Occupational Therapy

VISION STATEMENT: 

The school of occupational therapy will serve the occupational needs of the community by educating practitioners who are compassionate, client-centered leaders.  

MISSION STATEMENT: 

Husson School of Occupational Therapy prepares confident, clinically-skilled ethical practitioners who engage in client-centered, evidence-based practice.  We achieve this through: 

• Experiential learning

• Interprofessional collaboration

• Community engagement

• Fostering critical thinking

• Instilling the desire for lifelong learning

Accreditation

Certification and Licensure

Once students graduate from an accredited program, they are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. Their address is: One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 and their phone # is: (301) 990-7979. After successful completion of this exam, you will be an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR). All states require licensure in order to practice, however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT examination. Please be aware that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT examination or attain state licensure.

Admission Criteria Occupational Therapy

 For the Occupational Therapy program applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• A high school average of 85 (3.0) GPA

• One letter of recommendation

• Successful completion of courses in math and biology; a choice of either chemistry or physics; psychology and anatomy and physiology are recommended but not required

• A written essay, and

• Volunteer or “shadowing” a clinician in at least two areas of Occupational Therapy is recommended.

Volunteer or shadowing experiences are not required for admission but are recommended. Shadowing an occupational therapist provides applicants with a better understanding of the profession and its various practice settings. Volunteer experiences in medical, educational, recreational, psychiatric, or community-based settings offer valuable exposure to individuals served by helping professions. Contact the Admissions Office for additional information and opportunities.

All students in the School of Occupational Therapy must possess the essential skills and behaviors required of a professional therapist. Therefore, all occupational therapy students must possess the essential qualifications, referred to as Technical Standards, listed at the end of this document to meet admission, progression, and graduation requirements. Your application to this program indicates that you have read the Technical Standards and are qualified to meet them.

Financial Aid

Students admitted to the freshman-entry Occupational Therapy program will transition from undergraduate to graduate student status as they progress through the curriculum. This change in academic classification may affect eligibility for certain types of financial aid. Students are encouraged to consult with the Office of Financial Aid regarding the impact of this transition on their individual financial aid awards and eligibility.

Academic Progression Policies (BS Psychology/ MS Occupational Therapy)

In order to remain enrolled and progress in the Occupational Therapy program, a student must meet the following requirements:

Undergraduate students

• If students have less than a 2.0 GPA at the end of their first academic year, they will be required to establish a learning contract for the following semester (including a referral to the Center for Student Success).
• All first and second year coursework must be completed successfully before beginning the professional phase of coursework. Transfer students must also meet this standard.
• All students must attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 by the end of the spring semester of the second academic year in order to begin the professional phase of courses. 
• Students transferring into the professional phase (MS only) must also meet the same criteria of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

All Occupational Therapy students – Undergraduate and Graduate

• All third year professional courses must be completed successfully with a grade of C+ or better in order to progress to the fourth year. All fourth year professional courses must be completed successfully with a grade of C+ or better in order to progress to Fieldwork Level II clinical experiences and to the fifth year of professional courses.  
• Students are expected to be full-time during the professional phase of the program. Under exceptional circumstances students may petition to be part-time. If the request is granted by the Faculty there is a prescribed sequence of courses students must take. Part-time students must complete the professional phase within 5 years of starting the professional phase whether they started as full time or part time students. All students must enroll full-time in the final graduate year, known as the “5th year” in the curriculum. Again, exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis but will be the exception rather than an expectation.
• Students in the Occupational Therapy program must obtain at least a “C+” (77%) or better in all Occupational Therapy core courses to remain in the Occupational Therapy program. Transfer students must meet the same criteria of receiving at least a “C+” in all Occupational Therapy  core courses.
• A maximum of three courses in total may be repeated, excluding A&P labs. Of those a maximum of two professional level courses may be repeated.
• Attain and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in order to progress each semester in the graduate years (3rd, 4th and 5th) of the program. 
• No more than six (6) credits of graduate course work in the "C+" range can be applied toward the Masters degree.

• Grade deficiencies should be removed during the subsequent semester or during Summer/Winter/May sessions whenever possible. For programmatic purposes, successfully repeating a course does not negate the original grade.
• Students must demonstrate professional behaviors as outlined in the Occupational Therapy Association Code of Ethics and Ethics Standards, 2025. Professional behaviors are considered for progression in the program and students may be dismissed from the program for violating the policy regardless of academic standing.

Prerequisite Pre-professional Courses

The following courses are prerequisite courses for all students and must be completed before the professional phase. All of the following prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C+“(77%) or better. 

                PY 111   General Psychology

                BY 221   Anatomy –Physiology I

                BL 221    Anatomy – Physiology Lab

                BY 222   Anatomy – Physiology II

                BL 222    Anatomy – Physiology Lab

                SY XXX  Social Science (Sociology/Anthropology)

                PY 141    Human Growth and Development (Lifespan)

                MS 132   Probability & Statistics

   Credit Hours

A) The credit hour translation used by the School of Occupational Therapy Program is consistent with the Carnegie Classification.

One (1) credit hour =

• 1 lecture hour
• 2 lab hours
• 2 seminar hours
• 13 hours of community service with assignments

B) Fieldwork requirements are reflected as:

The Occupational Therapy curriculum includes three Level I Fieldwork experiences that integrate experiential learning with didactic coursework. Each Level I Fieldwork course is one credit hour.

In accordance with Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards, students must complete a minimum of 24 weeks of full-time Level II Fieldwork. This requirement is typically fulfilled through two 12-week placements. Each Level II Fieldwork placement carries six credit hours for a minimum total of 12 Level II Fieldwork credits.

All Level II Fieldwork requirements must be completed within two years of successfully completing all didactic coursework in the professional curriculum.

Level II Fieldwork placements are completed under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. International placements are limited to sites supervised by occupational therapists who have graduated from programs approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

Grading Policies

• The system of evaluating a student’s achievement at Husson University in academic courses is by letter grade, with grade point values based upon an earned credit unit (see Husson University Catalog Academic Policies section – Grading system).

• Fieldwork I is evaluated using the Occupational Therapy Level I Fieldwork Supervisor Evaluation Checklist (Aligned with AOTA and ACOTE Standards). The clinical portion of the Fieldwork Level II is graded according to the "AOTA Fieldwork Performance Evaluation of the Occupational Therapy Student" form. 

Technical Standards for the School of Occupational Therapy

Technical Standards define the essential nonacademic abilities required for successful participation in the occupational therapy
education program at Husson University. These standards ensure that all qualified students can meet program requirements with or without reasonable accommodation(s).

The domains reflect the requirements and attributes expected of students in all occupational therapy programs. The language used is consistent with the profession’s Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: 4th Edition (OTPF-4) (American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2020). 

Students must be able to do the following, with or without reasonable accommodation(s):

Knowledge Acquisition & Application

• Learn and apply foundational and practice knowledge
• Recognize, define, analyze, synthesize, and apply information using sound judgment and problem-solving skills
• Notice, respond to, and adjust to dynamic situations as they occur
• Plan, sequence, and coordinate tasks

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate effectively and respectfully with a variety of audiences
• Respect varying viewpoints using professional language across all interactions
• Produce communication in a clear, concise, and accurate manner
• Apply basic technological skills in educational programs
• Verbal and nonverbal communication may occur through spoken language, writing, digital formats, or through augmentative devices, interpreters, or other means

Professional & Ethical Conduct

• Initiate, maintain, and conclude social interactions appropriately
• Demonstrate ethical behavior, reliability, and integrity
• Adapt behavior based on feedback from others and learned experiences
• Self-initiate actions to meet personal and educational needs
• Identify and reflect on personal strengths and needs while respecting those of others
• Demonstrate consistent and timely management of educational responsibilities
• Follow published policies and procedures

Functional Performance & Motor Coordination

• Safely engage in or direct tasks that involve positioning, movement, and/or material handling
• Move and transport objects of varying sizes and weights
• Safely navigate within a variety of environments

Health & Safety

• Engage in practices that prioritize the safety and well-being of self and others
• Notice, respond to, and adjust to unsafe situations as they occur
• Adhere to infection control standards and universal precautions

Summary Statement 
All qualified students must be able to perform the technical standards of the Husson University occupational therapy program, with or without reasonable accommodations. These Technical Standards are inclusive of diverse abilities and are grounded in the values of equity, access, and professional excellence.

Statement on Access and Inclusion
Occupational therapy education programs are committed to providing equitable access to education for all qualified students in accordance with the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. In addition, the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment ensures that individuals are not denied equal protection under the law, including students with
disabilities. Students who disclose a disability and request reasonable accommodation(s) will be supported through reasonable, effective, individualized, and timely accommodations that do not fundamentally alter the program or create an undue burden. Husson University Accessibility Services

Immunization and Other Requirements for Participation in the Occupational Therapy Professional Curriculum (additional expenses may apply):

Immunizations: 

a. Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)

b. Polio series

c. A two step-Tuberculin series (only the initial year requires a two step procedure and subsequent years require one step) or Tspot blood draw test to document immunity.

d. Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) booster (every 10 years),

e. Varicella titer (history of having had chicken pox is not sufficient to avoid getting it again, a titer assures a level of protection)

f. Hepatitis B series – must be started by September of the first semester of the professional phase (they are administered over a span of several months)

g. Annual Influenza vaccination or signed declination form; most clinical sites require proof of vaccination.

h. COVID-19 vaccine and booster or exemption approved through Husson University.

Current CPR Certification for children and adults: (American Red Cross or American Heart Association approved) It must be the certification for healthcare providers.

Personal health insurance (Husson University or private).

Fingerprinting with CHRC approval through the Maine State Department of Education.

Criminal Background check to be provided by an approved source to be identified by the School of Occupational Therapy; we are currently using Castle Branch.

Learning (HIPAA, OSHA) Modules on Castle Branch.

SOT Covid-19 Acknowledgement Form and training videos.