Occupational Therapy / Master of Science
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program is designed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to provide occupational therapy services to children and adults with various developmental, physical, cognitive, and psychological conditions across different practice settings. Occupational Therapists analyze how human and environmental factors influence a client’s performance and participation within the context of meaningful daily life activities, or occupations. Occupational Therapists design intervention strategies that establish, maintain, and restore motor, process, and communication interaction skills. In addition, they modify environments and their client’s habits and routines to maximize performance, participation, and life satisfaction.
Occupational Therapy is a field of study grounded in models of practice that guide clinical and ethical decision making, as well as the critical evaluation of evidence as it relates to client outcomes. Occupational Therapists use systematic approaches and reflective practices to design assessment, intervention, and discharge plans for their clients. As members of the healthcare team, Occupational Therapists practice client-centered care and work in association with clients, caregivers, and other providers. Occupational Therapists are viewed as advocates for political and social change to benefit clients, communities, the profession of Occupational Therapy, and the provision of healthcare. Occupational Therapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, public school systems, in-home patient care, private clinics, and community-based organizations.
The MSOT Program at Lewis University is a continuous, full-time, entry-level program designed to be completed over 7 consecutive semesters in 28 months. The classes run Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The MSOT Program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA):
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
c/o Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200
Bethesda, MD 20814-3449
(301) 652-AOTA
www.acoteonline.org
The program must be granted Candidacy Status, have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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 individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Admission
To be accepted for admission in the M.S. in Occupational Therapy program at Lewis University, candidates must meet the following credentials:
- Baccalaureate degree in any field from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education; common majors include psychology, sociology, exercise science, education and biology.
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Prerequisite coursework with grade C or above completed within the last seven years in the following subjects: human anatomy & human physiology with lab, general psychology, lifespan development psychology, abnormal psychology, sociology, and statistics. An anatomy course with a cadaver lab and a course in medical terminology are preferred.
- GRE score of 300 (150 each for the verbal and quantitative sections); writing score of 4 or above preferred
- A minimum of 40 hours of volunteer or observation experience with an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant prior to application
- Three recommendations (one recommendation must be from a supervisor in a work, internship, or volunteer setting; the remaining two should be from professional and/or academic references)
- Application for graduate admission to Lewis University submitted via the OT Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) and paid application fee. The OT CAS opens in Mid-July.
Advanced Placement and Transfer Credit
The Occupational Therapy Program does not accept advanced placement credit to meet prerequisite courses. The Occupational Therapy Program does not allow transfer of credit from other institutions to meet the MS in OT graduation requirements. Academic credit is not provided for applicants’ work, experiential, or volunteer experience.
International Students
International students are required to meet the Program’s admission requirements and also the admission requirements specified in the General Information section of this Catalog entitled “Entering International Students”.
Good Academic Standing
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation. Only grades attained in Lewis University’s MSOT Program will be used to determine the GPA. A grade of D will not count towards degree requirements and will result in the student being placed on probation. The student will also need to retake the course. Because didactic courses are offered one time per year, a course failure will require the student to “sit out” of the program until the course is offered again. Students are responsible for understanding how “sitting out” will affect their financial aid status. Should a student receive a grade of D in more than one class over the course of their study, the student will be dismissed from the program, even if their GPA is over 3.0.
Academic Probation and Dismissal
Any student admitted to the MSOT Program whose MSOT Program GPA falls below 3.0 or who receives a D in one didactic course will be placed on academic probation. While on academic probation, the student must achieve a GPA of 3.0 or better in the courses taken during each semester (including summer). If a student does not meet this minimum GPA requirement in the courses taken during any semester on academic probation, he or she will be dismissed from the program. Once a student has passed all courses with a C or better and earned a GPA that meets or exceeds a 3.0, the student will be released from academic probation. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required to begin fieldwork rotations and to graduate.
Failed Fieldwork Rotations
If a student fails a fieldwork rotation for any reason, the course failure must be reviewed by the Program Director and the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator. A site placement to make up the failure is not guaranteed and will be determined following a full review of the circumstances leading to the failure by the Graduate Council. If an additional site placement is permitted, the student may be required to complete a remediation requirement prior to starting their next rotation. The remediation plan will be designed by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and faculty with expertise in the practice area. The Program Director will approve the remediation plan before it is implemented. Any fieldwork rotation following a failed rotation will be scheduled according to the Program’s established fieldwork rotation schedule. Should a student fail fieldwork a second time, the student will be dismissed from the MSOT Program.
Time Limitation for Completing the Program
The program is designed to be completed in 28 months. The maximum time allotted to complete the program is 40 months. It is also required that all Level 2 fieldwork must be completed within 18 months of completion of the didactic portion of the program.
Graduation Requirements
To complete the MS in Occupational Therapy degree, a student must earn a minimum of 76 credit hours in the MSOT program of study.
Degree Offered: Master of Science
Total Credit Hours: 76
Degree Requirements
Program: MS-OCCT-A
Requirements List (76)
Level 1 Fieldwork may require students to drive more than an hour each way. Level 2 Fieldwork rotations may require students to relocate or drive more than one hour each way. All students must be prepared to arrange and pay for transportation from their residence to a fieldwork site. Likewise, all students must be prepared to pay living and housing expenses, as well we parking fees associated with their fieldwork placements, when applicable.