The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Program is an accredited entry-level Master’s program. The Department of Occupational Therapy offers a freshman direct admission track, 3+2 entry level track, and an entry level track for students who have previously completed a bachelor’s degree.
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.
APPLICATION TO THE MSOT PROGRAM
3+2 Admit Track: Students without a bachelor’s degree
In order to apply to the MSOT program, 3+2 Track students must meet the following minimal standards. Students in the 3+2 entry-level master’s degree with a minimum of 70 credits in occupational therapy 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. Students may be eligible to obtain a bachelor’s degree after completion of their first year in the MSOT program. 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.
- Completion of a minimum of 85 credits prior to admission to the program.
- Enrollment in final semester of, or completion of, all prerequisite coursework.
- 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).
- Achievement of a grade minimum of 2.0 for each completed prerequisite pre-occupational therapy undergraduate course (see undergraduate description of the Pre-OT program).
- 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.
- Completion of an approved background check and 10 panel drug screen. Results to be submitted with the application packet.
- Submission of a completed application packet.
Students pursuing the 3+2 Admit Track may be eligible to obtain a bachelor’s degree after completion of their first year in the program. Students are encouraged to speak with an OT faculty advisor for further information.
- Application Deadlines for FALL Start: - May 15th
- Application Deadlines for WINTER Start: September 15th
Bachelor’s Admit Track: Students with a bachelor’s degree
In order to apply to the MSOT program, students in the Bachelor’s Admit Track 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 Track):
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university prior to admission to the program.
- 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).
- Enrollment in final semester of, or completion of, all prerequisite undergraduate coursework at an accredited college or university, with a grade minimum of 2.0 for each course. These courses include: Anatomy and Physiology, Introductory Psychology, and Medical Terminology.
- 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.
- Completion of an approved background check and 10 panel drug screen. Results to be submitted with the application packet.
- Submission of a completed application packet.
Students pursuing the Bachelor’s Admit Track will be required to enroll in and complete two foundational OT courses in order to start the MSOT program. Students are encouraged to speak with an OT faculty advisor for further information.
- Application Deadlines for FALL Start: January 15th
- Application Deadlines for WINTER Start: May 15th
Freshman Direct Admit Track: Students who qualify for Direct Admission from high school:
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 and application to the MSOT program. 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.
Freshman Direct Admit track students will be required to complete the following in order to be fully admitted to the MSOT program:
- Completion of a minimum of 85 credits prior to admission to the program.
- Enrollment in final semester of, or completion of, all prerequisite coursework.
- Achievement of a minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA (based on a 4.00 scale).
- Achievement of a grade minimum of 2.0 for each completed prerequisite pre-occupational therapy undergraduate course (see undergraduate description of the Pre-OT program).
- 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.
- Completion of an approved background check and 10 panel drug screen. Results to be submitted with the application packet.
- Submission of a completed application packet.
ADMISSION TO THE MSOT PROGRAM
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program is a competitive admissions program. The occupational therapy program operates on a rolling admissions basis in which completed applications are reviewed throughout the admissions cycle to determine acceptance into the MSOT program. Applicants who have completed all pre-requisite coursework are eligible for full admission status. Applicants who have not completed all pre-requisite coursework may receive provisional admission. Students who do not complete all pre-requisite coursework and/or demonstrate a drop in overall GPA below 3.0 (based upon their final 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.
Students admitted to the MSOT program who were not previously enrolled at SVSU will be required to apply to the university.
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/Credit
The needs of students transferring from another graduate program in occupational therapy will be considered on an individual basis.
General Information
Progression and Dismissal Policy
Students can pursue the program on a full- or part- time basis. Completion of all degree requirements on a full-time basis will take a minimum of 2.5 years. Students completing the program on a part-time basis must complete the program within four years from the date of initial acceptance into the MSOT program. All fieldwork shall be completed by all students (both full- and part- time) within 24 months of didactic coursework completion.
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. 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 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 seeking a leave of absence in cases of illness or other extenuating circumstances will be required to submit a request to the Department Chair. Students are encouraged to refer to University policies and procedures regarding withdrawal and readmission.
Professional and Ethical Expectations
All students are expected to abide by the University Student Conduct guidelines and demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors while enrolled in the MSOT Program. Unprofessional behaviors will be subject to referral to the College of Health and Human Services’ Professional Conduct Committee. Failure to fulfill the outcomes of a referral to this Committee may result in failure of this course.
The faculty reserves the right to dismiss students from the classroom or clinical areas when students are too ill or unprepared to benefit from the experience.
Transportation and Fees
Students are required to complete multiple fieldwork rotations and experiential learning activities 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.
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