Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy

The Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy offers the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and the Master of Occupational Therapy graduate degrees for those students wanting to enter the professions of occupational or physical therapy. The programs are three years in length and degrees are granted after successful completion of all academic and clinical requirements. Both graduate degree programs are accredited.

The Physical Therapy Graduate Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education. The Occupational Therapy Graduate Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

A 3.0 overall GPA for all prerequisite course work and a 3.0 GPA in each science area is required for consideration for admission into either program. Applicants must additionally meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate School. In addition to specific course prerequisites, applicants will have to provide evidence of having worked in a physical therapy or an occupational therapy setting as an aide or volunteer.

Undergraduate students preparing for physical or occupational therapy should choose a major which is of interest to them and which will assist in completion of prerequisite course work. Baccalaureate students will have advisors in their major department, but should also seek additional health professions advising through the Department of Biological Sciences. Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree and who are completing prerequisites for physical or occupational therapy should call the Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy for appropriate advising. For further information on physical therapy or occupational therapy entrance requirements and program description, refer to the Graduate Catalog or the department's website at http://www.isu.edu/dpoot/.

Pre-Physical Therapy Preparation

• BIOLOGY (3 courses). Botany courses will NOT be accepted.

1. &  2. Anatomy and Physiology each with laboratory (vertebrate or human), 2 semesters or 2-3 quarters. This course must have been completed within the last 7 years. Courses on human anatomy and physiology MUST be listed in Biology, Zoology, Anatomy or Physiology Departments for fulfillment of this requirement.
   

• CHEMISTRY (2 courses)

1. &  2. Introductory Chemistry with laboratory,  2 semesters or 2-3 quarters. A more recently completed chemistry course at upper division or graduate level with laboratory may also meet this requirement. Must be courses for science majors. 

1. &  2. Introductory Physics with laboratory, 2 semesters or 2-3 quarters. A more recently completed physics course at upper division or graduate level with laboratory may also meet this requirement. Must be courses for science majors. 

1. Statistics - 3 or more units. Courses about research methods or tests and measurements will NOT meet this requirement.

1. Introductory Psychology. More recent upper division psychology courses may be accepted.
2. Sociology or Anthropology or Health Science or Psychology (1 course). This course must be relevant to health care, rural societies, cultural diversity, aging, health care administration, abnormal psychology or epidemiology. Marriage/Family, religion or history courses will NOT meet this requirement.
3. Course in Human Development or Motor Development Learning (2-3 credits).
4. Medical terminology (1-2 credits).

Applicants must be competent in working with computers and be able to use word processing and spreadsheet software prior to entry into the program. A course in technical writing is recommended. 

Pre-Occupational Therapy Preparation

Occupational therapists adapt the environment, tasks, or techniques to meet individual needs while helping each client develop new skills necessary to function productively.

Occupational therapists view every aspect of a client's life as important to his/her health. Occupational therapy seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals who are at risk for physical, cognitive, mental or psychosocial impairments. Occupational therapists also provide services to groups or to populations in order to facilitate health and participation in society

Demand for occupational therapy will increase to address the needs of a growing population of aging adults, children with developmental disabilities and those who struggle with traumatic injuries and illness. When one experiences physical or mental illness or injury, it is the job of the occupational therapist to help the individual return to work, family roles and satisfying life.

The curative nature of occupational therapy is extremely broad and requires individuals with an interest in the complexity of humanity and occupations. One also needs an ability to think critically and creatively and be able to address occupational performance problems resulting from disease, trauma and mental illness. To be prepared, a student must enter the profession with a foundation in the liberal arts in addition to biological, physical, and social sciences.

Admission into the Occupational Therapy Program

Students may be admitted for fall semester entry into the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program through the normal graduate school admissions procedure by satisfactorily completing the prescribed prerequisite courses and satisfying the other admission requirements as listed on the MOT program application form. 

Students may also have the option of early pre-professional entry into the program through the established guidelines of the Bachelor of University Studies (BUS) degree program. The BUS is an interdisciplinary degree designed for students whose career and educational goals are not met by traditional degrees offered at Idaho State University.

During the first three years, the BUS students develop a course of study that will meet their interests, university degree requirements, and Occupational Therapy Program admission requirements. Students may apply to the BUS program after they have 24 earned credit hours. They complete the pre-professional year for occupational therapy during their senior year. With successful completion of the pre-professional year in the OT program, each student will receive a Bachelor of University Studies degree and continue (after acceptance by the Graduate School) directly into the second and third year curriculum for the MOT degree.

The combination of the BUS and Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program creates a seamless entry into the occupational therapy profession, ensuring that all prerequisites in social, physical and biological sciences are completed in a timely manner. For further information on the BUS and the occupational therapy program, contact the Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy at (208) 282-4095.

Prerequisites

• SOCIAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE (4 courses, 3 credits each)

Human Development - 1 semester
Sociology - 1 semester
Abnormal Psychology - 1 semester
Cultural Anthropology - 1 semester

At least 5 courses from this category are required, 3 credits each, chosen from:
 

	• economics	• history
	• education	•humanities
	• ethics	• literature
	• fine arts	•philosophy
	• foreign language

Computer Competence

Applicants must be competent in working with computers and be able to use word processing and spreadsheet software prior to entry into the program.

Curriculum for BUS Degree Pre-entrants

Fall Semester

BIOL 4474       Human Anatomy                   5 cr
BIOL 4486       Human Systemic Physiology	5 cr
PTOT 4412       Professional Communication      2 cr
PTOT 4413       Occupational Therapy Profession 3 cr
US 4490		Capstone Project		1 cr


Spring Semester

PTOT 4401       Kinesiology and Biomechanics    4 cr
PTOT 4402       Clinical Neuroscience           5 cr
PTOT 4421       Self-Exploration 
                  in Occupational Therapy       3 cr
PTOT 4422       Occupational Performance        3 cr
PTOT 4442       Occupational Performance Lab    1 cr

PTOT 4401 Clinical Kinesiology and Biomechanics 4 credits. Analysis of normal and pathological human movement in joints, posture, gait, and the vertebral column. Application of movements to therapeutic interventions is emphasized. PREREQ: B- or better in BIOL  4474. S

PTOT 4402 Clinical Neuroscience 5 credits. Study of structure and function of the human nervous system or the cellular and systemic levels. Specific application to clinical management of neurological problems and pathology. PREREQ: B- or better in BIOL 4474 and BIOL 4486. S

PTOT 4412 Professional Communication 2 credits. Introduction to standard forms of professional communication in physical and occupational therapy and among other health care professions. Medical record-keeping and interdisciplinary communication are emphasized. F

PTOT 4413 Occupational Therapy Profession 3 credits. Historical overview of occupational therapy in health care, education and psychosocial settings. Occupational therapy process, rural human service delivery system, professionalism, ethics, and legal issues will be examined. F

PTOT 4421 Self-Exploration in Occupation 3 credits. Focus on self-exploration in occupation and purposeful activity. Self-evaluation in occupational performance areas, components, and context. The student will complete a self-development plan in occupation. Su

PTOT 4422 Occupational Performance 3 credits. Person/occupation/environment interactions are examined from the perspective of multiple theories and models that analyze typical occupations and address performance dysfunctions. PREREQ: B or better in PTOT 4413 and PTOT 4421. COREQ: PTOT 4442. S

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Information  Contact: webmaster@isu.edu Revised: March 2012