Academic Catalog 2024-2025

OCC - Occupational Therapy

OCC 6000  Introduction to Occupational Therapy  (3 Units)  

This course examines the historical development of occupational therapy, including philosophical, social, political, economic, and medical influences on clinical practice. Current practice settings, the role of the occupational therapist, professional standards, OT process, OT theories, and OT models of practice are included in this course.

Letter grade.  
OCC 6002  Professionalism in Occupational Therapy Seminar I  (1 Unit)  

This course will promote the development of self-awareness of personal strengths, areas of growth, and behaviors needed to become an effective clinician. Emphasis will be on personal and professional development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical practice. Students will explore the PLNU Occupational Therapy program curriculum design and develop a plan for personal success and growth in the program.

Letter grade.  
Successful completion of this course is necessary to progress to OCC 6031.  
OCC 6003  Evidence-Based Practice  (3 Units)  

This course will enable students to practice the judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients and clients. Students will learn to integrate the best external evidence with their clinical expertise and patient concerns to ask a focused question to satisfy the health needs of a specific patient; find the best evidence by searching the literature; critically appraise the literature; apply the results in clinical practice; and evaluate the outcomes in patients. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to engage with other healthcare disciplines through guided discussions.

Letter grade.  
Successful completion of this course is necessary to progress to OCC 6010.  
OCC 6004  Health and Equity Disparities  (1 Unit)  

This course examines the theoretical frameworks explaining health disparities across various populations, with a focus on social determinants of health. Students will explore a diverse set of policies and practices that promote health equity, including those that address privilege and power, encourage capacity building, and facilitate community engagement. Bridging macro and micro approaches to health, this course aims to cultivate health professionals who practice empathy.

Letter grade.  
OCC 6005  Community Practice Seminar I  (1 Unit)  

This course will build upon the health equity course by allowing students to engage with other healthcare providers and clients in local community settings. The focus of this course is to enhance student awareness and appreciation of individual, group, and population socioeconomic, political, personal, and environmental factors, which limit access to traditional healthcare services.

Letter grade.  
Successful completion of this course is necessary to progress to OCC 6025.  
OCC 6006  Case-Based Learning Seminar I  (0 Units)  

This is the first of five small group courses which utilizes a case-based learning model to promote integration of course knowledge. The course design promotes the development of independent critical reasoning through faculty-led case discussions.

Credit/No Credit.  
Successful completion of this course is necessary to progress to OCC 6012.  
OCC 6007  Human Occupations Across the Lifespan  (3 Units)  

The development of human occupations across the lifespan, their meaning and roles, and the conditions that create barriers to engagement in meaningful occupations are included in this course. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework will serve as a guide to analyzing contexts, performance patterns, performance skills, occupations, and their impact on client's ability to achieve health and well-being.

Letter grade.  
OCC 6008  Applied Human Movement  (2 Units)  

This course provides knowledge and understanding of basic concepts of kinesiology, including normal human movement across the lifespan. Emphasis will be on analyzing movement patterns, balance, upper and lower extremity motor function, and the axial skeleton.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6008L  
OCC 6008L  Applied Human Movement Lab  (1 Unit)  

This course provides experiential learning through analysis of individuals and video case studies of normal movement patterns used during performance of occupations. Students will demonstrate commonly used assessments which analyze upper and lower extremities motor function and balance.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6008  
OCC 6010  Research Methods I  (3 Units)  

This course introduces analyzing data and designing research experiments in occupational therapy. Topics include selected techniques and designs used in research, with special emphasis given to planning, conducting, and reporting of research, and applied statistical analysis and interpretation of data from the field of occupational therapy.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of OCC 6003.  
Successful completion of this course is necessary to progress to OCC 6024.  
OCC 6011  Mental Health Conditions, Assessments, and Interventions  (3 Units)  

In this course, students explore common mental health conditions following the DSM-V and applicable occupational therapy practice frameworks. Emphasis is on the impact of mental health conditions on occupational performance and participation across the lifespan. The role of OT in mental health in traditional and role emerging settings and the impact of reimbursement systems on the provision of services are additional topics covered. Students will learn and apply client-centered occupational therapy assessments,evidenced-based interventions, and principles of documentation which meet reimbursement requirements.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6011L  
OCC 6011L  Mental Health Conditions, Assessments, and Interventions Lab  (1 Unit)  

Students will apply knowledge gained in OCC 6011 to the administration of standardized assessments, development of initial evaluations and treatment plans, and analysis of occupational performance for individuals with mental health disorders.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6011  
OCC 6012  Case-Based Learning Seminar II  (0 Units)  

This is the second of five case-based learning seminars designed to promote clinical reasoning and integration of material learned to date by using case studies within a group setting.

Credit/No Credit.  
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of OCC 6006.  
Successful completion of this course is necessary to progress to OCC 6015.  
OCC 6013  Level I Fieldwork A - Mental Health Conditions  (1 Unit)  

This is the first of three Level I Fieldwork experiences focusing on the role of OT for persons and populations with mental health conditions in underserved community settings. Students will develop therapeutic use of self, communication abilities, observational skills, and awareness of how contextual factors influence the provision of healthcare services.

Letter grade.  
Successful completion of this course is necessary to progress to OCC 6023.  
OCC 6014  Group Process  (1 Unit)  

The focus of this course is on the understanding and application of group process and dynamics in clinical practice for clients across the lifespan. Emphasis is on the understanding of the unique role of occupational therapy in providing occupation-based group interventions.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6014L  
OCC 6014L  Group Process Lab  (1 Unit)  

This course promotes the use of group processes in occupational therapy practice by applying principles and dynamics to the development and implementation of occupation-based groups.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6014  
OCC 6015  Case-Based Learning Seminar III  (0 Units)  

This small group, case-based learning course is the second of four synthesis courses. Content will focus on promoting greater ability to engage in critical reasoning, and link between client, environmental, and social factors, which influence occupational engagement and performance.

Credit/No Credit.  
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of OCC 6012.  
Successful completion of this course is necessary to progress to OCC 6022.  
OCC 6016  Healthcare Systems and Professional Documentation  (3 Units)  

This course will explore reimbursement systems, including local, state, and federal governmental agencies and private insurers' influence on payment and access to OT services. Students will gain familiarity with electronic medical record systems and develop skills to document effectively to ensure reimbursement and prevent the needs for engaging in the appeal process.

Letter grade.  
OCC 6017  Interprofessional Seminar  (0 Units)  

Students will engage in a collaborative learning experience with other disciplines through case-based learning. Emphasis will be on understanding the roles and responsibilities of team members and analyzing cases using a holistic framework.

Credit/No Credit.  
OCC 6018  Assistive Technology  (2 Units)  

Low- and high-tech adaptations for persons, tasks, environments, and/or contexts to promote optimal health and occupational performance are the focus of this course. Students will also learn about the use of physical agent modalities, orthotic interventions, wheelchair seating and positioning, low- and high-tech adaptive equipment, and 3-D printing to promote health and wellness across the lifespan.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6018L  
OCC 6018L  Assistive Technology Lab  (1 Unit)  

In this course, students will apply knowledge gained in OCC 6018 to promote competence in use of adaptive equipment, modalities, orthotics, 3D printing, wheelchair seating and positioning, and low- and high-tech equipment to promote health and wellness in clients.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6018  
OCC 6019  Patient Skills Management  (1 Unit)  

This lecture course will prepare students to gain patient care skills needed to provide safe and effective treatment in medical settings. Students will learn safety measures in the management of clients with physical disabilities, common client deficits seen in medical settings, and the role of OT in the treatment of medically ill patients.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6019L  
OCC 6019L  Patient Skills Management Lab  (1 Unit)  

Students will apply concepts learned in OCC 6019 to manage clients safely in medical settings by demonstrating competency in the assessment of vital signs, functional mobility, management of acute care equipment, and adherence to infection control standards. Students will analyze clients through video and written case studies, and then apply knowledge gained to the creation of evaluations and treatment plans.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6019  
OCC 6020  Childhood Conditions, Assessments, and Interventions  (3 Units)  

Course content includes typical and atypical physical, cognitive, and social development conditions seen in infants and young children. Developmental theories and early-intervention models of service, occupational therapy process and treatment settings for children and families, form the foundation of this course. Assessments and treatment interventions will focus on providing culturally sensitive and family focused care for children with disabilities.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6020L  
OCC 6020L  Childhood Conditions, Assessments, and Interventions Lab  (2 Units)  

In this course, students will apply knowledge gained in OCC 6020 by observing typical child development, analyzing children with atypical development, and practicing the administration of assessments and interventions. Students will also develop documentations and treatment plans which meet insurance requirements based on client observations, written evaluations, and video case studies.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6020  
OCC 6021  Adolescent Conditions, Assessments, and Interventions  (2 Units)  

This course focuses on conditions affecting adolescents, common treatment settings, and the occupational therapy process for assessment and intervention for adolescents and families. Students will learn common assessments, treatment focusing on the mental health needs of this population, strategies to promote health and wellness, and services for assisting students in transitioning to adulthood.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6021L  
OCC 6021L  Adolescent Conditions, Assessments, and Interventions Lab  (1 Unit)  

Students will apply concepts learned in OCC 6021 to create documentation which meets reimbursement requirements, demonstrate relevant assessments for this population, and develop age and culturally appropriate interventions based on video and written case studies.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6021  
OCC 6022  Case-Based Learning Seminar IV  (0 Units)  

This small group, case-based course, is the fourth of five synthesis courses. Students will apply knowledge of the clinical reasoning process to course content taught to date. The overarching focus is to develop clinical reasoning skills, which include an understanding of the links between occupational performance, disease/disability, health/wellness, and the systems in which individuals' function.

Credit/No Credit.  
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of OCC 6015.  
Successful completion of this course is necessary to progress to OCC 6025.  
OCC 6023  Level I Fieldwork B - Pediatric/Adolescent  (1 Unit)  

This is the second of three Level I Fieldwork experiences focusing on client interactions to develop observational and clinical reasoning skills, therapeutic use of self, communication abilities and understanding of the OT process for children and /or adolescents. Students will analyze the effects of developmental dysfunction on the lives of children or adolescents, perform developmental screenings, and develop and implement group interventions.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of OCC 6013.  
Successful completion of this course is necessary to progress to OCC 6030.  
OCC 6024  Research Methods II  (2 Units)  

In small groups, students will apply knowledge gained from two prior research courses to conduct an evidenced-based review of the literature, apply knowledge of how to conduct a needs analysis during a concurrent Community Practice Seminar-2 course, learn about grant funding, and develop a proposal for OT services which focus on health and wellness for underserved populations. Students will engage with community partners throughout the term and present their findings to the community site at the end of the term.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of OCC 6010.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6025  
OCC 6025  Community Practice Seminar II  (2 Units)  

This course is the second of two experiences with underserved clients, patients, groups, and populations in the community clinic. Students will conduct a needs assessment, develop, and implement a clinical program to promote health and wellness with individual clients, groups, and/or populations for persons with acute or chronic medical conditions, to enhance engagement in occupations.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of OCC 6005 and OCC 6022.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6024  
OCC 6026  Orthopedic Adult - Older Adult Conditions, Assessments, and Interventions  (3 Units)  

This course focuses on common upper and lower extremity orthopedic conditions, which affect adults and older adults. Systems and processes for adults and older adults, which facilitate and limit occupational therapy services, will be considered. The role of occupational therapy in typical and emerging practice settings will be explored. Principles of occupation-based assessment will be emphasized.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6026L  
OCC 6026L  Orthopedic Adult - Older Adult Conditions, Assessments, and Interventions Lab  (2 Units)  

This course will apply knowledge gathered in OCC 6026, focusing on administration and interpretation of assessments, use of adaptive equipment for people with orthopedic conditions, practice in writing documentation which meets insurance requirements, and the provision of occupation-based treatment. Students will be required to engage in a client simulation and demonstrate competency in the occupational therapy process.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6026  
OCC 6027  Neurologic Adult - Older Adult Conditions, Assessments, and Interventions  (3 Units)  

The focus of this course is on common central nervous system (CNS) conditions influencing adults and older adults, degenerative and acquired CNS disorders. Course content includes an analysis and assessment of how motoric, cognitive and perceptual dysfunction impact occupational engagement. Students will learn assessments and interventions which are occupation and evidence-based. Documentation principles which meet insurance requirements will be emphasized.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of ANA 6009.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6027L  
OCC 6027L  Neurologic Adult - Older Adult Conditions, Assessments, and Interventions Lab  (2 Units)  

This course will apply knowledge gained from OCC 6027 through experiential hands-on practice in administration of assessments and treatment which are occupation-based for clients with neurological conditions. Students will perform initial evaluations and create documentation and treatment plans based on insurance requirements in a client simulation and demonstrate competency in the occupational therapy process.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): OCC 6027  
OCC 6028  Management in Occupational Therapy  (3 Units)  

This course introduces the skills and knowledge needed to provide ethical and legal client care and skills needed to become a supervisor, manager, and/or leader in the occupational therapy profession. Topics include principles of intra and interdisciplinary collaboration, ethics, utilization of fiscal resources, compliance, human resources, marketing, continuous quality improvement, consultative and private practice. Students will build upon program development concepts gained in the community practice course for application of course content.

Letter grade.  
OCC 6029  Case-Based Learning Seminar V  (0 Units)  

This is the final of five small group, case-based learning seminars, focusing on students' ability to independently engage in clinical reasoning, and promote integration of concepts learned to prepare students for success in Level II Fieldwork.

Credit/No Credit.  
OCC 6030  Level I Fieldwork C - Adult/Older Adult  (1 Unit)  

This course is the third of three Level I fieldwork settings to promote clinical reasoning, professional behaviors and application of knowledge of adult and/or older adult conditions to the assessment and treatment of adults and/or older adults.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of OCC 6023.  
Successful completion of this course is necessary to progress to OCC 6032.  
OCC 6031  Professionalism in Occupational Therapy Seminar II  (1 Unit)  

This course prepares students for Level II Fieldwork experiences through case-based scenarios involving potential ethical and professional issues. Students will engage in reflective activities to identify areas of personal growth needed prior to the start of their first Level II Fieldwork experience.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of OCC 6002.  
Successful completion of this course is necessary to progress to OCC 6034.  
OCC 6032  Level II Fieldwork A  (6 Units)  

This is the first of two, 12-week, Level II fieldwork courses, focusing on the integration of all coursework. The goal of this experience is for students to demonstrate entry-level competency to practice in this type of clinical setting by the end of this experience.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of OCC 6030.  
Successful completion of this course is necessary to progress to OCC 6033.  
OCC 6033  Level II Fieldwork B  (6 Units)  

This is the second of two-Level II fieldwork courses. The emphasis of this course is on the integration of all didactic and clinical coursework to date. By the end of this second Level II Fieldwork, students will demonstrate entry-level competency to practice as an OT in any clinical setting. Students must complete this second, Level II Fieldwork experience within 18 months of finishing their didactic coursework.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of OCC 6032.  
OCC 6034  Professionalism in Occupational Therapy Seminar III  (0 Units)  

This is the third of three professional seminar courses. The focus of this course is to prepare students for success in passing the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. Students will also learn strategies to obtain desired employment as an occupational therapist after passing the NBCOT exam.

Credit/No Credit.  
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of OCC 6031.