Occupational Therapy
The entry-to-practice degree for the occupational therapy profession is now the Master of Science in occupational therapy, a graduate degree. A baccalaureate degree is required to gain entry to the program. At IPFW you may earn any baccalaureate degree and then apply to the occupational therapy program offered by the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Completion of a baccalaureate degree and prerequisites does not guarantee admission to the IUPUI program.
Overview
Occupational therapy is the health and rehabilitation profession that focuses on maximizing a person's ability to participate in life independently.
Prerequisite Courses
Prior to entering IUPUI's occupational therapy program, students must complete specific prerequisite courses in addition to earning a baccalaureate degree. These prerequisites may be completed at IPFW.
IUPUI Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
Limitations on Course Work
Anatomy, physiology, and statistics prerequisites must be taken within seven years of entry.
Class size
36
Criteria used for Selection of Class
Cumulative grade point average (GPA) weighted 40%, prerequisite course work GPA weighted 60%. The total scores are then ranked.
Application Deadline
Applications are available online through IUPUI's occupational therapy website. Applications are accepted from August 1st through January 20th annually and are due in January of the year of desired entry. Program begins Summer Session II (Late June).
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average
IPFW.
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average
IPFW.
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average
IPFW.
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average
IPFW.
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average
IPFW.
The details of your prerequisite course work should be discussed with an IPFW health sciences advisor. You are also encouraged to consult an advisor at the IUPUI campus to discuss the degree. Contact: Student Enrollment Services Coordinator for the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences by calling (317)274-7238. The most current program information is found at http://www.shrs.iupui.edu/ot/.
Your undergraduate program must include the following:
At IPFW you may complete the following courses:
At IPFW you may complete a prerequisite baccalaureate degree (see above) and must also complete the following courses: |
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Or select |
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Total Credits: 18-20 |
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For questions regarding IPFW course requirements, contact:
Student Success Center
IPFW - College of Health and Human Services
Wayne Williams, Advisor
Neff Hall Room 120B
Phone: (260)481-0144
For additional IUPUI information:
www.iupui.edu
Contact:
Renee Akins, Student Enrollment Services Coordinator
School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
IUPUI
Coleman Hall 120
1140 W Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5119
Phone: (317)274-7238
E-mail: reakins@iupui.edu
IUPUI Program Facts
Professional Program
Education Requirements
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is delivered in two full years (six semesters), beginning Summer Session II of the year accepted. The educational program consists of both academic course work and supervised fieldwork experiences. The curriculum is outlined below.
Semester 1 (Summer II) |
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| Introduction to Occupational Sciences & Occupational Therapy | T560 |
3 cr |
| Kinesiology for the Occupational Therapist | T571 |
3 cr |
Total |
6 cr |
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Semester 2 (Fall)
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| Occupations of Infants & Children | T542 |
5 cr |
| Group Progress in OT | T557 |
2 cr |
| Applied Neuroscience for the OT | T575 |
4 cr |
| Research & Occupational Therapy | T567 |
3 cr |
| Theoretical Foundations of OT | T561 |
3 cr |
Total |
17 cr |
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Semester 3 (Spring) |
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| Research & Reflective Seminar I | T525 |
1 cr |
| Occupations of Adolescents & Young Adults | T552 |
5 cr |
| Pathophysiology: Impact of Conditions on Occupations | T572 |
3 cr |
| Evidence-based Research in OT | T568 |
2 cr |
| OT Management in Today's Health & Community Systems | T558 |
3 cr |
Total |
14 cr |
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Semester 4 (Summer I) May and June |
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| Fieldwork Level II-A (8 weeks) Infants & Children | T695 |
5 cr |
Total |
5 cr |
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Semester 4 (Summer I) July and August |
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| Fieldwork Level II-B (8 weeks) Adolescents & Young Adults | T696 |
5 cr |
Total |
5 cr |
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Semester 5 (Fall) |
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| Research & Reflective Seminar II | T625 |
2 cr |
| Occupations of Adults & Older Adults | T662 |
5 cr |
| Trends & Issues in Health Sciences | W510 |
3 cr |
OT Elective and Non-thesis OT Project - or OT Thesis |
T580 |
6 cr |
T667 |
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T701 |
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Total |
16 cr |
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Semester 6 (Spring) |
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| Technologies in OT (January/4 weeks) | T655 |
3 cr |
Fieldwork II-C (February and March - 8 weeks) Adults & Older Adults |
T697 |
5 cr |
| Professional Trends & Issues In OT | T658 |
1 cr |
| OT Elective (Optional) | T580 |
3 cr |
Non-thesis OT Project Completion - or OT Thesis Completion |
T668 |
2 cr |
T702 |
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Total |
11-14 cr |
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Total Credits for Master of Science in Occupational Therapy: Minimum of 74 |
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A component of the Occupations course, Level I Fieldwork is an introduction to occupational Therapy practice involving hands-on experiences at least one-half day per week located in medical, educational, and community settings in the Indianapolis area, in conjunction with coursework.
Fieldwork Level II experiences are 40 hours/week for 8 weeks. Fieldwork involves diverse populations (infants through older adults) to provide well-rounded learning experiences.
The curriculum requires a scholarly contribution (individual thesis or non-thesis group project). Group projects are accomplished with four OT graduate students and are directed by faculty. Thesis is individual and faculty directed.
Upon successful completion of both academic and fieldwork experiences, students are eligible to take the certification examination offered through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). For the protection of students and the profession, those who have had felony convictions may be restricted from sitting for this examination and should contact NBCOT with related questions.
Length of the Program
A minimum of six semesters including summers (2 year program). Graduate professional course work and fieldwork is presented in a full-time weekday format only.
Accreditation
The IU OT Program is fully accredited by the A ccreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). For more information contact ACOTE, or call (301)652-2582; http://www.aota.org; e-mail: accred@aota.org; Fax (301)652-7711; TDD (800)377-8555.
Credential Required to Practice
OTR, Occupational Therapist Registered.
Licensure Requirements
All states have licensing and/or credentialing requirements. Graduates must take the responsibility to ascertain and conform to the specific credentialing requirements of the state in which they plan to practice. State credentialing requirements are usually based on passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination.
Program Accreditation
The IU Occupational Therapy program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Telephone: (301) 652-2682; www.aota.org; e-mail: accred@aota.org; Fax (301) 652-7711; TDD (800) 377-8555.
Professional Organizations
American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (www.aota.org)
Indiana Occupational Therapy Association (www.inota.com).
Career Outlook
Occupational therapists held about 82,000 jobs in 2002, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics: "About 1 in 10 Occupational Therapists held more than one job. The largest number of jobs was in hospitals. Other major employers were offices of other health practitioners (which include offices of Occupational Therapists), public and private educational services, and nursing care facilities. some Occupational Therapists were employed by home healthcare services, outpatient care centers, offices of physicians, individual and family services, community care facilities for the elderly, and government agencies."
Some Occupational Therapists are self-employed in private practice. These practitioners see clients referred by physicians or other health professionals or provide contract or consulting services to nursing care facilities, schools, adult daycare programs, and home healthcare agencies.
Employment Outlook
Employment of Occupational Therapists is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. For more OT career information, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Earning Expectations
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, median annual earnings of Occupational Therapists were $51,990 in 2002. As with any profession, salaries and fees earned by Occupational Therapists vary by region of the country, employment settings, scope of responsibility, and local labor supply.
Admissions Forms
Application forms for IUPUI’s Occupational Therapy Program may be accessed at http://www.iupui.edu/~resgrad/grad/onlineapp.htm
260-481-IPFW
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