Distance Masters advertisement 
Frequently
Asked Questions about the program (PDF)
For
further information on this post-professional master's program (for people
who have a degree in occupational therapy and are already practicing occupational
therapists), Please contact Dr. Pam Richardson at Pamela.Richardson@sjsu.edu
Introduction
This Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
approved program is designed for experienced occupational therapists.
This distance program is designed to meet your needs as a mature, working
professional who needs a flexible educational program that frees you from
the time and space demands of on-campus classroom instruction. The program
is designed for part-time study so that you may continue to work. It is
anticipated that your clinical setting will provide a rich background
for study and may provide the setting for your graduate thesis project.
San José
State University is the only campus within the California State University
system that awards a post-professional Master of Science degree in Occupational
Therapy. The program has established a national and international reputation
for the excellence of its curriculum and faculty. The graduate program
has consistently been rated as one of the top Occupational Therapy programs
by US News and World Report.
Click here for SJSU OT Dept. Post-professional powerpoint
Testimonial
Read what a past OT student
had to say.
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In-Residence Workshops
All
students attend a five day workshop in San Jose immediately prior to the
beginning of classes for the fall semester. The first one provides an
orientation to the program including an introduction to the classes and
training in using the on-line platform and library databases. Students
return the following August for a research workshop, advising and introduction
to the remaining classes. Following the two year course of study, students
come to San Jose for presentation of their research and graduation. The
orientation is required before students may start classes. The subsequent
workshops and presentations are also required. However, a student may
petition to be exempt from attendance for reasons of undue hardship and
if the petition is granted by the faculty, alternative assignments will
be provided. For further information on the workshops (called retreats),
please see the section on frequently asked questions.
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The Curriculum
The post-professional M.S. degree in the Occupational Therapy
curriculum is based on the approved curriculum that has been offered for
many years by the SJSU Occupational Therapy program. These courses have
been adapted for distance delivery by the same faculty who teach the on-campus
courses. The curriculum is planned so that you can complete your degree
in four semesters, taking two courses each semester, plus independent
study units. The cohort proceeds through the curriculum sequentially.
The curriculum
is intended to provide advanced knowledge of occupational therapy theory
and practice, management, education and research. Courses in theory and
practice will enable you to reflect on your own clinical reasoning and
acquire new ways to think about your practice. Courses in management and
education will provide you with an opportunity to examine current health
care and education issues and to increase your leadership effectiveness.
The research courses will enable you to design and implement clinical
outcome studies or to examine other areas of interest.
The curriculum
is sequenced so that you begin the first semester with courses that provide
the context for understanding occupational therapy theory, values and
history. The second semester introduces you to research methods and allows
you to examine the effect of diversity on health care practice. The third
semester expands your understanding of clinical practice as well as management,
program development and organizations. The fourth semester provides an
opportunity to advance your educational skills and the structure to complete
your graduate thesis project.
The research
portion of the curriculum has been designed so that by the time you are
ready to enroll in OCTH 298B (advanced independent study to complete your
project), you have acquired basic research skills in OCTH 295 and have
defined a topic of research interest in your other classes and through
independent study. Since most therapists work in settings that require
clinical and program outcome studies, this is expected to be a focus of
many of the thesis projects. Other areas of interest such as program development
or creation of educational materials may also be pursued. All courses
are three credits unless otherwise noted.
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Course Sequence
Semester One
- OCTH
251 Information Literacy Competence for Occupational Therapists (One
credit)
- OCTH
204 Historical Foundations of Occupational Therapy
- OCTH
263 Theory and Advanced Clinical Practice for
- Occupational
Therapists
Semester
Two
- OCTH 235
Understanding Cultural Diversity in Occupational Therapy Practice
- OCTH 295A
Research Methodology for Occupational Therapists
- OCTH 298
Independent Study (One credit - Research Support)
Summer
I
- OCTH 298
Independent Study (One credit - Research Support)
Semester
Three
- OCTH 296C
Occupational Justice
- OCTH 272
Management and Organizational Change for Occupational Therapists
- OCTH 298
Independent Study (One credit -Research Support)
Semester
Four
- OCTH 274
Education for Occupational Therapists
- OCTH 295B
Advanced Independent Study
- OCTH 298
Independent Study (One credit -Research Support)
Summer
II
- OCTH 298
Independent Study (One credit - Research Support)
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Course Descriptions
OCTH 251 Information Literacy Competence for Occupational Therapists (1)
Provides a basic understanding of how to access the published knowledge
in Occupational Therapy, online and in print. Emphasis is placed on searching,
evaluating, and using research and evidence-based journal literature.
Health ethics covered.
OCTH 204
Historical Foundations of Occupational Therapy (3)
Traces the ideas, values, and beliefs of OT in USA from its inception
to present. Compare and contrast these historical roots with OT elsewhere
and explore the relevance of these concepts to current OT practice.
OCTH 263
Theory and Advanced Clinical Practice for Occupational Therapists I (3)
Context, identity, theory, research, clinical reasoning, and personal
values with a focus on evidence based practice in OT intervention and
application to clinical settings. The theoretical focus is on the CMOP
and OTPF.
OCTH 235
Understanding Cultural Diversity in Occupational Therapy Practice (3)
The role of OT with a diverse population is examined through professional
culture; the culture of poverty and cultures identified by ethnicity or
lifestyle and applied to OT practice settings.
OCTH 295A
Research Methodology for Occupational Therapists (3)
Research methodology for post-professional graduate students in OT. Research
designs and methods and basic statistics. Critical reading and analysis
for critiquing research studies, and the processes and procedures for
conducting research.
OCTH 298
Supervised independent study. (1) Students are provided additional support
to pursue individualized components of research projects.
OCTH 296C
Occupational Justice (3)
Context, identity, research, clinical reasoning, and personal values with
a focus on OT assessment and discharge. The theoretical focus is on the
MOHO. Non-clinical professional roles of the OT including promotion and
representation are explored.
OCTH 272
Management and Organizational Change for Occupational Therapists (3)
Leadership and management principles and impact of the healthcare environment
and reform on OT practice. Designed for post-professional students to
apply to their current practice setting through the development of a strategic
plan
OCTH 274
Education for Occupational Therapists (3)
Examines effective teaching theories and methods for occupational therapists
to use in their clinical practice as well as in the academic and professional
arena. Constructivist philosophy and learning theories are explored.
OCTH 295B
Advanced Independent Study (3) (Project)
The graduate project is the culmination of the graduate school experience.
The student will demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply the knowledge
gained in the program in the completion of an original project.
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COST
Fees are $325* per credit hour or $2275* per semester (7 credit hours)
and $325 for each summer. The program is designed for part-time study
with two courses to be taken each semester for four semesters and additional
independent study units throughout the program (a total of 30 units).
*Fees subject
to change.
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Criteria for Acceptance
All of the following criteria are equally important in the selection process.
Exceptional performance will improve your chance of selection. Since the
program is intended for working professionals, the enrollment committee
is particularly interested in knowing about your clinical and managerial
experience, potential for professional growth and educational goals. The
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required. For further information
regarding the admissions process, please see the section on frequently
asked questions.
- GPA of
2.8 or better in undergraduate work.
- Submission
of three letters of recommendation attesting to
academic ability, work performance record and personal attributes necessary
for graduate study.
- Summary
of professional achievement describing contributions to the profession,
leadership activities, workshops and presentations, and contributions
to clinical or educational practice. (A current resume may be substituted
for this summary)
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Admission Information
Admission to the Distance Master's Program in Occupational Therapy is
for the Fall semester. Applicants will be accepted on a rolling admission
basis starting on October 1st. The first applicants to meet the qualifications
will be accepted first. The earlier you submit your application, the better
your chance of acceptance.
Apply for
Graduate Admission to San José State University's Office of Graduate
Studies and Research. Be sure to send official transcripts to the university
and the Occupational Therapy department (see below for more info).
Apply separately
to the Occupational Therapy Department. Please include all materials outlined
in the criteria for acceptance. (See below for more information).
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Applying to the University
- Apply
directly to the University on-line at www.sjsu.edu
(in Section 10-A put "distance")
- Submit the following
additional material to the San José State University Office of
Graduate Studies and Research.
* A copy of the official transcripts of coursework required for
the degree
* A nonrefundable check for $55 for processing fee (if not paid
on-line)
-
Mail the university
application materials from step 2 above to:
Office of Graduate
Studies and Research
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0025
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Applying to the OT Department
- Complete
and submit the enrollment form, summary of professional achievement
(or resume) and personal statement to the department.
- Submit a copy of the official transcripts of coursework
required for the degree to the department.
- Provide three (3) letters of recommendation. Mail one
recommendation form and one self-addressed stamped envelope to three
individuals for their completion. Individuals may send the forms directly
to the OT department or return to you for sending, provided that the
recommendation form remains in a sealed envelope.
- Mail the application materials from steps 1, 2, and
3 above to:
San José State University
Department of Occupational Therapy
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0059
Attn: Distance Graduate Enrollment
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Summary of Professional Achievement
Complete each section in 200 words or less. Since this graduate program
is intended for experienced professionals, we are particularly interested
in knowing about your clinical and managerial experience and potential
as well as your contributions to the profession and practice of occupational
therapy.
- Leadership
- Describe the leadership you have exercised at work (e.g., team or
department head) and in state or national professional organizations
(if applicable)
- Presentations
and Publications - List any in-service and professional presentations
you have made and describe your audience. Describe any publications
you may have written and where they were published. Please enclose one
of the publications that you feel exemplifies your work. (Note: It is
not required that you have published.)
- Awards
and Recognition - Describe any professional honors that you have received.
- Professional
Development - Describe your clinical and managerial experience, in chronological
order beginning with the present. Particularly highlight what you feel
are your greatest contributions to the profession.
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Personal Statement
In 300 words or less describe why you are applying for the SJSU Distance
Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy program and what this
graduate study would mean to your professional development. NOTE: This
statement may duplicate what is written on the university application.
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Online Learning
The MS in Occupational Therapy Distance Program is designed to use the
latest ONLINE Distance Education technologies. The Occupational Therapy
courses are web-based and will accessed by going online to the SJSU On-Line
Campus web page.
You must
have access to a computer and a connection to the World Wide Web. You
will receive a PIN number that will allow you to log onto the courses.
Technical support will be provided. You will need a 56K or faster modem.
The MS in
Occupational Therapy Distance Program is presented in cooperation with
University Office of International and Extended Studies. For more information,
contact:
Pam Richardson ,
PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Post-Professional Program Director
E-mail: Pamela.Richardson@sjsu.edu
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Forms
Application
for Enrollment
Letter of Recommendation
(You will need Acrobat
Reader to view the above information)
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