Occupational Therapy Degree Programs:
Master of Science (MS)

Curriculum

The overall program outcome of the Master of Science degree (Occupational Therapy Pathway) is to prepare occupational therapists to serve as advanced clinicians, clinical researchers, educators, and/or administrators. In order to accomplish this outcome, there are four major program goals:

1. Discuss models of disability, rehabilitation science, and theory and frames of reference relating to occupational therapy.
2. Design and conduct research related to occupational therapy, and report the results in written and oral form appropriate for dissemination to other professionals and consumers.
3. Design, conduct, and evaluate instruction as it pertains to classroom teaching and continuing education.
4. Exhibit the capacity to assume leadership roles in occupational therapy practice.

Based on these overall program goals, each student develops an individualized program designed to meet his or her interests, skills, and goals.

Students must complete 36-quarter credit hours for graduation. This includes 27 credits of coursework, and 9 credits for completion of a thesis. At the UW, typical full-time loads range from 10-15 credits per quarter, thus the coursework can be completed in three quarters with additional time for the completion of the thesis.

All work for the degree must be earned in accordance with the general rules and regulations of the Graduate School.

The program includes five core courses and elective options to meet each student's individualized needs and goals. In addition, each student must complete a master's thesis. The core courses and selected electives are listed below.

Core Courses and Thesis

• REHAB 520, Graduate Research Seminar (1 credit, Fall, Winter, Spring)
  Seminar designed to guide and expedite the progress of post-professional occupational and physical therapy students through their graduate programs. Presentations and discussions are focused on helping students develop their individualized programs and in identifying and developing their thesis topic.

• EDPSY 490, Basic Educational Statistics (3 credits)
  Measures of central tendency and variability, point and interval estimation, linear correlation, hypothesis testing.
  OR
• BIOSTAT 511, Medical Biometry I (4 credits)
  Presentation of the principles and methods of data description and elementary parametric and nonparametric statistical analysis. Examples are drawn from the biomedical literature, and real data sets are analyzed by the students after a brief introduction to the use of standard statistical computer packages. Statistical techniques covered include description of samples, comparison of two sample means and proportions, simple linear regression and correlation.

• REHAB 581, Application of Measurement Systems (3 credits)
  Introduction to reliability, validity, norms, the test development process, statistics relevant to tests and measurements, and ethical implications of testing. Critical evaluation of selected standardized tests used in occupational and physical therapy.

• EDPSY 591, Methods of Educational Research (3 credits)
  Introduction to research methods. Primary focus on hypothesis development, experimental design, use of controls, data analysis and interpretation. Prerequisite: Statistics.
  OR
• EDSPE 511, Methods of Applied Behavior Analysis Research (3 credits)
  Characteristics of applied behavior analysis are presented: direct, daily measurement, and the systematic investigation of important variables. Representative studies from various applied situations are discussed in terms of dependent and independent variables, research design, reliability, validity, and data analysis.

• MEDED 520, Teaching Methods in Medical Education (2 credits)
  Empirical and theoretical merits of different teaching methods as applied to medical education. Structuring and leading group discussions, using questions, organizing and delivering lectures, identifying styles of clinical supervision, providing constructive feedback, and presenting effective clinical demonstrations.

• REHAB 700, Thesis (Minimum of 9 credits)
  The master's thesis provides evidence of the graduate student's scientific investigation. Guidance is provided by the Supervisory Committee.

In addition to the above core courses, the student is required to select elective credits from the list below or from courses throughout the University to meet the 27-credit course requirement.

• REHAB 600, Independent Study (1-3 credits)
  In-depth exploration of rehabilitation science, models of disability, and/or theory and frames of reference relating to occupational therapy and the application of these to people with disability or to occupational therapy practice.
• EDPSY 590, Computer Utilization in Educational Research (3 credits)
  Computer utilization in solution of research problems, data reduction to forms amenable to computer solution, appropriate framing of problems for solutions by computer. Using an interactive system, editors and program packages. Prerequisite: statistics.
• MHE 523, Biomedical Ethics (3 credits)
  Selected topics in medical ethics emphasizing methods of ethical reasoning about moral dilemmas and contributions of philosophical theories and principles to practical problems of medicine. Students provided with opportunities to test their value assumptions and analytical skills. Open to graduate and professional students and others with appropriate background.
• HSERV 511, Introduction to Health Care and Public Health Services (3-4 credits)
  History, organization, and effectiveness of United States health care and public health systems. Determinants of health, need, and utilization. Public and private financing. Supply and provision of personal and public health services. Managed care. Government and private sector roles.
• REHAB 522, Neurophysiological Topics in Rehabilitation Medicine(2 credits)
  Review of traditional neurophysiological concepts and an exposition of recent advances in neurophysiological research related to the practice of rehabilitation medicine.
• REHAB 546, Teaching in Occupational and Physical Therapy - Practicum (1-3 credits)
  Integration of knowledge and skills in teaching through teaching in the classroom or presentation of a minicourse, workshop, or in-service training series.
• REHAB 567: Practicum (variable credits). The following is a list of the specific clinical practicums:
  • Practicum in Infant Assessment (3 credits): Theoretical background and practical instruction in the assessment of infants. Training includes discussion of assessment procedures, observation of video-taped recordings of normal and abnormal motor development and extensive clinical practice administering standardized tests with high risk infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Follow-up Clinic at the Center on Human Development and Disability. Must be arranged in advance because of waiting list.
  • Practicum in Pediatric Motor Assessments (3 credits): Focus on refinement of pediatric diagnostic skills using standardized motor assessments. The students participate on the interdisciplinary team at the Center on Human Development and Disability. Must be arranged in advance because of waiting list.
  • Practicum in Early Childhood Intervention (3 credits): Emphasis on providing students with advanced competencies in the area of early childhood occupational therapy with a special focus on serving children from diverse cultures, working with families living in stressful situations (e.g., poverty, substance abuse, child neglect/abuse, parents with developmental disabilities, etc.) and integrating occupational therapy services into the infant's or young child's educational program. Typically one of two settings (Boyer Children's Clinic and Preschool or the Experimental Education Unit at the Center for Human Development and Disability) is used.
  • Practicum in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Children (1-3 credits): Individually designed clinical practicum experience focusing on assessment and/or intervention with children with emotional and behavioral disorders. Possible sites include a developmental dyspraxic program, the Experimental Education Unit, and a Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Clinic.
  • Practicum in Pain Evaluation and Intervention (1-3 credits):Specialized practicum experience in standardized evaluations of youth or adults. Training includes instruction in evaluation procedures, review of psychometric properties of evaluation tools, and discussion of implications for clinical treatment. Standard cognitive behavioral practices will be explored with experiential activities offered.
  • Practicum in Rehabilitation Medicine (1-3 credits): Individually designed clinical practicum experiences involving clinical mentoring, participation in service delivery, and project development. Clinical areas may include burns, hand therapy, spinal cord injury, brain injury, and assistive technology as available.
  • Self-Designed Clinical Practicum (1-3 credits): Specialized practicum designed by student working under the guidance of a preceptor.
    
• REHAB 600: Independent Study (variable credits). The following is a list of specific independent study options:

• Independent Study in Administration/Management (1-3 credits):Focus on general management theory, specific administrative techniques, formal organizational structure and the practical application of this knowledge to occupational therapy. Study objectives and activities are designed with preceptor.
• Independent Study in Survey Research (1-3 credits): An overview of survey research including methods, the design process, and the reporting of results. Includes readings, discussion, and opportunity to design a mail survey.
• Independent Study - Self-Designed (1-3 credits): Independent study, which is consistent with and supportive of the educational and professional goals of the graduate student. The purpose of the study must be clearly defined and the specific learning outcomes must be demonstrated and documented.

In addition, courses may be selected from within the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine or from other units in the University, such as Business Administration, Special Education, Health Services, Nursing, Psychology, Physiology, and Social Work. Some variations in course offerings may occur to accommodate faculty time and expertise and student needs.

All general Graduate School requirements must be met in order to qualify for the degree. These requirements include a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and completion of a total of 36 academic credits. Of the 36 academic credits, 18 credits must be taken in courses numbered at the 500-level or above (9 can be thesis credits) and 18 credits must be graded credits. Requirements for the degree must be completed within six years of beginning the program. (See UW General Catalog, for further details. It can be purchased at the University Bookstore).

A more detailed listing of courses for the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine (including the occupational therapy programs) may be found in the University of Washington General Catalog, www.washington.edu/students/crscat/rehab.html

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