The Profession

Information Sessions

If you are interested in learning more about the Occupational Therapy program we encourage you to attend one of our Information Sessions. Click here for more information.

Quick Reference

Starting semester: Summer Length of program: 26 months 7 semesters Degree awarded: Master of Science in Rehabilitation Science - Occupational Therapy Credentialing: Certification Examination given by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Exam Pass Rates Admissions deadlines: Early: October 15 Regular: January 15 Regular deadline may be extended based on space availability Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) American Occupational Therapy Association 4720 Montgomery Lane PO Box 31220 Bethesda, MD      20824-1220 (301) 652-2682 Faculty Listings: Peter Bowman, OTD, OTR/L Hazel L. Breland, PhD, OTR/L Jerry Burik, MHS, OTR/L Nancy Carson, MHS, OTR/L Patricia Coker, MHS, OTR/L Maralynne Mitcham, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Hon Yuen, PhD, OTR/L FAQs: Click here Curriculum:  Click here Course descriptions: Click here Prerequisites: Click here Useful Links American Occupational Therapy Association South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association RS Health Advisors' Handbook Contact info (843) 792-2961 (843) 792-0710 - fax

Current Student Info

STUDENT INFORMATION PAGE 2008 Student Handbook 2008 Deparmental Handbook Clinical Education

What is occupational therapy?

• Occupational therapy is a health profession that helps people participate fully in life.
• The occupation in occupational therapy refers to the way in which we spend our time and energy.
• Participation in a wide range of human occupations is seen as a health determinant, promoting and adding meaning to life.
• Occupational therapists help people throughout the lifespan accomplish their daily living tasks, learn new skills, adapt to permanent losses, fulfill their life roles, and participate fully in life.

Prerequisite Requirements           Application Deadlines

Application Check List

Who benefits from occupational therapy?

When people have strokes, sustain injuries, or have chronic mental or physical health problems, occupational therapists help them engage in occupations or everyday activities that are personally meaningful, socially satisfying, and culturally relevant. For example:

• A homemaker with rheumatoid arthritis learns to become more self-reliant in caring for home and family using energy conservation and work simplification techniques.
• A high-school student with a spinal cord injury learns to navigate life from a wheelchair and to use technology to participate in the classroom.
• A child born with a developmental disability learns to interact with family members and to play with other children.

What kind of skills do I need to be an occupational therapist?

• Strong problem-solving, communication and interpersonal skills
• High degree of motivation
• Creativity

Employment

Where are occupational therapists employed?

Occupational therapists work with other professionals in a variety of settings:

• Health care settings such as hospitals

• Rehabilitation centers, or long-term care facilities.

• Community settings such as school systems, home health agencies, or private practice.

In all these settings, occupational therapists interact with other professionals to help those in need participate more fully in life. Practitioners can enjoy a varied career and many go on to complete additional education to prepare themselves as administrators, educators, or researchers.

Curriculum

• The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina offers a graduate, entry level occupational therapy curriculum which begins each year in late May. The program is full-time, year-round and takes 26 months to complete.
• The first 5 semesters are based in Charleston and include classroom, laboratory, and clinical work. Structured learning experiences allow students to apply theoretical knowledge and develop clinical skills.
• The final 2 semesters are devoted to full-time fieldwork at facilities within the state of South Carolina and throughout the United States.
  All fieldwork must be completed within 24 months of the academic course work.
• Upon completion of the program, students are awarded the degree, Master of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences: Occupational Therapy.

Clinical Education
Supervised fieldwork experiences are an integral part of the program. These experiences provide the following opportunities:

• to correlate didactic learning with clinical experience
• for personal and professional growth
• for mentoring by a member of the professional community
• to apply theory and treatment approaches as well as learn new theories, procedures and philosophies
• to participate in practice across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare arenas with clients of diverse needs and health concerns

Students graduate with strong clinical skills and experiences across the continuum of care.

Clinical Experiences
Students select their clinical experiences from choices in the Charleston area, throughout the state and across the country in

• hospitals
• rehabilitation centers
• outpatient clinics
• community outreach programs
• private practices
• school-based settings
• specialty practices

Field Work
Students participate in two levels of fieldwork experience throughout the curriculum.

Level I (clinical correlates)

• included as an integral part of academic courses and designed to enrich didactic course work through directed observation and participation in selected aspects of the occupational therapy process.

Level II (clinical practicum)

• scheduled after all prerequisite academic courses have been completed. Level II fieldwork is comprised of a total of three 8-week rotations of supervised clinical practice.

Ashley Stuckey, Health Professions Admissions
MUSC Office of Enrollment Management
Phone: (843) 792-8712 (843) 792-5396
Fax: (843) 792-3764
E-mail: stuckey@musc.edu

Dr. Peter Bowman, Director
Rehabilitation Sciences Recruitment
Phone: (843) 792-3942
Fax: (843) 792-0710
E-mail: bowmanpj@musc.edu

Application deadlines
Early: October 15
Regular: January 15
Regular deadline may be extended based on space availability

Acceptances offered
Early: December
Regular: February / March

Application checklist

1. Complete university application
2. Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
3. References  (2 references are required)
4. Volunteer Evaluation  (30 hours compulsory)
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results
6. Completed prerequisite courses taken form
7. Completed plans for remaining year form

NOTE: All above information must be received before an admission decision can be made.

ALSO NOTE:   Before applying to our program, please be aware that a felony conviction may affect your ability to sit for the examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy after you graduate, and subsequently your ability to attain state licensure. The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy offers an early determination program to assess examination eligibility. Go to www.nbcot.org and read the Early Review section for further details.