Health Science/Pre-Occupational Therapy (BS/MS)
Dominican University of California offers a five year program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Health Science and the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. Students may enter the program at the freshman, sophomore, or junior transfer level. Students complete general education and occupational therapy prerequisites during their freshman and sophomore years, and then enter a three-year course of study in occupational therapy. Undergraduates are co-enrolled in classes with entry-level master’s students, and complete all requirements for the Master of Science degree in five years.
Occupational Therapy Overview
Occupational therapists are licensed health professionals who help people of all ages, with and without disabilities, to 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 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 scientific 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 intrarpersonal aspects of meaning, motivation, emotions, and relationships influence occupational behavior in all humans. Disruptions to normal occupational patterns elicit 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 inclusion for persons with and without disabilities.
