Occupational Studies

Our mission is to develop caring, collaborative scholars through a dynamic, student-centered, occupation-focused educational program.

Vision

Our vision is to address society's occupational needs by fostering excellence in health, wellness, and occupational studies through teaching, scholarship, and service.

The Occupational Studies program gives students a broad education that will prepare them for a variety of career paths. Students are prepared for opportunities including application to graduate programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, special education, public health, or related health professions — as well as professional careers as an assistive technology professional, wellness coach, wellness coordinator, activity director, health educator, case manager, medical salesperson, or paraprofessional in mental health and educational settings.

The curriculum is grounded in a holistic conceptualization of health and wellness that teaches students to assess health from both a macro and micro level. Students gain depth in understanding a wide variety of determinants of health through the study of health science, public health, and human occupation – an often-overlooked determinant of health. Students also gain practical skills applicable to a variety of paths through training in motivational interviewing, wellness assessment, health literacy, stress management, health education, and program development, implementation, and evaluation. Thus, Occupational Studies students learn how to work with people by understanding where they come from and employing tools to help them take the next steps toward a healthier life. Further, students are encouraged to find their passion by using flexible electives to concentrate their studies in their unique interests, explore a wide range of topics, elect for an internship in health and wellness settings, or take experiential electives. Service learning, active learning, and interprofessional education are embedded into the curriculum with themes of resilience, advocacy, and wellness across the lifespan.

Occupational Studies students also have the opportunity to pursue a Minor in Assistive Technology. The minor prepares students to make a difference in the lives of people who have disabilities by recommending and training people to use health-related technical assistive devices. Students develop skills in promoting independence in the use of devices and equipment, thereby supporting engagement in meaningful activities, occupations, and enhanced quality of life for people across the lifespan.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the program, the Occupational Studies student will:

• Critically analyze concepts of health and wellness through application at the personal (micro), population (meso), and societal (macro) levels.
• Synthesize biological, psychosocial, and educational theories that influence human behavior and occupational participation.
• Assess the influence of disease and disability with respect to health promotion and occupational well-being.
• Model compassion as an essential attribute in understanding diverse occupational engagement across the lifespan.
• Collaboratively engage in integrative leadership in occupational media, research, and science in preparation for inter-professional endeavors.
• Be prepared to apply for graduate study in the field of occupational therapy or a related health profession.

All students in the Occupational Studies major are subject to the UNE WCHP undergraduate grading policy (see undergraduate academic policy) and progression guidelines.

Progression Guidelines

OS Follows the WCHP Common Curriculum Academic Progression Guidelines

The requirements laid out below for the first two (2) years of enrollment apply to any undergraduate program of the Westbrook College of Health Professions. Beginning with the Fall semester of the third year, students will be held to their program-specific progression guidelines.

In keeping with the guidelines of the University of New England, all students must achieve a minimum cumulative semester-end grade point average as follows:

• Failure to maintain the minimum GPA requirements will result in academic probation as described in the Catalog of the University of New England.
• Students must achieve a minimum grade of C- in all required math and science including the following courses: MAT 120/150, PHY 125/110, BIO 104/105, BIO 208, BIO 209, and BIO 309.
• Students must achieve a minimum grade of a C- in all OS (formerly HWOS) prefix courses.
• Failure to achieve the above referenced minimum grades will result in program level probation and the need to retake the course - therefore affecting academic progression.
• Students may enroll in any of the courses referenced above a maximum of two (2) times. Enrollment in a course consists of achieving a WP, WF, or letter grade. Receiving a W in a course is not considered officially enrolled and will not result in academic penalty.
• Failure to achieve the above referenced minimum grade a second time a course is taken will result in dismissal from the major.

Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at UNE in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All courses completed must be no older than five (5) years.

Other restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

High School Graduates

For entrance into the B.S. with a major in Occupational Studies (OS) students must meet the following requirements:

• Students seeking admission should have completed high school courses in chemistry, biology, and two (2) to three (3) years of mathematics including Algebra II.
• Applicants submit their application materials to the Admissions Office during the fall of the year prior to matriculation. Decisions on applicants will be made on a rolling basis. Qualified students who apply after the fall will be admitted on a space-available basis.

Internal Transfer Students

Students who are enrolled in other majors at the University may apply for admission into the Occupational Studies major by completing a change of major form. The Admissions Committee meets at the close of each semester to determine eligibility on a space-available basis.

The potential student is encouraged to explore the professional possibilities by shadowing a health professional, going to appropriate websites, and/or volunteering in a program that supports people with disabilities to participate in occupations. Include this information in the required essay (see below).

Students who wish to transfer into the Occupational Studies must complete the following:

• Discuss interest in the program with the director of the OS program.
• Fill out, complete, and submit a change of major form.
• Write an essay of 300 words or less on the rationale for transfer into the OS major. This statement should be submitted to the director of the OS program.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above, and be in good standing in accordance with the OS standards at the end of the semester of transfer request.

All of these steps should be completed prior to the end of the semester.

External Transfer Student Policy (For students who do not have a B.A./B.S.)

• UNE accepts qualified transfer students.
• The minimum GPA to be considered from another institution is 2.75 (B-). A 3.0 (B average or higher is preferred).
• Students are responsible for completing all WCHP and University core coursework for the OS major.

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.