Occupational Science: Pre-Occupational Therapy (OSOT)

Program Options: B.A., B.S.

Occupational therapy is the therapeutic use of occupations (everyday activities) to enable people to participate in life to the fullest. To become an occupational therapist, you must earn a masters degree in occupational therapy, complete a minimum of six months of full-time fieldwork (arranged by the University) and pass a national certification test.

Occupational therapy practitioners are credentialed professionals who work with individauls and organizations, using occupation in all its forms to help them develop to their fullest potential. Occupations are skills for the job of living, including work/education, self-care, and play/leisure. Occupational therapy practitioners work with people of all ages and ability levels in a variety of medical, educational, and community settings, providing individual, instructional, or consultative services. For more information on the profession, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association website at www.aota.org . 

The occupational science and occupational therapy faculty members are active in medical and community settings and in regional and national professional associations. Faculty members represent all areas of specialization, including mental health, wellness, public policy, physical disabilities, ergonomics, community health, pediatrics, geriatrics, administration and education. They bring the latest developments impacting the profession to the classroom and have been recognized locally and nationally for their contributions to the profession in teaching, research, publications, innovative practice ideas and leadership. The faculty offer innovative and creative approaches to teaching and are dedicated not only to helping you succeed in college, but in inspiring you to excel in your personal and professional lives. Faculty members also have been recognized by the Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and four are Fellows of the AOTA.


Occupational Science: Pre-Occupational Therapy/Dual  Degree Program

The dual degree program results in a B.A. or B.S. in occupational science and an M.A. in occupational therapy. Students who wish to become registered occupational therapists should choose this program. The core courses in occupational science are taken at the graduate level and are combined with other courses required for the M.A. in occupational therapy. A strong background in liberal arts and sciences provides the foundation for core courses in occupational science and occupational therapy. The dual degree can be completed in five and a half to six years. Additional information on the dual degree program may be found under Pre-Professional Programs in this catalog.

Information on how to apply to the occupational science: pre-occupational therapy major (dual degree) can be obtained from the Graduate Admissions Office or by contacting the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.

See also: Pre-Occupational Therapy, Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (Graduate catalog), Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.

Major Requirements:

Core occupational science courses at the graduate level as listed below:
OSOT 5100 Life Occupations
OSOT 5150 Occupational Adaptation
OSOT 5250 Group Dynamics and Leadership
OSOT 6100 Occupational Inquiry
OSOT 6500 Policy and Politics in Human Service Systems
OSOT 6550 Seminar

Plus the following occupational therapy graduate courses:
OSOT 5000 Basic Neuroscience
OSOT 5050 Foundations of Occupational Therapy
OSOT 5400 Clinical Conditions I
OSOT 5550 Clinical Kinesiology
OSOT 6050 Psychosocial: Assessment and Intervention
OSOT 6150 Motor: Assessment and Intervention
OSOT 6250 Sensation, Perception and Cognition: Assessment and Intervention
OSOT 6350 Clinical Conditions II

Required prerequisite supporting course work:
BIOL 2510 Human Anatomy
BIOL 2520 Human Physiology
INDI 2220 Medical Terminology
PSYC 1001 General Psychology with Lab
PSYC 2025 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
PSYC 3010 Abnormal Psychology
One statistics course selected in consultation with department advisor

Occupational science majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing OSOT 5100 and OSOT 6550. You complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Writing Requirement with two other writing-intensive courses (CORE 1000 and CORE 3990).