Admissions /Fieldwork Requirements

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Applications to the Occupational Therapy Program are reviewed continuously. Qualified candidates are admitted in September, January and May of each academic year as Program openings permit. Candidates, with or without reasonable accommodations are expected to demonstrate academic readiness at the post-secondary level by submitting SAT or ACT test scores and an official high school transcript (or college transcript for transfer students) demonstrating a GPA of 2.67 or B- grade (4.0 scale) or above. High school students must have grades of C or above in biology, chemistry or physics, and two years of mathematics (including Algebra II), and transfer students must have grades of C or above in college level biological science and social science courses. Students must submit an annual physician’s certification of physical examination and proof of immunization against measles, mumps and rubella, vericella, hepatitis B, and tetanus. A Manitous (PPD Tuberculin Skin Test) is also required. Documentation of volunteer work with an occupational therapist in a practice setting must accompany the application. International students must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score documentation.

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Program prepares students for entry-level practice by providing pre-professional and professional course work, and academically integrated fieldwork. The Program model combines a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Science Degree (BSOS), with a MSOT Degree. To maintain satisfactory standing in the Occupational Therapy Program, the following is required: a C grade in required pre-professional courses; and, a 2.33 cumulative grade point average during the pre-professional phase; a 2.75 cumulative grade point average during the professional phase; and a Pass in Level II Fieldwork, as well as a B- grade and a 3.0 cumulative grade point average during the graduate phase of the Program. Failure to meet Program requirements in any semester will result in academic probation. Failure to meet Program requirements during three semesters will result in dismissal from the Program.

FIELDWORK REQUIREMENTS

Occupational therapy students are required to successfully complete fieldwork experiences in order to effectively apply knowledge within the environmental contexts of therapeutic practice. Students participate in course-related Level I Fieldwork experiences during the pre-professional, professional, and graduate phases of the Program. Level I Fieldwork experiences begin in Years Two-Three and continue through Years Five-Six. These preliminary field experiences emphasize exploration with the profession’s tools, skills, roles and resources under the guidance of faculty role models and other personnel.

In addition, ACOTE and the NBCOT require students to successfully complete twenty-four weeks of full-time, supervised, Level II Fieldwork courses. The MSOT Program requires successful completion of OTR 896 (6 credit hours) and OTR 897 (6 credit hours) during the graduate phase of the Program to fulfill the academic requirements for graduation. These advanced field experiences provide opportunities for skill and task mastery, occupational competence, and role integration. Level II Fieldwork courses are graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Students must earn the minimum criterion score based upon performance in the areas of fundamentals of practice, basic tenets, evaluation and screening, intervention, management of OT services, communication and professional behaviors, as assessed on AOTA’s Fieldwork Performance Evaluation for the Occupational Therapy Student.

CORI/SORI SCREENING

Level I and Level II Fieldwork sites require annual CORI(Criminal Offender Record Information) reviews on occupational therapy students, and may require SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information) reviews as well. Students must provide the College with permission to conduct a CORI/SORI review. Students admitted to the Occupational Therapy Program who subsequently refuse to permit a CORI/SORI review will be denied the ability to participate in any academic fieldwork or clinical affiliations, and will be dismissed from the Program. All sites require evidence of a negative CORI/SORI as a requirement for participation in academic fieldwork. Students with a positive CORI/SORI may be denied the ability to participate in academic fieldwork. Students with a positive CORI/SORI who are denied the ability to participate in academic fieldwork will be dismissed from the Program. Students applying to the NBCOT for the certification examination will be required to respond to questions regarding felony-related convictions or charges. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to take the NBCOT Certification Examination.



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American International College
1000 State Street
Springfield MA 01109
(800) 242-3142
inquiry@aic.edu