Florida
Barry University, Miami Shores, FL, offers a program leading to a master's degree in occupational therapy. Applicants may have a baccalaureate degree in any field, but those with a bachelor's degree in a health field are given priority in the admissions process. Classes are typically scheduled on two weekends per month.
Contact: (305) 899-3213
http://www.barry.edu/snhs/MSprograms/occupationalTherapy/default.htm;
Illinois
Governors State University, University Park, IL, offers a degree completion track through the School of Interdisciplinary Learning (SIDL) program leading to application to the master in occupational therapy program. Preferred Plans Study developed by the SIDL and MOT programs are tailored to the OTA and others in need of degree completion for application to the MOT program. Full- and part-time options are available for both the SIDL and MOT programs.
Contact: (708) 534-7293
www.govst.edu/chhs/dot/mot
Maine
Husson University, Bangor, ME, invites qualified certified occupational therapy assistants to apply for the COTA to MSOT degree program. The program enables OTA's to earn a BS in psychology and a MS in occupational therapy.
Contact: Dr. Lynn Gitlow, Director of Occupational Therapy, 207-973-1074 gitlowl@husson.edu
Massachusetts
American International College, Springfield, MA, offers a full-time, combined BS and entry-level master of science in occupational therapy program (MSOT). OTA's wishing to continue their education will find AIC's 3+2 model just what they need. An individualized transfer credit analysis will be conducted to determine a student's entry-point and time to completion.
Contact: (413) 205-3201 (Admissions) for application information; (413) 205-3320 for information about the program.
http://www.aic.edu/academics/hs/occupational_therapy/
Salem State College, Salem, MA, offers a part-time evening program for OTAs to earn a combined BS/MS degree in occupational therapy. Students will earn a bachelor of science degree in occupational health studies and an entry-level master of science degree in occupational therapy. The OT program was created and established in 1999.
Contact: (978) 542-6630
http://www.salemstate.edu/oct/
Minnesota
St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN, offers a dual BS/MS degree program with an undergraduate major in occupational science and a master of arts in occupational therapy. The program meets weekday or alternate weekends.
Contact: (651) 690-6606
http://www.stkate.edu/academic/maot
New Mexico
Western New Mexico University*, Silver City, NM, advances the OTA to MOT entry level by providing a distance learning experience using on-line courses plus one weekend a month labs in New Mexico. Designed for the working individual, students may chose a full- or part-time track. Full-time students can complete the program in 2½ years; part-time in 3½ years. New classes are admitted in the fall semester. In addition to the OTA associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree in any field is required for admission. For those students needing a bachelor’s degree, WNMU offers a Bachelor of Arts in Rehabilitation on-line.
Contact: Dr. Claudia Leonard, leonardc1@wnmu.edu or 575-574-5177
http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/healthscience/ot/welcomeMot.htm
*Note: This OT program is currently in the process of seeking accreditation and has been granted Developing Program Status by ACOTE. A final accreditation decision is scheduled to be made by ACOTE in December 2010 after an initial accreditation visit is conducted.
New York
Dominican College, Orangeburg, NY, offers a weekend program for a combined BS/MS degree. Classes meet approximately every third weekend for 6 on-campus class sessions each trimester. The BS/MS track tailored for OTAs and working adults allows students to complete all academic coursework in 2 years or 6 trimesters (OTAs) and 7 trimesters (individuals seeking a first degree in occupational therapy). Students begin the professional curriculum in September with previous OTA coursework accepted as prerequisites. Students can also work toward a combined bachelor of arts in social science and BS/MS in occupational therapy using a combination of weekend, evening, and accelerated courses for the social science prerequisites.
Contact: (845) 359-7800 x209
http://www.dc.edu/academics.aspx?ID=345
Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY, offers a BS in health sciences and a MS weekend program for OTAs. The BS in health sciences includes all prerequisites for the OT program and can be taken on a flexible part-time schedule. The MS program meets every other weekend, 8 weekends per trimester, for 2 years.
Contact: 1-800-637-2969
https://www.mercy.edu/academics/school-of-health-and-natural-sciences/department-of-health-professions/ms-in-occupational-therapy/
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, offers a track leading to a BS in Health Sciences and an MS in Occupational Therapy for OTAs who want to pursue professional advancement. Coursework is offered in a weekend format, 2-3 weekends per month. This full-time curriculum prepares the OTA by providing a learning environment that fosters scholarly activity, critical thinking, evidence-based practice, leadership, and professionalism while recognizing the unique needs of the adult learner/practicing clinician. Information sessions and individualized advisement appointments are available. Applications are only available online.
Contact: 631-444-2363
http://www.hsc.stonybrook.edu/shtm/ot/OTAtoOT.htm
The Sage Colleges, Troy, NY, offers a baccalaureate degree completion program that leads to an MS in occupational therapy after 3 years of coursework plus 2 additional semesters of fieldwork.
Contact: 1-888-VERY-SAGE or 518-244-2217; rscadm@sage.edu
http://www.sage.edu/academics/occupationaltherapy/
Touro College-Manhattan Campus, New York, NY; and Touro College, Bay Shore, NY, offer a combined BS in health sciences/MS occupational therapy degree that recognizes the value of the OTA educational and clinical experience, encouraging OTA practitioners to join "traditional" students in a "transfer-friendly", multicultural environment. Transcript review is on an individualized basis. Previous training will not exempt a student from the need to complete all courses in the combined degree program. The program can be undertaken either on a three-year full-time basis or an extended study basis.
Contact: OTNY@touro.edu (Manhattan); OTBAYSHORE@touro.edu (Bay Shore)
http://www.touro.edu/shs/
Ohio
The University of Findlay, Findlay, OH, offers a combined BS/MOT degree program to be completed with pre-professional requirements and three years of a professional curriculum, including fieldwork. The program is designed primarily to meet the needs of the working OTA in an innovative program and supportive environment. A new cohort begins the professional program in late August each year.
Contact: (419) 434-6936; ickes@findlay.edu
http://www.findlay.edu/academics/colleges/cohp/academicprograms/graduate/OCTH/default.htm
Pennsylvania
Misericordia University, Dallas, PA, offers a weekend entry-level master's degree program for OTAs and students with a baccalaureate degree. OTA's receive a bachelor's degree in health sciences and entry-level master's degree in occupational therapy. This is a 3-year program, offered since 1991, which meets every other weekend. Courses are designed for adult learners.
Contact: Dr. Gwen Bartolacci, 1-800-852-7675 or 1-866-CMandMe; gbartola@misericordia.edu
http://www.misericordia.edu/
Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, PA, offers a program leading to a master's degree in occupational therapy. Students may enroll in the didactic component of the curriculum on a full-time or part-time basis. Applicants may have a baccalaureate degree in any field, but those with experience in health care are given special consideration in the admissions process. Classes are typically scheduled two Fridays and two Saturdays per month. After 22 months of on-campus coursework, supported by internet-based learning, students enroll in 6 months of Level II fieldwork and 2 internet-based courses.
Contact: (215) 951-2943; gradadm@Philau.edu
Tennessee
Belmont University, Nashville TN, offers a weekend program leading to a master of science degree. The curriculum is delivered via a combination of distance technology and on-site sessions. On-site classes meet year-round approximately every third weekend. Computer use is required for distance coursework. Students can complete all program requirements including fieldwork in 22 months.
Contact: Dr. Lorry Liotta-Kleinfeld, 615-460-6798
http://www.belmont.edu/ot/
Texas
Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX, offers an OTA-to MOT bridging program for OTA's with a bachelor's degree in any field. This part-time distance learning program allows credit for OTA coursework and work experience. Our unique program is designed for the working OTA. On campus classes meet on seven alternate weekends in the Fall semester and only 3 days during the Spring semester. The 3-year academic program is followed by 6 months of fieldwork. We admit a cohort of 20 students each fall.
Contact: 940-898-2801; OT@twu.edu
http://www.twu.edu/occupational-therapy/
West Virginia
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, offers a distance education track. The majority of coursework is conducted via the internet, self-directed study, and innovative software programs. Students are required to come to the Morgantown campus approximately one weekend per month (for a total of 30 visits over three years) for lab work, lecture clarification, testing, etc. Occupational Therapy Assistants need not possess a bachelor degree to gain admission. All students within the program complete the requirements for a BA in Human Performance & Health, and a Master of Occupational Therapy degree. Students are able to finish both degrees (including the academic and fieldwork requirements) within 3 years. Distance education track is being phased out after acceptance of final class to start in summer 2010.
Contact: 304-293-1690; bwolfe@hsc.wvu.edu
www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/ot/
Wisconsin
Concordia University, Mequon, WI, offers a weekend program for OTAs that enables them to complete a bachelor of science degree in Rehabilitative Science (BS RS) and proceed to a master of occupational therapy degree (MOT). The teaching format is a combination of online and onsite weekend classes (a total of 26 weekends required). Students can complete both degrees in 10 semesters: fall, spring, and summer (including Level II fieldwork). This program is designed for employed OTAs.
Contact: 262-243-4469; Linda.samuel@cuw.edu
http://www.cuw.edu/Programs/tota/index.html
Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, WI, will typically transfer 30 or more credits from an OTA program. Occupational therapy treatment and theory courses are block-scheduled for two full weekdays per week. Liberal arts courses may require attendance one additional day per week. Upon completion of B.S. requirements, students continue in the master of science program with 24 credits being offered online. Six credits of Level II fieldwork (940 hours) are completed following completion of B.S. requirements.
Contact: Susanne Glocka (414) 256-1246; ot@mtmary.edu
http://www.mtmary.edu/ot.htm
For specific information, please contact the schools of your choice.