The occupational therapist is the health care professional with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide rehabilitative, habilitative, and prevention services across the lifespan. These services are provided for individuals who are at risk of injury or illness, or who are limited in their capacity to address daily life demands due to impairment in their physical, social, cognitive, or emotional functioning. These limitations may be due to developmental, physical or emotional problems, illness, or trauma. The primary objective of the occupational therapist is to assist the individual in reaching a maximum level of independent functioning in daily life task related to play/leisure, self-care and work.

Occupational therapist provide services in a variety of settings, both traditional an nontraditional. These include but are not limited to, hospitals, private and public clinic, rehabilitation centers, mental health centers, school programs, drug and alcohol addiction centers, and home health centers.

The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Program consist of four (4) academic years, one of which is spent at an accredited institution of higher education taking introductory courses, and three professional years at the Medical Sciences Campus, for a total of 140 semester credits. Upon successful completion of all graduation requirements, the student receives a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy degree.

The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P. O. 31220, Bethesda, MS 20824-1220. AOTA’s phone number is (301) 652-AOTA. Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national certification examination of 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 Therapists, Registered (OTR). Most states required licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. The students of the Program must complete Level II within 24 months following completion of academic preparation.

Students must complete a minimum of 34 credits during their first year of studies. The total number of credits for the first year may vary according to he requirements of each campus. Specific admission criteria include: completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade point average of 2.60 and a specific grade point average of 2.40 in general Biology, English, and Mathematics. For specific courses within each field, please contact the program.

Required Courses

English                   6 Semester Credit-Hours

Spanish                   6 Semester Credit-Hours

Humanities                6 Semester Credit-Hours

General Biological        6 Semester Credit-Hours

Mathematics*              4 Semester Credit-Hours

Sociology                 3 Semester Credit-Hours

Electives                 6 Semester Credit-Hours

Total                    34 Semester Credit-Hours

(* including Algebra and Trigonometry)

• Interview with the faculty.

• Fluency in Spanish and knowledge and comprehension of English

In order to graduate, students must meet the following requirements:

• Pass all professional Occupational Therapy courses with al least a C grade.

• Successfully complete a six-month fieldwork requirement.

• Maintain a grade point average of at least 2.00 and complete the 140 credit program.

Medical Center Complex
Monacillo Area, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico

• College of Health Related Professions Main Building, 2^nd Floor, Office # 203

Director - 758-2525 ext. 4210
Secretary - 758-2525, ext. 4200, 4203
Fax - 282-8174

For additional information about the program, mail to Occupational Therapy Program