Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.)

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Student Learning Outcomes for Occupational Therapy:

Students will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to effectively collaborate with others (colleagues, professional contacts, clients, faculty, etc.).
Engage with clients in a manner that demonstrates skillful application of concepts related to client-centered care, culturally responsive care, and therapeutic use of self.
Identify/diagnose occupational performance and participation and construct plans to influence change and enhance occupational performance for individuals, populations, and organizations.
Design and implement evaluations and interventions that are occupation-centered and theory-based, with entry-level competence.
Contribute to the body of evidence that supports traditional and emerging occupational therapy practice and/or the understanding of human occupation.

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy requires two years or four semesters (this includes one summer semester/session) of graduate academic study and six months of clinical Level II Fieldwork with the requirements listed below. Students may take up to 18 credits in a semester at Elizabethtown College without paying a credit overload fee. To begin the master’s program in occupational therapy, students must have successfully completed all prerequisites, including earning a 2.9 overall GPA by the end of their junior year and earning a minimum of a C- in all required courses. Successful completion of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy affords the student the opportunity to take the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Exam and to become licensed to practice occupational therapy as an individual jurisdiction requires. Please note: a felony conviction may affect an individual’s qualification to take the NBCOT certification exam and/or obtain professional credentials.

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy requires:

Additional requirements to attain the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree:

Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.00 and achieve a minimum grade of C- in all graduate courses. College policies on repeating courses apply to graduate study.

A student must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 to remain in good academic standing in Elizabethtown College graduate programs. Students who fail to maintain the minimum cumulative GPA at the end of any semester will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation will have one semester of coursework in which they must return to good academic standing. Students who fail to meet the conditions of their academic probation can expect dismissal from the program.

Students who have withdrawn from the College must petition the graduate program for readmission. To be eligible for readmission, applicants must be in good standing and the academic program must have the capacity to accept additional students. Additional conditions of readmission may be imposed by the specific graduate program for which the applicant seeks readmission.

It is up to the discretion of the student’s major program to determine if undergraduate and graduate courses may be taken concurrently. Graduate courses may count toward undergraduate programs; however, undergraduate courses may not count toward graduate programs. Undergraduate program courses taken by graduate students to complete credit deficiencies are free elective credits only and do not fulfill any major requirements. Graduate courses may not be met via Challenge Tests.

Students must pass both Level I and Level II Fieldwork experiences. Only one Level II failure may be repeated; student withdrawals from Level II fieldwork will be reviewed by the program on a case-by-case basis and may be considered a failure based on the student’s fieldwork performance prior to the withdrawal. Students are required to complete 24 weeks of full-time fieldwork or its equivalent of Level II fieldwork within 18 months of completing graduate didactic coursework.

Students need access to and competence in using e-mail and CANVAS platform.

Accreditation

The Occupational Therapy program has maintained a fully accredited status since 1976 by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The BS/MS Occupational Therapy degree program is fully accredited. The organization can be contacted at ACOTE, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4949; phone (301) 652-6611; email: accred@aota.org; www.acoteonline.org.