Health Science, B.S., Pre-Occupational Therapy

Guided by the complimentary values of Alvernia University (service, humility, peacemaking, contemplation, and collegiality) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (altruism, equality, freedom, justice, dignity, truth, and prudence), the mission of the Alvernia University Occupational Therapy Department is to develop lifelong learners, well-versed in the foundational and emergent knowledge of the profession. The Occupational Therapy Department seeks to prepare graduates who will be skilled reflective practitioners and who are ethical leaders with moral courage engaged in their communities.

The five-year combined Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929; phone number 301- 652-6611 and web address www.acoteonline.org. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board of Certification for Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the NBCOT exam, the individual becomes an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR®). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification examination. Please note: A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

For current information and updates, please refer to the university webpage for the occupational therapy program.

Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements of the university must be met before applications to the occupational therapy program are considered. Students accepted by the university may apply for entry into the occupational therapy program by meeting the criteria listed below.

Minimum criteria for first-year students:

• Qualified high school graduates admitted to the first year will be able to identify occupational therapy as their field of study.
• Maintenance of an acceptable academic record during the undergraduate phase of the program guarantees the student a place in the professional graduate phase of the program.
• Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and a score of 1080 or better on the Evidenced-based Reading and Writing section and the Math Section of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) of the College Board or a score of 22 on the American College Testing (ACT) examination.
• Observation of occupational therapy in a practice setting is recommended, but not required.

Minimum criteria for transfer students:

• Furnish transcript of college work previously taken. An official transcript of all previous work is required whether a student wants to transfer credits or not. Credit may be given for transfer courses in which the applicant has earned a “C” or higher
• A grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for previous undergraduate work at a regionally accredited 2 or 4-year college.
• Submit two letters of reference from academic or workplace contacts.

Please note: If seats are available, transfers are accepted at the first year, sophomore, and junior level only.

Progression Requirements

• A cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Achievement of “C” or higher in all undergraduate OT courses and related required courses and a grade of “P” in OT Fieldwork Practicum courses (OT 600 and OT 630).
• Any student not earning a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of any semester will be placed on academic probation within the OT program. Any student on OT program academic probation for more than two consecutive semesters will be dismissed from the program. Review of the GPA occurs twice a year at the end of the fall and spring academic semesters.
• The repeat/delete option may be used three times total for grades below a “C” or an “F” in a pass/fail course in all OT courses/practicums and related required courses. This repeat/delete option can be used only one time for any one course. If the second attempt does not result in a grade of “C” or higher or “P” in FW II, the student will be dismissed from the program.
• Achievement of a 3.0 GPA is required for entrance into Level II Fieldwork.
• Any student who fails a Level II FW Practicum course may repeat the course one time only (this is included in the three-course maximum). The course must be repeated at its next offering. The AFWC will schedule the FW experience. The student must contact the AFWC within two weeks following written notification from the OT program of the failure in order to begin the development of an action plan and remediation. Please refer to the Alvernia University OT Student Handbook for full details of requirements and expectations.
• Any time during FW, unsafe or unethical practice or student performance at the level of a failure, as determined by the AFWC and/or the FW supervisor may result in immediate removal from the FW site and a grade of “F.”
• Criminal background checks, abuse history clearances, health and immunization records, and negative drug screens are required for placement at a level I and II fieldwork sites.
• For students in the 5-year BSHS & MSOT track, academic honors will be awarded according to the cumulative GPA at the end of the semester prior to the start of the first Level II Fieldwork.

Advancement to the graduate phase:

Alvernia University students in the five-year BSHS to MSOT track who have successfully completed the undergraduate phase of the program including successful completion of Level II fieldwork may transition directly into the graduate phase of the program.

• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate work.
• Achieved a final grade of “C” or better in all occupational therapy, prerequisite, and related required courses.
• Completion of all foundational OT core requirements and related requirements.
• Completion of all undergraduate general education requirements.
• Successful completion of all Level I fieldwork and related seminar courses.
• Completion of the Senior Capstone requirement and seminar course.

Retention in the Graduate phase of the Occupational Therapy Program is dependent upon:

• Achievement of final grade of “B” or better in all Occupational Therapy graduate courses.
• Upon completion of five graduate courses, students with full graduate status must achieve and thereafter maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher to be retained in the program. Review of the GPA occurs twice a year at the end of the fall and spring academic semesters.
• Students in the BSHS and MSOT degree program are permitted to utilize the repeat/delete option twice in total for all graduate courses taken at Alvernia University, but only one time for any individual course (COR or OT).
• All graduate course work must be completed within 36 months of starting the graduate phase of the occupational therapy program.

Combined Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy