Gwynedd Mercy University
AY2022-2023 Undergraduate Academic Catalog
Students must maintain health insurance coverage for the duration of the MLS Program .
OCCUPATIONAL SCIENCE
Program Name : Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Science Degree : Bachelor of Health Science Program Type : Term Program Modality : On Ground ( The didactic portion of the Occupational Science program is delivered on- ground .) Program Director / Coordinator : Thomas Mernar
The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy offers a 5 ¼ year dual degree program in Occupational Science ( BHS ) and Occupational Therapy ( MSOT ).
Accreditation , Certification , and Credentialing Requirements : The Bachelor of Health Science ( BHS ) in Occupational Science Program is a dual degree program with the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy ( MSOT ) Program . The entry-level occupational therapy master ’ s degree program is 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 . ACOTE ’ s telephone number c / o AOTA is ( 301 ) 652-AOTA and its Web address is
www . acoteonline . org .
Type : Term ( The Occupational Science program is a term degree program with course offerings in the summer , fall , and spring . The one summer term of the students ’ senior year is eight weeks in duration and does not align with the summer I or summer II schedules outlined by the university .)
Program Description : During the first three years of the Occupational Science Program , students will take three years of pre-professional courses in liberal arts , health science , and occupational science . Students who qualify for entry into the professional phase of the Occupational Therapy Master ’ s Program ( see Academic Progression into Occupational Therapy Master ’ s Program below ) will take 3 terms of occupational therapy courses to complete 126 undergraduate credits and earn a BHS in Occupational Science ( see BHS in Occupational Science Graduation Requirements below ). Students will continue to take 38 graduate credits in occupational therapy courses and earn a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy if graduation requirements are met ( see Time to Completion of Occupational Therapy Program in the Graduate Catalog ). In summary , the entire dual degree program in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy can be completed in 12 academic terms with 126 undergraduate credits and 37 graduate credits . Occupational Science majors will have an undergraduate advisor .
Minor in Psychology : Occupational Science students completing all required Psychology courses may be eligible to apply for and earn a minor in Psychology .
Preparation for Professional Licensure : Graduates of the dual degree program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy ( NBCOT ®). After successful completion of this exam , the individual will be an Occupational Therapist , Registered ( OTR ). In addition , all states require licensure to practice ;
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