienced and licensed occupational therapist. Overall, students will demonstrate all skills expected of a pre-entry level occupational therapist. Students will complete 12 full-time weeks of Level II FW and receive, at minimum, a midterm and final evaluation using the Level II Fieldwork Performance Evaluation approved and provided by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Prerequisites: All previous didactic coursework (i.e., first, second, third, and fourth semester coursework). 

OCT 898: Level II Fieldwork Experience Continuation (6 Credits) 

Students missing hours from any of the Level II FW Rotations will have to make up the missing hours by enrolling in and successfully completing this OCT 898 course. Students will have successfully completed all previous didactic coursework from semesters 1-5. During Level II FW, students will reflect upon and utilize the skills, techniques, knowledge, clinical reasoning, and critical thinking skills. They will apply their knowledge of frames of references of OT practice, occupation-based practice, client-centered practice appropriate for the setting and developmental level of clients. Students will demonstrate sound clinical judgement, safety and risk awareness, and therapeutic use of self under the supervision of an experienced and licensed occupational therapist. Overall, students will demonstrate all skills expected of a pre-entry level occupational therapist. Students will complete 4 full-time weeks of Level II FW and receive, at minimum, a midterm and final evaluation using the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation approved and provided by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Prerequisites: All previous didactic coursework (i.e., first, second, third, fourth, and fifth semester coursework). Co-Requisites: Dependent on student situation and what is needed.

Expectations and Responsibilities

The MOT Program of TWU abides, and expects its students to abide, by the guiding statements of the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Code of Ethics (2020). This includes its core values of altruism, equality, freedom, justice, dignity, truth and prudence. It also includes its principles and standards of conduct, including beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, justice, veracity, and fidelity.

It is the TWU MOT Department’s expectation that all MOT students conduct themselves with the highest standard of integrity that is consistent with the TWU Honor Code Pledge, which states “I pledge, on my honor, to conduct myself with the foremost level of academic integrity.”
Students and applicants should consult the TWU MOT student handbook for further policies related to student grievances, tuition and fees, student probation and dismissal, and safe equipment use for faculty, students, and staff.

The TWU MOT Program is currently in Full-Accreditation Status with ACOTE: Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, American Occupational Therapy Association 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. Phone: 301-652-6611×2042 www.acoteonline.org.

TWU prepares students with the transformative experience and to be well-rounded leaders who make a positive impact on the world.

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