Occupational Therapy (MSOT)

Dominican University of California offers a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree for students entering at the graduate level. Graduate students are co-enrolled in courses with accelerated upper division undergraduate health science/pre-occupational therapy majors. Graduate students are expected to perform at the graduate level in all courses, and may be required to complete additional assignments at the discretion of the professor.

Occupational Therapy Overview

Occupational therapists are licensed health professionals who help people of all ages, with and without disabilities, do the things that are important to them in their daily lives. Occupational therapists work in hospitals, clinics, schools, business, industry, and community settings, serving persons of all ages with developmental, physical, or psychiatric disabilities.

Occupational therapists also promote health and help prevent disease and disability through occupation-centered interventions and environmental adaptations.

Occupation is a universal human process with physical, social, temporal, and spiritual dimensions. Through active engagement in valued activities, humans evolve, change, and adapt. Injury, illness, developmental delay, or less than optimal social conditions may require that humans modify their daily occupations to achieve satisfying lives. Occupational therapists help people regain function through occupation.

Curricular Themes

The following curricular themes articulate our beliefs about occupation and occupational therapy, and help shape the focus of our curriculum:
1. Effective occupational therapy practice is occupation-based and client-centered: Occupations are freely chosen and unique to each individual or group served by the occupational therapist. Skilled occupational therapy practice is collaborative, creative, and client centered.

2. Excellent occupational therapy practice is research-driven and evidence-based: Effective occupational therapy practice is theoretically grounded, based on strong evidence, and supported by research and scholarship.

3. Psychosocial dimensions of human performance are fundamental to all aspects of occupation and occupational therapy practice. Inter and intrapersonal aspects of meaning, motivation, emotions, and  relationships, influence occupational behavior in all humans. Disruptions to normal occupational patterns elicit emotional and psychological responses that must be understood and addressed for effective therapy to take place.

4. Social, cultural, and political contexts significantly shape occupational performance. Human  occupations reflect diverse cultural roles, beliefs, values, and traditions. People’s occupations are shaped by the opportunities afforded or denied them in social, cultural, and political contexts. Appreciating diverse cultural perspectives is an essential element of occupational therapy practice.

5. Occupations take place in communities. Community is a binding force in our society. In communities, we construct the meaning of our lives through engagement in  occupations. Occupational therapists promote health, wellness and full community engagement for persons with and without disabilities.