Occupational Therapy
Betsy VanLeit, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, Director
Health Sciences Center
School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
Occupational Therapy Graduate Program
Health Sciences and Services Building, Suite 140
MSC09 5240
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-5641
(505) 272-1753, FAX (505) 272-3583
Professors
Terry K. Crowe, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, University of Washington
Diane Parham, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, University of California, Los Angeles
Janet L. Poole, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, University of Pittsburgh
Associate Professor
Betsy VanLeit, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, University of New Mexico
Assistant Professors
Joanna Cosbey, Ph.D., OTR/L, University of Utah
Carla Wilhite, O.T.D., OTR/L, Creighton University
Lecturers
Sue Chrisman, M.A., OTR/L, Texas Women’s University
Heidi Sanders, M.A., OTR/L, University of New Mexico
Instructors
Patricia Siegel, O.T.D., OTR/L, CHT, Texas Women's University
Mary Thelander-Hill, M.O.T., University of New Mexico
Professor Emeritus
Patricia Burtner, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, University of Oregon
Introduction
Occupational Therapy is a profession that therapeutically uses meaningful activities to improve health and well-being, enhance development, and prevent disabilities. An occupational therapist is involved in helping people learn or relearn the skills necessary to carry out the daily occupations of self-care, work/productivity and play/leisure that they need or want to do. Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, public and private schools, community programs, mental health facilities, private practice, and home health agencies. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who have physical disabilities, emotional or behavioral problems, developmental delays or other disabilities. They also work to facilitate the health and well-being of people with and without disabilities.
The primary mission of The University of New Mexico’s Occupational Therapy Graduate Program is to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities through participation in meaningful occupations. To do this, we prepare competent, ethical, culturally sensitive, and compassionate occupational therapists to serve communities in New Mexico and beyond; foster the pursuit of scholarly inquiry and dissemination by both students and faculty; transform occupational therapy practice through leadership and service to community and profession; and create partnerships to address the occupational challenges of diverse populations.
Graduates are prepared to think critically and creatively in a variety of practice settings, to adapt to changing societal and individual needs, and to assume responsibility for their own professional growth. The graduate program (entry level professional Master of Occupational Therapy) consists of 21 months of professional academic preparation plus six months (2 semesters) of full-time fieldwork in the community. Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student is awarded a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree and is eligible to take the National Certification Examination for Registration as an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). In addition, most states, including New Mexico, require licensure in order to practice. State licenses usually are based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. The overall NBCOT pass rate for UNM students since the first graduating class is over 99%.
Accreditation
The Occupational Therapy Graduate Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). ACOTE is located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, PO Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. AOTA’s phone number is 301-652-AOTA. ACOTE accreditation is recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).
Associated Programs
Graduate Program
Courses
OCTH 499.
Occupational Therapy Independent Study.
(1-4)
Self-directed learning in occupational therapy with opportunity to explore an area of interest in depth. Develop experience with designing, revising and implementing a study or project. Students may only complete one independent study for credit.
OCTH 508.
Interdisciplinary Leadership in Family and Community Partnerships.
(1)
Provides necessary information and practice to enable students to develop and maintain partnerships between health care practitioners, parents, families, and community organizations in order to ensure the best family-centered care for children with developmental disabilities.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: acceptance in LEND program and permission of instructor.
OCTH 514L.
Introduction to Occupation and Health.
(3)
Introduction to understanding occupation and health as it relates to self, clients, and the occupational therapy assessment and intervention process. The emphasis is on richness of occupation including: motivation, meaning, roles, cultural factors and societal influences.
OCTH 518.
Interdisciplinary Leadership in Advocacy and Public Policy.
(2)
This course offers an in-depth view of the operations of the State of New Mexico legislature and provides specific skills to advocate for persons with disabilities and other health care issues.
Restriction: acceptance in LEND program and permission of instructor.
OCTH 522L.
Neuroanatomy.
(3)
Anatomy of the brain and spinal cord with emphasis on integration of sensory and motor systems. Synthesis of neuroanatomical, neurochemical and neurophysiological basic science principles relevant to clinical practice in adult and pediatric neurorehabilitation.
OCTH 524L.
Kinesiology of Occupation.
(3)
Apply the principles of kinesiology and biomechanics to the study of occupations. Arthrology, tissue mechanics, goniometrics, muscle strength testing, kinesiological and biomechanics analysis of occupations will be presented in lecture lab and problem-based learning formats.
OCTH 534.
Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice.
(4)
Introduction to applied research for physical and occupational therapists. The central focus of this course is how information from physical and social science-based research is gathered, analyzed, reported and used to inform evidence-based practice.
OCTH 538.
Interdisciplinary Leadership in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities-Didactic.
(3)
Provides the academic and theoretical grounding upon which the clinical practices are built for working with children with disabilities.
Restriction: acceptance in LEND program and permission of instructor.
OCTH 544L.
Occupation Across the Lifespan.
(5)
Review of roles, occupational tasks, models of occupation and developmental theories from infancy to old age. Determinants of occupational performance including cultural influences; physical and social environment; physiological, sensory, neuromotor, cognitive and psychological dimensions are reviewed.
OCTH 554L.
Relationship Centered Care.
(2)
Introduction to the importance of person-centered care in occupational therapy assessment and intervention services to develop an appreciation of the therapeutic relationship and skills to interact with clients holistically, recognizing cultural and psychosocial influences.
OCTH 564L.
Applied Occupations: Orthopedic Practice.
(6)
Application of occupational therapy concepts and principles to pediatric and adult populations with physical and orthopaedic conditions is covered along with theoretical foundations underlining person-centered occupations, job analysis and to increase participation in occupations.
Prerequisite: 524L.
OCTH 594.
Graduate Seminar.
(1-3 to a maximum of 10 Δ)
A three-semester seminar sequence that provides structure and support for graduate occupational therapy students as they work under the supervision of an assigned faculty to complete projects to meet Plan II Master’s requirements.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
OCTH 604L.
Applied Occupations: Neurological Practice.
(5)
Application of occupational therapy concepts to pediatric and adult populations with physical and neurological conditions, is covered, along with theoretical foundations underlining person-centered occupations, job analysis, and the OT process to increase participation in occupations.
Prerequisite: 522L and 564L and 634L.
OCTH 614L.
Applied Occupations: Psychosocial Practice.
(5)
This course covers psychosocial and behavioral dimensions of occupational therapy practice across the lifespan. This course gives students the opportunity to learn about psychological Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions related to performance.
OCTH 624L.
Advocacy, Communication and Leadership.
(3)
Advocacy skills (grant writing, marketing and policy formation), communication skills and leadership skills (professional development, professional presentations and leadership roles) as they relate to occupational therapy are emphasized.
OCTH 634L.
Neuroscience of Occupation.
(2)
This course emphasizes the application of systems-level, behavioral-level and cognitive-level neuroscience to understanding: a) occupational development across the lifespan and b) the practice of occupational therapy for persons with activity limitations caused by neuropathological conditions.
OCTH 650.
Special Topics in Occupational Therapy.
(2-6, to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Various current topics in occupational therapy are offered.
{Spring}
OCTH 654.
Organization and Administration.
(2)
This course will enable students to practice effectively in an increasingly complex health care delivery system. Emphasis is on understanding of organizational systems, including program planning, management and reimbursement, as well as legislation and ethics.
OCTH 664L.
Applied Occupations: Pediatric Practice.
(6)
Application of the occupational therapy process to functional problems which interrupt or delay normal growth, development and maturation during infancy, childhood and adolescence. Occupational intervention strategies for children and their families are covered.
Prerequisite: 564L and 604L and 614L.
OCTH 674L.
Community Health.
(4)
The purpose of this course is for the student to gain an increased knowledge of: community-based health considerations and issues; community health resources; partnerships with community services; interdisciplinary processes; and serving people in community settings.
OCTH 675.
Fieldwork II.
(1-12 to a maximum of 24 Δ)
Experiences with clients, occupational therapists and professionals in the community. Students must participate in two 12-week, full-time clinical internships. Fieldwork is carried out in various settings in New Mexico and surrounding states.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
OCTH 690.
Independent Study.
(1-4, no limit Δ)
Self-directed learning in occupational therapy with opportunity to explore an area of interest in depth. Develop experience in occupational therapy under the supervision of a faculty mentor and community practitioners.
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
