• Home >
• Occupational Therapy
• > Curriculum

Curriculum

Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions

OCCT 5000 Fieldwork Seminar 1 Credit
This course will provide students with an overall understanding of the fieldwork process including the purpose of fieldwork, fieldwork policy as defined by the Department of Occupational Therapy, fieldwork selection process, professional behaviors and other expectations of students prior to and during fieldwork, conflict resolution, and other student concerns pertinent to fieldwork. Prerequisite: Admission to the MOT program. Corequisites: OCCT 5010 and 5110.

OCCT 5010 Foundations of Occupational Therapy 1 Credit
This course introduces students to the profession of occupational therapy. Topics to be covered include historical development of the profession, educational and credentialing process, functions of national, state, and local professional associations and human service organizations, professional role delineations within occupational therapy, teaming promotion of the profession to the public, the importance of theory development and documentation to the profession, and an introduction to the variety of service models. Prerequisite: Admission to the MOT program.

OCCT 5050 Occupational Analysis 3 Credits
This hands-on course offers students an opportunity to use critical and creative thinking with difficult occupational-related problems. Students will apply occupational therapy practice models in order to analyze and modify the demands of various occupations, activities, and purposeful activities and acquire basic skills in the therapeutic use of self. Prerequisite: Admission to the MOT program.

OCCT 5110 Anatomy 4 Credits
This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive review of human anatomy. The course will emphasize major muscles, skin, bones and joints, internal organs, blood vessels, and major nerves. Prerequisites: Admission to the MOT program, Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II.

OCCT 5120 Neurobiology 3 Credits
This course will provide students with an opportunity to study the systems and functions of the human nervous system, including concepts related to occupational performance. This will include the sensory system, motor control systems, cognitive system, and effective system. Prerequisites: OCCT 5000, OCCT 5010, OCCT 5050, OCCT 5110, OCCT 5160, and OCCT 5170.

OCCT 5160 Psychosocial Dysfunction 3 Credits
This course will provide students with an overall understanding of mental health issues and psychiatric diagnoses experienced by children, adults, and older adults along with an in-depth knowledge of the theoretical perspectives used in the Profession of Occupational Therapy to address them in a variety of treatment venues. The course content will be divided into three parts based upon a mental health continuum. The three parts of the continuum are as follow chronic serious mental illness, wounded well (environmental stressors and related mental health issues), and mental health issues related to physical illness and disability. Prerequisite: Admission to the MOT program. Corequisite: OCCT 5170.

OCCT 5170 Psychosocial Dysfunction Applied 2 Credits
This course will encompass the study of psychosocial factors affecting one’s overall health throughout the lifespan and an individual’s ability to function within the community and society. This course will provide students with an overall understanding of the assessment and treatment process of individuals whose quality of life has been impacted by mental health issues and/or psychiatric diagnoses. Students will participate in comprehensive learning experiences that provide in-depth knowledge regarding evidence-based assessment and intervention processes pertinent to the profession of Occupational Therapy and related disciplines. Prerequisite: Admission to the MOT program. Corequisite: OCCT 5160.

OCCT 5180 Biomechanics 3 Credits
This course is designed to build on prior knowledge of human anatomy and will focus on human motion, forces that affect motion, and the principles underlying assessment of joint motion, muscle strength, muscle tone, motor control, and coordination. Students will learn and apply the principles of biomechanics and kinesiology to human motion needed for all functional daily activities within the context of occupational performance. Prerequisites: One semester of college physics with a lab, OCCT 5000, OCCT 5010, OCCT 5050, OCCT 5110, OCCT 5160, and OCCT 5170.

OCCT 5250 Pediatric Lecture 3 Credits
This course will provide instruction in pediatric occupational therapy concepts including developmental theory models, typical and atypical development, culture, occupational roles, and dynamics between the child and family and the community as related to the Person-Environment-Occupation Model. A variety of service delivery settings will be addressed. Prerequisites: OCCT 5000, OCCT 5010, OCCT 5050, OCCT 5110, OCCT 5160 and OCCT 5170. Corequisites: OCCT 5251, OCCT 5254.

OCCT 5251 Pediatric Lab 2 Credits
This course provides the opportunity to develop professional reasoning and a variety of practical skills including the application of the Person-Environment-Occupation Model to the therapeutic use of self, specific assessment and intervention techniques, and application of assistive technology for the pediatric population. Students explore methods of data collection and documentation related to occupational behavior with the Person-Environment-Occupation Model. Students are also exposed to methods of inquiry that promote the development of evidence-based, client and family-centered intervention strategies for the pediatric and adolescent populations. Prerequisites: OCCT 5000, OCCT 5010, OCCT 5050, OCCT 5110, OCCT 5160 and OCCT 5170. Corequisites: OCCT 5250 & OCCT 5254.

OCCT 5254 Pediatric Practicum 1 Credit
This course presents students with an opportunity to explore pediatric service delivery settings. Students are guided through analyzing the relationships between person, environment, and occupation through various models of occupational therapy. Students practice effective oral and nonverbal communication skills and the process of naturalistic inquiry. Prerequisites: OCCT 5000, OCCT 5010, OCCT 5050, OCCT 5110, OCCT 5160, and OCCT 5170. Corequisites: OCCT 5250 and OCCT 5251.

OCCT 5400 General Diagnoses Applied 3 Credits
There are many medical diagnoses that occupational therapists must understand in order for the patient or client to be provided with the most efficient and effective therapeutic interventions. This class will explore common medical, orthopedic, and neurological diagnoses that an occupational therapy practitioner may encounter daily. The pathophysiology, epidemiology, medical management, alternative treatment (CAM), and the general problems that occupational therapists address will be identified and discussed. Prerequisites: OCCT 5180, OCCT 5120, OCCT 5250, OCCT 5251, and OCCT 5254.

OCCT 5421 Clinical Practice 2 Credits
This course focuses on synthesizing and integrating the knowledge of musculoskeletal systems and biomechanical concepts discussed in previous classes through problem-based learning. Students will review anatomy, biomechanical concepts, pertinent medical diagnoses, palpation skills, evaluations, and interventions for clients with varying medical, orthopedic, and neurological diagnoses. Emphasis will be placed on facilitating the student to have confidence and competence with addressing more complex clinical cases. Prerequisites: OCCT 5660, OCCT 6560, OCCT 6561, OCCT 6554, and OCCT 5450.

OCCT 5450 School-Based Occupational Therapy 3 Credits
This course is designed to prepare students to work in the school setting with children and adolescents with disabilities. Students learn about occupational therapy in the school environment and how to design educationally appropriate occupational therapy services. Students are exposed to the role of the COTA, the roles of other team members, IEP dynamics related to teaming, and student advocacy. IDEA and Section 504 funding issues are also covered. Prerequisites: OCCT 5250, OCCT 5251, OCCT 5254.

OCCT 5550 Physical Dysfunction I Lecture 3 Credits
This course is designed to provide students with in-depth instruction on occupational therapy assessment and intervention planning for orthopedic and other medical conditions that occur in adulthood and late adulthood. Occupational therapy intervention models and frames of reference used with these populations will also be explored. As students gain an appreciation for client-centered and occupation-based practice, they will learn how to facilitate health, prevent injury, and promote recovery and adaptation to disease and disability. Prerequisites: OCCT 5180, OCCT 5120, OCCT 5250, OCCT 5251 and OCCT 5254. Corequisites: OCCT 5561, OCCT 5554.

OCCT 5561 Physical Dysfunction I Lab 2 Credits
This lab course is to be taken concurrently with Physical Dysfunction I Lecture and Physical Dysfunction I Practicum. This course provides instruction for and practice of skills required for occupational therapy interventions for orthopedic and other medical conditions that commonly occur in adulthood and late adulthood. Students will learn professional reasoning skills, how to administer and interpret client evaluations, and how to develop evidence-based, client-centered intervention strategies that achieve functional outcomes. Exposure to methods of inquiry that precede patient evaluation is included. Prerequisites: OCCT 5180, OCCT 5120, OCCT 5250, OCCT 5251 and OCCT 5254. Corequisites: OCCT 5550, OCCT 5554.

OCCT 5554 Physical Dysfunction I Practicum 1 Credit
This course is to be taken concurrently with Physical Dysfunction I Lecture and Physical Dysfunction I Lab. In this course, students will participate in a community-based or medical fieldwork experience where they will have opportunities to observe and interact with clients who are in adulthood or late adulthood and have orthopedic and medical diagnoses. Students will develop documentation skills needed for appropriate communication of clinical observations and will apply the information learned in the classroom to the clients observed in the clinical environment. Prerequisites: OCCT 5180, OCCT 5120, OCCT 5250, OCCT 5251 and OCCT 5254. Corequisites: OCCT 5550, OCCT 5561.

OCCT 5660 Research I 3 Credits
This course is the first of two applied research courses in the MOT curriculum. Students will learn to apply research concepts introduced in the Analysis of Research course and will focus on the concepts related to the introduction, literature review, and methodology sections of a research project. Students will explore a clinical problem, learn to develop a research question, and formulate a hypothesis. Scientific writing skills and APA format will be fostered, research ethics will be discussed, Human Subjects Training will be completed, and the students will be guided through a typical Institutional Review Board (IRB) process. Hands-on experience with research design, statistics, and data collection will provide the students with an opportunity to synthesize the didactic material. Prerequisites: OCCT 5760.

OCCT 5760 Administration & Leadership in Occupational Therapy 3 Credits
This is a course that will provide students with an overview of the healthcare industry and acquaint OT students with the business and leadership components of occupational therapy. Students will be introduced to issues that pertain to administering a department or facility. In addition, students will learn leadership concepts and theories from both formal and informal perspectives. Students will also learn the leadership opportunities in occupational therapy at the national, state, and local levels. Prerequisites: OCCT 5180, OCCT 5120, OCCT 5250, OCCT 5251, OCCT 5254.

OCCT 5860 Research II 3 Credits
This course is the second of two applied research courses in the MOT curriculum. Building on the content of Research I, this course will focus on topics related to how data is processed and presented. The focus of didactic material will be on concepts related to the results and discussion sections of a research project. Students will be given the opportunity to run statistical analyses on data sets and create tables, graphs, and figures to represent the results. Hands-on experiences will also be provided for creating a professional research poster, giving an oral presentation on research-related material, and applying the results of a research project to a greater body of knowledge. APA formatting and scientific writing skills will be fostered during this class. Prerequisites: OCCT 5660, OCCT 6560, OCCT 6561, OCCT 6554, and OCCT 5450.

OCCT 5900 Analysis of Research  2 Credits
This course provides students with an overview of evidence-based practice including research theory, research design, quantitative and qualitative methodology, international influences, and critical analysis of contemporary journal articles. Students will also explore the relationships between theory, research, practice, and professional development. Prerequisites: OCCT 5180, OCCT 5120, OCCT 5250, OCCT 5251, and OCCT 5254.

OCCT 6560 Physical Dysfunction II Lecture 3 Credits
This course is designed to provide students with in-depth instruction on occupational therapy assessment and intervention planning for neurological and other complex medical conditions that occur in adulthood and late adulthood. Occupational therapy intervention models and frames of reference used with these populations will be explored. Students will advance their understanding of the concepts presented in Physical Dysfunction I by applying them to more complex diagnoses and clinical situations. Prerequisites: OCCT 5900, OCCT 5550, OCCT 5561, and OCCT 5554. Corequisites: OCCT 6561 and OCCT 6554.

OCCT 6561 Physical Dysfunction II Lab 2 Credits
This lab course is to be taken concurrently with Physical Dysfunction II Lecture and Physical Dysfunction II Practicum. This course provides instruction for and practice of skills required for occupational therapy interventions for neurological and other complex medical conditions that commonly occur in adulthood and late adulthood. Students will learn professional reasoning skills, how to administer and interpret client evaluations, and how to develop evidence-based, client-centered intervention strategies that achieve functional outcomes while incorporating the interactive elements of the person, environment, and occupation. Exposure to methods of inquiry that precede patient evaluation is included. Prerequisites: OCCT 5900, OCCT 5550, OCCT 5561, and OCCT 5554. Corequisites: OCCT 6560 and OCCT 6554.

OCCT 6554 Physical Dysfunction II Practicum 1 Credit
This course is to be taken concurrently with Physical Dysfunction II Lecture and Physical Dysfunction II Lab. In this course, students will participate in community-based or medical fieldwork experiences where they will have opportunities to observe and interact with clients who are in adulthood or late adulthood and have neurological and other complex medical conditions. Students will develop documentation skills needed for appropriate communication of clinical observations and will apply the information learned in the classroom to the clients observed in various practice settings. Prerequisites: OCCT 5900, OCCT 5550, OCCT 5561, and OCCT 5554. Corequisites: OCCT 6560 and OCCT 6561.

OCCT 6810 Modalities in Occupational Therapy 3 Credits
This course provides students an opportunity to learn the theory and to practice the application of thermal and electrical modalities used by occupational therapy practitioners. This course meets the requirements established by the Tennessee Health Related Board for certification in the use of modalities in occupational therapy practice. Prerequisites: OCCT 5660, OCCT 6560, OCCT 6561, OCCT 6554, and OCCT 5450.

OCCT 6904 Internship I (First Level II Fieldwork Experience) 6 Credits
This first internship course requires a minimum of 12 weeks, the equivalent of 470 hours, of participation in an, assigned and approved practice setting under the supervision of an occupational therapy practitioner, or another health care professional according to accreditation standards. The setting must be approved by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program. Students must successfully complete all required occupational therapy courses prior to enrolling in this course. Prerequisites: Students must successfully complete the comprehensive examination.

OCCT 6914 Internship II (Second Level II Fieldwork Experience) 6 Credits
This second internship course requires a minimum of 12 weeks, the equivalent of 470 hours, of participation in an, assigned and approved practice setting under the supervision of an occupational therapy practitioner, or another health care professional according to accreditation standards. The setting must be approved by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program. Prerequisite: OCCT 6904. 

Note:   All fieldwork experiences that occur out of the state of Tennessee must be in states that are members of the National Council for State Authorization (NC-SARA). Tennessee State University (TSU) is an approved SARA institution. States that are not members of NC-SARA and that TSU cannot send students to currently include California, Massachusetts, and Florida. North Carolina and Colorado are states that have additional regulations that may affect fieldwork.  For more information about SARA and the status of state membership, please visit http://nc-sara.org. Due to the voluntary nature of the fieldwork education component, No fieldwork placement of the student’s preference can be guaranteed. Students who plan to work in states other than Tennessee should be aware of the licensing requirements of that state, which can be accessed through each state’s licensing board.