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.

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. Apply theory and evidence to implement the occupational therapy process for safe and effective practice.
  2. Appraise and apply scholarly activities to support evidence-based practice and the profession’s body of knowledge.
  3. Articulate the unique, intrinsic worth of each client, designed in the image of God, and deserving of compassion and care.
  4. Explain the value of engagement in occupation as integral to the health and well-being of individuals, groups, and populations.
  5. Articulate the connection between personal faith to service and leadership essential for personal and professional growth.
  6. Apply ethical principles to complex problem-solving and decision making.
  7. Utilize the skills of a safe and competent practitioner as defined by the standards of practice.
  8. .Develop and deliver equitable occupational therapy services that promote the wellbeing of all individuals, groups, and populations.
     

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

PSYC 099Writing for Psychology

1

PSYC 101Introduction to Psychology

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 345Cognition

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: Writing in the major requirement.

See graduate catalog for admission and requirements for the MOT program, including the list of graduate courses that can be used as undergraduate electives towards the MOT.

To complete the B.S. and MOT within five years, students must finish coursework for undergraduate major in 6 semesters and the undergraduate degree in 7 semesters.

Prerequisites that must be completed at Messiah University:

Graduate requirements counted as UG electives (19 credits)

OCCU 501Foundations of Occupational Therapy

3

OCCU 505Applied Anatomy

3

OCCU 524Theoretical Perspectives in OT

3

OCCU 526Analysis of Occupation

3

OCCU 535OT Process: Psychosocial Practice

4

OCCU 553Common Conditions in OT Practice

3

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 1
Ethics, World Views or Pluralism 3
QuEST requirements 49-52
Major requirements 47
Graduate courses counted as undergraduate 23
Free electives  8-5
Total undergraduate credits  123
Graduate credits 57
Total credits in five year program  184

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