Chair: Dr. Donald E. Walkovich
The latest addition to the quality health science curriculum at Saint Francis University is a five-year entry-level master’s degree program in Occupation Therapy (MOT). Occupational Therapy is a unique discipline among the health and human service specialties. It uses occupation as its primary mode of intervention with consumers of all ages who face challenges that might impair daily living and life satisfaction. Occupational therapists serve those whose daily routine might be challenged by physical injury or illness; developmental delay; or social, environmental, or emotional problems. Occupations are those meaningful and purposeful tasks that people do every day. Research has shown that when people engage in occupations they enjoy and which are appealing and motivating, return to normal patterns of daily life occur faster.
The Occupational Therapy Program at Saint Francis University is designed to provide three years of pre-professional study where students will complete their general education studies and collateral requirements, followed by two years of intense professional occupational therapy study which integrates practical fieldwork experiences in a variety of settings. Six months of full time fieldwork experience as well as submission and defense of a Scholarly Project will be required in the professional phase. Students will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science after successful completion of the fourth year, and a Master of Occupational Therapy degree after successful completion of the fifth year. Graduates of the program will be prepared to assume entry level positions in a variety of diverse health and human service settings.
Advancement from the Pre-Professional Phase to the Professional Phase is guaranteed provided the student meets the progression criteria:
- demonstrate a minimum 2.75 cumulative grade point average in all major and core curriculum requirements by the end of the spring semester of Year Three of the Pre- Professional Phase of study.
- demonstrate completion of all general education and collateral courses as prescribed.
- demonstrate completion of OT 301 and OT 302 Seminars (with a grade of “C” or better) or their equivalent as determined by the Department Chairman.
- demonstrate a C grade or better in each biology, psychology, and speech course.
A limited number of transfer students may be admitted based on space availability and transfer criteria. Students who transfer into the MOT Program during the Pre-Professional Phase must complete all General Education Requirements in addition to the Collateral Requirements.
Transfer students must have a cumulative Q.P.A. of 2.75. A student desiring to transfer directly Into the Professional Phase must possess and existing Bachelor’s Degree and have completed the following: