Applied Health Science (B.S.) Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration and Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.))

Program Overview

Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration. Students in the accelerated program will earn a bachelor's degree in Applied Health Science and a Masters of Occupational Therapy from Messiah University.  Acceptance into this program as a first-year student indicates acceptance into the five-year accelerated curriculum culminating in a Masters degree. To progress from the undergraduate major to professional phase in the Messiah University Graduate School for their MOT, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3, must have completed all prerequisites with a grade of “C” or higher and complete 20 hours of observation hours, across 2 different sites, under the direct supervision of an Occupational Therapist.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Applied Health Science program can:

  1. Describe the anatomical and physiological responses to acute and chronic exercise.
  2. Explain the role of exercise in disease prevention.
  3. Prescribe safe and effective exercise programs for diverse individuals.
  4. Integrate scientific information and research into professional situations.
  5. Identify factors influencing health and human performance.
  6. Identify how faith impacts professional practice in the applied health sciences.

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:

APHS 170Concepts of Conditioning

2

APHS 215Chronic Disease and Exercise

3

APHS 301Exercise Physiology

4

APHS 325Exercise Nutrition and Metabolism

3

APHS 412Senior Seminar for Applied Health Science

3

PSYC 101Introduction to Psychology

3

PSYC 209Life Span Development

3

STAT 269Introductory Statistics

3

APHS 412 fulfills writing in the major requirement.

Three credits from the following:

APHS 210Sport and Exercise 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

ATHT 235Musculoskeletal Assessment

3

ATHT 339Musculoskeletal Interventions

3

HPED 229Motor Learning

3

HPED 423Principles of Administration

3

Graduated requirements counted as undergraduate electives (23)

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

OCCU 555Neurological Conditions in OT Practice

4

 

Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration (26 credits)

ATHT 203Medical Terminology & Topics

2

APHS 220Health Promotion Management

3

BIOL 185Human Anatomy and Physiology I

4

BIOL 186Human Anatomy and Physiology II

4

BIOL 189Genetics for Health Professions

3

CHEM 103Chemical Science

4

NUTR 222Principles of Nutrition

3

PSYC 319Abnormal Psychology

3

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:

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 (STAT 269) met/major
Laboratory Science (CHEM 103) met/major
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 41-42
Major requirements (inclusive of concentration) 53
Graduate courses counted as undergraduate 23
Free electives  6-5
Total undergraduate credits  123
Graduate credits 55
Total credits in five year program  178