Health Science/Pre­Occupational Therapy Curriculum Design

The occupational therapy curriculum is developmental, and built on the concept of adaptation, which takes place on a continuum, from exploration, to competence, achievement, and mastery.

Junior Year: Exploration

Exploration of the profession of occupational therapy, including history, philosophy, theory, and foundational concepts. Psychosocial aspects of occupation and occupations of adults and seniors are introduced. Students begin Level I fieldwork, applying the knowledge gained in coursework to working with clients in community and clinical settings.

Senior Year: Competence

Students continue to gain competence in diverse practice areas and settings including occupations across the lifespan, and apply previously learned concepts of occupational performance, adaptation, clinical reasoning, and environmental modification to resolve problems for clients in community and clinical settings.

Graduate Year: Achievement

Students complete capstone and community program development projects. A professional issues course supports the transition to practice. Special topics courses offer opportunities for increased breadth or depth in selected topics. Students complete Level II fieldwork during the Spring Semester.

Post-Graduation: Mastery

As students enter professional practice, they continue their professional development through continuing education and involvement in professional organizations at the local, state and national level. Mastery is achieved through professional practice, experience, reflection, and commitment.

Upon satisfactory completion of the occupational therapy curriculum and all required fieldwork experiences, students are eligible to take the national certifying examination offered by NBCOT, the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy. Occupational therapy is licensed in California and qualified individuals may contact the state licensing board for information on obtaining licensure. Please note that prior felony convictions may affect the ability to become certified or licensed.

The Occupational Therapy Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). For more information, contact ACOTE at (301) 652-2682; 4720 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, MD, 20824-1220, www.aota.org.

Curricular Themes

The following curricular themes articulate our beliefs about occupation and occupational therapy, and help shape the focus of our curriculum:

1. Effective occupational therapy practice is occupation-based and client-centered. Occupations are freely chosen and unique to each individual or group served by the occupational therapist. Skilled occupational therapy practice is collaborative, creative, and client centered.
2. Effective occupational therapy practice is theoretically grounded, based on strong scientific evidence, and supported by research and scholarship.
3. Psychosocial dimensions of human performance are fundamental to all aspects of occupation and occupational therapy practice. Meaning, motivation, emotions, and relationships influence occupational behavior in all humans. Disruptions to normal occupational patterns elicit psychological responses that must be understood and addressed for effective therapy to take place.
4. Human occupations reflect diverse social and cultural roles, beliefs, values, and traditions. People’s occupations are shaped by opportunities afforded or denied them in social, cultural, and political contexts. Understanding diverse cultural perspectives is an essential element of occupational therapy practice.
5. Occupations take place in communities. Community is a binding force in our society. In communities, we construct the meaning of our lives through engagement in occupations. Occupational therapists promote health, wellness, and full community inclusion for persons with and without disabilities.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation from the occupational therapy program at Dominican University of California, the student will:

1. Possess knowledge based on a broad foundation in the liberal arts and sciences that will support an understanding of occupations across the lifespan and in varied settings with diverse populations.
2. Articulate an understanding of the history and philosophy of occupational therapy, and role of occupation in promoting health and preventing disease and disability.
3. Understand and apply theories of human occupation as they relate to the profession of occupational therapy.
4. Demonstrate the ability to use standardized and non-standardized assessment instruments and strategies to gain a comprehensive appreciation of client strengths and the need for occupational therapy services.
5. Demonstrate the ability to design, deliver, and evaluate evidence-based, occupation and client-centered skilled interventions that promote optimal functioning for individuals and groups.
6. Consider and value diverse social, educational, cultural, and political systems that influence the occupational health of individuals and communities.
7. Apply principles of management and leadership to develop skills in the design and delivery of occupational therapy services in a variety of institutional and community settings.
8. Demonstrate the ability to understand and apply research to support evidence- based practice and develop the knowledge base of the profession.
9. Understand and demonstrate the ethics, values, and responsibilities of the occupational therapy profession, including self-directed learning, involvement in professional associations, and adherence to the OT Code of Ethics.
10. Demonstrate the ability to apply previous knowledge to meet fieldwork requirements of the profession.