Professor Sharan L. Schwartzberg, Chair; Group theory and practice,
psychosocial rehabilitation
Associate Professor Diana Bailey, Health care policy, health care
management, research methods
Associate Professor Linda Tickle-Degnen, Clinical Reasoning,
evidence-based practice, research methods, and therapeutic behavior and
motivation
Assistant Professor Gary Bedell, Rehabilitation outcomes measurement,
pediatrics, HIV/AIDS, research methods
Lecturer Janet Curran Brooks, Physical dysfunction
Lecturer Jennifer Buxton, Assistive technology
Lecturer Molly Campbell, Assistive technology
Lecturer Regina Doherty,
Interactive reasoning
Lecturer Paul C. Leavis, Physiology
Lecturer Monica Pessina, Neuroanatomy
Lecturer Sharon A. Ray, Pediatrics, kinesiology
Lecturer Joan Retsinas, Health and Community Service
Lecturer Deborah Rochman, Pain management
Lecturer Stephen N. Sarikas, Anatomy
Lecturer Andrea Sherwin, Pediatrics, school-based practice, families,
advocacy, related service delivery systems, special education legislation,
homecare
Lecturer Deborah Slater, Management
Lecturer Scott Trudeau, Psychosocial dysfunction, gerontology
Lecturer Elizabeth Ratcliff Whitney, Neuroanatomy
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator Mary Evenson, Fieldwork education
Fieldwork Coordinator Mary Barnes, Fieldwork education
The Boston School of Occupational Therapy, the first of its kind in the country, was founded in 1918 at the request of the surgeon general of the United States Army to meet the need for personnel in military hospitals. It was later reorganized on a civilian basis and in 1921 was incorporated as a nonprofit educational institution under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In 1945 the Boston School of Occupational Therapy became affiliated with Tufts University through the College of Special Studies. As a result of a merger between Tufts University and the Boston School of Occupational Therapy in January 1960, the legal name was changed to Tufts University-Boston School of Occupational Therapy. It became a department within Arts and Sciences and is currently housed on the Medford/Somerville campus at 26 Winthrop Street.
The goal of occupational therapy is to develop an individual's ability to handle life tasks and activities in a way that enhances the quality of life. Occupational therapy focuses on both preventive and rehabilitative services.
Graduate Program
The department offers both master's and doctoral degree programs which prepare graduates for work as clinical specialists,
administrators, researchers, and teachers. The program interfaces the humanities and the
health sciences, recognizing the importance of the profession's theoretical base in both
the liberal arts and the sciences.
Clinical reasoning is the central organizing framework of the curriculum. It provides a foundation for clinical decision making and interaction that considers theoretical and procedural components of therapeutic interventions. Human behavior results from dynamic interaction between the individual's innate potentials and characteristics, and experiences with people, objects, and events in the environment. In ongoing clinical reasoning seminars, the faculty and students examine these interactions in the context of clinical and community-based practice.
Master's Degree Program
The master's degree program prepares students for entry-level positions in occupational
therapy or provides postprofessional graduate studies for therapists with a bachelor's
degree in occupational therapy.
Entry into the master's degree program can be accomplished in different ways, according to the academic degree and professional status of the applicant. Two types of master's degrees are offered:
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S. in O.T.) without a thesis requirement, for students interested in an applied professional degree, and Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) with a thesis requirement, for students interested in a research-oriented academic degree.
Both professional and postprofessional programs are offered. Program options are
described below.
Professional-Level Programs for Non-OTRs (Options I and II)
ELIGIBILITY: A bachelor's degree in a field other than occupational therapy. Candidates enter the program at the professional level and proceed to eventual certification as registered occupational therapists. Fall, spring, or summer entry and full-time first year.
PREREQUISITES: (Total of five courses.) All prerequisites must be passed with a grade
of B- or better and taken at an accredited college. Two courses in social sciences, i.e.,
anthropology, psychology, human development, sociology. Two courses in biology, including
content in cell biology. (Anatomy and physiology may be substituted for the biology
prerequisite.) One course in introductory statistics. Certificate of Hepatitis B
vaccination upon enrollment is required.
Option I (No thesis)
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
REQUIRED COURSES
OTS 101 Human Physiology (one course credit)
OTS 102 Gross Anatomy (one course credit)
OTS 103 Neuroanatomy (one course credit)
OTS 104 Kinesiology (one course credit)
OTS 106 Occupation and Adaptation in the Child and Adolescent (one course
credit)
OTS 107 Occupation and Adaptation in the Adult Years (one course
credit)
OTS 137 Fieldwork Seminar (no credit)
OTS 138 Fieldwork Seminar (no credit)
OTS 205 Clinical Reasoning Seminar I: Observation and Interpretation (one-half course credit)
OTS 206 Clinical Reasoning Seminar II: Interactive Reasoning in the
Practice of Occupational Therapy (one-half course credit)
OTS 207 Clinical Reasoning Seminar III: Procedural Reasoning in the
Practice of Occupational Therapy (one-half course credit)
OTS 209 Clinical Research (one course credit)
or OTS 210 Thesis Research (one course credit)
OTS 219 Group Theory and Community Based Practice (one course credit)
OTS 224 Occupational Therapy Practice in Physical Dysfunction (one course
credit)
OTS 226 Occupational Therapy Practice with Pediatric Population (one course credit)
OTS 227 Occupational Therapy Practice in Psychosocial Dysfunction (one course
credit)
OTS 229 Occupational Therapy Practice with Older Adults (one course credit)
OTS 232 Health and Community Systems (one-half course credit)
OTS 233 Occupational Therapy Management and Administration (one-half course credit)
OTS 237 Fieldwork Experience (no credit)
OTS 238 Fieldwork Experience (no credit)
OTS 242 Health Conditions: Pathology and Prevention I (one-half course credit)
OTS 243 Health Conditions: Pathology and Prevention II (one-half course credit)
OTS 244 Health Conditions: Pathology and Prevention III (one-half course credit)
Total number of course credits for the degree is sixteen. If they desire, non-thesis students may take two elective classroom courses in the department in addition to the sixteen required courses.
To maintain full-time status, a student must be registered for a minimum of three
course credits. There are several course sequences suggested by the department. Some of
these include fieldwork during the summer, part-time fieldwork, and fieldwork during the
academic year with course work in the summer. Please consult the department for further
information.
Option II (Thesis)
Master of Arts or Master of Science
REQUIRED COURSES: All of Option I requirements, and substitute/or add OTS 210 (Thesis Research) for OTS 209 (Clinical Research). Similar course sequences to Option I.
THESIS: Two course credits of thesis supervision (OTS 295, 296) and completion of thesis.
Total number of credits for the degree is eighteen (sixteen course credits and two
thesis credits).
Postprofessional-Level Programs for OTRs (Options III and IV)
For postprofessional students interested in developing their knowledge base in areas
such as: administration and management, aging, education, mental health, childhood and
adolescence, and upper extremity function and rehabilitation. Students may also choose the
self-directed concentration focused on their individual interests.
ELIGIBILITY: Registered occupational therapists or candidates eligible for registration.
PREREQUISITE: One course in introductory statistics. The prerequisite course must be
passed with a grade of B- or better and taken at an accredited college.
Option III (No thesis - practice option)
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
REQUIRED COURSES: OTS 209 (Clinical Research, one course credit); OTS 208 (Clinical Reasoning Seminar IV, one course credit); OTS 233 (Occupational Therapy Management and Administration, one-half course credit); OTS 232 (Health and Community Systems, one-half course credit). These required courses may be taken in any sequence or combination depending on student interest and courses offered.
CONCENTRATION: Three courses in an area of concentration; one practicum (OTS 234 or OTS 235); one special topics (directed readings) OTS 294 or OTS 295.
ELECTIVES: Two.
Total number of course credits for the degree is ten.
Option IV (Thesis - research option)
Master of Arts or Master of Science
REQUIRED COURSES: OTS 210 (Thesis Research, one course credit); OTS 208 (Clinical Reasoning Seminar IV, one course credit).
THESIS: Two course credits of thesis supervision (OTS 295, 296) and completion of thesis.
CONCENTRATION: Three courses in concentration (three course credits); one related research course (one course credit).
ELECTIVES: Two.
Total number of course credits for the degree is ten.
Doctoral Degree Program (OTD)
The occupational therapy doctoral degree program prepares occupational
therapists to assume leadership roles upon completion of the degree. These roles
are expected to make a real impact on individuals and groups in society and the
world in such areas as health functioning, wellness, and quality of life. As
leaders the graduates will be prepared to implement leadership projects and
disseminate results.
REQUIRED COURSES
OTS 208 Clinical
Reasoning Seminar IV: Evidence-Based Practice
(one
course credit)
OTS 286 Leadership Project Planning
(one-half course credit)
OTS 287 Leadership Project Implementation (one and
one-half course credits)
OTS 288 Outcomes Measurement and
Monitoring: Using Data to Inform Practice (one course credit)
OTS 289 Integrative Paper (one course credit)
OTS 297, 298 Proseminar (one-half course
credit each)
Two graduate-level courses in specialty area (equivalent to two course credits)
Certificate Programs
Certificate programs are offered on a nondegree, part-time basis to students with a
bachelor's degree in occupational therapy who are seeking advanced professional education
in occupational therapy or are preparing to enter a graduate degree program.
Certificate programs are offered through the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies. In
most cases, courses taken as a nondegree certificate student can be transferred into the
master's degree program. For more information, contact the Office of
Graduate and Professional Studies in Ballou Hall, 617-627-3395, or visit http://ase.tufts.edu/gradstudy.
Advanced Professional Study in Occupational Therapy
Many occupational therapists are quickly confronted in their careers with consultative,
administrative, and supervisory responsibilities and the need for increased
specialization. The certificate in advanced professional study offers a way for
occupational therapists to prepare to meet some of these growing demands in the field. The
certificate program also provides occupational therapists with a valuable means of
pursuing their professional education in the rapidly expanding specialty areas of
community-based and school-based programs.
The certificate requires four course credits as follows.
One core course:
OTS 209 Clinical Research (prerequisite: statistics)
Three specialty courses:
OTS 105 Assistive Technology
OTS 220 Methods of Education for Occupational Therapists
OTS 229 Occupational Therapy Practice with Older Adults
OTS 233 Occupational Therapy Management and Administration
OTS 273 Theory and Management of Pain
OTS 280 Early Intervention: Assessment and Programming
OTS 281 Early Intervention: An Ecological Approach
OTS 284 School-Based Practice: Programmatic Issues
OTS 285 School-Based Practice: Assessment to Intervention
OTS 291 Physiology of Exercise and Physical Performance
OTS 293 Special Topics
OTS 294 Special Topics
These courses and other electives are offered on the basis of interest and enrollment. Elective graduate-level courses at Tufts may be substituted based on a student's needs. An individual course of study is arranged with the program adviser.
Hand
and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation
This certificate program is intended for practicing occupational
therapists who would like to use coursework to gain knowledge in the
occupational therapy specialty of hand and upper extremity therapy.
Therapists who complete this course series are eligible to apply for a
hand therapy clinical fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital.
Students who do not elect to pursue the fellowship will still receive the
certificate of advanced professional study upon completion of the four courses.
The certificate requires four course credits as follows:
OTS 274 Topics in Hand and Upper
Extremity Rehabilitation I: Fall
OTS 275 Topics in Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation II: Spring
OTS 276 Topics in Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation III: Summer
OTS 209 Clinical Research
or OTS 210 Thesis Research
Admission
All applications for admission with requests for university-based financial aid, including
scholarships and assistantships, must be submitted in a complete form by February 15 for
fall entry and October 15 for spring entry. For complete information on the
application process, visit http://ase.tufts.edu/bsot.
Accreditation and Certification
The Professional Entry Level Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American
Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220,
Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. AOTA's phone number is 301-652-AOTA. The Web site is www.AOTA.org. Graduates of the program will be able to sit
for the national certification examination for occupational therapists administered by the
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). For information about
the national certification examination, please contact NBCOT at 301-990-7979 or visit www.nbcot.org. After successful completion of this
examination, the individual will be certified as an Occupational Therapist, Registered
(OTR). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice.
Policies and Procedures
Exemption from Courses
A student may be exempt from a required occupational therapy course on satisfactory
completion of an equivalent course in terms of content knowledge and experiential
learning. The student must demonstrate proficiency in the area to the course instructor.
Satisfactory completion of proficiency will be determined by the individual instructor. A
petition for variance from department requirements must be completed.
Leave of Absence
To be granted a leave of absence, a student must petition in writing the departmental
chair and the dean of the graduate school. The petition is then submitted to the GSAS
executive committee. Each request is treated on its individual merit. The
departmental policy states that no more than a one-year leave of absence may be
granted from the academic portion of the program; it also states that each
professional entry-level student is required to complete the six months of
fieldwork experience not later than twenty-four months following completion of
academic preparation.
Acceptable Grades
Graduate students are expected to achieve a grade of B- or better in all courses. Courses
completed with less than a B- may be retaken only once. The original grade earned remains
on the student's academic record. If a student obtains two grades of less than B-, the
student's record will be reviewed by the department. This will usually result in a
recommendation to the dean that the student be administratively withdrawn from the
program. Only the dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences may administratively
withdraw an enrolled student.
Grades of Incomplete
Students may not enter an occupational therapy course with an incomplete or an
unsatisfactory grade in a prerequisite to that course. Grades of incomplete are not
automatically given. The student who desires an extended time period in which to complete
the semester's work in a particular course must negotiate an incomplete with the
instructor. This negotiation must be completed by the final class meeting of the course.
Normally course work must be completed six weeks into the following semester. It is the
responsibility of the student to assure that course work is completed and that the process
to update the transcript is followed through to completion.
Students who, due to extenuating circumstances, are not able to comply with any of the above grade policies may petition the Department of Occupational Therapy Academic Standards Committee for a variance.
Withdrawals
A student is allowed no more than one withdrawal from any required or
elective class after the add-drop period for that particular class has ended.
Graduate students are not allowed to repeat the same course more than once.
Withdrawal in any semester from two or more required courses after the
add-drop period will normally result in a recommendation to the Dean of the
Graduate School by the Academic Review Committee that the student be
administratively withdrawn.
Required Occupational Therapy Courses
Students will take professional courses in accordance with the Standards of an
Accredited Educational Program.
Fieldwork
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education and the National Board for
Certification in Occupational Therapy require the equivalent of six months of supervised
fieldwork in a hospital, school, or health care agency as a prerequisite to taking the
certification examination. Level II fieldwork must be completed within 24 months following
completion of academic preparation. Placements for these internships are arranged for
students by the department's academic fieldwork coordinator. These internships are also
part of the degree requirements. In addition to these internships, students participate in
approximately 100 hours of course-related fieldwork concurrent with specific courses.
These are arranged by the fieldwork coordinator. Placements for fieldwork Level I and II
are subject to availability at locations that have contracts with the
Department of Occupational Therapy. The
availability at any particular location and the locations that have contracts with the
Department of Occupational Therapy vary from semester to semester.
For more detailed information, please visit the website http://ase.tufts.edu/bsot.
To view Course Descriptions, please go to: http://webcenter.studentservices.tufts.edu/courses/main.asp.