Occupational Therapy
Robb D. VanPutte, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology;
rdvanput@mckendree.edu; (618)-537-6930; Voigt Science Hall 223A
Occupational therapy is an applied social and biological science dedicated to assisting
people in developing skills and attitudes to adapt to disabilities so that their lives become
more productive and meaningful. McKendree College is affiliated with the Program in
Occupational Therapy, Washington University school of Medicine, and offers students
the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with a major in
Occupational Therapy from McKendree College, and a Masters of Science in
Occupational Therapy from Washington University. The student completes three years
at McKendree College, and transfers to Washington University for two years of work in
Occupational Therapy. Admission to the Program in Occupational Therapy is competitive,
and students pursuing this degree program should work with their McKendree
adviser to plan an alternative major in case they are unsuccessful in obtaining admission
to Washington University (*see suggested additional courses that students electing to
major in either Biology or Psychology should complete during their first three years).
Students applying to the Washington University Program in Occupational Therapy
must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and must complete at least 30
hours of volunteer time in an occupational therapy practice setting. Proficiency in medical
terminology and computers is also required. Applicants must have CPR certification
when they apply, which may be obtained by enrolling in PED 206 (First Aid) or in
a certified Red Cross CPR program. Transfer students to McKendree College must
complete at least 45 credit hours at McKendree before being admitted to the Program
in Occupational Therapy. The application deadline for admission to the Washington
University Program in Occupational Therapy in the fall semester is February 15.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MAJOR REQUIREMENTS 49-51 crs.
BIO 110 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I (4)
BIO 307 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (5)
BIO ELECTIVE (3-5)
(200-level or higher, BIO 211, 303, 311,
313, 370, 410, 420 recommended)
CHE 105 COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I (5)
MTH 310 STATISTICS (4)
PSY 153 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (4)
PSY 259 CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY (4)
PSY 315 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY (4)
PSY 302 ADULT DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
SOC 149 INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (3)
or
SOC 150 PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY (3)
PSI 101 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT – NATIONAL (3)
or
ECO 211 PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (3)
PHI 206 INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS (3)
or
PHI 332 ETHICS (3)
or
PHI 391 BIOMEDICAL ETHICS (3)
Successfully complete (and transfer) 32 credit hours in Occupational Therapy coursework
at Washington University. Students must have completed the McKendree College
core curriculum requirements and at least 96 credit hours prior to entering the
Washington University Program in Occupational Therapy.
* Students planning to major in Biology if they do not enter the Washington University
Program in Occupational Therapy should also complete BIO 111 and CHE 106 and
either BIO 303 or BIO 313 during their first three years, while students planning to
major in Psychology should complete PSY 450 and PSY 460.
C o u r s e s o f S t u d y • OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 163