Get the skills to help people be independent.
The Master of Occupational Therapy program at Worcester State University provides you with the theoretical and practical knowledge to become a competent, compassionate practitioner who helps people of all ages build or regain the skills needed to live full and productive lives. Our full-time day program is an exceptional value: You will graduate with a sought-after master’s degree in occupational therapy in just 3 years.
An integral component of our curriculum, Level II Fieldwork provides you with valuable, real-world experience—and helps you establish important professional connections that may lead to permanent jobs. During your 2 full-time, 12-week sessions, you will work alongside licensed, registered occupational therapists, helping individuals who have psychosocial and physical disabilities in settings such as hospitals, mental health facilities, and outpatient clinics.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to conduct hands-on research in an area that interests you, culminating in a thesis paper. In recent years, students’ research has been published in the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Special Interest Sections Quarterly newsletters, and OT Practice Magazine.
Graduates of Worcester State’s MOT program are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination, for which this program boasts a consistently high pass rate. A passing score on this examination allows the graduate to apply for a license to practice that is required by most states within the United States, including Massachusetts. For further information regarding certification contact: NBCOT, One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20878; (301) 990-7979.
The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). This program is recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
Master of Occupational Therapy Information Sessions
The Occupational Therapy Department will be hosting virtual information sessions for prospective master’s in occupational therapy post-baccalaureate applicants on the following dates in 2023:
- Monday, August 7, 6–7pm
- Monday, September 11, 6–7pm
- Monday, October 2, 6–7pm
- Monday, November 6, 6–7pm
- Monday, December 4, 6–7pm
Please RSVP 24 hours in advance to the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Sarah DiMeo, sdimeo@worcester.edu, who will provide you with the Zoom invitation.
Requirements and Prerequisites
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- All OT undergraduate major courses must be completed with a C or better.
- All graduate courses must be completed with a B- or better.
- Students must maintain a graduate GPA of 3.0.
- Courses must be taken in prescribed sequence or with the 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.
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- If you are applying for post-baccalaureate admission, your completed application is due by March 1.
- If you are a current Worcester State occupational studies major and applying for conditional entry to the MOT program the summer before your senior year, your completed application is due by July 1.
Preference is given to completed applications (i.e., all prerequisites have been completed). Applicants currently enrolled in prerequisites during the spring may be granted conditional status.
In addition to the general admission requirements, applicants must have the following:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in a related field with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2
- Grades of B- or better taken in courses taken within 6 years of application in the following courses (note: prerequisite course syllabi may be requested for review by the program coordinator):
- Introduction to Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II, with labs (8 credits)
- Statistics
- Neuroscience with lab (4 credits) – biology-based, not psychology-based, course
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Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies (BSOS) Class of 2024
By July 1, 2023, after completion of the junior year, undergraduate students will apply for conditional graduate standing through the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education (DGCE). Students can apply through one of the following options:
- Option 1 – Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the OT courses and prerequisites to be considered for conditional acceptance. The application process requires the following:
- An application form (obtained online)
- Letters of reference (2) from sources outside the Occupational Therapy Department
- The scores submitted from all sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) at the 50th percentile for each of the three sections
Once conditionally accepted, senior BSOS students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in the OT major courses to receive full acceptance into the MOT program.
- Option #2 – 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 application process requires the following:
- An application form (obtained online)
- Letters of reference (2) from sources outside the Occupational Therapy Department
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.
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies (BSOS) Class of 2025
By July 1, 2024, after completion of the junior year, undergraduate students will apply for conditional graduate standing through the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education (DGCE). Students can apply through one of the following options:
- Option 1 – Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the OT courses and prerequisites to be considered for conditional acceptance. The application process requires the following:
- An application form (obtained online)
- Letters of reference (2) from sources outside the Occupational Therapy Department)
- The scores submitted from all sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) at the 50th percentile for each of the three sections
Once conditionally accepted, senior BSOS students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in the OT major courses to receive full acceptance into the MOT program.
- Option 2 – 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 application process requires the following:
- An application form (obtained online)
- Letters of reference (2) from sources outside the Occupational Therapy Department
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.
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 through the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education (DGCE). 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 application process requires the following:
- An application form (obtained online)
- Letters of reference (2) from sources outside the Occupational Therapy Department
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.
- Option 1 – Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the OT courses and prerequisites to be considered for conditional acceptance. The application process requires the following:
Programs of Study
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1st Year Summer I
- OT 101 Intro to Occupational Studies of Wellness/Disability (3 credits)
- BI 271 Kinesiology (3 credits)
- OT 211 Kinesiology Lab (1 credit)
1st Year Summer II
- OT 102 Occupational Studies of Wellness/Disability Groups (3 credits)
- OT 203 Occupational Therapy Theories (3 credits)
1st Year Fall Semester
- OT 301 Psychosocial Wellness/Disability (2 credits)
- OT 302 Psychosocial Therapeutic Approaches (3 credits)
- OT 304 Psychosocial Therapeutic Approaches Lab (2 credits)
- PS 322 Psychology of Aging (3 credits)
- OT 317 Research I (3 credits)
1st Year Spring Semester
- OT 312 Physiological Wellness/Disability (2 credits)
- OT 313 Physiological Therapeutic Approaches (3 credits)
- OT 318 Physiological Therapeutic Approaches Lab (2 credits)
2nd Year Fall Semester
- OT 401 Occupational Performance & Context for Older Adults (2 credits)
- OT 402 Therapeutic Approaches for Older Adults (3 credits)
- OT 403 Therapeutic Approaches Lab for Older Adults (2 credits)
- OT 404 Assistive Technology I (3 credits)
- OT 407 Research II (3 credits)
2nd Year Spring Semester
- OT 421 Occupational Performance & Context for Children/Adolescents (2 credits)
- OT 423 Therapeutic Approaches Lab for Children/Adolescents (2 credits)
- OT 424 Assistive Technology II (3 credits)
- OT 426 Organizational & Professional Issues (3 credits)
- OT 427 Therapeutic Approaches for Children/Adolescents (3 credits)
- OT 928 Thesis Seminar I (3 credits)
3rd Year Summer Semester
- OT 903 Clinical Reasoning I (3 credits)
- OT 908 Community Health (3 credits)
- OT 929 Thesis Seminar II (3 credits)
- OT 933 Assessment and Evaluation Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
3rd Year Fall Semester
- OT 905 Clinical Reasoning II (3 credits)
- OT 906 Global Health Issues (3 credits)
- OT 930 Thesis Seminar III (3 credits)
- OT 931 Organizational & Professional Issues II (3 credits)
3rd Year Spring Semester
- OT 920 Physical Disabilities Fieldwork II (3 credits)
- OT 921 Psychosocial Fieldwork II (3 credits)
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First-Year Fall Semester
- OT 101 Introduction to Occupational Studies of Wellness/Disability (3 credits)
- BI 161 Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits)
- PS 101 General Psychology (3 credits)
First-Year Spring Semester
- OT 102 Occupational Studies of Wellness/Disability Groups (3 credits)
- BI 162 Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits)
Sophomore Fall Semester
- OT 203 Occupational Therapy Theories (3 credits)
- PS 210 Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
- BI 215 Neuroscience (4 credits)
- MA 150 Statistics I or PS 275 Psychological Statistics (4 credits)
Sophomore Spring Semester
- OT 211 Kinesiology Lab (1 credit)
- BI 271 Kinesiology (3 credits)
- PS 322 Psych of Aging (3 credits)
Junior Fall Semester
- OT 301 Psychosocial Wellness/Disability (2 credits)
- OT 302 Psychosocial Therapeutic Approaches (3 credits)
- OT 304 Psychosocial Therapeutic Approaches Lab (2 credits)
- OT 317 Research I (3 credits)
Junior Spring Semester
- OT 312 Physiological Wellness/Disability (2 credits)
- OT 313 Physiological Therapeutic Approaches (3 credits)
- OT 318 Physiological Therapeutic Approaches Lab (2 credits)
Senior Fall Semester
- OT 401 Occupational Performance & Context for Older Adults (2 credits)
- OT 402 Therapeutic Approaches for Older Adults (3 credits)
- OT 403 Therapeutic Approaches Lab for Older Adults (2 credits)
- OT 404 Assistive Technology I (3 credits)
- OT 407 Research II (3 credits)
Senior Spring Semester
- OT 421 Occupational Performance & Context for Children/Adolescents (2 credits)
- OT 427 Therapeutic Approaches for Children/Adolescents (3 credits)
- OT 423 Therapeutic Approaches Lab Children/Adolescents (2 credits)
- OT 424 Assistive Technology II (3 credits)
- OT 426 Organizational & Professional Issues I (3 credits)
BSOS Granted
Graduate Summer Semester
- OT 908 Community Health (3 credits)
- OT 928 Thesis Seminar I (3 credits)
- OT 933 Assessment and Evaluation Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
Graduate Fall Semester
- OT 903 Clinical Reasoning I (3 credits)
- OT 929 Thesis Seminar II (3 credits)
- OT 931 Organizational & Professional Issues II (3 credits)
Graduate Spring Semester
- OT 905 Clinical Reasoning II (3 credits)
- OT 906 Global Health Issues (3 credits)
- OT 930 Thesis Seminar III (3 credits)
Graduate Summer/Fall Semester
- OT 920 Physical Disabilities Fieldwork (3 credits)
- OT 921 Psychosocial Fieldwork (3 credits)
Fieldwork
Level I Fieldwork is to provide the student with an opportunity to develop professional behaviors and basic understanding of a particular client population.
Level II Fieldwork is to offer an in-depth practical experience that will enable you to become a competent, entry-level, generalist occupational therapist. In addition to those experiences designed to complement specific program courses (Level I Fieldwork), the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) requires a minimum of 24 weeks’ full-time Level II Fieldwork.
Worcester State requires that students complete 2 12-week Level II Fieldwork placements, one fieldwork in physical disability (OT 920) and one in psychosocial disability (OT 921).
All students must complete all required fieldwork within 12 months of completion of the academic program. In addition, students must complete all fieldwork requirements before they are eligible to sit for the national certification examination.
Fieldwork Education Resources
HIPAA training and certification for our students is provided by HIPAA EXAMS, Inc.
Outcomes
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Date of Graduation Number of Students Entering/Graduating as a Cohort* Graduation Rate May 2020 10/0** —- August 2020 0/3 (from May 2020) 100% December 2020 0/7 (from May 2020)
24/10**100%
100%May 2021 0/14 (from December 2020) **
12/10***100%
100%December 2021 0/2 (from May 2021)
23/22***100% May/August 2022 0/1 (from December 2021)
10/10100% December 2022 19/19 100% May 2023 7/7 100% TOTAL 105/105 100% *Denotes the number of students entering the 900-level courses (graduate courses)
**Due to COVID-19, students delayed for Level II Fieldwork
***Delayed for various reasons