Occupational Therapy (M.S.)

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.) professional program is designed to educate occupational therapists who are practitioners, contributors, and managers. As practitioners, occupational therapists establish, restore, maintain or enhance health and wellness through engagement in activities and occupations, and participation in lifestyles that are satisfying to clients. As contributors, occupational therapists advocate for their profession and clients, use current research to inform practice, and participate in the development of occupational therapy scholarship. As managers, occupational therapists plan, establish, supervise and evaluate occupational therapy services, promote occupational therapy services, collaborate with other professionals.

This 84-credit program consists of two years of didactic learning and two Level II fieldwork rotations. The program consists of courses specific to occupational therapy practice that are intended to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and technical skills necessary to perform as entry-level practitioners in a rapidly changing global society. All students must complete Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of academic preparation.

The occupational therapy program is accredited by:

The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
6116 Executive Boulevard
Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
(301) 652-AOTA
www.acoteonline.org

Graduates of the program are eligible to take 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 will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states require licensure 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 or attain state licensure.

Admission

Admission to the program requires:

• Completion of the Seton Hall University MSOT program application through OTCAS;
• a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum overall GPA of 3.2;
• completion of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 3.2 and a grade of “C” or better in each course; and
• three letters of recommendation, one from a registered occupational therapist (OTR).

Prerequisite Courses

• Human Anatomy and Physiology (with Lab) 8 credits
• English 3 credits
• Statistics 3 credits
• Introduction to Sociology 3 credits
• Introduction to General Psychology 3 credits
• Abnormal Psychology 3 credits
• Developmental Psychology (Across the Life Span) 3 credits

Anatomy and Physiology must include a laboratory. Students with incomplete prerequisites may apply; however, they must state how they will satisfy the prerequisites prior to the start of the program. All prerequisite courses must be completed within 10 years of the application date. College Level Examination program (CLEP), Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) credits cannot substitute for prerequisite courses required for admission.

Applicants are required to perform a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer work with an occupational therapist (OTR). One letter of recommendation must be from an occupational therapist (OTR). The Committee on Admissions will determine candidates’ eligibility upon review of the following: GPA; non-quantifiable items, including letters of recommendation, occupational therapy volunteer experiences, employment experiences, healthcare experiences, professional and community activities, and a written essay demonstrating understanding of and commitment to the profession. If English is not the native language, a student must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Score Report documenting a paper-based score of 550 or above, a computer-based score of 213 or above, or an Internet-based score of 79 or above.

Information regarding the application deadline may be obtained from the School of Health and Medical Sciences, (973) 761-7145 or email shms@shu.edu.

Curriculum Requirements

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Summer		Hours
GMOT 6301	Hlth Med Complex Older Adult	2
GMOT 6303	Evaluation of Older Adults	2
GMOT 6305	Intervention for Older Adults	4
	Hours	8
First Semester
GMOT 6100	Professional Formation I	2
GMOT 6155	Fnctnl Anatomy-Kinesiology I	4
GMOT 6160	Neuroscience for Occ Therapy	2
GMOT 6185	Intro to Occupational Therapy	4
GMOT 6270	Occupational Therapy Process	4
	Hours	16
Second Semester
GMOT 6170	Occup Therapy Practice Skills	2
GMOT 6200	Professional Formation II	2
GMOT 6240	Fnctnl Anatomy Kinesiology II	2
GMOT 6250	Group Process in Occup Therapy	4
GMOT 6260	Cognition Percep Vision -Funct	3
GMOT 7303	Research Methods I	3
	Hours	16
Second Year
Summer
GMOT 6965	Health Care Policies - Organ	2
GMOT 6970	Fieldwork Preparation	1
GMOT 6980	Wellness - Entrepreneurship II	4
	Hours	7
First Semester
GMOT 6700	Professional Formation III	2
GMOT 6750	Health Med Complexities Adults	2
GMOT 6760	Evaluation of Adults	2
GMOT 6770	Intervention for Adults	6
GMOT 7320	Research Methods II	2
	Hours	14
Second Semester
GMOT 6780	Prof Ethics in Occup Therapy	2
GMOT 6800	Professional Formation IV	2
GMOT 6850	Hlth Med Complex Children Adol	2
GMOT 6860	Evaluation Children Adolescent	2
GMOT 6870	Intervention for Children Adol	5
GMOT 6880	Wellness - Entrepreneurship I	3
	Hours	16
Third Year
First Semester
GMOT 7013	Fieldwork Level II-Phase I	3
	Hours	3
Second Semester
GMOT 7000	Professional Formation V	1
GMOT 7023	Fieldwork Level II, Phase II	3
	Hours	4
	Total Hours	84

Plan of Study Grid

Summer		Hours
GMOT 7033	Fieldwork Level II, Phase III (Optional)	3
	Hours	3
	Total Hours	3