Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, (MS)

Students enter the Entry Level Occupational Therapy Master’s Degree (MS) after successful completion of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Sciences from the Panuska College of Professional Studies at The University of Scranton. Students are awarded the MS 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, overall, undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is required in order to advance from the undergraduate component of the occupational therapy program into graduate study. A minimum, overall GPA of 3.00 must be maintained throughout the graduate program. Required OT Level II Internships are graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. All OT students must complete Level II Fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the academic portion of the program. Students will receive the MS in OT degree following completion of all academic and clinical requirements.

Capstone Experience

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

MS Degree Curriculum

Total undergraduate (125) and graduate program credits (39) for the MS degree: 164 credits

	Course	Credits
Undergraduate Courses	(BS in Health Sciences required for admission into the graduate program, including OT 492 (see Undergraduate Catalog for full listing of required courses)	125 cr
OT 520	Advanced Occupational Performance I	3
OT 521	Advanced Occupational Performance II	3
OT 525	Occupational Therapy in Community Settings	3
OT 526	Neurocognitive and Neuromotor Challenges	3
OT 530	Topics in Occupational Therapy I	1
OT 531	Topics in Occupational Therapy II	1
OT 542	Understanding Disability and the Therapeutic Relationship	3
OT 544	Leadership Principles, Ethics and Pragmatics	3
OT 550	Graduate Seminar in Theory	3
OT 592	Research and Scholarship II	2
OT 593	Research and Scholarship III	2
OT 581	OT Level II Fieldwork- I*	6
OT 582	OT Level II Fieldwork-II*	6

Total Graduate Credits		39
Total Program Credits		164

*Level II Fieldwork I and II are required 12-week clinical rotations that are completed on a full-time basis in different practice areas including physical rehabilitation, mental health, pediatrics, hand therapy, and community-based settings.