Master of Occupational Therapy
Program Coordinator: Dr. Sarah DiMeo
Phone: 508-929-8893
Email: sdimeo@worcester.edu
Program Description
The Occupational Therapy Department offers a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree. Students with a baccalaureate degree in a field other than occupational therapy can complete the program of study in three years. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Inquiries regarding accreditation may be made to: The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
Upon successful completion of Level II Fieldwork (OT-920 and OT-921), graduates will be eligible to sit for the certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the examination, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Massachusetts and most other states require a license to practice occupational therapy. Eligibility for licensure is contingent on earning a passing score on the NBCOT examination. The Master of Occupational Therapy Program at Worcester State University is recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (www.wfot.org).
Please note: Effective for the incoming class of Summer 2025, the post-baccalaureate track is suspended.
Items Needed to Apply:
Beginning with the incoming class of Summer 2025, the post-baccalaureate entry is suspended until further notice.
Requirements of the Program
- All OT undergraduate major courses must be completed with a C or better.
- All graduate courses must be completed with a B- or better and students must maintain a graduate GPA of 3.0.
- Courses must be taken in prescribed sequence or with Department Chair’s approval.
- All coursework must be completed prior to beginning Level II Fieldwork.
- The second Level II Fieldwork must be completed within 12 months of the academic preparation.
- Any individual who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, involving an act likely to affect professional practice, should meet with the Department Chair prior to applying to the Program. Prior incidents may affect eligibility for fieldwork, certification, and employment. A CORI check may be conducted prior to Level I and Level II Fieldwork.
Master's of Occupational Therapy Program (Students with a completed Bachelor's of Science in Occupational Studies from Worcester State University)
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Credits | |
| OT-908 | Community Health | 3 |
| OT-928 | Thesis Seminar I | 3 |
| OT-931 | Organizational and Professional Issues II | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Fall | ||
| OT-903 | Clinical Reasoning I | 3 |
| OT-929 | Thesis Seminar II | 3 |
| OT-933 | Assessment and Evaluation Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| OT-905 | Clinical Reasoning II | 3 |
| OT-906 | Global Health Issues | 3 |
| OT-930 | Thesis Seminar III | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Summer or Fall | ||
| OT-920 | Physical Disabilities Fieldwork II | 3 |
| OT-921 | Psychosocial Fieldwork II | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
.
Post-Baccalaureate Master's of Occupational Therapy Program (Students with a completed Bachelor's Degree)
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer I | Credits | |
| OT-101 | Introduction of Occupational Studies of Wellness/Disability | 3 |
| BI-271 | Basic Kinesiology | 3 |
| OT-211 | Kinesiology Lab | 1 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Summer II | ||
| OT-102 | Occupational Studies of Wellness/ Disability Groups | 3 |
| OT-203 | Occupational Therapy Theories | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Fall | ||
| OT-301 | Psychosocial Wellness/Disability | 2 |
| OT-302 | Psychosocial Therapeutic Approaches | 3 |
| OT-304 | Psychosocial Therapeutic Approaches Lab | 2 |
| OT-317 | Research I | 3 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| OT-312 | Physiological Wellness/Disability | 2 |
| OT-313 | Physiological Therapeutic Approaches | 3 |
| OT-318 | Physiological Therapeutic Approaches Lab | 2 |
| PS-322 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| OT-401 | Occupational Performance & Context for Older Adults | 2 |
| OT-402 | Therapeutic Approaches for Older Adults | 3 |
| OT-403 | Therapeutic Approaches Lab for Older Adults | 2 |
| OT-404 | Assistive Technology I | 3 |
| OT-407 | Research II | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| OT-421 | Occupational Performance and Context for Children/Adolescents | 2 |
| OT-423 | Therapeutic Approaches Lab for Children/Adolescents | 2 |
| OT-424 | Assistive Technology II | 3 |
| OT-426 | Organizational and Professional Issues I | 3 |
| OT-427 | Therapeutic Approaches for Children/Adolescents | 3 |
| OT-928 | Thesis Seminar I | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Summer | ||
| OT-903 | Clinical Reasoning I | 3 |
| OT-908 | Community Health | 3 |
| OT-929 | Thesis Seminar II | 3 |
| OT-931 | Organizational and Professional Issues II | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Fall | ||
| OT-905 | Clinical Reasoning II | 3 |
| OT-906 | Global Health Issues | 3 |
| OT-930 | Thesis Seminar III | 3 |
| OT-933 | Assessment and Evaluation Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| OT-920 | Physical Disabilities Fieldwork II | 3 |
| OT-921 | Psychosocial Fieldwork II | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 92 | |
Post-baccalaureate Prerequisites for Entry
Effective for the incoming class of Summer 2025, the post-baccalaureate track is suspended.
Traditional Students Conditional Graduate Standing Prerequisites for Entry
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies (BSOS) Class of 2026 and Beyond
By July 1, 2025 (or beyond), after completion of the junior year, undergraduate students will apply for conditional graduate standing by notifying the graduate program coordinator of their intention. Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 in the OT courses and prerequisites to be considered for conditional acceptance. The transition to the graduate school process requires submission of a Notice of Intent to the graduate program coordinator. Once conditionally accepted, senior BSOS students must maintain a GPA of 3.2 in the OT major courses to receive full acceptance into the MOT program.
Graduate Occupational Therapy Courses
OT-903 Clinical Reasoning I
Seminar to apply clinical reasoning skills to case studies integrating all aspects that influence therapeutic decision-making, including occupational performance areas, components, and contexts.
3 Credits
OT-905 Clinical Reasoning II
Continuing seminar to apply clinical reasoning skills to case studies integrating all aspects that influence therapeutic decision-making, including occupational performance areas, components, and contexts.
3 Credits
OT-906 Global Health Issues
Understanding health issues from a global perspective of the economic, political, social and cultural forces which impact on health and health services.
3 Credits
OT-908 Community Health
Community as a context for human functioning and occupational therapy intervention. Includes community placement.
3 Credits
OT-920 Physical Disabilities Fieldwork II
Prerequisites: OT-903 and OT-905 and OT-906 and OT-908 and OT-928 and OT-929 and OT-930 and OT-931 and OT-933
Twelve weeks of full-time (or equivalent part-time) fieldwork in approved physical disabilities setting with supervision that meets ACOTE Standards.
3 Credits
OT-921 Psychosocial Fieldwork II
Prerequisites: OT-903 and OT-905 and OT-908 and OT-928 and OT-929 and OT-930 and OT-931 and OT-933
Twelve weeks of full-time (or equivalent part-time) fieldwork in approved setting with supervision that meets ACOTE Standards.
3 Credits
OT-928 Thesis Seminar I
Seminar focusing of the development of thesis proposals.
3 Credits
OT-929 Thesis Seminar II
Seminar focusing on the collection and analysis of data.
3 Credits
OT-930 Thesis Seminar III
Seminar focusing on writing and disseminating a research report.
3 Credits
OT-931 Organizational and Professional Issues II
An advanced seminar exploring issues relevant to the changing roses and responsibilities of practitioners and to the rapidly evolving practice contexts.
3 Credits
OT-933 Assessment and Evaluation Across the Lifespan
This course provides an overview of the occupational therapy and evaluation process. Selection, interpretation and documentation of assessments will be examined.
3 Credits
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate entry-level clinical reasoning skills.
- Identify, evaluate, and synthesize research for best clinical practice.
- Exhibit professional and ethical behaviors in a variety of settings (traditional, nontraditional, and emerging practice) and with diverse populations.
- Design, implement, and evaluate therapeutic interventions to increase occupational performance in accordance with the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework.
- Assume the responsibility for achieving and maintaining competence in lifelong learning by participating in professional development activities.