Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences Master of Science in Occupational Therapy East Falls Campus Applicant Handbook (entering 09-00) Occupational Therapy: Living Life to Its Fullest MSOT Program - East Falls Campus Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) 0 Henry Avenue Philadelphia, PA 9 5.95.9 www.jefferson.edu/ot
Application Materials for Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Priority Deadline: February The East Falls MS in Occupational Therapy Program is offered on the Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) East Falls campus. It is designed to accommodate students from all undergraduate disciplines. Qualified candidates who hold or are about to receive an undergraduate degree are eligible to apply. Students seeking admission must meet the Occupational Therapy Program and University s acceptance criteria. Candidate selection is based upon the number of applications, candidates collective qualifications and the number of openings in the program. The MSOT program subscribes to the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service, known as OTCAS. Applicants for the 09 entering class should apply online using the OTCAS application. Our applicant deadline is February, though candidates are encouraged to apply early due to rolling admissions. Applications received after the deadline date will be considered subject to space availability in the entering class. Admission letters will be distributed beginning in December. To learn more about the OTCAS application process and to get started please go to the OTCAS Applicant Portal Link: portal.otcas.org. Once processed, the Admissions Committee looks forward to receiving your application. Admission Requirements: all materials submitted to OTCAS Bachelor s degree demonstrating minimum overall.0 grade point average (GPA) OT Program prerequisite courses: minimum overall.0 GPA (minimum grade of B- or better in each course): Anatomy & Physiology I (completed within 0 years of admission) Anatomy & Physiology II (completed within 0 years of admission) Physics with Lab (recommended and given greater weight in admission review; Bio, Chem, Exercise Physiology, Neuroscience or Kinesiology accepted) Developmental Psychology (Lifespan) Abnormal Psychology Statistics Sociology/ Anthropology/ Cultural Studies Writing I Writing II Clinical observation documentation: 0 hours of observation under the supervision of an occupational therapist at two or more settings Two letters of reference (academic and/or professional): these should examine the applicant's abilities, communication skills, motivation, interpersonal attributes, and emotional resilience. Resume: highlight accomplishments, and work and volunteer experiences in health care, community, social and/or human services. Personal essay (500 words): reviewed for written communication skills, knowledge of the profession, personal insight, and motivation for the profession. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) results (Jefferson East Falls campus codes: GRE code 78; MAT code 990). Candidates with GRE or MAT scores at the 50 percentile or greater will receive primary consideration. Candidates applications will only be reviewed after the GRE or MAT scores are self-reported in OTCAS. If accepted to the OT Program, candidates must provide official score reports to the university prior to enrolling. GRE scores are verified by OTCAS. Candidates with a master s degree do not need to submit GRE or MAT scores. Information for applicants with foreign education: Students must be able to provide sufficient documentation to be issued an I-0 form indicating adequate financial support. TOEFL scores are required. Note: the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) will be considered as a possible substitute for the TOEFL. MSOT Jefferson East Falls Campus Applicant Handbook, 8/8
International applicants must submit an evaluation of academic credentials. While world Education Services (WES) is Philadelphia University s preferred evaluator, any evaluation service accredited through the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) will suffice. Program Requirements The East Falls MSOT Program is offered in a blended learning format that involves on campus and distance learning experiences. Students are required to participate in two intensive on-campus weekend class meetings (Friday/Saturday) per month and complete reading and online learning activities during the week(s) between campus meetings. Between 70-80 percent of the coursework is delivered on campus, the remainder is delivered online. Some courses may require additional days on campus or travel to clinical facilities (to be determined each semester). The program requires students to: have daily access to a laptop computer with camera, headset and microphone, and familiarity with basic computer functions including e-mail, internet, and Microsoft Word and PowerPoint software. have a reliable internet connection in order to access BlackBoard, the university s electronic course management system. bring laptop computers to class that are compatible with our testing software (PC or Mac) as all exams are delivered online. For minimum requirements go to the following website for assistance regarding supported operating systems http://learn.examsoft.com. Throughout the course of studies, laptop and software requirements may change due to software and hardware updates, and it is the student s responsibility to keep hardware and software requirements up to date. participate in various online guided and independent learning activities, facilitated through the use of e-mail, internet, and distance learning technologies (Blackboard, web conferencing). matriculate into the OT Program in the fall and participate in the mandatory on-campus orientation weekend held in late July or early August. keep continuous matriculation as the curriculum s courses are sequential. obtain annual health and legal clearances required for fieldwork complete all Level II fieldwork within 5 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program. (See note about eligibility below) maintain professional organization memberships (AOTA, state OT association, Student OT association) complete the degree in no more than.5 years from the date of first enrollment. Students who have not earned the graduate degree during this period will have their academic records reviewed and may be asked to meet additional requirements in order to graduate. Fieldwork Eligibility and Certification/ Licensure Information Participation in fieldwork experiences are required components of the OT curriculum. Fieldwork sites require health clearances, CPR certification, and legal clearances such as a criminal background check, finger printing, and/or child abuse history clearance in order to permit participation in the clinical experience. Fieldwork sites may deny a student's placement because of a felony or misdemeanor conviction, failure of a required drug test, or inability to produce an appropriate health clearance, all of which would result in delayed graduation, or, in the inability to graduate from the program. Note: A felony or misdemeanor conviction may affect a graduate s ability to sit for the certification exam or to attain state licensure as a health professional. Contact the appropriate national or state credentialing bodies for information regarding individual eligibility. OT Program Accreditation The MSOT Program is registered with the PA Education Department and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 70 Montgomery Lane, Suite 00, Bethesda, MD 08-9, 0/65-68 (www.acoteonline.org). The most recent reaccreditation was granted in 08. The next accreditation visit is anticipated in 07. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam that is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). In addition, most states require licensure in MSOT Jefferson East Falls Campus Applicant Handbook, 8/8
order to practice occupational therapy; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the national certification exam. OT Program Mission Statement The Occupational Therapy (OT) Program s mission is to prepare competent, reflective, and ethical occupational therapists whose practice philosophy is client-centered, occupation-based, and grounded in evidence. In keeping with the University mission to prepare graduates for successful careers in an evolving and interconnected world, the OT Program incorporates inter-professional learning to enable graduates to practice in diverse environments and changing service-delivery contexts. The curriculum is organized around three themes that reflect the program s philosophy. Participation encompasses client-centered practice and is grounded in the person-environmentoccupation perspective. Evidence and Professional Reasoning inform practice decisions and contribute to the profession s distinct value. Collaboration and Innovation reflect Philadelphia University s unique teaching-learning philosophy that engages students in creative partnerships to enhance clients well-being and quality of life. It is further enriched through a curricular thread, Professional Identity, which is integrated within the student s program of study. Students are supported in the development of a professional identity through a series of regular processes that are grounded in advocacy, volunteerism, and professionalism. MS in Occupational Therapy Program Outcomes The MSOT Program prepares competent and reflective occupational therapists who possess a commitment to professionalism and lifelong learning. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to: Provide occupation-based and client-centered care by competently applying and adapting the occupational therapy process Demonstrate the attitudes, behaviors and responsibilities associated with being a health professional (e.g. effective communication, respect for diversity, ethical practice) Apply and integrate evidence-based methods to facilitate outcomes, build knowledge, and inform occupational therapy practice Partner with stakeholders to address the health and participation needs of individuals, groups and populations. Develop innovative tools, programs, and services to promote participation and well-being. MS in Occupational Therapy Program Academic Standards The Program s admission criteria are designed to select candidates who are most likely to succeed both in the university academic environment as well as in OT professional practice. While the Program faculty is dedicated to assisting students in their professional education, the student also has responsibilities. Students enrolled in the program must demonstrate achievement in academic and clinical competencies necessary for professional practice, and meet academic standards consistent with graduate school criteria. Students must also demonstrate effective professional behavior as detailed in the Fieldwork Readiness Behavior Development Form (refer to OT Student Center on BlackBoard, Student Handbook ). The MS in Occupational Therapy Program is designed to be completed in sequential fashion. Students must successfully complete coursework within each given semester and remain in good academic standing in order to progress to the next semester. Students must have completed all academic coursework and be in good academic standing to progress to Level II fieldwork. Students must successfully complete the academic and fieldwork portions of the curriculum to qualify for graduation. Graduates are eligible to sit for MSOT Jefferson East Falls Campus Applicant Handbook, 8/8
the NBCOT national certification exam and apply for state licensure, required to be able to practice as an occupational therapist. Benchmarks for Progression In order to remain in good academic standing, students must meet the following standards. These academic and conduct standards are in addition to the University academic and conduct standards as described in the University Student Handbook, catalog and on the University web site. Student s academic records and professional conduct are reviewed at the end of each semester, including summer, to evaluate academic standing and satisfactory progress toward degree requirements. The OT Program Director will notify the student when problems in academic performance may jeopardize a student s academic standing. Minimum Grade Expectation MSOT students must earn a passing grade of a B- or better (or Credit in Credit/No Credit courses) and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of MSOT students must earn a passing grade of a B- or better (or Credit in Credit/No Credit courses) and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of.0 in order to progress through the curriculum and remain in good academic standing. a. Students who do not maintain a CGPA of.0 will receive an academic alert to reflect academic underachievement. In order to return to good academic standing, students must raise their CGPA to a minimum.0 in the next semester. Failure to achieve this will result in dismissal from the program. b. Students are dismissed from the program when they receive an academic alert in two consecutive semesters, or any three semesters. c. Students who earn a C (.0) grade in a core course must decelerate, and repeat the course before proceeding in the full time program (see Deceleration below). Students who are unable to earn a minimum B (.0) in a repeat course are dismissed from the program. A course can be repeated once. Students may repeat only one non-fieldwork course. d. Students cannot receive more than one C or C+ grade while in the MSOT Program. A second C or C+ will result in dismissal. Students are dismissed from the program when a grade of C- or below is earned in any course, or when they receive no credit in a non-fieldwork course. e. Students must remain in compliance with the University s Community Standards, the AOTA Code of Ethics, or the OT Program s Standards of Professional Conduct. Fieldwork a. In order to be eligible for Level II Fieldwork, students must have achieved a minimum.0 CGPA and be in good academic standing within the Program and College. b. Students must successfully complete Level II fieldwork within 5 months beyond the date of completion of didactic coursework. In instances where there is more than months of inactivity, faculty may require students to engage in competencies and/or other learning activities to assure fieldwork readiness. c. Students must receive satisfactory reports and evaluations from all fieldwork educators to receive fieldwork credit ( CR ). A student must earn a grade of CR in all fieldwork in order to graduate. d. Failure to complete a fieldwork, student withdrawal, or having to be removed from a placement may result in a student s dismissal from the program. Students who need to repeat more than one Level II fieldwork due to unsatisfactory performance will be dismissed from the program. e. If a grade of NC (no credit) or W (withdrawal) is obtained in a fieldwork course, faculty determines whether the student is permitted to repeat the fieldwork, or dismissed from the program. If permission to repeat the fieldwork is granted, the student must develop a written plan of self-correction prior to being placed in another fieldwork. The decision to permit a student to repeat fieldwork is dependent upon the student s academic performance prior to fieldwork, and on fieldwork educator verbal or written reports about student behavior with respect to adherence to site regulations, site schedule, ethical standards of conduct, or engagement in behavior that puts patient/ client safety at risk. f. Students receiving a NC grade, including W (withdrawal) in fieldwork must re-register and repeat the fieldwork in order to progress in the program. Repetition of a fieldwork could delay graduation. Students may repeat only one fieldwork course, and the student must achieve a CR (credit) grade on the second attempt. Academic Alerts MSOT Jefferson East Falls Campus Applicant Handbook, 8/8 5
An academic alert is issued to students when their records are unsatisfactory, while there is still time to remedy the situation. Students will receive academic alerts when their records indicate that typical progress toward a degree may be in jeopardy. Students should meet with their advisors to discuss plans for improving their performance. Students whose academic records include one or more of the following will receive an academic alert from the Program Director: a. Semester grade point average (SGPA) below.0. Note: The MSOT Program CGPA is comprised of all OT courses taken, beginning with the semester that the student enters the professional phase of the OT Program. b. Cumulative GPA below.0. c. One grade of C or C+ or no-credit in a non-fieldwork course. d. Withdrawal from a course for academic reasons (students who need to withdraw from a course for medical or personal reasons must first be approved by the Program Director prior to withdrawing) e. Students who earn a C (.0) grade in a core course must decelerate, and repeat the course before proceeding in the full time program (see Deceleration below). f. Verbal or written reports from fieldwork educators indicating the student s non-adherence to site regulations, site schedule, ethical standards of conduct, or engagement in behavior that puts patient/ client safety at risk. This information may be reviewed by the Student Affairs Committee for action, depending upon the circumstances. g. A student who violates the OT Program s Standards of Professional Conduct or AOTA Code of Ethics (most recent edition). This information may be reviewed by the Student Affairs Committee for action, depending upon the circumstances. Students who receive academic alerts will be required to improve their performance by the end of the next enrolled semester. Details will be provided in writing to the student upon academic alert notification. Deceleration Deceleration means that the student may not progress in the full time program. a. Students decelerate when they receive a C (.0) in any core course (Functional Anatomy, Applied Neuroanatomy, Assessment & Intervention courses (Children & Youth; Adult), and Psychosocial Interventions [or their equivalent]). Students must repeat the course and earn a minimum B (.0) in order to proceed in the program. Students who are unsuccessful will be dismissed. Students can repeat only one course. b. Since the program is a lock-step curriculum, a course that was not successfully completed cannot be repeated until the following year. A second deceleration results in dismissal. Dismissal Students whose academic records include any of the following will be dismissed from the program. a. Failure to raise the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) to.0 or higher in the semester following an academic alert. b. Academic alerts in two consecutive semesters, or any three semesters. c. A grade of C or C+ in more than one course. d. A grade of C- or below, or NC in a non-fieldwork course. e. Second grade of NC in a fieldwork course. f. Failure to correct deficiencies outlined in academic alert notice. g. Failure to earn minimum B (.0) grade in a repeated course (a course can be repeated only once). h. Unprofessional behavior and/or conduct that violates the University s Community Standards, the AOTA Code of Ethics, or the OT Program s Standards of Professional Conduct. Official notification of dismissal will be in writing and sent directly to the student. In the event of a grade appeal or appeal of dismissal from the program, the student shall follow due process procedures as outlined in the JCRS Student Handbook. MSOT Jefferson East Falls Campus Applicant Handbook, 8/8 6
MS in Occupational Therapy Program East Falls Campus Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) 0 Henry Avenue Philadelphia, PA 9-597 5.95.9 The East Falls MSOT Program is delivered in a blended learning model that involves on campus and online learning. Students attend bi-weekly on-campus weekend classes supplemented by off-campus, on-line assignments and discussions. Some courses may require additional days on campus, or travel to clinical facilities (to be determined each semester). The 7-credit program can be completed within.5 or academic years, depending on final fieldwork schedule. Curriculum by Semester Cr Class Schedule Semester : Fall Evolving Professional Seminar Foundations for Practice Functional Anatomy Occupational Competence Clinical Skills A Semester : Spring Assistive Technology Design Intro to Evaluation Clinical Skills B Clinical Skills C Applied Neuroanatomy Interpersonal Relationships & Groups Semester : Summer Evidence-Based Practice Older Adults Level I Fieldwork A Psychosocial Interventions 0 8 weekends (plus final exam) Friday: 9:0-6:00; Saturday 8:0-6:00 8 weekends (plus final exam) Friday: 9:0-6:00; Saturday 8:0-6:00 *7 weekends (plus final exam) Friday: 9:0-6:00; Saturday 8:0-6:00 *Additional -0 hours of fieldwork during semester scheduled by student in collaboration with field site. Semester : Fall Children & Youth A Assessment & Intervention: Adults Environmental Dimensions of Occupation Level I Fieldwork B Semester 5: Spring Professional Issues & Trends Level I Fieldwork C Children & Youth B Critical Inquiry I Innovative Practice in OT Semester 6: Summer I Critical Inquiry II Specialty Practice: Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Mastery Track A Semester 7: Summer II & Fall Level II Fieldwork A (July- Sept) Level II Fieldwork B (Oct- Dec) Track B Semester 7 & 8: Fall & Spring Level II Fieldwork A (Sept-Dec) Level II Fieldwork B (Jan-Mar) 5 5 5 0 Total Credits 7 *8 weekends (plus final exam) Friday: 9:0-6:00; Saturday 8:0-6:00 *Additional -0 hours of fieldwork during semester scheduled by student in collaboration with field site. *8 weekends (plus final exam) Friday: 9:0-6:00; Saturday 8:0-6:00 *Additional -0 hours of fieldwork during semester scheduled by student in collaboration with field site. 6 week intensive Thursday & Friday: 9:0-6:00; Saturday 8:0-6:00 Two, -week full-time fieldwork placements off-site, supplemented with on-line clinical reasoning assignments. MSOT Jefferson East Falls Campus Applicant Handbook, 8/8 7