Occupational Therapy, M.O.T.

Occupational Therapy Program

Lucinda Murray, OTD, LOTR
Program Director

The Program of Occupational Therapy offers a graduate degree leading to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT). The Master of Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (American Occupational Therapy Association, 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449, 1.800.877.1383 (extension 2914).

Occupational therapy enables people to do the day-to-day activities that are important to them despite impairments, activity limitations, or participation restrictions. Occupations are another name for these day-to-day activities. Occupations are goal-directed pursuits that typically extend over time, have meaning to the performer, and involve multiple tasks. Occupational performance areas consist of activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, rest/sleep, education, work, play, leisure and social participation activities. In therapy, a holistic philosophy is employed to assist individuals across the life span whose function has been impaired by disease, injury, or disorders of a physical, mental, or social nature. Occupational therapists, through their interventions, enable people to regain health as well as function. Intervention involves therapeutic use of meaningful and purposeful occupations, adaptation of environments and processes, promotion of health and wellness, and use of assistive technology and ergonomic principles. Employment opportunities for occupational therapists are available in a variety of institutional, (e.g., inpatient hospitals, nursing facilities), outpatient (e.g., outpatient clinics, partial hospitalization), and home community settings (home care, schools, day-care centers, wellness centers).

Completion of the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program prepares a graduate to practice occupational therapy. Twenty-seven months is needed to complete a total of 90 semester hours of coursework on-campus at the Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, and off-campus at practice sites within and out of the state. Included in these semester hours are six months of Level II Fieldwork. All Level II Fieldwork must be completed within 24 months following completion of didactic course work. The student must satisfactorily complete all requirements for graduation in no more than four calendar years.

Graduates of the Master of Occupational Therapy Program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapy administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Following successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). This national certification is a prerequisite to obtaining a license to practice occupational therapy in most states, including Louisiana. Felony conviction may  affect graduate’s ability to sit for NBCOT certification examination or attain licensure.

Requirements for Admission

Admission to the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program is on a competitive basis. Preference is given to residents of Louisiana. Requirements for admission are listed below. Meeting the following requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a minimum verbal Reasoning score of 146, minimum Quantitative Reasoning Score of 140 and 4.0 on the Analytical Writing. The GRE must be taken within the past five years.
3. Completion of prerequisite courses (with a minimum grade of “C”) prior to enrollment in the program: see Prerequisite Courses below

80% of pre-requisite courses must be completed by January 1st of the year you plan to attend.

Strongly Recommended Courses (but not required): English Composition, Medical Terminology, Public Speaking, and Technical Writing

4. Applicants must acquire a minimum of 20 hours of verified contact with one registered occupational therapist, (OTR). Additional observation hours in other areas of clinical practice are advisable.
5. Applicants must have a minimum overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 (based on a 4.0 scale) for their undergraduate degree, and a GPA of 3.0 for prerequisite courses.
6. A grade of “C” or better is required for all prerequisites. Preference is given to applicants with grade of “B” or better in Anatomy and Physiology.
7. Completion of an application is required. Completion of an essay, other written work, or an interview may be required.
8. Computer literacy is required of all students in the program. Specifically, students are expected to be proficient in word processing, spreadsheet management, internet navigation, and e-mail procedures.
9. CPR Certification must be valid while enrolled in the program, but is not required for application to the program.

Special consideration may be given to a student who does not meet the minimum requirements, but is able to present evidence deemed by the faculty to indicate that an exemption is warranted. For example, a student has a GPA of 3.9 in prerequisite courses, a GPA of 2.3 in his or her undergraduate degree, and has an above average score on the GRE.

Academic Progression Requirements

The following requirements pertain to academic progression apply to students enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Program.

1. A minimum cumulative LSUHSC-S GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation.
2. Any student falling below a cumulative GPA of 3.0 will be placed on scholastic probation.
3. Students on scholastic probation are not eligible for financial aid.
4. Students on scholastic probation are not eligible for graduation from the program.
5. Academic progression is reviewed at the conclusion of each semester. Students successfully reestablishing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 will be reinstated as a student in good academic standing.
6. The minimum scholastic requirement for course work is a grade of C. However, no more than 9 credit hours of C grades may be counted toward a degree.
7. Students dismissed from the program may reapply to the program to be considered for competitive readmission.
8. All didactic courses must be taken in sequence. All didactic course work must be successfully completed before the student begins Level II fieldwork.
9. According to the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®), students must successfully complete 24 weeks of full-time Level II fieldwork.
10. If the student does not meet the expectations of the Level II fieldwork placement, they will earn a grade of “F”. Student who receive a failing grade or withdraw from a fieldwork placement (per student, AFWC, or fieldwork educator request) in one Level II experience may be given permission to take the course for a second time. Students failing more than one fieldwork placement will be terminated from the program. All fieldwork experiences must be completed within 24 weeks of fulfillment of didactic coursework.
11. Students must complete the entire program within forty-eight months of the student’s start date.
12. In order to achieve academic progress, the student must meet the following minimum standards:
    1. Satisfy the scholastic requirements listed above and in the SAHP general section of this catalog/bulletin.
    2. Successful completion of the required number of credit hours per semester established by the Program.

The faculty will review students’ academic progress at the conclusion of each Semester reporting results to the SAHP administration.

Appeals may be made in accordance with policies and procedures established under Student Academic Appeals in this catalog/bulletin.

Student Employment Statement

Due to the demands of the curriculum, students are discouraged from seeking outside employment.

Method of Application

Procedures for applying for admission to the Master of Occupational Therapy Program are as follows:

1. Application to the program is two-fold. All applicants must complete the electronic application online at https://portal.otcas.org and once admitted a supplemental application and $50 fee may be required.
2. Applications are available in July.
3. The application packet is due on November 1st. Official transcripts are due no later than December 31st. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Student Affairs in Shreveport, by all colleges and universities attended. Official GRE scores must be sent to the Office of Student Affairs (GRE school code 6431 and department code 0618).
4. Notification of the action taken by the Admissions Committee will be sent in writing to all applicants.
5. Accepted applicants are expected to notify the Department in writing as to whether or not they plan on enrolling in the program.
6. Students will be required to pass a criminal history background check and a drug screening before enrolling into the program.

Transfer of Credit

In general, graduate credit earned in another recognized institution will not be accepted. The student may petition the program director for consideration of transfer credit. If granted, the student will be required to complete satisfactorily an independent study on material related to the course topics.

Applicant Advising

Informational sessions are conducted for individuals interested in applying for admission. These group sessions include an orientation to the Occupational Therapy Program and information on admissions procedures. Persons interested in attending an informational session should contact the Program of Occupational Therapy for specific dates and times.

Program in Occupational Therapy
LSU Health Sciences Center
1501 Kings Highway
Shreveport, LA 71130
(318) 813-2950
acoll2@lsuhsc.edu

Technical Standards for Master of Occupational Therapy

The mission of the Program in Occupational Therapy at LSU Health - Shreveport is to prepare an entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy student who can evaluate, manage, and treat patient/clients across the lifespan and in a variety of settings. LSU Health - Shreveport Occupational Therapy students are expected to complete the academic and clinical requirements of the program. The LSU Health - Shreveport program is intense and the student must possess both the physical and psychosocial attributes that are essential for best practice.

If the student has a limitation in any of the following skills and abilities due to a medically diagnosed physical, emotional, or cognitive impairment and wishes to request an accommodation, then he or she must notify the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs  in the School of Allied Health Professions AFTER being accepted in to the program. The University will provide reasonable accommodation as long as it does not fundamentally alter the nature of the program or unduly disrupt the educational process.

Intellect

1. Cognition: good judgment, cognitive flexibility, insight, concept formation.
2. Memory: short-term, long-term and working memory.
3. Thought: logical/coherent thought, generalization of concepts, appropriate thought content.
4. Emotional: coping and behavioral regulation, impulse control, emotional stability, motivation.

Sensation

1. Vision: Visual acuity, visual field, visual attention, visual fixation, and visual scanning ability.
2. Hearing: Tolerance to ambient sounds.
3. Touch: Comfortable with being touched by others and touching various textures.

Body Function

1. Neuromusculoskeletal: Active range of motion within functional limits, normal muscle tone, normal endurance and stamina for age, normal gait, functional fine and gross coordination, good motor planning skills.
2. Cardiovascular: Blood pressure and pulse within normal limits for age.
3. Voice and Speech: Word enunciation, clarity, and appropriate intonation.
4. Hair/Nail/Skin: Fingernails at a functional length; Hair, beard and/or mustache, and skin clean and conform to safe work practice.
5. Body: Daily bathing is expected with appropriate application of deodorant to prevent odor.

Emotional Regulation and Communication

1. Organizational skills: Ability to organize and manage time in order to complete educational and clinical responsibilities.
2. Adaptation: Adapt to changing environments, display flexibility in different clinical situations, and learn to function in the presence of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of clients.
3. Touch: Demonstrate the ability to use professional touch in interactions with students, faculty, and clients of both genders.
4. Honesty: Truthfully answer questions on applications for certification and licensure about any previous history of conviction of a crime.
5. Care of others: Students must demonstrate compassion, ethical behavior, integrity, empathy, and concern for individuals from all facets of society.
6. Non-verbal cues: Identify and interpret emotional affect, nonverbal cues, and response to intervention by individual clients and groups of clients.
7. Flexibility: Plan and modify treatment in response to subtle observations and emotional responses
8. Communication: Professional communication with clients/patients, family members, caregivers, faculty, and colleagues. Communication includes not only speech but also reading, writing, and nonverbal communication.

Education Setting

The student will:

1. Reference all assignment with the APA format and incorporate the OT Practice Framework Terminology.
2. Successfully complete and receive a passing score from the faculty on the Professional Development Assessment, prior to continuation in the program.
3. Acknowledge and respect individual values and opinions to foster harmonious working relationships.
4. Arrange transportation and living accommodations for all fieldwork assignments in a timely fashion.

Professional

The student will:

1. At all times abides by the American Occupational Therapy Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. www.aota.org.
2. Maintain a current CPR card

Curriculum

• Master of Occupational Therapy Curriculum