B.S. Degree: Occupational Studies

Below is a sample academic plan that shows you how you can complete your Bachelor's degree in two years and lists ONLY the course requirements specific to this Bachelor's Degree Program. Your path may vary based on your individual circumstances?for example, how many credits you have previously earned, if you attend part-time, or if you choose to take Intersession or Summer Session courses. You are required to meet with a counselor to set up a comprehensive education plan and ensure that you meet all Bachelor's degree requirements.

*Students enrolled in a SAC Bachelor's degree program must first earn an Associate's degree in a related field and must be accepted into the Bachelor's degree program.

The baccalaureate degree in Occupational Studies will create a more highly skilled occupational therapy assistant (OTA) who is better able to understand and utilize research-based evidence for best practice and take on a leadership role. As an additional benefit, it will prepare an OTA for entry into an Occupational Therapy (OT) Master’s degree program. The upper division course work will provide more in-depth training in specific areas of OT practice, including neurologic rehabilitation, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, pediatrics, geriatrics, and key practice areas identified by the American Occupational Therapy Association.  These courses, together with a capstone project, will also provide increased opportunities for critical analysis, research methods, and clinical reasoning. To complete the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies, students must complete: (1) complete all upper division major   course requirements with a grade of “C” or better or Pass ("P"); (2) complete the Cal-GETC lower division general education pattern; the CSU-GE Breadth pattern or IGETC pattern may be used in some cases, please see a counselor for details; OR complete the Santa Ana College Associate Degree General Education (GE) Requirements (Plan 1) with coursework completed from Plan 1 to total a minimum of 27 semester units (note that Plan 1 consists of a minimum of 24 units so additional Plan 1 coursework may be needed to reach 27 units). 

Prerequisite:

Associate Degree from an ACOTE  accredited OTA program and OTA Certification/License or OTA NBCOT exam eligibility

Students will demonstrate advanced mastery of occupational therapy assistant (OTA) clinical skills, including clinical reasoning, that follow the guidelines established in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process.

Students will relate theory and research to clinical practice areas.

Students will participate in advocacy for clients in clinical and community settings.

Students will provide OTA services that meet the community needs of diverse populations demonstrating sensitivity and empathy.

Program Map

GE General Education Course
M Major Course
E Elective Course
SI Summer/Intersession Course *
* Course is appropriate for Summer and Intersession, which are accelerated terms.

Getting Started

Comprehensive Education Plan: You are required to meet with a counselor for a comprehensive educational plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor in your first semester.

First Semester

14 units
OS 301
Therapeutic Approaches to the Older Adult
This course will build upon the developmental concepts of aging to examine quality of life in older adulthood. The focus of this course will be on evaluating older adults from an occupational perspective and analyzing the skills needed to maintain independence and to successfully participate in meaningful activities throughout the older years.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Occupational Studies program.
OS 304
Movement Theory & Analysis
Movement is a significant aspect of occupational performance. This course will focus on current theories of motor control and motor learning with an emphasis of how these theories can be applied to provide evidence-based practice to people with motor dysfunction.
  • Prerequisite: Limitation on Enrollment: Student must be admitted to the Occupational Studies program.
PHYS 109
Survey of General Physics
A conceptual study of important phenomena in physics. Topics include mechanics, fluids, thermodynamics, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics.
  • Prerequisite: Intermediate algebra or equivalent, or a qualifying profile based on multiple measures
Plan 1: 5. Natural Sciences
Plan 2: 5A. Physical Science
Plan 2: 5C. Laboratory
STAT C1000 or PSYC 210
This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. Formerly: MATH 219 - Statistics and Probability.
This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. This course has embedded support. Formerly: Math 219S - Statistics and Probability with Support.
This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. This is an honors course. Formerly: Math 219H - Honors Statistics and Probability.
Introduces psychology and behavioral science majors to descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Knowledge of these methods is essential to the understanding, interpretation, and performance of scientific research. Topics covered include probability theory, hypothesis testing, correlation, analysis of variance, the graphical representation of data, basic research design, and the use of computer software to perform statistical analyses.

Second Semester

13 units
OS 312
Advanced Practice Areas in Occupational Therapy (OT)
This course will provide a study of the advanced practice areas in occupational therapy. Advance practice areas in occupational therapy include: physical agent modalities (PAMs), hand therapy and feeding and swallowing. This class will focus on the theory and application of PAMs for the use in occupational therapy; the fundamentals of hand therapy including treatment guidelines in occupational therapy; and feeding and swallowing issues with the occupational therapy client.
  • Prerequisite: Limitation on enrollment: Student must be admitted to the Occupational Studies program.
SOC 100
Introduction to Sociology
The scientific study of human societies and behavior focusing on the process of social interaction, patterns of social inequality, and the influence of social institutions on individuals as members of social groups. Special emphasis provided to explain factors promoting social stability and social change.
    Plan 1: 4B. Social Science
    Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
    CMST 307
    Health Communication
    Course is designed to advance knowledge of health communication theory, research and practice while providing solid foundation for understanding importance, value and impact of health communication upon patients, families, caregivers and healthcare team-members.
    • Prerequisite: CMST 101
    • Prerequisite: CMST 101H
    • Prerequisite: COMM C1000
    • Prerequisite: COMM C1000H
    • Prerequisite: CMST 103
    • Prerequisite: CMST 103H
    • Prerequisite: CMST 145
    • Prerequisite: Limitation on Enrollment: Student must be admitted to the Occupational Studies program.
    MATH 319
    Quantitative Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals
    This course will develop skills and tools for understanding and performing quantitative research in healthcare sciences. The focus of the course will be on statistical research methods prevalent in healthcare sciences: including principles of experimental design, appropriate sampling, and running quantitative tests to determine the validity of claims.
    • Prerequisite: STAT C1000
    • Prerequisite: STAT C1000H
    • Prerequisite: STAT C1000E
    • Prerequisite: PSYC 210

    Summer

    2 units
    OS 403
    Leadership for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
    This course will focus on leadership and the types of leadership that relate to the work of the OTA. Topics will include leadership, advocacy, promotion, supervision, fieldwork, ethical considerations, and participation in professional organizations.
    *Summer Course Only
    • Prerequisite: Limitation on enrollment: Student must be admitted to the Occupational Studies program.

    Third Semester

    12 units
    OS 305
    Advanced Pediatric Practice for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
    This course will build upon developmental concepts relative to pediatric Occupational Therapy (OT) practice. The focus of this course will be to examine a variety of settings related to pediatric occupational therapy practice and provide OT treatment to pediatric clients in these settings.
    • Prerequisite: Limitation on enrollment: Student must be admitted to the Occupational Studies program.
    OS 310
    Community-Based Occupational Therapy Practice
    This course will focus on the practice of Occupational Therapy (OT) in community-based settings. This will include an in-depth analysis of the history and growth of OT practice in the community. Students will analyze the role of OT in community settings with a variety of populations and develop a plan for a community based program.
    • Prerequisite: Limitation on enrollment: Student must be admitted to the Occupational Studies program.
    OS 325
    Applying Research to Occupational Therapy Intervention
    The focus on this course is to utilize research in evidence-based practice of occupational therapy. This class will focus on obtaining evidence, evaluating research and utilizing qualitative research.
    • Prerequisite: Limitation on enrollment: Student must be admitted to the Occupational Studies program.
    PHIL 108
    Ethics
    Introduction to key historical and modern theories of philosophical ethics and the application of these theories to ethical issues facing society today. Assists in clarifying our thinking about morality/ethics. Course increases awareness of values in personal and contemporary issues.
      Plan 1: 3B. Humanities
      Plan 2: 3B. Humanities

      Fourth Semester

      13 units
      OS 402
      Neurological Principles in Human Performance
      This course will provide an in-depth study of the neurologic principles used in rehabilitation practice. This will focus on understanding the structures and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems and to the sequelae of injury to these systems. There will be an emphasis on cognitive, visual, and perceptual problems in adults with acquired brain injury. This course will also look at the role of the nervous system in various aspects of human behavior.
      • Prerequisite: Limitation on Enrollment: Student must be admitted to the Occupational Studies program
      OS 410
      Healthcare Systems
      This course will cover the various healthcare systems that influence the practice of occupational therapy. Topics will include economics, types of insurance, healthcare policies, ongoing healthcare reform, and the role of technology. As a part of this course students will complete an independent, in-depth, study of one of the key practice areas in OT as identified by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
      • Prerequisite: Limitation on Enrollment: Student must be admitted to the Occupational Studies program.
      OS 412
      Capstone Seminar
      This Capstone Seminar is designed to demonstrate the student’s accumulated training through the development of a project that reflects theory, advanced knowledge of practice, and innovation. Each student will complete a project that is individually mentored and demonstrates an increased level of self-direction.
      • Prerequisite: Limitation on Enrollment: Student must be admitted to the Occupational Studies program.
      SOC 401
      The Sociology of Health, Illness, and Healing
      This course analyzes the social contexts of health, illness, and organized medical care. It examines empirical research and theory of the changing concepts of health, illness and medical practice in their socio-historical contexts. Topics will include: social epidemiology, the biomedical and social construction of health/illness, the experience of illness, the historical transformation of the health professions and the health work force, disparities in health care, medical technology, global comparisons of health care and health care reform.
      • Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Occupational Studies program.
      • Prerequisite: SOC 100
      • Prerequisite: SOC 100H