Curriculum

We offer a full-time Plan of Study, as well as a part-time Plan of Study to complete your MOT degree. The part-time option is intended to provide flexibility for those that may be unable to take on the time commitment of a full-time course load. Both options are available to students at either campus location, Radford University Carilion in Roanoke, and Radford University Main Campus in Radford.

Plan of Study - Full-time Option

Full-time MOT Program option: Students complete 9-15 credit hours each term for seven consecutive terms (including summer semesters) to earn the MOT degree. Because your classes meet between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays, the program is not compatible with full-time employment. The MOT degree is earned in 2.5 years through the full-time option. 

Term 1: Fall
OCTH 607 Child and Adolescent Occupational Development (2 Credits)
OCTH 609 Clinical Anatomy for Occupational Therapy (3 Credits)
OCTH 613 The Domain of Occupational Therapy (3 Credits)
OCTH 615 The Occupational Therapy Process (3 Credits)
OCTH 617 Essential Clinical Skills for the Occupational Therapist (3 Credits)
OCTH 619 Professional Practice Seminar I (1 Credit)

Term 2: Spring
OCTH 621 Evaluation and Assessment in Pediatrics (4 Credits)
OCTH 623 Service Delivery Models and Program Development (3 Credits)
OCTH 627 Psychosocial Influences on Health & Occupation (3 Credits)
OCTH 629 Level I Fieldwork A in Community-Based Psychosocial Practice (2 Credits)
OCTH 633 Human Movement for Occupational Performance (2 Credits)

Term 3: Summer
OCTH 632 Analysis of Occupation Through Use of Technology & Media (3 Credits)
OCTH 637 Professional Practice Seminar II (1 Credit)
OCTH 639 Level I Fieldwork B in Pediatric Practice (2 Credits)

Term 4: Fall
OCTH 640 Applied Research and EBP in Occupational Therapy (4 Credits)
OCTH 643 Foundations of Neuroscience for Occupations (3 Credits)
OCTH 645 Intervention Planning and Implementation in Pediatrics (4 Credits)
OCTH 647 The Occupational Therapy Process for Musculoskeletal Conditions (4 Credits)

Term 5: Spring
OCTH 649 Professional Practice Seminar III (1 Credit)
OCTH 650 Healthcare Management, Policy, and Leadership (4 Credits)
OCTH 653 Foundations in Occupational Therapy Practice with Aging Adults (3 Credits)
OCTH 655 The Occupational Therapy Process for Neurological Conditions (4 Credits)
OCTH 657 Specialty Practice Areas in Occupational Therapy (3 Credits)

Term 6: Summer
OCTH 663 Professional Practice Seminar IV (2 Credits)
OCTH 665 Level II Fieldwork A (7 Credits)

Term 7: Fall
OCTH 671 Graduate Project (2 Credits)
OCTH 673 Level II Fieldwork B (7 Credits)

Total credit hours: 83

Plan of Study - Part-time Option

Part-time MOT Program option: Students complete 3-9 credit hours each term for 12 terms (including two summer semesters) to earn the MOT degree. Classes meet between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., thus flexibility in your employment and other life roles is still necessary. The MOT degree is earned in 4 years through the part-time option. Once you begin as a student in the part-time option, it is possible to convert to the full-time option with approval from the MOT Program Director.  

Term 1: Fall
OCTH 607 Child and Adolescent Occupational Development (2 Credits)
OCTH 613 The Domain of Occupational Therapy (3 Credits) 
OCTH 615 The Occupational Therapy Process (3 Credits)

Term 2: Spring
OCTH 623 Service Delivery Models and Program Development (3 Credits)
OCTH 627 Psychosocial Influences on Health & Occupation (3 Credits)
OCTH 629 Level I Fieldwork A in Community-Based Psychosocial Practice (2 Credits)

Term 3: Summer
OCTH 632 Analysis of Occupation Through Use of Technology & Media (3 Credits)

Term 4: Fall
OCTH 609 Clinical Anatomy for Occupational Therapy (3 Credits)
OCTH 617 Essential Clinical Skills for the Occupational Therapist (3 Credits)
OCTH 619 Professional Practice Seminar I (1 Credit)

Term 5: Spring
OCTH 621 Evaluation and Assessment in Pediatrics (4 Credits)
OCTH 637 Professional Practice Seminar II (1 Credit)

Term 6: Summer
OCTH 639 Level I Fieldwork B in Pediatric Practice (2 Credits)
OCTH 637 Professional Practice Seminar II (1 Credit)

Term 7: Fall 
OCTH 640 Evidence-Based Practice and Applied Research in Occupational Therapy (4 Credits)
OCTH 645 Intervention Planning and Implementation in Pediatrics (4 Credits)   

Term 8: Spring
OCTH 649 Professional Practice Seminar III (1 Credit)
OCTH 653 Foundations in Occupational Therapy Practice with Aging Adults (3 Credits)
OCTH 655 The Occupational Therapy Process for Neurological Conditions (4 Credits)

NO SUMMER TERM

Term 9: Fall
OCTH 643 Foundations of Neuroscience for Occupations (3 Credits)
OCTH 647 The Occupational Therapy Process for Musculoskeletal Conditions (4 Credits)

Term 10: Spring 
OCTH 650 Healthcare Management, Policy, and Leadership (4 Credits)
OCTH 657 Specialty Practice Areas in Occupational Therapy (3 Credits) 

Term 11: Summer
OCTH 663 Professional Practice Seminar IV (2 Credits)
OCTH 665 Level II Fieldwork A (7 Credits) 

Term 12: Fall
OCTH 671 Graduate Project (2 Credits)
OCTH 673 Level II Fieldwork B (7 Credits)

Total credit hours: 83

Please note: Level II Fieldwork could also be done part-time if desired

Curriculum Design

The educational focus of the MOT curriculum is mirrored in our Department of Occupational Therapy mission statement, which in turn reflects the mission of Radford University:  To create a community of innovative and ethical practitioners who serve and advocate for the health and participation of diverse populations and communities both locally and globally. Thus, the MOT curriculum aims to contribute to the development of healthy communities and populations by preparing students to become master’s level professionals who:

  • understand the power of occupation to rebuild lives; 
  • practice competently and ethically in both traditional and innovative service settings; 
  • engage in lifelong reflection and learning to continuously improve the services they provide; and 
  • assume leadership roles in health-care facilities and communities in our region, nation, and the world.

Curricular Threads

  1. Humans are occupational beings that influence their health and well-being through participation in meaningful daily life activities. Understanding the human body and mind is a basis for understanding this concept. 
  2. Personal and professional identity development is at the center of becoming an ethical and effective occupational therapy practitioner that delivers client-centered and occupation-based services. 
  3. Inclusive participation for diverse recipients of OT services is sought across the range of traditional and non-traditional practice settings and across the globe.
  4. Evidence-informed critical thinking is a basis for professional reasoning that engages deep analysis for problem identification and idea generation related to occupational participation, leading to solutions for clients, communities, and populations that are innovative and creative.
  5. Taking ownership of learning and self-discovery is a path to becoming lifelong change agents, leaders, and contributors to the occupational therapy knowledge base. 

Philosophical Tenets

In addition to five curricular threads, the MOT curriculum is grounded in two philosophical tenets: active learning and service to the community.

Active learning: students are given continuous hands-on opportunities to engage with MOT course content, for instance simulation and role-play; case-based problem-solving; and staged skill practice including with peers and faculty, standardized patients who are trained to depict problems with functioning, standardized patients who are brain injury survivors, and clients in real-world practice settings.

Service to the community: students are engaged with clients and practitioners across courses, including faculty-led Level I fieldwork in community-based settings, researching evidence to answer clinical questions from OT practitioners in the community, and designing new programs that could benefit local communities where OT services do not currently meet population needs.

Graduation Requirements