University of Southern Indiana

Course Descriptions

OT 151 Orientation to Occupational Therapy (*PEC) - 1 credit hour
This course provides preprofessional students with a general overview of occupational therapy history, philosophy, and practice. Students gain a beginning understanding of the value of occupation or purposeful activity in daily life, survey the role of occupational therapy with various populations and in a variety of settings; recognize national and state credentialing requirements, identify occupational therapy association functions at all levels, and recognize AOTA standards, ethics, and policies and their effect on occupational therapy practioner conduct and patient treatment.  Pre-requisites:  none.

OTA 213 Pathophysiology and Conditions I - 3 credit hours
This course provides an overview of the etiology, clinical course, management, and prognosis of congenital and developmental disabilities, acute and chronic disease processes, and traumatic injuries; and examines the effects of such conditions on functional performance throughout the lifespan as well as explores the effects of wellness on the individual, family, culture, and society.  Pre-requisites:  BIOL 121.

OTA 214 Pathophysiology and Conditions II - 3 credit hours
Providing a focus in the areas of neurology and orthopedics, this course continues the overview of the etiology, clinical course, management, and prognosis of congenital and developmental disabilities, acute and chronic disease processes, and traumatic injuries by examining the effects of such conditions on functional performance throughout the lifespan and by exploring the effects of wellness on the individual, family, culture and society.  Pre-requisites:  OTA 213.

OTA 221 Technical Communication - 3 credit hours
The emphasis of this course is the development of skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. These skills include: interviewing; self, dyadic, and group interaction; documentation to ensure accountability and reimbursement of services; critical reading of research; public speaking; and participation in meetings. This course introduces the student to medical terminology used in many of the treatment settings. Pre-requisites: ENG 101, ENG 201, SPCH 101.

OTA 231 Therapeutic Media - 3 credit hours
The first half of this course includes a multicultural perspective to emphasize the analysis of activities, the performance and teaching of selected tasks and activities, and the grading and adapting of purposeful activity for therapeutic intervention. The focus of the second half of the course is assistive technology including orthotics and prosthetics.  Pre-requisites:  none.

OTA 232 Media and Modalities – 2 credit hours
The student will be introduced to theory and clinical competencies needed to become proficient in basic splint fabrication skills and medical conditions associated with each type of splint constructed. The course will also explore the use of assistive devices, adaptive equipment, and an overview of prosthetics, orthotics, and the use of physical agent modalities in treatment. Pre-requisites:  Admission to OTA program

OTA 241 Occupational Performance Components I (*PEC) - 4 credit hours
This course examines the occupational therapy process with an emphasis on optimal occupational performance which enhances lifespan role functioning across occupational performance contexts. This course examines the interplay of performance areas and concomitant performance components with a focus on psychosocial skills. Pre-requisites: PSY 201.

OTA 242 Occupational Performance Components II - 5 credit hours
This course examines the occupational therapy process with an emphasis on optimal occupational performance which enhances lifespan role functioning across occupational performance contexts. This course examines the interplay of performance areas and concomitant performance components with a focus on sensorimotor and cognitive skills.  Pre-requisites:  OT 151, OTA 221, OTA 231, OTA 241.

OTA 297 Practicum Seminar  - 2 credit hours
Along with a 40 clock hour Level I practicum experience, this first practicum course provides students opportunities to discuss fieldwork matters and integrate fieldwork with occupational therapy process and practice issues.  Pre-requisites:  BIOL 122, PHIL 201, SOC 121, PE Activity Course, OT 151, OTA 213, OTA 221, OTA 231, OTA 241, and by permission of instructor.

OTA 298 Practicum Seminar - 2 credit hours
Along with a 40 clock hour Level I practicum experience, this second practicum course provides students additional opportunities to discuss fieldwork matters and integrate fieldwork with occupational therapy process and practice issues.  Pre-requisites:  OTA 214, OTA 242, OTA 297, OTA 343, and by permission of instructor.

OTA 343 Occupational Performance Areas I - 5 credit hours
This course examines the occupational therapy process with an emphasis on optimal occupational performance which enhances lifespan role functioning across occupational performance contexts. This course examines the interplay of performance components and their effects on subsequent performance areas, particularly activities of daily living and play or leisure.  Pre-requisites:  OT 151, OTA 221, OTA 231, OTA 241.

OTA 344 Occupational Performance Areas II - 4 credit hours
This course examines the occupational therapy process with an emphasis on optimal occupational performance which enhances lifespan role functioning across occupational performance contexts. This course examines the interplay of performance components and their effects on subsequent performance areas, particularly work and productive activities.  Pre-requisites:  OTA 343.

OTA 351 Independent Study 1-12 credit hours
This elective course may be customized for the special interest of the student. Students may complete this independent study by participating in faculty approved supervised service delivery, research projects under the direction of faculty, or another faculty approved project.  Prerequisites:  none.

OTA 362 Occupational Therapy Assistant Issues - 3 credit hours
This course will provide opportunities to recognize the necessity of participating in the promotion of occupational therapy through educating professionals, consumers, third party payers, and the public; to assume individual responsibility for planning future professional development to maintain a level of practice consistent with accepted standards; and to understand environmental and policy issues which impact the provision of occupational therapy services.  Pre-requisites:  OTA 214, OTA 242, OTA 297, OTA343.

OTA 372 Management for Occupational Therapy Assistants - 3 credit hours
General management principles such as planning, organizing, staffing, coordinating/directing, controlling, budgeting, marketing, strategic planning are applied to the management of activities service. There is an emphasis on the development of supervisory skills for occupational therapy students, certified occupational therapy assistants, and other personnel.  Pre-requisites:  OTA 214, OTA 242, OTA 297, OTA343.

OTA 397 Technical Fieldwork A - 3 credit hours
While working with persons having various levels of psychosocial, sensorimotor, and cognitive performance components, students have opportunities for synthesis, the integration and application of knowledge gained throughout their educational experiences which include general education/liberal arts courses as well as the sequence of occupational therapy coursework. Students will examine the interplay among occupational performance areas, components, and contexts; develop and expand a repertoire of occupational therapy treatment interventions; and employ clinical reasoning and reflective practice skills. Fieldwork A, a Level II internship of at least 8 full-time work  weeks in duration, must vary from Fieldwork B to reflect a difference in ages across the lifespan of persons requiring occupational therapy services, in the setting with regard to chronicity (long term versus short term), and in facility type (institutional versus community based).  Level I fieldwork shall not be substituted for any part of Level II fieldwork.  Pre-requisites:  OTA 298, OTA 344, OTA 362, OTA 372.

OTA 398 Technical Fieldwork B - 3 credit hours
While working with persons having various levels of psychosocial, sensorimotor, and cognitive performance components, students have opportunities for synthesis, the integration and application of knowledge gained throughout their educational experiences which include general education/liberal arts courses as well as the sequence of occupational therapy coursework. Students will examine the interplay among occupational performance areas, components, and contexts, develop and expand a repertoire of occupational therapy treatment interventions, and employ clinical reasoning and reflective practice skills. Fieldwork B, a Level II internship of at least 8 full-time work weeks in duration, must vary from Fieldwork A to reflect a difference in ages across the lifespan of persons requiring occupational therapy services, in the setting with regard to chronicity (long term versus short term), and in facility type (institutional versus community based).  Level I fieldwork shall not be substituted for any part of Level II fieldwork.  Pre-requisites:  OTA 397.

(*PEC = Program Entry Course)