Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT)

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT)

Program Description

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree prepares graduates to become licensed, entry-level generalist practitioners who help people of all ages participate more fully in the everyday activities, or occupations, that give their lives meaning and purpose. Grounded in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions, the program forms compassionate, skilled, and advocacy-oriented clinicians through a curriculum rooted in doing and with an emphasis on creating sustainable professional habits for practitioner well-being.

The curriculum builds on the scientific and behavioral foundations acquired through the bachelor's degree. Coursework in anatomy, neuroscience, and occupational analysis is combined with graduate-level study in evidence-based practice, disease prevention and health promotion, and professional leadership and management, with occupation held as the central, organizing concept across every domain of study.

The program is a five-semester, 60-credit sequence delivered across 20 months of full-time study through a mix of intensive and semester-long courses. The first three terms establish the scientific, occupational, and professional foundations of practice, progressing students through clinical preparation in physical rehabilitation, mental health, and community-based practice, each paired with a structured immersion in an authentic practice setting.

The fourth term extends clinical preparation to practice with children and adolescents and marks students' transition into full-time supervised fieldwork. The fifth and final term is devoted entirely to Level II Fieldwork, during which students complete two full-time clinical placements across distinct practice settings, consolidating and demonstrating the competencies developed throughout the program. Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program

The Master of Science degree is conferred upon completion of all program requirements and provides comprehensive, entry-level preparation for generalist occupational therapy practice. Graduates are qualified to deliver client-centered, evidence-based care across diverse settings. The MSOT offers a timely on-ramp to licensure and professional practice, while maintaining a seamless pathway for students who wish to pursue additional doctoral-level study through the entry-level OTD. Upon successful completion of academic and fieldwork requirements, graduates of both paths are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination.

 Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and, upon passing, to apply for state licensure as an occupational therapist.

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    Accreditation

    The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is . The program must be granted Candidacy Status, have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. Pending approval, the inaugural cohort would graduate in Fall 2028.
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    Admissions Requirements

    Individuals will apply via OTCAS. The application will include transcripts, references, and a personal statement. The 黑料社区app OT program will use a holistic admission process considering factors such:

    • A bachelor’s degree with an overall cumulative “B” average (3.0 or higher) from an accredited institution
    • GPA
    • Volunteer/work experience
    • Leadership/teamwork experience
    • Diversity experience
    • Prerequisite courses include:
      • Human Anatomy - with lab
      • Human Physiology - with lab
      • Developmental Psychology
      • Statistics
      • Sociology
      • Medical Terminology
    After faculty have completed a thorough review of the above criteria, they will invite applicants for interviews with program faculty to determine a final rank order of the applicants. For non‐native speakers of English, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required on the paper‐based examination, and a minimum TOEFL score of 213 is required on the computer‐based examination.
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    Academic Policies & Requirements

    Students in the Occupational Therapy program must attain a minimum grade of “B-” or higher in all OCT courses. In addition, students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average. The academic policies in the student handbook provided additional detail on academic conduct, progression, withdrawal and dismissal.

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    Degree Requirements - Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (60 credits)

    • OCT 5130 Applied Human Anatomy (3 credits)
    • OCT 5131 Foundations of Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
    • OCT 5132 Thriving in Practice (1 credit)
    • OCT 5133 Occupation as Core (1 credit)
    • OCT 5134 Functional Movement Analysis (2 credits)
    • OCT 5135 Evidence Based Practice I (1 credit)
    • OCT 5210 Applied Neuroscience Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
    • OCT 5211 Occupational Analysis & Adaptation (1 credit)
    • OCT 5212 Occupational Performance in Physical Rehabilitation I (2 credits)
    • OCT 5213 Disease Prevention & Health Promotion (3 credits)
    • OCT 5214 Occupational Performance in Physical Rehabilitation II (3 credits)
    • OCT 5215 Practice Immersion I (3 credits)
    • OCT 5216 Evidence Based Practice II (1 credit)
    • OCT 5320 Evidence Based Practice III (3 credits)
    • OCT 5321 Occupational Performance in Mental Health (2 credits)
    • OCT 5322 Professional Leadership & Management (3 credits)
    • OCT 5323 Practice Immersion II (3 credits)
    • OCT 5324 Occupational Performance in Community (3 credits)
    • OCT 6431 Practice Immersion III (3 credits)
    • OCT 6432 Occupational Performance with Children & Adolescents (4 credits)
    • OCT 6433 Level II FW A1 (3 credits)
    • OCT 6510 Level II FW A2 (3 credits)
    • OCT 6511 Level II FW B (6 credits)

    Total credits required: 60 credits

    At the completion of OCT 6511 Level II FW B, students have completed all requirements for the MSOT degree are eligible to sit for the NBCOT Board examination.

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    2026-2027 Program Policy Manual

    Student-Faculty Handbook

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    Program Contact Information

    Amy Lamb, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, NBC-HWC
    Department Chair & Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy
    School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
    College of Health Professions, A236
    McNichols Campus
    Email: lambaj@udmercy.edu

    Melissa Todd, MOT, OTRL, HWC
    Academic Fieldwork Coordinator & Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy
    School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
    College of Health Professions, A236
    McNichols Campus
    Email: toddme@udmercy.edu

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Graduate Catalog
2026-2027