Occupational Therapy

Janet L. Poole, 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
Diane Parham, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, University of California, Los Angeles
Janet L. Poole, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, University of Pittsburgh

Assistant Professors
Joanna Cosbey, Ph.D., OTR/L, University of Utah
Patricia Siegel, O.T.D., OTR/L, CHT, Texas Women's University, Chatham University
Carla Wilhite, O.T.D., OTR/L, Creighton University

Principal Lecturer
Heidi Sanders, M.A., OTR/L, University of New Mexico

Instructor
Mary Thelander-Hill, M.O.T., University of New Mexico

Professors Emeritus
Patricia Burtner, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, University of Oregon
Terry K. Crowe, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, University of Washington

Associate Professor Emeritus
Betsy VanLeit, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, University of New Mexico

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, the program prepares 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, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814. AOTA’s phone number is (301) 652-6611. ACOTE accreditation is recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

Keys and Symbols Reference