Advanced Occupational Therapy Online

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Admission Requirements : Curriculum Guide : Tuition and Expenses : Financial Assistance : Blackboard Demo Course : Fact Sheet

Advanced Degree Program - Distance Education

The Advanced Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Studies (AMOT) is a post-professional degree program for those already holding an entry-level, professional degree (Bachelors or Masters) in Occupational Therapy. Designed for practicing occupational therapists interested in continuing, advanced education in occupational therapy, the program allows the working clinician to build upon existing experience, strengthen academic foundations, improve clinical reasoning and critical analysis skills, and increase the ability to practice in varied clinical and administrative settings.

If you have searched occupational therapy colleges looking for a program that balances your busy schedule with contiuing your education in occupational therapy, ASHS is the right place for you. Offered via an online distance education format, the AMOT Program allows working professionals to complete their didactic studies at their convenience in the place of their choice – including the comfort of their homes. The program fosters valuable interaction among students and faculty by providing access to a virtual community of practicing occupational therapists from across the country and around the globe.

Although AMOT faculty and students “meet” in online classroom environments, clinical (practice related) experiences are required to complete several of the core “Professional Practice” courses (see below). AMOT students are able and encouraged to use their current practice settings to meet this requirement. In the event that a student is not employed/practicing at the time of a particular course requiring a clinical experience, the student is responsible for identifying and gaining access to a clinical practice setting applicable to the assignments required in the course.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

The program requires a minimum of 42 quarter credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. The program is designed to meet the needs of working therapists and on average can be completed in two years. The program of study is divided into four areas:

1. Professional Practice (9 credits required)
2. Critical Inquiry (12 credits required)
3. Electives (12 credits)
4. Capstone Experience (9 credits)

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (9 credits required)
The Professional Practice core courses provide the student with a firm foundation in the practice of Occupational Therapy and the issues and concerns of a graduate health profession. The following courses are required:

OT 802  Advanced Theory and Philosophy in Occupational Therapy
This course is a review, discussion, and analysis of the current theoretical and philosophical basis for occupational therapy practice. (3 credits)

OT 803  Trends in Occupational Therapy
Current practice issues and trends within the occupational therapy profession are studied. (3 credits)

HP 814  Issues in Diverse Populations and Settings
The role of culture in health care will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on learning to recognize and negotiate cultural differences and assessing intercultural interactions and interventions in their own practice. (3 credits)

CRITICAL INQUIRY (12 credits required)
The Critical Inquiry courses provide the student with formal skills in critical inquiry and decision-making. Students learn to use the research literature and technology resources to establish interventions based on scientific-evidence and best professional practices.

OT 807  Research Methodology
A survey of basic quantitative and qualitative research designs and methods used in research relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. Emphasis is placed on learning how to critically evaluate research and become a better consumer of it. (3 credits)

OT 808  Statistics
Through this course students become acquainted with, and develop a better understanding of, the statistical methods and techniques most commonly utilized in health care and education research.  Interpretation of results of statistical analyses and assessment of the appropriateness of test selection are presented. (3 credits)

OT 811  Evidence-Based Practice I for OT Clinicians
First course in a series of two on the topic of evidence-based practice (EBP). This first EBP course provides an introduction to the concept of EBP, discusses the fundamental need to structure EBP within the framework of Occupational Therapy practice, and introduces students to the key underlying components and stages of EBP.  The course provides students with the opportunity to, not only gain theoretical knowledge about the stages, but also engenders skills that will allow them to begin to implement these in their practice. (3 credits)

OT 812  Evidence-Based Practice II for OT Clinicians
This course is the second in the series of two evidence-based practice (EBP) courses. Building on the EBP skills learned during OT 811, this course follows an evidence-based journal club format, involving small group work in a specific clinical area, offering students the opportunity to further enhance their EBP skills through implementation of the EBP process in additional exploration of clinical questions. Emphasis is also placed on reflecting upon and examining how the clinical reasoning processes underlying EBP influence one’s clinical decision-making and practice. (3 credits)

ELECTIVES (12 credits required)
Clinical practice areas of specialization or interest are offered for the practicing therapist. Students may choose from general practice, pediatric, or management specialty areas. Electives may be chosen (when offered) from the OT courses listed below, from several physical therapy courses listed below, or from any course offered by ATSU’s School of Health Management. * Students also have the option of applying elective credits toward the completion of a 20 credit certificate from the School of Health Management (in Geriatric Health Management, Health Administration or Public Administration).

OT 833  Holistic School-Based Practice
This course holistically addresses OT practice in school systems settings. Topics include, but are not limited to, IDEA, ADA 504, psychosocial intervention, and transition planning. (3 credits)

OT 842  Advances in Sensory Integration Theory and Practice
Focus of study will be the theoretical foundation, research, and current treatment methods of Sensory Integration Theory and Practice. (3 credits)

OT 843  Early Intervention: Working With Children 0-3 and Their Families
Overview of federal legislation involving the role of OT in early intervention will be discussed. Study will focus on OT programming in natural environments, family-centered practice, goal writing for the IFSP, and transition planning to preschool. (3 credits)

OT 844  Critical Thinking in Pediatric Intervention
This course will explore in depth the foundation, research efficacy, similarities, and differences among the theoretical frameworks commonly employed by occupational and physical therapists working with children in a variety of contexts. Students will evaluate best practice in clinical application with a variety of diagnoses. (3 credits)

OT 845  Application of Technology to OT Practice
Current technology utilized for occupational therapy practice and treatment of dysfunction. Use of computers, switches, software programs, adaptive equipment, diagnostic, medical, and environmental controls are explored. (3 credits)

OT 847  Issues in Geriatric Practice
This course holistically addresses issues and intervention practices with geriatric populations. Topics to be covered include, but are not limited to, occupations of the elderly, adaptations for healthy living, and mental health issues. (3 credits)

OT 850  Independent Study
Independent investigation of a topic of interest. Approval of independent study option is by the faculty and chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy. (1-3 credits)

OT875 Special Topics in OT
This course covers special topics that arise in the OT Profession.  The topics of the course will change, pending the quarter that it offers.  The topic is announced four weeks prior to the course beginning.

PT 806  Pharmacology
This course covers the administration, physiologic response, and adverse effects of drugs under normal and pathophysiologic conditions. Topics focus on the influence of drugs on therapy patient/client management. (3 credits) (with PT Department permission)

HP 815  Health and Wellness
This course includes discussion on the theories of health and wellness, including motivational theory, locus of control, public health initiatives, and psycho-social, spiritual, and cultural considerations. Health risks, screening, and assessment considering epidemiological principles are emphasized. Risk reduction strategies for primary and secondary prevention, including programs for special populations are covered. (2 credits)

HP 835  Reimbursement Systems, Issues and Strategies
This course includes a review of different reimbursement systems in healthcare to include Medicare, Medicaid, fee-for-service, capitation, workers’ compensation and contractual care. Issues in reimbursement and strategies for overcoming challenges of reimbursement in rehabilitation will be covered. (2 credits)

HP 836  Business Planning
This course includes discussions on business planning, including strategic planning, financial management, personnel management, and physical resource management as it relates to the healthcare industry. (2 credits)

* See School of Health Management for additional elective offerings.

CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE (9 credits)
OT 880, 881, & 882 Capstone Experience in Occupational Therapy
The capstone project is an integrating and culminating experience that allows the student to explore an area of professional interest. Under supervision of AMOT faculty, students develop a project that demonstrates scholarship and furthers the profession’s body of knowledge. (9 credits)

For a list and description of specific course offerings please refer to the curriculum guide.