Occupational Therapy is a profession whose focus is on enabling a person or a group of persons to access and participate in activities that are meaningful, purposeful, and relevant to their lives, roles, and sense of well-being. It helps people to be productive and to have satisfying lives. Occupational therapists consider occupation to be everything people do to occupy themselves, including taking care and supporting themselves and others, work, education, play, enjoying life (leisure) and social participation with family, friends, and colleagues and in the community in general. Occupational Therapy focuses on improving performance, preventing illness and disability, and promoting adaptation to life changes. Occupational therapists assess, utilize, and adapt everyday activities to improve function, enhance performance, promote health, prevent illness, and increase independence in those persons to whom they provide services. Occupational therapists examine not only the physical effects of an injury or disease, but also address the psycho-social, community and environmental factors that influence function.
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is the first and the only entry-level professional program in Occupational Therapy in Puerto Rico that prepares occupational therapists at the master level. Graduates with baccalaureate degrees in disciplines other than Occupational Therapy can become occupational therapists through this program.
Occupational therapists work in a range of settings including: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient centers, mental health centers, schools, pediatric clinics, community centers, workplaces, skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, home health and in private practice. They provide services in all areas of occupation in which people engage in their everyday activities.
Curriculum
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| Courses* | Credits |
| Second Year English | 6 |
| Sociology or Anthropology | 3 |
| Human Growth and Development (PSYC 3025 or EDFU 3001-3002)** | 3-6 |
| Human Biology (BIOL 3711-3712) | 6 |
| Statistics (MATE 3026)*** | 3 |
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* Most of these courses have pre-requisites. For example, Human Biology requires approval of General Biology; first year English for the second year course and Introduction to Social Sciences (CISO 3121-3122) for the advanced social sciences courses in Sociology, Anthropology and Psychology. In addition, the introductory psychology course (PSYC 3005) is required for registering PSYC 3025.
** Must include the complete human life cycle.
*** Statistics courses can be from other Colleges, for example the Colleges of Social Sciences or Business Administration.
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Candidates for admission for the entry-level master in Occupational Therapy must possess a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than Occupational Therapy from an accredited university.
Requirements
- A specific grade point average of 2.5 in the pre-requisite courses.
- A general grade point average of 2.8 in the baccalaureate degree.
- A score of 500 or above on the Examen de Admisión a Estudios de Posgrado (EXADEP).
- Basic computer skills is highly recommended.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate, students must meet the following requirements:
Complete all the requirements of the didactic (67 credits) and the fieldwork component (16 credits) of the curriculum with a minimum GPA of 2.8, within a maximum period of 4.5 years after registration as first year OT student.
Demonstrate professional behaviors considered acceptable by faculty and fieldwork supervisors and in accordance with regulations of the Medical Sciences Campus and the Occupational Therapy Program.
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Medical Center Complex
College of Health Related Professions Main Building, 2nd Floor,
Office #203
Monacillo Area, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
Telephones Director – 758-2525 ext. 4210
Secretary – 758-2525 ext. 4200, 4203
Fax – 282-8174
E-Mail: dyhalmairizarry@cprs.rcm.upr.edu
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