The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies program offers a stimulating and challenging curriculum that blends professional coursework with a traditional liberal arts education. Students begin by learning the philosophy and founding principles of occupational therapy along with acquiring a thorough understanding of biological, psychological, and social aspects of human beings. In upper-division coursework, students learn to apply this knowledge and develop occupational therapy clinical reasoning skills for evaluation of and intervention with persons across the lifespan. Between the junior and senior years, students with good academic standing are eligible to apply for admittance to the Master of Occupational Therapy program. Acceptance and completion of the undergraduate program in occupational studies does not guarantee admission into the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program.
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 and/or drug test is typically required prior to Fieldwork Level I and Level II placements.
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; or www.nbcot.org.
The Combined Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies and Master of Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. For further information regarding accreditation, contact: ACOTE, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814; 301-652-AOTA; or www.acoteonline.org.
