TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

Undergraduate Bulletin Updated for 1997-1998

Temple University switchboard: 215-204-7000
TDD: 215-204-5919

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College of Allied Health Professions

Vickie Sierchio, Chair
(215) 707-4811

Program Descriptions

• Health Information Management
• Nursing
• Ocupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy

HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Health Information Management is concerned with the development, implementation, maintenance, and administration of systems of storage, retrieval, and release of patient health information. Such systems involve the application of sophisticated microform and computer technology as well as detailed knowledge of legal, regulatory, and accrediting agency requirements for health care data collection and dissemination.

The health information manager works closely with all other health professionals to gather and make available the information needed to provide high-quality patient care. As an administrator, he or she is responsible for the development and maintenance of a multifaceted health information system capable of providing the data needed by different recipients: the patient, the health care professionals, the administration of the facility, the community, and those involved in research and education.

Increased responsibilities in data quality management, computer-based information systems, quality assurance programs, and systems for reimbursement, analysis, and planning have further contributed to the expanding role of the health information manager. There is an acute shortage of qualified individuals in this field to fill an increasing number of positions available in hospitals, outpatient facilities, research centers, industry, and health agencies throughout the country.

Program

The four-year program in Health Information Management combines liberal arts, basic sciences, and professional courses. Students are admitted to the professional major in the third college year, after completion of a minimum of 55 credits including the specified prerequisite courses.

Clinical practice, beginning in the first semester of the professional curriculum, is scheduled at selected institutions and settings to provide the student with varied experience. Clinical affiliation experiences are normally assigned within the Delaware Valley and surrounding areas; students are responsible for transportation to and from their clinical sites. Students will be assigned to an institution outside the greater Philadelphia area for the full-time clinical affiliation (0282) and should be prepared to make all travel and living arrangements and meet related expenses for that one-month period.

Following satisfactory completion of all course requirements, the student is awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management and is eligible to write the Registration examination of the American Health Information Management Association for qualification as a Registered Record Administrator.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate program in Health Information Management at Temple University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs, in cooperation with American Health Information Management Association Council on Accreditation.

Extended Study

Qualified students may be considered for admission to the Department to engage in a program of extended study; this is defined as any program of study which will extend completion of the professional curriculum beyond two academic years, for a maximum allowable time of eight semesters following initial enrollment in the professional course work of the department. Summer sessions are not considered a semester.

Progression Through Course Challenge

In some courses, challenge examinations are available for qualified students (those already credentialed and/or who have significant work-related experience) who have been admitted to the College and Department. Up to 30 s.h. of credit may be earned in this way. The examinations are comprehensive and directed to evaluation of achievement of the course objectives. A course may be challenged only once. Additional information about the progression plan may be obtained from the Department.

Professional Curriculum

Junior Year

Senior Year

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NURSING

Catherine A. Bevil, Chair
(215) 707-4687

The Department of Nursing offers an educational program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The purposes of the Department of Nursing are to provide academic preparation for the practice of professional nursing in current and emerging roles, to establish a foundation for graduate education in nursing, and to create an environment that encourages continuing personal and professional growth. A separate curriculum option specifically designed to meet the academic needs of Registered Nurses is available. Please see the specific information below regarding this option.

The nursing curriculum is four semesters in length and consists of nursing theory and supervised clinical instruction in each semester. Temple University Hospital is an important institution used for clinical learning experiences. In addition, students are assigned to a number of other health agencies to facilitate application of nursing theory with clients of all ages and states of health.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the National League for Nursing and approved by the State Board of Nursing, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) leading to licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Professional Curriculum

The following program of study is prescribed. A total of 122 credits is required for graduation.

Junior Year

Senior Year

Special Fees

A laboratory fee of about $250.00 (subject to change), covering all four professional semesters, is charged and paid in four installments. Uniforms, books, and equipment total approximately $300.00 in the first semester.

Additional Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements to the College of Allied Health Professions all students admitted to the Department of Nursing will be required to show evidence of:

1. Comprehensive health insurance coverage;
2. Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification; and
3. A recent comprehensive physical examination and immunization as documented on the Department of Nursing health examination forms.

Advanced Placement Program for Registered Nurses

Registered nurses who are graduates of diploma and associate degree programs may apply for admission with advanced standing. Applicants need not have completed all the pre-professional requirements before admission to the program. They should seek an appointment with the program coordinator to discuss the program requirements and get additional information on this curricular option. The nurse must be licensed or eligible for licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Preprofessional requirements may be satisfied by transfer of acceptable college credits, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or by taking the stipulated courses at Temple University. The registered nurse may challenge certain nursing courses through written ACT-PEP examinations which are scheduled several times each year.

For additional information, including fees, please call Barbara Hughes, Coordinator of the RN-BSN Program at (215) 707-4854.

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OCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Judith M. Perinchief, Chair
(215) 707-4813

Program

The Department of Occupational Therapy offers the final three years in a five-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. The first two years of the program, taken at the Main Campus or another college, emphasize liberal arts and include preprofessional requirements which prepare the student for the professional program in occupational therapy. An integrated academic-field work program provides the opportunity for development of unique skills and knowledge which enable the student to utilize interpersonal relationships and selected activities for remediation of physical and psycho-social problems. The program has been planned and is administered in accordance with the "Essentials of an Accredited Educational Program for the Occupational Therapist."

Included in the professional curriculum are eight to nine months of full-time field work in selected centers, hospitals, and community settings. Students are required to complete this fieldwork within 24 months following ocmpletion of academic preparation. Students should be prepared to provide uniforms as required and to meet all of their living and traveling expenses during the field work period.

Reactivation

Any undergraduate student who has not matriculated in the last seven consecutive academic years must retake the entire professional academic program, including nine months of clinical fieldwork.

Certification

A Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy is awarded after successful completion of the program in Occupational Therapy and fulfillment of the requirements of field work. The graduate is then recommended to sit for the national certification examination administered by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board. Graduates are eligible for licensure in Pennsylvania and other states having licensure for occupational therapy.

Accreditation

The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220; phone (301) 652-AOTA.

Special Fees

Laboratory and special course fees are charged each of the four academic semesters of the program.

Preprofessional Requirements

• Composition C050
• Sociology C050
• Psychology C050
• Psychology C131
• Psychology C151
• Phys. Ed. C100 (Anatomy and Physiology)
• Chemistry C061-C063
• Statistics (Psych. C067 or Soc. C067)
• Anatomy and Physiology PE C101
• Mathematics C055
• Strongly recommended electives:
• HIM 0003
• OT 0001

Professional Curriculum

Junior Year

Senior Year

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PHYSICAL THERAPY

The degree in Physical Therapy is offered through a a three year graduate program which culminates in a Master of Physical Therapy Degree (MPT). Individuals interested in applying to this program need to complete:

• a minimum of three years of college work;
• the prerequisite courses for the physical therapy program;
• University Core requirements; and
• the requirements for a major.

Students may apply during their third year of study at Temple if the undergraduate major department will accept toward its degree courses taken in the first year of the MasterÕs of Physical Therapy degree program. The baccalaureate degree must be awarded prior to beginning the second year of study in the MPT program.

Prerequisite courses for the physical therapy program include:

• English Composition
• Intensive Writing Course
• Introductory Psychology
• Upper Level Psychology
• Mathematics (Trigonometry or higher level)
• General Chemistry I with laboratory
• General Chemistry II with laboratory or upper level Chemistry
• General Biology I with laboratory
• General Biology II with laboratory or upper level Biology (upper level Biology could include histology, cell physiology, microbiology, genetics, or physiology. Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy/ Physiology cannot be used to meet this prerequisite.
• General Physics I with laboratory
• General Physics II with laboratory
• Introductory Sociology
• An upper level Sociology course or an upper level Anthropology course
• Statistics in a social science or education department which includes hypothesis testing

Exceptional students may apply for admission at the conclusion of their junior year. The baccalaureate degree would then be given at the end of successful completion of the first year of the MPT program. In order to apply for early admission, the student must have chosen a major which has a curriculum that allows for completion of all necessary courses for the major, all necessary physical therapy prerequisites, all University Core requirements, and recognizes MPT courses for completion of degree requirements. The following majors currently offer such curricula: Exercise Science of the Department of Physical Education, or Health Education, both in the College of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance; Human Biology in the Department of Anthropology, or Psychology, both in the College of Arts and Sciences. Undergraduate students in the Physical Therapy program must abide by all Graduate School requirements.

For further information please consult the Graduate Bulletin for a program description and departmental course listings.

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This web version written by Mary England 9/97

Updates in maroon print

Comments and questions concerning this web version of the bulletin or requests for adding reference marks for linking to subsections of a page may be sent to Mary England.