Master of Science (MS) in Occupational Therapy

Program Requirements

The Master of Science (MS) in Occupational Therapy program begins in the fall  term (August). The MS in Occupational Therapy program requires the completion of 10 core credits of advanced evidence-based rehabilitation coursework. A Comprehensive Examination is required prior to graduation at the end of the spring term. The MS in Occupational Therapy program offers three  plan of studies or tracks - Clinical, Research, and Research with Scholarly Project.

• The Clinical Track provides exposure to occupational therapy practice in the US as well as guidance for pursuing a career in occupational therapy in the US.  The Clinical Track is 30 credits/2 terms.

• The Research Track provides exposure to a wide variety of occupational therapy research. The Research Track is 30 credits/2 terms.

• The Research Track with Scholarly Project provides exposure to a wide variety of occupational therapy research and the opportunity to complete a scholarly project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. This track lays the foundations for pursuing a research doctorate degree. The Research Track with Scholarly Project is 36 credits/4 terms.

Curriculum and Course Descriptions

Plan of Study:

The program requires the completion of 30 credits for the Clinical and Research Track and 36 credits for the Research Track with Scholarly Project. 

The following are typical plans of study for students enrolled in the Master of Science (MS) Program in Occupational Therapy (OT). 

Clinical Track

Clinical Track (30 credits, 2 - terms)

• Term 1 - Fall Term - 15 Credits

• OT 2207 - PRINCIPLES OF ASSESSMENT
• OT 3010 - EVIDENCE INTERPRETATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION
• OT 2224 - MANAGEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE
• OT 3206 - ADVANCED THEORY AND PRACTICE
• OT 2221 - DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY AND PRACTICE

• OR

• OT 2222 - PRODUCTIVE AGING THEORY AND PRACTICE
• OT 2241 - CLINICAL PRECEPTORSHIP 1

•  

  Term 2 - Spring Term - 15 Credits

• OT 2210 - PSYCHOSOCIAL/COGNITIVE THEORY AND PRACTICE
• OT 2213 - OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND THE HEALTH SYSTEM
• OT 3200 - EVIDENCE-BASED PROTOCOLS AND PRACTICE GUIDELINES
• OT 2249 - SPECIAL TOPICS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY: CLINICAL
• OT 2248 - PROFESSIONAL REASONING IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
• OT 2242 - CLINICAL PRECEPTORSHIP 2

•  

  Comprehensive Examination:

  Each student must successfully complete a Comprehensive Examination. This examination is used to determine mastery of the core content in the curriculum. 

Research Track

Research Track (30 credits, 2 terms)

• Term 1 - Fall Term - 15 Credits

• OT 2207 - PRINCIPLES OF ASSESSMENT
• OT 3010 - EVIDENCE INTERPRETATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION
• OT 3300 - CONCEPTUALIZING AND ASSESSING QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
• OT 3206 - ADVANCED THEORY AND PRACTICE

• OR

• OT 2221 - DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY AND PRACTICE

• OR

• OT 2222 - PRODUCTIVE AGING THEORY AND PRACTICE
• OT 2246 - RESEARCH PRECEPTORSHIP 1

•  

  Term 2 - Spring Term - 15 Credits

• OT 3200 - EVIDENCE-BASED PROTOCOLS AND PRACTICE GUIDELINES
• OT 2210 - PSYCHOSOCIAL/COGNITIVE THEORY AND PRACTICE
• OT 2213 - OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND THE HEALTH SYSTEM
• OT 2250 - APPLIED STATISTICS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
• OT 2247 - RESEARCH PRECEPTORSHIP 2
• OT 2245 - SPECIAL TOPICS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY: RESEARCH

•  

  Comprehensive Examination:

  Each student must successfully complete a Comprehensive Examination. This examination is used to determine mastery of the core content in the curriculum. 

Research Track with Scholarly Project

Research Track with Scholarly Project (36 credits, 4 terms)

• Term 1 - Fall Term - 11 Credits

• OT 2207 - PRINCIPLES OF ASSESSMENT
• OT 3010 - EVIDENCE INTERPRETATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION
• OT 3206 - ADVANCED THEORY AND PRACTICE

• OR

• OT 2221 - DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY AND PRACTICE

• OR

• OT 2222 - PRODUCTIVE AGING THEORY AND PRACTICE
• OT 2246 - RESEARCH PRECEPTORSHIP 1

•  

  Term 2 - Spring Term - 10 credits

• OT 3200 - EVIDENCE-BASED PROTOCOLS AND PRACTICE GUIDELINES
• OT 2250 - APPLIED STATISTICS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
• OT 2247 - RESEARCH PRECEPTORSHIP 2
• OT 2245 - SPECIAL TOPICS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY: RESEARCH

•  

  Term 3 - Summer Term - 6 Credits

• OT 3100 - EVIDENCE ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS
• OT 2251 - Scholarly Project

•  

  Term 4 - Fall Term - 9 Credits

• OT 3300 - CONCEPTUALIZING AND ASSESSING QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
• OT 2251 - Scholarly Project

Comprehensive Examination: Each student must successfully complete a Comprehensive Examination. This examination is used to determine mastery of the core content in the curriculum. 

Preceptorship

The MS in Occupational Therapy program offers clinical and research preceptorships.

Students in the Clinical Track participate in two clinical preceptorships. Clinical preceptorship provides a structured exposure to the U.S. health care system. Students are exposed to occupational therapy practice in various health care settings (e.g., acute and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient clinics) under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.

Students in the Research Track or Research Track with Scholarly Project participate in two research preceptorships. Research preceptorships provide exposure to clinical research in the field of occupational therapy. Students are exposed to occupational therapy research in a variety of areas (e.g., pediatrics, neurology, geriatrics, health systems).

For all preceptorship experiences, in addition to the site mentor, students are assigned a faculty mentor who guides them through the preceptorship. The student and faculty mentor meet prior to the start of the preceptorship to discuss goals for the preceptorship, a plan of action for achieving the goals, and the evaluation process. The student and faculty mentor meet throughout the preceptorship to discuss the student’s progress. Students find the preceptorships to be rewarding experiences that advance their clinical or research skills and career development.