Occupational Therapy
     The graduate emphasis in occupational therapy leads to a post-professional Master of Science degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. The curriculum focuses on human performance and its relation to the task and broader human and non-human environment as its conceptual framework. Graduates of the program are expected to be able to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the conceptual and research literature of human performance as it relates to occupational therapy; apply this knowledge to clinical practice; and contribute to the body of knowledge of occupational therapy through research.
     Registered occupational therapists who have earned at least an entry-level degree from an accredited program with a 3.00 or better and certification or its equivalent may pursue a Master of Science degree with an emphasis in Occupational Therapy.

Occupational Therapy Curriculum (36 Credits)

	Required courses:
	HRS 2901	Introduction to Research Methodology	3 cr.
	HRS 2903	Issues in the Health System	2 cr.
	Choice of (minimum of three credits):
	BIOST 2011	Principles of Statistical Reasoning (Corequisite of BIOST 2092)	2 cr. 1 cr.
	BIOST 2041	Introduction of Statistical Methods 1 (Strongly recommended: BIOST 2092)	2 cr. 1 cr.
	BIOST 2042	Introduction of Statistical Methods 2 (Prerequisite of BIOST 2041)	2 cr. 2 cr.
	PSYED 2014	Statistical Methods 1	3 cr.
	PSYED 2015	Statistical Methods 2	3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	8 cr.
	Required core emphasis:
	HRS 2501	Functional Assessment	3 cr.
	HRS 2502	Human Performance	3 cr.
	HRS 2503	Human Performance and Assistive Technology	3 cr.
	HRS 2504	Directed Readings	3 cr.
	HRS 2500	OT Research Readings	1 cr.
		Electives	9 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	22 cr.
	Thesis or Non-Thesis Option
	A minimum of six credits is required for thesis option:
	HRS 2924	Graduate Research Proposal	2 cr.
	HRS 2925	Graduate Research	4 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	6 cr.
	A minimum of six credits is required for the non-thesis option:

      Students electing to pursue the non-thesis option must develop an Alternate Research Competency Plan which must be approved by the faculty adviser and department chair. The student must register for at least six credits of course work resulting in the completion of a substantive project in the form of one or some combination of the following:

• Research or scholarly paper of publishable quality
• Policy research, implementation and/or evaluation
• Teaching internship
• An alternative project of substance and relevance to the profession

     Comprehensive Examination:
     Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination is a requirement for graduation. The exam covers HRS courses 2501, 2502, 2503, and 2504.

Physical Therapy
     Post-professional graduate studies will enable physical therapists to enhance their clinical knowledge and skills in Orthopedic and Neurological Physical Therapy. Students will increase their knowledge and clinical skills in a specific area of advanced physical therapy practice and scholarship through plans of study in Neuromuscular or Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy. The plan of study focuses on advanced clinical knowledge and skills based on standards produced by components of the American Physical Therapy Association (e.g., Document for Advanced Practice, Orthopedic Section or Neurology Section). The entire plan of study is scheduled in weekend segments or modules.

Admission Requirements
     For admission to full graduate status, an entering student must have a QPA of 3.00 in undergraduate work and an entry-level professional physical therapy program, and be a licensed physical therapist with a minimum of one year of clinical practice. In the application, the candidate must identify a specific focus of study (Musculoskeletal or Neuromuscular). Evidence of potential success in graduate study and the specific focus should be demonstrated through past work experiences, continuing education, and three letters of recommendation. Admission decisions will be based on an overall evaluation of all credentials submitted and the availability of space in the class. Applicants interested in either the Musculoskeletal or Neuromuscular foci area must obtain a Pennsylvania physical therapy license prior to registering for classes.
     Graduate Student Assistantships (GSAs) and Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are available to licensed physical therapists who are full-time students. Assistantships require Pennsylvania physical therapy licensure. Information on Pennsylvania licensure can be obtained by calling (717) 783-7134, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Pennsylvania Department of State.

     Deadline Date for Application: Rolling Admissions

Basis for Plan of Study
     A certification process for advanced practice in physical therapy has been in existence for over ten years. Physical therapists can become certified in a variety of different areas, including Orthopedic Physical Therapy as well as Neurologic Physical Therapy. Standards for advanced clinical practice are published and continually modified based on very solid methodology. Certification examinations are given once per year. The entire process is overseen by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists (ABPTS).
     Many of our full-time adjunct faculty members participate in these processes, including standards development, item writing for certification examinations, etc. Presently, over 350 physical therapists per year sit for the Orthopedic and Neurological physical therapy specialty examinations.
     The basis of our plan of study and examination procedures will be the Documents for Advanced Clinical Practice, examples of which can be obtained through the Orthopedic or Neurology Sections of the APTA.
     The goal of students entering this program will be to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to make themselves potential candidates for certification in either Orthopedic or Neurologic Physical Therapy through the ABPTS process.

Comprehensive Examinations
     There are a total of three comprehensive examinations that each student must successfully complete. There will be separate competency examinations for the Musculoskeletal and Neuromuscular foci. All examinations will have a written and practical component.
     The written examinations will be mostly application and analysis (level 2; applying information to new situations) and synthesis and analysis (level 3; pulling a variety of information and experiences together to make judgments of each knowledge area) and will be based on the Competency Matrix developed in the Documents for Advanced Practice.
     The practical examinations will focus on the clinical application of therapeutic assessment and treatment techniques. Students will be expected to demonstrate appropriate patient handling, application of technique, and decision-making rationale.

Graduation Criteria
     Three graduation criteria:

• Successful completion of the plan of study maintaining a minimum overall B average
• Successful completion of three comprehensive examinations (written and practical)
• Satisfactory completion of a case report using the guidelines in the Instructions for Authors for Physical Therapy, the official journal of the American Physical Therapy Association

     Total Credits Needed to Graduate: 30 credits

Full-time Suggested Musculoskeletal Focus Plan of Study

	Fall Term: First Year
	HRS 2308	Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Examination	3 cr.
	HRS 2309	Analysis of Neuromuscular Signs and Symptoms in Clinical Decision-Making	3 cr.
	HRS 2310	Advanced Musculoskeletal Dissection Anatomy Comprehensive Examination 1 a, b, c (January)	3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	9 cr.
	Spring Term: First Year
		Elective (optional)
	HRS 2361	Evaluation and Treatment of the Lumbopelvic Spine	3 cr.
	HRS 2362	Examination and Treatment of the Lower Extremity	3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	6 cr.
	Summer Term: First Year
	HRS 2380	Evaluation and Treatment of the Cervical and Thoracic spine	3 cr.
	HRS 2381	Evaluation and Treatment of the Upper Extremity	3 cr.
	HRS 2907	Clinical Investigation Comprehensive Examination 2 (August)	3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	9 cr.
	Fall Term: Second Year
	HRS 2373	Advanced Musculoskeletal Clinical Practice	3 cr.
	HRS 2374	Clinical Rounds and Case Presentations	2 cr.
		Elective (optional)
		Elective (if not previously taken) Comprehensive Examination 3 (December)	1-3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	6-8 cr.

Part-time Suggested Musculoskeletal Focus Plan of Study

	Fall Term: First Year
	HRS 2308	Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Examination	3 cr.
	HRS 2309	Analysis of Neuromuscular Signs and Symptoms in Clinical Decision-Making Comprehensive Examination 1 a, b, c (January)	3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	6 cr.
	Spring Term: First Year
		Elective (optional)	1-3 cr.
	HRS 2361	Evaluation and Treatment of the Lumbopelvic Spine	3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	4-6 cr.
	Summer Term: First Year
	HRS 2907	Clinical Investigations	3 cr.
		Elective (optional)	1-3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	4-6 cr.
	Fall Term: Second Year
	HRS 2310	Advanced Musculoskeletal Dissection Anatomy	3 cr.
		Elective (optional) Comprehensive Examination 1c (January)	1-3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	4-6 cr.
	Spring Term: Second Year
	HRS 2362	Examination and Treatment of the Lower Extremity	3 cr.
		Elective (optional)	1-3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	4-6 cr.
	Summer Term: Second Year
	HRS 2380	Evaluation and Treatment of the Cervical and Thoracic Spine	3 cr.
	HRS 2381	Evaluation and Treatment of the Upper Extremity Comprehensive Examination 2 (August)	3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	6 cr.
	Fall Term: Third Year
	HRS 2373	Advanced Musculoskeletal Clinical Practice	3 cr.
	HRS 2374	Clinical Rounds and Case Presentations Comprehensive Examination 3 (December)	2 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	5 cr.

Full-time Neuromuscular Focus Plan of Study

	Fall Term: First Year
	HRS 2308	Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Examination	3 cr.
	HRS 2309	Analysis of Neuromuscular Signs and Symptoms in Clinical Decision-Making	3 cr.
	HRS 2311	Advanced Topics in Neuroanatomy Comprehensive Examination	3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	9 cr.
	Spring Term: First Year
	HRS 2907	Clinical Investigation	3 cr.
	HRS 2356	Concepts and Principles Related to Sensorimotor Control 1	3 cr.
	HRS 2357	Theories of Motor Control and Motor Learning Comprehensive Examination	3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	9 cr.
	Summer Term: First Year
	HRS 2359	Factors Extrinsic to the Nervous System that Effect Function in Patients with Neuromuscular Disorders	3 cr.
	HRS 2369	Readings/Seminar Comprehensive Examination	2 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	5 cr.
	Fall Term: Second Year
	HRS 2358	Concepts and Principles Related to Sensorimotor Control 2	3 cr.
		Elective (optional)
		Elective	2-3 cr.
	HRS 2375	Case Presentations	2 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	7-8 cr.

Part-time Neuromuscular Focus Plan of Study

	Fall Term: First Year
	HRS 2308	Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Examination	3 cr.
	HRS 2309	Analysis of Neuromuscular Signs and Symptoms in Clinical Decision-Making	3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	6 cr.
	Spring Term: First Year
	HRS 2907	Clinical Investigation	3 cr.
	HRS 2356	Concepts and Principles Related to Sensorimotor Control 1	3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	6 cr.
	Summer Term: First Year
	HRS 2369	Readings/Seminar	2 cr.
		Elective Comprehensive Examination	2-3 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	4-5 cr.
	Fall Term: Second Year
	HRS 2311	Advanced Topics in Neuroanatomy Comprehensive Examination	3 cr.
	Spring Term: Second Year
	HRS 2357	Theories of Motor Control and Motor Learning Comprehensive Examination	3 cr.
	Summer Term: Second Year
	HRS 2359	Factors Extrinsic to the Nervous System that Effect Function in Patients with Neuromuscular Disorders	3 cr.
	Fall Term: Third Year
	HRS 2358	Concepts and Principles Related to Sensorimotor Control 2	3 cr.
	HRS 2375	Case Presentations	2 cr.
			------
		TOTAL	5 cr.