Clarkson University
Supplemental Application
Class of 2015
March 11, 2015
There is no advanced placement in the Clarkson University Occupational Therapy program nor does the program
accept transfer credit from a student previously enrolled in another OT program. Clarkson University does not
accept experiential credit. Applicants previously enrolled in another OT program, nursing, or medical school will
be considered on an individual basis. All non-US citizens or students who have English as a second language must
submit their college transcripts to the World Education Service (WES) for translation and successfully complete the
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
Applicants with a history of drug abuse or conviction of a felony will not be considered for admission to the
program.
Checklist for Supplemental Application
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Application
Signed Statement of Meeting Technical Standards
Personal Statement: describe why you would like to be part of the Occupational Therapy Program at
Clarkson University. *If your personal essay submitted on OTCAS already reflects our supplemental
personal statement question, you may resubmit that essay.
Official transcripts for grades not verified in OTCAS
Reference letter – a total of 3 is required, one of which must be from an Occupational Therapist. A letter
must come from a faculty member who can speak to your academic or professional character. If OTCAS
has 3 letters and one is from an Occupational Therapist no letter is required with supplemental
application.
$50 application fee made payable to Clarkson University
When all items are complete the application must be mailed to:
Clarkson University
Department of Occupational Therapy
8 Clarkson Avenue, Box 5883
Potsdam, NY 13699-5883
For questions about completing the Clarkson University supplemental application, contact the Clarkson University
Department of Occupational Therapy at [email protected] or 315-268-2161.
Application Deadline
This supplemental application must be returned within 7 days of receipt. If not, the application will be considered
as closed. Incomplete applications, applications received after the deadline, or applications received without the
application fee will be returned to the sender without review.
Application Statement
I understand that withholding information requested in this application or giving false information gives the
Admissions Committee the right to make me ineligible for admission to, or continuation at Clarkson University.
With this in mind, I certify all the statements in this application are accurate.
______________________
Applicant’s Signature
_____________
Date
March 11, 2015
Statement of Meeting Technical Standards
“Technical Standards” are the abilities and skills that candidates and students must possess in order to complete
the education and training associated with Occupational Therapy education. These same abilities and skills are
essential for clinical practice as an Occupational Therapist. The Technical Standards listed below reflect four
categorical areas: cognitive skills, communication, professional behaviors, and physical/sensory motor skills. The
Technical Standards represent minimum competence levels. Students must attest that they meet these Technical
Standards prior to or at the time of matriculation to the Clarkson University Master of Science in Occupational
Therapy program. Students found to be in violation of Technical Standards are at risk for dismissal from the
program. Each standard is defined below and is followed by examples of indicators of minimum competence in
that area.
Students who have a documented disability may request reasonable accommodations under Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 through the University’s Accommodative
Services Office. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on an individual basis; candidates must be able to
perform in an independent manner, and accommodations cannot impose undue hardship, significantly alter the
program, or jeopardize client and clinician safety.
Students must possess the following abilities (with or without reasonable accommodations) for full participation in
the academic and fieldwork components of the Clarkson University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Program:
Cognitive Skills
1. Sufficient attention, organization, time-management and problem-solving skills to complete course
assignments and meet fieldwork requirements within assigned time frames.
2. Acquire, process, retain and apply knowledge through a variety of instructional methods.
3. Understand basic anatomical, physiologic, cognitive, motor and other factors that influence occupational
performance.
4. Apply critical thinking and clinical reasoning to the generalization of academic knowledge to practice
settings, independently make decisions, interpret data, respond to the needs of the client, and carry out
evaluation, intervention planning and implementation.
5. Analyze, select and adapt developmentally appropriate, goal-directed activities to promote health, foster
optimal performance and prevent further disability.
Communication
1. Read, write and speak the English language effectively to gather information, and to document and share
evaluation results, treatment plans, and intervention outcomes.
2. Communicate effectively and sensitively with peers, faculty, clients and colleagues from various cultural
and social backgrounds, using language appropriate to the recipient whether collaborating with peers,
working with professionals, or teaching clients and caregivers.
3. Effectively teach skills, behaviors and strategies to clients, caregivers, families and colleagues and to
describe the relationship to independent, productive and satisfying functional participation.
4. Engage in therapeutic communication skills that reflect compassionate and active listening, as well as
effectively motivate and facilitate desired client behaviors.
Professional Behaviors
1. Maintain good general health, self-care, grooming and hygiene and project a professional appearance.
2. Self-reflect and respond to constructive feedback in classroom and practice settings in order to develop
strategies for professional growth.
3. Assess, monitor and maintain client and environmental safety, and demonstrate flexibility in response to
changing and uncertain situations.
March 11, 2015
4.
Ability and willingness to work with a diverse population, including those of various ages, disabilities,
sexual preferences, ethnic, racial, religious or socioeconomic backgrounds.
5. Maintain composure and demeanor under circumstances of stress, challenging client behaviors, or
uncomfortable situations (i.e. pain and grief).
6. Arrange for own transportation and living accommodations for off-campus assignments.
7. Develop professional values, ethics and rapport essential to OT education and practice.
8. Demonstrate interpersonal skills in order to work effectively in small groups
9. Demonstrate social relatedness skills that are conducive to successful team interaction and outcomes
10. Be able to embrace and uphold values delineated in the occupational therapy code of ethics.
Physical/Sensory Motor Skills
1. Sufficient strength, balance, endurance and mobility for full participation in lecture, lab and practice
settings.
2. Adequate manual dexterity and sensory functioning sufficient to manipulate evaluation and intervention
equipment, maneuver an individual’s body parts, or design, fabricate and apply orthotic, prosthetic and
adaptive equipment.
3. Adequate strength, endurance and coordination to accurately and effectively engage in a variety of
therapeutic techniques and activities used in the assessment and intervention process.
4. Adequate sensory processing to recognize changes in muscle tone, skin quality, joint play, temperature,
non-verbal communication, signs of distress or changes in performance.
Please sign certifying you meet the technical standards.
____________________________
Applicant’s Signature
_________________
Date
March 11, 2015