Occupational Therapy, M.O.T.

Phone: (540) 568-2399                                                                  
Website: http://healthprof.jmu.edu/ot/index.html

Graduate Program Director
Dr. Rachelle Dorne

About the Program

The Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.) is a face-to-face, full-time program designed to prepare students for professional entry-level practice with clients across the lifespan in current and emerging practice settings. The Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, Md 20814- 3449. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

One cohort of 24 students is admitted each year. Classes begin in June. The program is 2.5 years long, with 2 years of courses supported with Level I fieldwork, followed by six months of full-time fieldwork. Successful completion of 79 graduate credits and all associated program and university responsibilities will fulfill the requirements to earn the M.O.T. degree.

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Admission Requirements

The admission process is very competitive and the program receives more qualified applicants that can be accepted in any given year. Completion of required prerequisite courses and/or meeting the minimum GPA requirements does NOT guarantee admission in the Occupational Therapy program.

For clarification of admissions requirements and application processes, we recommend that applicants attend a scheduled information session. The information session schedule is found on the JMU OT program admissions page.

Check for updates to the Occupational Therapy program website for current information: http://healthprof.jmu.edu/ot/index.html

To be considered for admission to the OT program, all prospective students must:

• Earn a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited university by May 31. Note: Applicants may be enrolled in or plan to complete prerequisite courses at the time of application, however, students may have no more than 3 outstanding prerequisite courses in the spring. All prerequisites must be completed by May 31 of the year of admission.
• Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
• Meet all prerequisite course requirements with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher in the courses noted below. For the anatomy and physiology course(s), the grade earned must be at least a grade of “B” (3.0 on a 4-point scale).
• Complete and submit verification of at least forty (40) observation hours with supervision by an occupational therapist at 2 or more sites.
• Demonstrate proficiency communicating (verbal and written) in English. If the student completed course work internationally, he/she must submit and official copy of the TOEFL or IELTS verification. Please see the International Admissions website for details.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions required of occupational therapist that are listed in the program technical standards. Should an applicant have questions prior to applying, he/she should contact the occupational therapy program directly at otprogram@jmu.edu.

The Occupational Therapy program does not require a criminal record background check for admission. However, to assure that students are safe and trustworthy in fieldwork and practice, the program mandates that all admitted students complete an initial Virginia criminal history record check and drug screen no later than October 1 of the first year in the program. Updates may be required for participation at specific fieldwork settings.

Part Two: OTCAS

All applicants must also apply to the OT program through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). For consideration by the OT program, the online application must be verified by OTCAS by January 15.  

 A complete and verified OTCAS application contains all required information including the uploaded JMU Graduate School application, transcripts, and letters of recommendation, and reference forms. Through OTCAS, submit requests for three references from individuals with whom you have had contact for sustained period of time, such as university professors, employers/supervisors, health care professionals, and others. These requests will require the email address of the person who will be completing the reference. Recommendation from friends or family members are highly discouraged.

In the “Documents” section in OTCAS, upload:

• The completed JMU Graduate School application PDF file
• A personal statement of 1,500 words or less. Refer to the JMU OT program website for specific instructions.
• A current resume
• JMU observation forms

Part Three: Submission of transcripts & essays

After completing the JMU Graduate School and OTCAS Applications by December 1, submit the following to the OT program at otprogram@jmu.edu by January 7:

• Unofficial transcripts with updated completed fall prerequisite course grades
• Submit unofficial transcripts showing proof of spring enrollment in any outstanding prerequisites
• Video essay (instructions will be on the website)

Applicants should be familiar with the tuition and fees and cost of living associated with attending graduate school. In-state and out-of-state costs differ and are subject to change. For additional information contact the JMU Graduate School and Financial Aid office.  

Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree by the start of the graduate OT program in June. The following courses must be completed within 7 years of the program start date at a regionally accredited college/university level. Completion of high school AP courses does not count toward prerequisites. These prerequisites will be in effect for the 2019-2020 admissions cycle (OT class of 2022).

• Recommended Research Methods course that includes qualitative and quantitative designs [JMU equivalent HTH 408]
• Applicants may be enrolled in a maximum of three prerequisite courses during the spring semester prior to the start of the Occupational Therapy program. The courses must be completed by the end of spring semester.
• The transfer guide for all Virginia Community College System Equivalents [VCCS] courses that will transfer into JMU can be found at http://www.jmu.edu/registrar/transfer/index.shtml

Prerequisite Courses	JMU Course Equivalents	Required Credits
Human Physiology w/Lab* and Human Anatomy w/Lab* or Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II, with Labs	Including human models: BIO 270 + L - Human Physiology + Lab [4] BIO 290 + L - Human Anatomy + Lab [4]	8
Social Sciences and Humanities (may include sociology, anthropology, and/or philosophy)	Any two of the following: ANTH 195 - Cultural Anthropology PHIL 150 - Ethical Reasoning SOCI 140 - Individual in Society SOCI 110 - Social Issues in a Global Context	6
Biomechanics or Physics (inclusion of a lab is preferred)	Any of the following: HTH 441 - Rehabilitative Biomechanics [3] or KIN 306 + L - Human Biomechanics + Lab [4] or KIN 407 - Rehab Biomechanics [3] or PHYS 140 + L - College Physics + Lab [4]	3 (4 is preferred)
Statistics	Either of the following: HTH 320 - Statistical Methods for Health Science Research MATH 220 - Elementary Statistics	3
Lifespan Development [must cover the lifespan of a human from birth to death. Students may have to take more than one course to complete this prerequisite]	PSYC 160 - Life Span Human Development [3]	3-6
Abnormal Psychology	PSYC 250 - Introduction to Abnormal Psychology	3
Medical Terminology [college credit course]	HTH 210 - Medical Terminology	1-3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Human Physiology & Anatomy must be completed with a minimum grade of “B” or higher, and applicants must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all other coursework. A grade of C- does not meet this criterion.

For additional information, contact the Occupational Therapy program office at OTProgram@jmu.edu.

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Application Evaluation Criteria

Candidates are evaluated by a through review of their written application.

• Academic preparation (overall GPA, prerequisite GPA).
• Personal statement (see program website for further information).
• Communication skills.
• OT Observation Verification Form. While 40 hours is minimum, many surpass this.
• Thoroughness and timeliness of application submission (date and status of application material when received).
• Level of commitment and desire to enroll in graduate occupational therapy education at JMU.
• Professional behavior during the application process.

If you are offered admission to the OT program you will need to send original transcripts to the JMU Graduate School prior to beginning classes.

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Mission

The mission of the Occupational Therapy program is to provide a well-rounded educational experience to students that will prepare them to effectively practice in a variety of service areas within today’s health and human service arena. Each graduate will:

• Possess a thorough understanding of the occupation.
• Be able to articulate and demonstrate the theoretical and practical application of occupational therapy.
• Be comfortable and competent working with individuals in a variety of practice settings.
• Be committed to continuous professional growth and the evolution and validation of the profession as human needs change.
• Be able to systematically locate and evaluate available evidence-based literature to formulate assessment and intervention decisions to guide professional practice.

Faculty participating in the program will contribute through service and education to professional circles and the local community. They will maintain high standards of professional knowledge while offering quality education to students.

Occupational therapists work with individuals whose ability to participate in the occupations of life is disrupted or unable to develop due to injury, disease, developmental difficulties or environmental factors. Occupational therapy is a health and human service profession whose name is reflective of the time that it was formally founded (1917) when the term occupation collectively referred to activities people engage in throughout their day. Based on the centuries-old belief that there is health in doing, active client-centered participation is both the focus of the professional and its main avenue of intervention.

Occupational therapists work in hospitals (inpatient and outpatient programs), rehabilitation centers, early intervention programs, schools, mental health programs, home health care agencies, industrial medicine/rehabilitation programs, skilled nursing facilities, private practices, correctional facilities, shelters, community-based programs, and at colleges or universities as faculty.

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Program Policies

In order to protect vulnerable clients, students will be required to demonstrate proof of vaccination or immunity to certain conditions. Many sites require proof of health insurance.

Students will need to complete CPR [American Heart Association] training prior to starting Level I fieldwork and must keep active credentials. Students may be required to obtain malpractice insurance for some sites.

Academic Standards: Satisfactory progress for graduate students enrolled in the occupational therapy program is defined as earning a grade of “B” or 3.0 in all courses. Students who earn a grade of “C” will be referred to the OT program Academic Review Committee. The Graduate School policies also apply.

Adherence to Professional & Ethical Codes of Conduct: As is the case within any professional program, students admitted into the Occupational Therapy program must agree to abide by and uphold professional and ethical codes of conduct. These include the JMU Honor Code and the NBCOT Code of Conduct.

Scheduling: The Occupational Therapy program is carefully designed as a full-time curriculum. The curriculum must be taken in the sequence and semester assigned. Exceptions are extremely rare and are made at the discretion of the OT program Academic Review Committee.

Academic Fieldwork: These are assigned at the discretion of the academic fieldwork coordinator. Students are responsible for additional costs such as transportation and site requirements. Two types of academic fieldwork are completed in the Occupational Therapy Program:

• Level I experiences are designed to expose students to different areas of practice. There are three of these embedded within the curriculum.
• Level II experiences are full time, twelve week affiliations. These experiences are designed to prepare students to be at entry level within the particular practice area.

Students should be advised that successful completion of the OT program does not equate to becoming credentialed as an occupational therapist. To become credentialed as an Occupational Therapist, students must be eligible to take the NBCOT exam and meet all criteria for obtaining license in their state of jurisdiction.

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Accreditation

Effective December 6, 2013, the Occupational Therapy program was granted full accreditation for a period of ten years (2012/13- 2022/23) by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
ACOTE c/o AOTA
4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200
Bethesda, MD 20824-3449
Phone: (301) 652-2682
Website: http://www.acoteonline.org

Occupational therapists must uphold professional codes of conduct. See the AOTA Code of Ethics.

With full ACOTE accreditation, graduates of the program may be eligible to register to take the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Students should be advised that NBCOT has instituted a formal background check procedure. Go to https://www.nbcot.org/ for additional information.

Satisfactory performance on this exam allows the graduate to become an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR). This credential is required to apply for licensure at the state level.

Students are advised to check the licensing requirements for OT practice for each state in which you wish to practice. The licensing and regulatory authority in Virginia is the Virginia Board of Medicine-Department of Health Professions.

Prior criminal charges as well as certain issues related to the Code of Conduct and background checks may affect the graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT exam and/or attain state licensure. Go to NBCOT Professional Conduct for additional information.

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
One Bank Street, Suite 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Phone: (301) 990-7979
Website: www.nbcot.org

Virginia Board of Medicine
Occupational Therapy Advisory Board
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, Virginia 23233-1463
Phone: (804) 367-4600
Website: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Default.htm

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Curriculum Overview

All of the following courses are required and must be taken in the sequence specified. Students must be enrolled full-time. Exceptions to this requirement are rare and are only granted by the program coordinator. Students must perform satisfactorily from an academic, professional, and ethical standpoint in a manner that is consistent with JMU Graduate School and Occupational Therapy program policies.

Summer: Year One (6 weeks)

• OT 510. Therapeutic Interaction 3.00
• OT 530. Human Occupation and the Foundations of the Profession 3.00
• OT 540. The Occupational Therapy Process 3.00

Total: 9 Credit Hours

Fall: Year One

• OT 520. Occupational Development Through the Lifespan 3.00
• BIO 514. Clinical Anatomy for Occupational Therapists 4.00
• BIO 540. Functional Neuroscience for Occupational Therapists 3.00
• OT 561. Therapeutic Media in Occupational Therapy 2.00

Total: 12 Credit Hours

Spring: Year One

• OT 555. Level I Fieldwork One 1.00
• OT 560. Sensorimotor Foundations of Occupational Engagement 3.00
• OT 580. Occupational Dysfunction - Cause and Impact 3.00
• OT 590. Foundations of Research in Occupational Therapy 3.00
• OT 585. Psychosocial Perspectives in Occupational Therapy Practice 3.00
• OT 591. Occupational Therapy Tutorial I 1.00

Total: 14 Credit Hours

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Additional Information

Students enrolled in the program at the undergraduate level would receive a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences at this time.

Summer: Year Two

• OT 538. Administrative Functions for OTs 3.00

Total: 3 Credit Hours

Fall: Year Two

• OT 600. Assistive Technology in Occupational Therapy Practice 3.00
• OT 610. Occupational Therapy Intervention in Pediatrics 3.00
• OT 620. School Based Practice 2.00
• OT 630. Evidence Based Practice 3.00
• OT 645. Level I Fieldwork Two 1.00
• OT 691. Occupational Therapy Tutorial Group II 1.00

Total: 13 Credit Hours

Spring: Year Two

• OT 640. Occupational Therapy Intervention Throughout Adulthood 4.00
• OT 651. Community and Health Practice in Occupational Therapy 4.00
• OT 655. Level I Fieldwork Three 1.00
• OT 692. Occupational Therapy Tutorial Group III 1.00

Total: 10 Credit Hours

Summer: Year Two

• OT 663. Policy Analysis and Systems of Service Provision 3.00
• OT 665. Level II Fieldwork One 6.00 (12 week placement)

Total: 9 Credit Hours

Fall: Year Three

• OT 675. Level II Fieldwork Two 6.00 (12 week placement)
• OT 680. Independent Study in Occupational Therapy 3.00

Total: 9 Credit Hours

Note: Level II fieldwork must be completed within 24 months of completion of didactic course work.

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Additional Information

Students would receive a Master of Occupational Therapy degree at December commencement once they conclude all academic and clinical course work.