The Pre-Occupational Therapy Track allows the student to earn a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy while at the same time meeting the requirements for admission into the Master of Occupational Therapy at the Medical College of Ohio. The student will be able to sit for both national examinations and upon passage, have both a Certification in Therapeutic Recreation and a Registration in Occupational Therapy.
In many ways, a Recreational Therapy background is the best preparation into a Master of Occupational Therapy program. Recreational Therapy training exposes the student to experiences in physical rehabilitation, psychiatric rehabilitation, pediatric services, geriatric rehabilitation and services, and mental retardation and developmental disabilities services. Instruction and skill practice in interventions such as craft therapy, horticulture therapy, pet assisted therapy, play and humor therapy, therapeutic groups, therapeutic riding, fitness and relaxation therapy, leisure education, aquatic therapy, creative arts therapy, assistive technology, therapeutic art, and adventure therapy programming will enhance and augment the education of the future Occupational Therapy student. Finally, assessment practice with the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Ranchos Los Amigos scale, Minimum Data Set (MDS) and various other functional and leisure assessments as well as skill development in progress note and discharge summary documentation will allow the student to acquire competencies which are easily assumed in the practice of Occupational Therapy.