Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program prepares students to become qualified occupational therapists. Occupational therapy (OT) is a health care profession that focuses on helping people regain, develop, and master everyday skills to live independent, productive, and satisfying lives. Occupational therapists promote health and functioning through the therapeutic use of meaningful activities.

The MSOT program consists of four didactic semesters, and two 12-week clinical fieldwork rotations. The didactic portion follows a cohort model where students enter the program together and progress as a group. Students complete their fieldwork rotations at a variety of clinical and community-based settings. The MSOT program was designed to meet all accreditation requirements set by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). In August of 2023, ACOTE granted the MSOT program a seven-year accreditation.

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) is the credentialing agency responsible for certifying occupational therapy practitioners in the United States. The NBCOT’s certification process ensures that occupational therapists have the knowledge and skills necessary to practice safely and effectively. Graduates of the MSOT program will be eligible to take the NBCOT exam. Successful completion of the exam and state licensure are required to become an occupational therapist. The OTR/L credential indicates an occupational therapist is registered with the NBCOT and licensed to practice in their state.

Accreditation

The profession's accrediting body, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy (ACOTE), has granted accreditation for seven years to this program (2023-2029). Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapists through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and will be able to apply for licensure through the professional licensure board in the state in which the graduate wishes to practice.

ACOTE can be contacted at:

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®)
6166 Executive Blvd., Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
301.652.6611
accred@aota.edu

A cumulative minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework and prerequisite coursework from an accredited university. Evidence of completion of a bachelor's degree and all prerequisite courses must be received prior to the start of the program. Contact the MSOT program or the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) for the complete list of admission requirements.

For a complete list of program requirements, please visit the Occupational Therapy Program website.