1101 N. Campbell, Room 500
(915) 747-7270

PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Gretchen M. Schmalz

PROFESSOR: Schmalz
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR: Bois
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS: Hadlock, Schwander-Flores
CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR: Funk

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a dynamic profession and an integral part of modern comprehensive health care. Men and women, as registered, certified occupational therapists, provide direction for an individual's participation in activities that are related to work and leisure for the purposes of promoting and maintaining health; preventing disability; evaluating and treating physical, social, and emotional disabilities; and regaining, retaining, and attaining maximum human function. Occupational therapists analyze, select, and direct evaluation and treatment, choosing from a wide variety of activities that are creative, manual, educational, related to the care of oneself, recreational, and vocationally oriented. Occupational therapy services are provided in a variety of settings, ranging from medical facilities to community health agencies, schools, and private practice.

The professional course of study in occupational therapy is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education:

Go to top

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DEGREE

Course Work

ENGL 3111 or 6111 , 3112
HIST 3101 , 3102
POLS 3210 , 3211
BIOL 3105 -1107
BIOL 3211 -1211
BIOL 3213 -1213
CHEM 4107
PSYC 3101 , 3210 , and three additional hours in PSYCH
SOCI 3101
COMM 3101 or 3102
MATH 3120
PSYC 3103
Fine Arts (3 hours from Core Menu)
Humanities (3 hours from Core Menu)
Cultural Diversity (3 hours from Core Menu)
Economics (3 hours from Core Menu)

Total preprofessional course work is 67 semester credit hours.

Prior to enrollment in upper division courses a person is considered to be pre-occupational therapy. To be eligible for consideration for an occupational therapy major, a student needs to have an overall cumulative GPA of 2.7, plus a science (biology, chemistry) GPA of 2.5 and a behavioral science (psychology, sociology) GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite course work listed above. Prior to application to the major, the student must have completed a minimum of 6 credit hours of science prerequisites and 6 credit hours of the behavioral science prerequisites. All prerequisite course work must be completed prior to enrolling in the upper division courses for the fall semester in which the student is admitted to the major. The only exceptions are for those students who may be lacking POLS 3211, 3 credits from the Economics Core, or 3 credits from the Cultural Diversity Core. These three prerequisite courses or hours can be taken during the fall semester through the summer term of the junior year. These courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or better. Failure to complete the courses in this time frame with a satisfactory grade will prevent the student from enrolling in further courses in the major. To re-enroll as an occupational therapy major, the student would need to go through the application process for the next entering class. A new class is admitted each fall.

Upon enrollment in the professional phase of the program a grade of "C" or higher must be earned in each occupational therapy course. If a student earns less than a "C" in any occupational therapy course, the next higher course may not be taken until the prerequisite course is repeated and passed with a "C" or better. An occupational therapy course may be repeated only once. A student who receives a total of 3 course grades of less than a "C," while enrolled in the major, is no longer able to continue in the occupational therapy program.

An applicant must submit an application for admission to the occupational therapy program to the Admissions Office by December 15th of the year preceding anticipated enrollment. Applications received after the December 15th deadline may be considered, but priority for initial selection will be given to students meeting the deadline. Selection into the occupational therapy professional program is based upon the number of applicants, space availability, academic performance, and a pre-admission test battery.

At the time of enrollment in the professional phase of the program, the student will submit the results of a recent physical examination, current TB test results, a record of current immunizations (including Hepatitis B vaccinations), and documentation of immunity to chicken pox. All students are required to maintain current CPR certification Level C, according to the American Heart Association Standards. Evidence of this certification is required at the beginning of the upper-division classes. Students are expected to be proficient in computer word processing. All occupational therapy majors will be required to show evidence of professional liability insurance.

In addition to traditional lecture and laboratory course work, the student is provided with opportunities to integrate theory and practice through clinical placement. Initial placements, known as Preceptorships, are in conjunction with academic course work. Units of field studies are provided in approved locations in Texas and surrounding states. Relocation to facilities out of the El Paso area, at the student's own expense, is required for most units of field studies.

Upon completion of all curriculum requirements, the designated degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy is conferred. Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist, Registered that is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Successful completion of the NBCOT examination leads to certification by the NBCOT. Application for the certification examination includes some questions that relate to felony convictions.

For further information on potential limitation related to felony conviction, you can contact NBCOT at:

Many states, including Texas, require a license to practice occupational therapy. Graduates are eligible to take the examination approved by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. Upon successful completion of the examination, candidates become eligible for a license to practice occupational therapy in Texas and may use the letters "OTR" (Occupational Therapist, Register. Most states with licensure, including Texas, accept the examination administer by the NBCOT.

All occupational therapy students must perform within limits of safe practice. A faculty member may drop a student from a course with a grade of "F" if the student's occupational therapy practice is deemed unsafe as defined in the Safe and Effective Health Care Policy for students, which is posted on the Official Bulletin Board in the College.

Go to Upper-Division Occupational Therapy Courses

Go to top