Assumption College human services degree

Occupational and Physical Therapy

Course Information

Program Overview

The Concentration in Occupational and Physical Therapy is designed to prepare students for graduate study in Physical or Occupational Therapy. By combining fieldwork with classroom learning the concentration builds the knowledge necessary for students to obtain a career helping people achieve independence, meaning and satisfaction in their lives or restoring independence after an injury, illness, disability or psychological dysfunction.

A student may complete any major while also completing the concentration. Many students interested in Occupational or Physical Therapy have majored in Biology, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies, or Psychology, and many of the courses required for the concentration are also required for completion of these majors.

Experiential Learning

A significant distinction of Assumption’s HSRS curriculum is a required internship that enables students to develop and refine the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for working as a human service professional. Each student in the Occupational and Physical Therapy concentration is placed for a semester in an appropriate setting to develop clinical skills.

Concentration Requirements

Students concentrating in Occuptational and Physical Therapy must take 16 required courses specific to the field.

Degree Requirements

The Concentration in Occupational and Physical Therapy is designed to prepare students for graduate study in Physical or Occupational Therapy. However, this concentration is not a major, and all students completing the concentration must also complete the requirements of a major prior to graduation. A student may complete any major while also completing the concentration.

Students concentrating in Occupational and Physical Therapy must take 16 required courses specific to the field.

Many students interested in Occupational or Physical Therapy have majored in Biology, Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies, or Psychology, and many of the courses required for the concentration are also required for completion of these majors.

First semester freshman who wish to concentrate in Occupational and Physical Therapy should enroll in BIO 160, CHE 131, HRS 125, and the appropriate math course (i.e., MAT 114 or MAT 117). First-year students should also consult with the Health Professions Advisor, Dr. Steven Theroux, at the beginning of the fall semester to plan out the remainder of their course of study.

Concentration in Physical Therapy

Required Courses:

HRS 125 Professional Orientation to Physical and Occupational Therapy
BIO 160 Concepts of Biology
BIO 240 Mammalian Anatomy
BIO 370 General Physiology
CHE 131-132 General Chemistry I and II
PHY 201-202 General Physics I and II
PSY 101 General Psychology
PSY 116 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 190 Psychology of Development
SOC 121 Principles of Sociology
BIO/HRS 390 Exercise Physiology
HRS 390/ BIO 390 Exercise Physiology with Lab

One of the following three Internship courses:

HRS 490 Internship in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies (HRS majors – 12 credits)
HRS 400 Field Experience in Human Services and Rehabilitation (non HSRS majors – 3 credits)
HSC 450 Internship in Health Sciences (HSC majors – 6 credits)

One of the following two Statistics courses:

PSY 224 Statistics
ECO 115 Statistics

One of the following two math courses:

MAT 114 Elementary Functions
MAT 117 Calculus I

Recommended (but not required)

BIO 415 Principles of Neuroscience
PSY 251 Introduction to Brian and Behavior

Concentration in Occupational Therapy

The required courses to complete the concentration are:

HRS 125 Professional Orientation to Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy (Spring)
HRS 345 Occupational Therapy: Occupation, Theory, Intervention and Assessment Across the Lifespan (Fall)
BIO 160 Concepts of Biology
BIO 240 Mammalian Anatomy
BIO 370 General Physiology
PSY 101 General Psychology
PSY 216 Abnormal Psychology
SOC 121 Principles of Sociology or ANT 131 Cultural Anthropology
HRS 121 Human Development and Disability
PSY 224 Statistics

One of the two HSRS courses listed below:

HRS 490 Internship in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies (HSRS majors – 12 credits)
HRS 400 Field Placement in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies (non HSRS majors – 3 credits)
HSC 450 Health Sciences Internship (HSC Majors – 6 credits)

Please check prerequisite courses required for specific OT graduate programs to which you are planning to apply. Some programs may require a course in Neuroscience, Kinesiology and/or Neuroanatomy with a focus on the Central and Peripheral Nervous System.

Faculty

In addition to their excellent teaching credentials, the Human Resources and Social Rehabilitation faculty have extensive experience as practitioners. This blend of the practical and scholarly results in a rich classroom environment where course concepts and theories are integrated with real-world case studies. Our teachers are also mentors and get to know students individually. Faculty advisors assist students with everything from course selection to exploring their career opportunities.

	Robert R. Caron, Sc.D. Assistant Professor
	Rev. Terrence Dougherty O.C.D.
	Dayna Hume
	Keith Lahikainen Assistant Professor
	Heather March
	Daniel Micari
	Alison Myette, MS, CCC-SLP Visiting Instructor
	Susan Sabelli
	Susan Scully-Hill, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies
	David St. John Associate Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies
	Mark Stewart Visiting Assistant Professor
	Charles Stuart

Courses

Introduction to Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies
Human Development and Disability across the lifespan
Professional Orientation to Physical and Occupational Therapy
Addiction: Etiology, Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation
Medical Aspects of Disability
Rehabilitation Strategies and Interventions
Application of Learning, Behavior and Motivational Theory
Introduction to Human Communication and its Disorders
Hearing and Deafness
Introduction to Sign Language
Normal Speech and Language Development
Prevention and Intervention Strategies for At-Risk Youth
Introduction to Peace Studies
Client Information and Assessment
Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Social Skills Training with At-Risk Youth
Clinically Based Phonetics of American English
Sign Language II
Interviewing Techniques in Human and Rehabilitation Studies
Basic Concepts and Principles in Applied Behavioral Analysis
Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
Principles of Case Management
Individual in the Community: The Human Services
Family Aspects of Disability
Loss and Bereavement Across the Lifespan
Special Topics
Special Topics: Cultural Competencies for Human Service Professionals
Internship in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies

Internships & Outcomes

Internships

A significant distinction of Assumption’s HSRS curriculum is a required internship that enables students to develop and refine the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for working as a human service professional. Each student completes a semester-long internship in an appropriate setting. Students meet with their faculty supervisor weekly to process experiences and make connections between these experiences and course content/theory.

Victoria Russo
Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies with a concentration in Occupational Therapy ‘17
Internship: Occupational Therapy Intern at Thom Worcester Area Early Intervention
Post-Grad Plans: Pursuing M.S. in Occupational Therapy at Columbia University

“ Assumption's emphasis on individuals with disabilities served me well in preparing me to work with children with significant medical complications and physical and cognitive disabilities. I was able to apply the values of the Human Services department, such as genuineness, empathy, and warmth, to my daily interactions with clients and their families, which helped me to establish rapport and build a positive working relationship. ”

Graduate Schools & Careers

Recent Graduate Schools

Assumption College
Boston College
Boston University
Northeastern University
Wheelock College
Worcester State College
University of New Hampshire
University of Massachusetts-Boston

Recent employers include:

New England Center for Children (NECC)
American Red Cross
Brigham and Women’s Hospital-Boston
Catholic Social Services
Cascade Disability Management
Department of Youth Services
Devereux School
Genesis Club
Jewish Family Services
Jewish Health Care
May Institute
Massachusetts Department of Social Services
Mercy Centre for Developmental Disabilities
Public Schools of Massachusetts
Rainbow Child Development Center
UMASS-Early Intervention Programs
Youth Opportunities Upheld, INC.

#ACachieves

Stephen Johnson

Biology with a concentration in Physical Therapy '16

Internship: Physical Therapy Assistant at Worcester Physical Therapy; Post-Grad Plans: Doctor of Physical Therapy at Boston University

With over 100 hours of handling clients with neurological, cardiopulmonary, vestibular, orthopedic, integumentary, issues; I learned a myriad of “soft skills” that cannot be learned from any textbook. I learned how to communicate my ideas and treatment plans to patients and aid them in effectively executing treatment plans under the guidance of licensed Physical Therapists. I also learned the importance of building rapport with clients, which I believe has set a solid foundation for me as I begin my studies and career as a future healthcare professional.
Cassie Lincoln

Psychology '15

Doctor of Physical Therapy student at Sacred Heart University

“At Assumption I was able to flourish in my academics because I majored in something I truly love. I have had many experiences with research on campus as well as at UMass Medical School. I am heading off to Sacred Heart in the fall to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy and I could not be any more appreciative for what my professors did for me to help me get here.”