The Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies major is part of an intensive, 5-year program that leads to both the BA in Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies and the Master's of Occupational Therapy (MOT). It combines a strong liberal arts foundation with professional courses in the theory and practice of occupational therapy. The first three years of this program are at the undergraduate level and the last two at the graduate level. Students must meet specific program requirements to advance and continue in the MOT program. Students earn their BA in Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies after year 4, and their MOT after year 5.

The B.A./M.O.T. degree program has been granted accreditation by the:

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929

AOTA’s phone number is (301) 652-AOTA or email at www.aota.org. Bay Path University’s Occupational Therapy graduates will be able to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT); contact NBCOT at www.nbcot.org. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Students with felony records should get pre-approval from NBCOT prior to application to the Occupational Therapy Program.

Note: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts approved a B.A./M.O.T. entry-level degree in February 2002.

Program Schedule

The B.A./M.O.T. program follows the traditional two-semester academic year with approximately six weeks of summer coursework between the first and second graduate years. The program includes a total of 24 weeks of full-time fieldwork in active clinics at the graduate level. OTP 500-level coursework is taken in the senior year. Students are recommended to view the Graduate Programs Academic Catalog for a full list of courses required to complete the Master of Occupational Therapy portion of their degree program. 

As the Occupational Therapy Program is an active program with strong community ties, OT students will need to arrange their own transportation off campus, for level I and II fieldwork experiences in their senior and graduate years, and may have to meet special requirements. These requirements may mean, but are not limited to, criminal checks, health screenings such as TB, or professional dress codes. Students with felony records should check with NBCOT for additional screening.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies program, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of databases to find and analyze evidence related to a health topic and write a review of the evidence in APA format.
• Student will demonstrate knowledge of safe play application in designing a play environment for children with and without disabilities.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the role of culture in the delivery and receipt of health care services.
• Demonstrate a commitment to service learning and understand the role a health care practitioner/provider plays in community engagement.
• Demonstrate how positive and negative communication impacts client outcomes.
• Demonstrate an understanding of client/patient rights in the health care setting.
• Demonstrate an understanding of ethical practices and problem solving solutions to ethical dilemmas within health care.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges of health and leisure across the lifespan and program effectively for different populations.

Students in the Pre-OT Studies, Master of Occupational Therapy program are expected to meet additional student learning outcomes, determined by the Master of Occupational Therapy program (see Graduate Programs Academic Catalog for a full description of the MOT program).

• Students will understand and apply client-centered practice with clients across the lifespan and in a variety of practice settings.
• Students will understand the inherent need for participation in meaningful occupations and the human rights to engage in these occupations throughout the lifespan.
• Students will understand that occupational performance is unique to each individual and can be affected by personal, contextual, and occupational factors.
• Students will understand that client outcomes are based on functional performance and apply that understanding to evaluation, intervention, and treatment planning.
• Students will demonstrate ethical practice in the academic setting, and understand and apply those principles to clinical practice solutions.
• Students will understand the role that sociocultural factors can play in the delivery of health care services and be aware of the link between sociocultural competence and client centered practice
• Students will understand the role OT can play in addressing health disparities and other factors related to sociocultural differences.
• Students will understand the need for research in occupational therapy.
• Students will understand the need to use evidence in the provision of all aspects of occupational therapy practice.
• Students will demonstrate entry level research skills.
• Students will become aware of the basic tenets of the profession of occupational therapy.
• Students will become familiar with the OTPF and apply the concepts to practice.
• Students will become aware of typical and atypical development and how both can affect occupational performance.
• Students will understand and be able to articulate the scope and dimensions of the theoretical basis of occupational therapy.
• Students will apply theoretical concepts and frames of reference to practice.
• Students will understand disease, illness, or injuries and the role of pathology on function.
• Students will understand and articulate the role of activity on health and wellness.
• Students will understand precautions, contradictions, and safety factors and will employ strategies to ensure these factors are met in academic and clinical situations.
• Students will be able to document the OT process of referral, evaluation, treatment planning, treatment implementation, and discharge.
• Students will evaluate clients holistically utilizing observation, occupational profile, interview, and standardized and non-standardized assessment tools.
• Students will interpret assessment results and develop client specific goals and treatment plans.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to establish a rapport and maintain a therapeutic relationship with clients across the lifespan, from diverse backgrounds, and with a spectrum of abilities/disabilities.
• Students will demonstrate respect for the rights and dignities of self and others.
• Students will demonstrate problem solving, critical analysis, reflection, and active experimentation in academic and clinical situations.
• Students will use constructive feedback to develop higher level competence within the program and during fieldwork affiliations.
• Students will develop a foundation of awareness and knowledge for the acquisition and application of entry level, general practice skills.
• Students will engage in social learning opportunities to enhance learning and problem solving.
• Students will give and receive constructive peer feedback.