Course Descriptions

Interprofessional Approach to Health

7001

Credits: 3

This doctoral seminar exposes students to major theories and research about the process of interprofessional collaboration and looks at the features of successful interprofessional teams and team leaders. This course will also give students the opportunity to delve into specific topics in the literature on interprofessional collaboration that will inform their chosen specialty area of study in the OTD program.

Teaching in Higher Education

7002

Credits: 2

This course prepares students for the role of teaching in graduate programs and courses. Students will learn how to develop syllabi, course content, and course assessment. Instructional methods and strategies for enhancing student learning and teaching with technology will be introduced and applied. Students will learn how to transition and thrive in academia.

Advanced Occupation-Based Perspectives

7003

Credits: 2

This course examines the multifaceted aspects of human occupations. It will include perspectives from Occupational Science, Ecological Models of Occupation, Model of Human Occupation, Canadian Models of Occupational Performance and Engagement, and Person, Environment, Occupation model. The course will emphasize strength-based approaches, including enablement, relevant positive psychological constructs and interpersonal influences that facilitate participation in the clients’ meaningful roles and occupations.

Grant Writing and Disseminating Scholarship

7004

Credits: 3

This course will introduce students to the process of bringing their capstone work to the scholarly community. As part of this course, students will create a conference proposal, complete a grant application, and understand the process of submitting to a peer-review journal. 

Understanding Visual Deficits and Their Relationship to Occupation

7501

Credits: 3

This course is designed to provide students with a strong understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the visual system, and an understanding of the 3 - component model of vision, and the relationship between vision and occupation. The literature will be explored relative to the prevalence of vision problems in both the pediatric population and the acquired brain injury population. Important topical areas about vision in the pediatric and acquired brain injury populations will be explored.

Vision Testing/Screening

7502

Credits: 3

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the history of vision screening and how to select appropriate screening tests. A battery of vision screening tests appropriate for both the pediatric and acquired brain injury populations will be presented.  Students will be required to perform each screening test on a minimum of 3 subjects.

Remedial Vision Rehab 1: Visual Integrity and Visual Efficiency Problems

7530

Credits: 3

This course is designed to prepare students to provide remedial vision rehabilitation (vision therapy) for visual efficiency problems while working with optometrists. The course will begin with a complete review of the various treatment modalities available to eye care professionals when treating both visual integrity and visual efficiency problems in the pediatric and acquired brain injury populations. The history of vision therapy will be explored and areas of controversy will be discussed. Students will be required to review the literature to understand the current evidence about the effectiveness of vision therapy for various visual efficiency problems. Students will have an intensive five-day, on-site workshop designed to provide them with experience performing remedial vision rehabilitation. When returning home, students will be required to perform each vision therapy technique with a minimum of two subjects.

Remedial Vision Rehab 2: Eye Movement And Visual Information Processing Problems

7531

Credits: 3

This intensive/on-campus course is designed to prepare students to provide remedial vision rehabilitation (vision therapy) for eye movement, visual information processing, and visual field loss problems while working with optometrists. The course will begin with a complete review of the various treatment modalities available to eye care professionals when treating eye movement, visual information processing, and visual field problems in the pediatric and acquired brain injury populations. Students will be required to review the literature to understand the current evidence about the effectiveness of vision therapy visual information processing problems. Students will have an intensive 5-day, on-site workshop designed to provide them with experience performing remedial vision rehabilitation. When returning home, students will be required to perform each vision therapy technique with a minimum of 2 subjects. 

Health & Wellness Across the Life Cycle

7701

Credits: 3

This doctoral seminar will examine major theories and research on bio-psycho-social health and wellness across the lifespan from childhood, through adulthood (relationship/family development, work years, and changing women's health needs), post-work life including new conceptualizations of healthy retirements. These holistic perspectives will be integrated with Occupational Therapy conceptual models and practice, including lifestyle redesign, chronic illness self-management, as well as relevant complementary and integrative practices, and processes that will enable positive change. Exploration of the health and wellness needs and vulnerabilities of people with disability or at risk for disability will be included.

Global and Cultural Perspectives of Health and Health Policy

7702

Credits: 3

This course provides students with an overview of global health and health policy and focuses on the social, economic and environmental factors that impact the health of populations around the world. Health problems discussed include but are not limited to, malnutrition, injury, disasters, mental health disorders and chronic diseases. Emphasis is on the epidemiology of global health issues, and the policies and interventions that address these concerns. The role of the occupational therapist in global and population health is stressed throughout the course.

Health Promotion in Groups, Communities & Populations

7703

Credits: 3

This intensive/on-campus course is designed to provide students with concepts of community health and health promotion, as well as population prevention strategies. Integration of epidemiological research with principles of collaboration, building partnerships, lifestyle strategies. and coalition development will be covered. Specific needs of certain groups or communities particularly those with disabilities or chronic illnesses who occupational therapists treat will be discussed. 

Innovative Occupational Therapy Health and Wellness Practices

7704

Credits: 3

This intensive/on-campus class is designed to explore contemporary health and wellness opportunities and envision future possibilities for Occupational Therapists (OT) brought about changes in the healthcare funding landscape and society. Some of the topics will explore occupational therapy opportunities in primary care, defining the OT role in self-management of chronic conditions, ergonomics advances, innovative community accessibility initiatives for children and families, transitional service and support for people with developmental disabilities or aging in place, and technology. This course has taken students to cutting-edge accessible museums/planning playgrounds for children/families with disabilities, and progressive community services for young adults with disabilities.