Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

Degree Requirements

The entry-level MOT Program is a two-year professional course of study requiring 78 credits, including fieldwork education.

Certification

Graduates of the Program are 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 examination, the graduate will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, most 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 obtain a state license.

Curriculum and Course Descriptions

There are a total of 78 credits for the MOT Program and a minimum GPA of 3.00 (based on a 4.00 scale) is required for graduation. Most courses in the MOT curriculum require the successful completion of one or more prerequisite courses (see individual course descriptions for prerequisites).

Plan of Study

Term 1* - Summer Term - 7 Credits

• OT 2100 - Foundations of Occupation Science and Occupational Therapy **
• HRS 2022 - Human Anatomy **
• OT 2203 - Clinical Seminar 1  

Term 2 - Fall Term - 15 Credits

• OT 2101 - Human Movement Analysis ** 
• OT 2104 - Clinical Psychiatry   
• OT 2105 - Clinical Medicine  
• OT 2106 - Clinical Research for Occupational Therapy  
• OT 2109 - Neurobehavioral Science / MOT  **
• OT 2207 - Principles of Assessment  **
• OT 2209 - Clinical Seminar 2  
• OT 2113 - Rehabilitation Theory and Practice **

Term 3 - Spring Term - 15 Credits

• OT 2107 - Psychosocial/Cognitive Theory and Practice / MOT  **
• OT 2108 - Clinical Neurology and Orthopedics   
• OT 2111 - Occupational Therapy and the Health Care System  
• OT 2113 - Rehabilitation Theory and Practice / MOT  **
• OT 2214 - Therapeutic Approaches 2  **
• OT 2216 - Cllinical Seminar 3  

Term 4 - Summer Term - 7 Credits

• OT 2112 - Neurorehabilitation Theory and Practice **
• OT 2114 - Biomechanical Theory and Practice / MOT  **
•   

Term 5 - Fall Term - 14 Credits

• OT 2115 - Developmental Theory and Practice / MOT **  
• OT 2116 - Integrative Capstone Seminar   
• OT 2117 - Management of Occupational Therapy Practice / MOT   
• OT 2118 - Special Topics in Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice **   
• OT 2227 - Clinical Seminar 5  

Terms 6 & 7 - Spring and Summer Terms - 20 Credits***

• OT 2119 - OT Fieldwork Education A (FW 2)    
• OT 2120 - OT Fieldwork Education B (FW 2)    

* Term 1 begins in early June.
** Includes laboratory component with associated fee.
*** Fieldwork A and B must be completed within 3 years of completing didactic coursework. A misdemeanor or felony charge or conviction may affect a student’s ability to complete courses with a fieldwork component.

PLEASE NOTE: The MOT Program requires that students complete fieldwork education at facilities external to the University of Pittsburgh.  All MOT students are required to obtain the following annually - PA criminal record check, PA child abuse history clearance, PA DHS and PA DOE fingerprint background checks, personal health insurance, health screening, drug screening,  influenza vaccination, CPR/AED training, and first aid training. Additionally, in order to become licensed, many states will inquire as to whether the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor, a felony, or felonious or illegal act associated with alcohol and/or substance abuse.

Academic Standards

In addition to following University-wide academic rules and regulations as detailed in the General Academic Regulations section of this Catalog, the MOT Program is regulated by the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Academic Standards, as well as the departmental Student Manual.