Department of Occupational Therapy (B.S., M.S.)
Occupational Therapy is a health profession that helps to improve the well-being and functions of people with developmental delay and physical and psychological dysfunction. The student in occupational therapy ndertakes a program that integrates the humanities and the behavioral and physical sciences with professional study. The primary objective is to prepare the student as a generalist practitioner who is qualified for employment in hospitals, community agencies, schools, rehabilitation centers, extended-care facilities, and related human services agencies. With this foundation, the beginning therapist can progress to specialized areas of clinical practice as well as research, administration and academia.
Elizabethtown College offers a combined BS/MS Occupational Therapy program that requires five years of academic study and six months of clinical fieldwork. The program awards both a Bachelor of Science in Health and Occupation and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree.
Mission
To educate students to become highly qualified occupational therapy practitioners who can actively contribute to the profession through service, scholarship and leadership and to promote occupational justice for all people.
Core Values
The Core Values of the Occupational Therapy (OT) program are:
Exceptionally
prepared entry-level master’s occupational therapy
practitioners. Educating practitioners who are able
to engage in reflective practice based on clinical reasoning;
who have a solid foundation of skills and knowledge; who demonstrate a thorough understanding of research and its relation to evidenced-based practice;
and who value the ethos of professionalism and the ethics of life-long
learning.
Human
occupation. Emphasizing the
understanding of human occupations across cultural and social groups
and as they relate to the therapeutic process
and healthy well-being.
Occupational Therapy courses bridge the understanding gap between occupational
performance and liberal arts learning through case studies, discussion
and active learning.
Occupational justice. Emphasizing the right that all individuals have to maintain a healthy balance of meaningful occupations. This involves helping others to participate in meaningful and balanced occupations.
Globally
aware students. Emphasizing the need for multicultural awareness and international understanding as
a prerequisite for occupational therapy practice. International and
service experiences enable our students to interact
effectively in culturally diverse
practice settings. Service-learning and civic engagement are valued components
of our program.
Liberal arts foundation. Emphasizing the role of the liberal arts education in developing personal character, critical thinking, ethical problem-solving, and communication. Occupational therapy at Elizabethtown College has a proud tradition educating students for a professional discipline in a liberal arts environment.
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Majors
