Occupational Therapy (OTP)

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3180 William S. White Building

810 237-6503

Fax:  810 237-6532

https://www.umflint.edu/shps  

Provides link to: https://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/occupational-therapy  

Director: Nancy Vandewiele Milligan PhD, OTRL, FAOTA, FMiOTA

Department Mission and Assessment

The faculty and staff of Occupational Therapy Department at the University of Michigan-Flint strive to be recognized dedicated leaders, scholars, and practitioners who are committed to learning, teaching, scholarship and service to educate and mentor culturally competent, doctoral prepared evidence-based practitioners to be visionaries and leaders in the profession of Occupational Therapy in local and global communities.

The Occupational Therapy Department actively participates in annual assessment of its program to facilitate excellence in education. Faculty make curriculum and program changes based on these assessments. The Department also participates in university wide assessment efforts for the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Accreditation.  Information on assessment plans, including goals methods and outcomes is available at:

http://www.umflint.edu/assessment/SchoolofHealthProfessionsandStudies.htm

Academic Regulations and Procedures

Students are expected to maintain satisfactory performance in their academic courses, clinical experiences and fieldwork and uphold professional/ethical conduct. While enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Program, the student is subject to the policies and procedures of the program regarding academic standards and professional conduct. Because the student is enrolled in the School of Health Professions and Studies (SHPS), the student is also subject to the policies and procedures of the SHPS. All regulations of the University of Michigan -Flint also apply to students in the Occupational Therapy Department of the SHPS. Students should make note of these regulations, which appear in other sections of this catalog.  Specific rules and regulations adopted by the faculty of the Occupational Therapy Department are presented in the sections that follow.

Grading System

Refer to the Graduate Study section for the grading scale.  The report of an I (incomplete) grade may be made by the instructor if the student is unable to meet the course requirements within the specified timeframe with documentation of proof of an extended illness or family crisis. An I grade may be made up while a student is not currently enrolled and must be made up by the end of the second week of the next semester in which the student is enrolled.  If, for sufficient documented reason, a student cannot remove the incomplete within the two-week period, an extension request form must be approved by both the course instructor and the Department Director and forwarded to the Office of the Registrar. Failure to either make up the grade within the allotted time or have an extension approved will result in an automatic change of grade from an “I” to an “E”. Grades once reported (with the exception of an I grade) may be changed only to correct a demonstrable error.

Credit without Grade (Pass/Fail)

The pass/ fail option only applies to specific courses so designated in the course schedule by the individual SHPS departments.  Courses elected for credit without grade are not included in the calculation of the grade point average.

Changes in Course Elections (Drop/Add)

Changes in course elections include dropping and adding courses.  It is the student’s responsibility to adhere to the published deadlines for dropping and/or adding a course. Granting withdrawal from the Occupational Therapy Department is the prerogative of the Occupational Therapy Department faculty.

Academic Standing

The faculty of the Occupational Therapy Department, acting on behalf of the University, has the responsibility of defining academic standards. The faculty reserves the right to remove any student whose academic standing is regarded as unsatisfactory. To maintain satisfactory academic standing, a student must have a minimum cumulative graduate grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4 - point scale) for all graduate courses taken for credit and applied toward the degree of Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD). In accordance with the Academic Progression Policy and Procedure, academic records of all students are reviewed by the Occupational Therapy Department administrative staff at the end of each semester. Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below a B (3.0 on a 4 - point scale) in a given semester is reviewed by the program Director. A written notice of academic probationary status is given to the student. The complete policy can be found in the Occupational Therapy Program Student Handbook.

Appeals Procedure

Students admitted to the Occupational Therapy program agree to follow the established policies and procedures which govern academic performance, clinical fieldwork competency, and ethical standards for the profession (AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics). Appeal procedures are outlined in the Occupational Therapy Program Student Handbook. For issues or complaints involving a faculty member, the appeal procedure should be initiated after consultation with the faculty member whenever possible.

For issues or complaints of discrimination or sexual harassment, the student should consult with the University Human Resources or the Dean of the SHPS. Formal complaints must be filed with the University Human Resources.

English Proficiency Requirements for the Occupational Therapy Program

For applicants whose native language is not English and/ or received their baccalaureate degree in another country other than the United States, English Speaking Provinces of Canada, Australia or United Kingdom, evidence of English proficiency must be provided through one of the methods listed below in item #1.  This requirement applies even to those applicants who are currently U.S. citizens or permanent residents regardless of how long they have resided in the U.S.*

#1. Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System(IELTS)test, the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), or the Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English(ECPE). Scores must be no more than two (2) years old.  The table below indicates the minimum acceptable scores for admission, as well as the score ranges for which a supplemental English writing course will be required upon admission to the program.

All candidates whose native language is not English must also provide the items below as appropriate.

#2. Provide an official transcript showing a degree earned at an accredited U.S., Canadian (English-speaking), Australian, or U.K. college or university.  Or successful completion (“C” or higher) of ENG 111 or ENG 112, or its equivalent.

*U.S. citizens and permanent residents who wish to have this requirement waived, may do so by making their case to the Director of Occupational Therapy program.  The OT director must in turn, take the case to the Dean of Graduate Programs.  Sufficient evidence of the requisite of English proficiency must be provided.

Accreditation

The entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program is applying for candidacy status for accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449; telephone: (301) 652-2682; email accred@aota.org; website: http://www.aota.org

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