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

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.

MOT Program Pre-requisites:

Graduate requirements counted as UG electives (16 credits)

OCCU 501Foundations of Occupational Therapy

3

OCCU 505Applied Anatomy

3

OCCU 505LLab: Applied Anatomy

0

OCCU 512Developmental and Psychosocial Considerations in OT

4

OCCU 512LLab: Developmental and Psychosocial Considerations in OT

0

OCCU 528Domain and Process

3

OCCU 553Common Conditions in OT Practice

3

General Education Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement   0
General Education requirements   Credits
First Year Seminar IDFY 101/102H  3
Written Communication ENGL 110/110H 3
Oral Communication COMM 105 3
Mathematical and Scientific Ways of Knowing Mathematics 3 or 4
Science with Lab 3 or 4
Social Scientific Ways of Knowing
Social Science (PSYC 101) met/major
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 24GE History 3
Literary & Aesthetic Ways of Knowing
Literature or Arts 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing
Philosophy or Religion 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 1st and 2nd Level Language 6
Intercultural Perspectives Intercultural Global or International Cross-cultural or 3rd Level Language 3
Bible
24GE Bible 3
Christian Beliefs
24GE Christian Beliefs 3
Holistic Wellness
WELL 1xx 1
Ethics and the Common Good
24GE Ethics and the Common Good 3
Intercultural Perspectives
Intercultural U.S. or Domestic Cross-cultural 3
Common Learning
Experiential Learning  
General Education requirements   46-48
Major requirements (inclusive of concentration)   47
GR courses counting as UG electives
  16
Free Electives    12-14
Total credits   123