Psychology (B.S.) Pre-Occupational Therapy / Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.)

Program Overview

Occupational therapy is a growing allied health profession that prepares you to work with patients in a variety of health care settings to help restore abilities needed to perform activities of daily living, recovering from disease/injury or adapting environments to meet individual needs.

Messiah’s five-year accelerated program is designed for academically qualified first-year students who are confident they want to become occupational therapists. The program allows entering first-year students to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees at Messiah University, one of the top private Christian schools in the U.S., in less time than would be required to complete both of these degrees separately. Students who pursue this accelerated program earn both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in psychology) and a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree from Messiah University in five years.

For more information on the requirements for progression to the professional phase, please click https://www.messiah.edu/info/23446/accelerated_mot_program

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Psychology B.S. program can:

  1. Identify and explain the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology, developing a sophisticated understanding of individual human behavior.
  2. Input and analyze data using appropriate SPSS methods;
  3. Design, execute, analyze, and systematically report research results
  4. Integrate and interpret multiple test data to make appropriate clinical recommendations.
  5. Reflect on experiences (academic/ volunteer/internship/employment) that shaped their current sense of vocation and articulate how those experiences impact future vocational goals.
  6. Articulate how faith connects to Psychology and to potential career options in the field of Psychology

 

Graduates from Messiah’s MOT program can

  1. Develop a sound understanding on theoretical knowledge base that is foundational to the practice of occupational therapy
  2. Demonstrate the skill of a competent entry-level occupational therapy practitioner
  3. Use scholarly inquiry and evidence-based practice while engaged in the art and science of occupational therapy.
  4. Demonstrate competent clinical skills practicing according to ethical principles that benefit the client and other stakeholders
  5. Articulate the connection between personal faith-commitments and service, leadership and reconciliation within OT practice.
  6. Demonstrate respect for culture and diversity in occupation-centered practice while engaging with diverse individuals, groups, and communities.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

PSYC 099Writing for Psychology

1

PSYC 101Introduction to Psychology

3

PSYC 345Cognition

3

PSYC 209Life Span Development

3

PSYC 226Social Psychology

3

PSYC 271Statistical Methods in Psychology

3

PSYC 272Research Methods in Psychology

3

PSYC 319Abnormal Psychology

3

PSYC 350Biological Basis of Behavior

3

PSYC 351Sensation and Perception

3

PSYC 408Experimental Psychology

3

PSYC 441History and Systems of Psychology

3

PSYC 494Psychology Seminar

3

ATHT 203Medical Terminology & Topics

2

BIOL 185Human Anatomy and Physiology I

4

BIOL 186Human Anatomy and Physiology II

4

PSYC 408: Fulfills Writing Enriched course requirement for major.

Undergraduate Electives Required by MOT (25 credits)

OCCU 501Foundations of Occupational Therapy

3

OCCU 505Applied Anatomy

3

OCCU 508Enabling Occupations

3

OCCU 510Evidence-Based Inquiry

3

OCCU 524Theoretical Perspectives in OT

3

OCCU 526Analysis of Occupation

3

OCCU 535OT Process: Psychosocial Practice

4

OCCU 544Therapeutic Techniques

3

Three credits from the following:

APHS 210Exercise Psychology

3

APHS 220Health Promotion Management

3

APHS 310Elite Athletic Performance

3

APHS 315Stress Testing and ECG Interpretation

3

APHS 330Advanced Research Methods

1-3

APHS 360Exercise Testing and Prescription

3

APHS 410Topics in Health and Exercise Science

2-3

APHS 415Advanced Exercise Physiology

3

Four credits from the following:

CHEM 103Chemical Science

4

CHEM 105General Chemistry I

4

ATED 480 fulfills writing requirement for the major.

QuEST Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement 0
QuEST requirements Credits
First Year Seminar 3
Oral Communication 3
Created and Called for Community (W) 3
Mathematical Sciences 3-4
Laboratory Science 3-4
Science, Technology & the World  waived
Social Science (PSYC 101) met/major
European History or United States History 3
Literature 3
Philosophy and Religion 3
Arts 3
First Semester of Language 3
Second Semester of Language 3
Third Semester of Language or Cross Cultural 3
Non-Western Studies 2 or 3
Bible 3
Christian Beliefs 3
Wellness course (APHS 170) met/major
Ethics, World Views or Pluralism 3
QuEST requirements 49-52
Major requirements 47
Graduate courses counted as undergraduate 25
Free electives  2-0
Total undergraduate credits  123-124
Graduate credits 55
Total credits in five year program  178-179

See graduate catalog for listing of graduate courses counted towards undergraduate requirements.