Occupational Therapy

Faculty

Carol Coté, Ph.D., OTR/L, Chair and Program Director
Michael Bermudez, Ed.D., OTR/L
Deborah E. Budash, Ph.D., OTR/L
Karen L. Brady, D.Ed., OTR/L
Chandra A. Dombroski, M.S., DPT
Julia M. Guzman, OTD, OTR/L
Lisa A. Kozden, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, COMT
William Lambert, M.S., OTR/L
Marlene J. Morgan, Ed.D., OTR/L
Julie Nastasi, ScD, OTD, OTR/L, SCLV, FAOTA
Carol Reinson, Ph.D., OTR/L
Patricia A. Wisniewski, M.S., OTR/L, CPRP

Overview

The University offers a five-year, entry-level Master of Science degree program in Occupational Therapy (OT). Students usually enter this program as freshmen, proceed through four years of undergraduate study, receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences, and are awarded the M.S. in OT degree upon completion of graduate requirements. The course work is sequenced in a planned progression in order to build upon and develop knowledge and skills at increasing levels of complexity, competence and integration. Therefore, all required courses are to be completed in sequence. A minimum grade of C (2.00) must be attained in every undergraduate cognate and OT course.

A minimum, overall, undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is required in order to advance into graduate study; a minimum, overall GPA of 3.00 must be achieved and maintained throughout the graduate year. Required OT Level II Internships are graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. The normal length of time for completion of the program is five and one-quarter years. All OT students must complete Level II Fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the academic portion of the program. Students will receive the M.S. in OT degree following completion of all academic and clinical requirements.

Admission to the program is normally open to first-time incoming freshmen; transfer students are considered for admission on an individual basis. Applicants are selected on a competitive basis, with emphasis placed on high school record, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation. It is suggested that prospective students observe and/or volunteer in an occupational therapy setting. The Admissions Office will request this information prior to registration. Since the majority of course work is at the undergraduate level, the OT program is described in detail in the University’s undergraduate catalog rather than in the graduate catalog.

Capstone Experience

Each student is required to complete a faculty mentored research internship. The foundation for this experience is OT 350 - (EPW) Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods , then in the spring semester of senior year students begin a three-semester, project-based scholarly experience: OT 492 - Research and Scholarship I , OT 592 - Research and Scholarship II , and OT 593 - Research and Scholarship III .The internship involves active group participation in a faculty mentored research project. Students are required to present the outcome of their research internship in a public forum during the graduate year.

Accreditation

The Entry Level Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE’s phone number is c/o AOTA (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program who have completed all academic and fieldwork requirements are able 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 individual is an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Candidates will need to provide documentation of all graduation and credentialing requirements, including certification/licensure. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the certification examination or attain state licensure. Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Course Information

Courses for Occupational Therapy are listed under the prefix OT. For more information on these courses, visit the Occupational Therapy Department Courses page. For more information on all courses, visit our Course Descriptions page.

For more information about the Occupational Therapy department, visit its website.