Occupational Therapy (MSOT)

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Program is an entry-level Master’s program designed to prepare professionally qualified occupational therapists who can effectively assume positions in occupational therapy to treat clients who are limited in their ability to perform developmentally appropriate tasks and roles.  

Occupational therapy is a health and rehabilitation profession that provides services to individuals of all ages whose abilities to complete tasks of daily living that are impacted by physical injury or illness, psychological and social challenges, or developmental disabilities. The occupational therapist designs the rehabilitation process for individuals, groups, and populations through evaluation and treatment, to support optimal occupational engagement and performance.  

The occupational therapy program facilitates development of student knowledge, skills and professional behaviors necessary to assume entry-level positions as registered occupational therapists. The program also prepares students to critically think and clinically reason in a variety of health-related settings and professional roles. 

The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), AOTA, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD  20852-4929, Phone 301-652-6611, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for Occupational Therapy 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). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. 

Requirements and Policies for the Occupational Therapy Program

Degree Requirements

The Department of Occupational Therapy offers a 3+2, entry-level master’s degree with a minimum of 70 credits in occupational therapy courses.  Additionally, the department offers an entry-level master’s degree (requiring 78 credits) for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree and who have completed required prerequisite coursework. The occupational therapy program recognizes the importance of the profession’s theoretical base in both the liberal arts and the sciences through the selection of the pre-professional courses. Many full-time students choosing to enter the program without a bachelor’s degree can complete the prerequisite coursework for the MSOT program within 3 years. Upon acceptance to the MSOT program, students will complete two and a half years of full-time coursework and fieldwork. 

Requirements for Admission into the Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Program

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program is a competitive admissions program that will accept students to begin MSOT coursework each Spring term.  

Students who do not already have a bachelor’s degree (3+2 Program):

In order to apply to the 3+2 MSOT program, students must meet the following minimal standards: 

1. Completion of a minimum of 85 credits prior to admission to the program. 
2. Achievement of a minimum cumulative 3.00 GPA (based on a 4.00 scale) for all preprofessional course work (based on all college-level work computed both at SVSU and at other schools and colleges). 
3. Completion of all prerequisite pre-occupational therapy undergraduate courses with a grade minimum of 2.0 for each course (see undergraduate description of the Pre-OT program). 
4. Completion of 30 hours of verifiable work and/or volunteer experience with individuals impacted by physical injury or illness, psychological and social challenges, or developmental disabilities. 
5. Completion of an approved background check and 10 panel drug screen. Results to be submitted with the application packet. 
6. Submission of a completed application packet. 

Students with a bachelor’s degree requirements (Bachelor’s Admit):  

In order to apply to the MSOT program, students with a bachelor’s degree must meet the following minimal standards (NOTE: these requirements do not apply for students who have completed all prerequisite coursework required for the 3+2 program): 

1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university prior to admission to the program. 
2. Achievement of a minimum cumulative 3.00 GPA (based on a 4.00 scale) for all prior course work (based on all college-level work computed both at SVSU and at other schools and colleges). 
3. Completion of all prerequisite undergraduate courses at an accredited college or university, with a grade minimum of 2.0 for each course. These courses include: Anatomy and Physiology, Introductory Psychology, Medical Terminology 
4. Completion of 30 hours of verifiable work and/or volunteer experience with individuals impacted by physical injury or illness, psychological and social challenges, or developmental disabilities. 
5. Completion of an approved background check and 10 panel drug screen. Results to be submitted with the application packet. 
6. Submission of a completed application packet. 

Freshman Direct Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program: 

A limited number of qualified incoming freshman students will be accepted for guaranteed admittance into the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program. To be eligible for consideration as a freshman direct admit students must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 or better. 

Students selected will automatically begin the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy courses upon completion of prerequisite courses. Freshman direct admit students must maintain a 3.3 cumulative GPA, at time of application. Students will be considered with the regular applicant pool if they do not maintain the required GPA. 

Admission to the MSOT Program: 

For all applicants, MSOT program prerequisites and general education undergraduate courses must be completed prior to starting the MSOT program (Spring term).  

Students apply to SVSU’s MSOT program after the completion of the fall semester. GPA calculation will be based upon the grades in coursework that has already been completed. Students will be provisionally admitted until all remaining pre-requisite coursework has been completed. Students who demonstrate a drop in overall GPA to below 3.0 (based upon their final Winter semester grades) will be subject to review and may have their admission status rescinded. At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, applicants may be asked to complete an interview to aid in further determination of admissions status. 

Admission to SVSU is required for, but does not guarantee, acceptance into the MSOT program. 

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate competence in English. The MSOT program accepts a score of 92 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT), 580 Paper-based TOEFL (PBT), or an IELTS band score of 7.0 in each skill area. 

International students must also submit Evidence of Financial Support. 

Transfer Students 

Transfer students’ needs are considered on an individual basis by the Department of Occupational Therapy. 

Transfer Credit and/or Credit by Examination Policies 

The transfer of an external student from another program in occupational therapy may be allowed following a formal review process and approval by the faculty. The student may transfer up to 15 occupational therapy credits and must demonstrate a GPA of 3.0 or better during the first semester in the occupational therapy degree program. Transfer students who do not meet the GPA conditions as indicated will be placed on probation for the next semester. In the event a 3.0 GPA is not achieved by the end of the probation semester, the student will not be permitted to enroll in further occupational therapy courses. 

General Information 

Progression and Dismissal Policy 

All students are admitted to the MSOT program on a full-time basis. Completion of all degree requirements on a full-time basis will take a minimum of 2.5 years. In exceptional cases, part-time status may be granted by the Program Chair. Part-time students must complete all degree requirements within a period as defined by accreditation. This time period must not exceed four years from the date of initial acceptance into the MSOT program. To ensure continuity of academic concepts, all fieldwork shall be completed by all students (both full- and part- time) within 24-months following completion of academic preparation. 

A minimum grade of a “C” (including a 75% average on tests) is required for successful completion of each course in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program. Coursework in the MSOT program is sequential, with subsequent courses building upon knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning skills mastered in previous coursework. Failure of a course may prohibit progression in the major until the failed course has been successfully completed. Because courses are only offered once a year, students who fail a course in the MSOT program will be provided with an alternative education plan. Plans will be designed by the Program Chair with input from faculty and staff in the MSOT program and involve a modified course schedule outlining the semesters when remaining coursework will be completed. 

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale to be in good standing with the university. Students who fail to maintain minimum academic standards set by the graduate program in which they are enrolled, are subject to dismissal from that program.

Students may retake a course one time. In the event that a student does not earn a minimum grade of a “C” (including a 75% average on tests) when retaking the course, the student will be dismissed from the program. Students who fail two courses in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program will be dismissed from the program. Students who have been dismissed from the program will not be allowed to apply for readmission to the program at a future date. 

Leave of Absence, Withdrawal and Readmission 

Students may be granted a leave of absence in cases of illness or other extenuating circumstances.  Students may apply for a leave of absence only after they have been successfully engaged in coursework in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program. Students are required to submit to the Department Chair a letter detailing the length of leave requested and rationale to support the request.  The letter will be reviewed by the Department Chair and faculty. The student will be informed of the status of their request within 15 days.  If a leave of absence is granted, the faculty will work with the student to determine any remedial work that must be completed prior to the student being allowed to resume the MSOT program. The student who is on an approved leave of absence will be required to contact the Department Chair the semester prior to their scheduled return date.  

Suspension and Dismissal for Other Than Academic Reasons 

All students are expected to maintain and demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors while enrolled in the MSOT Program. The faculty reserves the right to dismiss students from the classroom or clinical areas on a daily basis when students are too ill or unprepared to benefit from the experience. Students may be suspended due to repeated physical and/or psychological difficulty exhibited over an extended period of time. Medical problems or emotional instability may delay or prevent students from attending clinical placements. 

Students may be required to seek the care of a qualified physician if demonstrating continued physical and/or psychological difficulties. Students may be placed on probation until an appropriate health professional affirms that the student’s health is stable for continued progression in the occupational therapy program. 

Transportation and Fees 

The student is responsible for providing transportation to and from all courses and/or clinical learning experiences. Clinical education may include observation and practice in clinical or community settings under the supervision of a faculty member, registered occupational therapist or other health professional. Students are also required to complete multiple fieldwork rotations throughout the program and should be prepared to meet their own living expenses and transportation costs. 

Eligibility for Certification 

Attainment of the MSOT degree is not sufficient to practice as an occupational therapist. Students must complete the degree program to be eligible to take the national certification examination. 

Upon successful completion of the two required fieldwork level II experiences and all coursework, the student is awarded the Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. Graduates of the program 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 graduate will be an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR). Most states require licensure in order 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.  It may also affect a student’s fieldwork placement and/or ability to engage in clinical learning activities necessary for completion of the program. Therefore, students are required to submit the results of a criminal background check at the time of application to the MSOT program.  They are also required to indicate any changes from their original criminal background check on a yearly basis. Students whose background checks reveal convictions, pending charges, or other recorded events shall be advised by the Program Director as to how their background may impact their ability to enter or complete the program, obtain field experience placement, become licensed and/or certified, and obtain employment in the field.