Occupational Therapy MS, (Post-Professional)

Coordinator: Ellen McLaughlin, EdD, OTR/L

The post-professional master’s of science in occupational therapy is a 30-credit graduate program with two tracks, an interdisciplinary and pediatric concentration. Students in all tracks of the program will complete a total of 30 graduate credits distributed among the following categories: theory and core: 9 credits; research: 9 credits; concentration: 12 credits.

This program is offered in a variety of formats using an adult learning model, including online distance education, weekend or night courses, and workshop formats. The pediatric track includes courses currently being offered in the post-professional pediatric certificate program. This allows students to transfer their graduate credits from the certificate program into the post-professional master’s degree program. The interdisciplinary track includes courses from a variety of departments including education, nursing, and organizational management.

Occupational Therapy Post Professional Programs Retention Criteria -Post Professional Pediatric Certificate, Masters, and Doctoral Programs

Once students begin the first semester of the post professional curriculum, they must maintain a 3.0 gpa in coursework. If a student’s gpa falls below a 3.0, they will have one semester of probation to improve their gpa to the minimum. If a student receives a grade of C in a graduate course, or if their gpa falls below a 3.0 as a result of B minus grades, they will be able to do one grade replacement. If a student receives a second C in a graduate course, they will be dismissed from the post professional program.

Curricular Goals of the Program Include:

1. The student will be able to foster the most effective interventions when working with occupational therapy clientele to promote independence and success in their life roles and activities.
2. The students will advance their knowledge base in specialty areas related to occupational therapy and their practice through the choice of four elective courses within the MS program.
3. The student will be able to synthesize their knowledge base in research and evidence based practice in order to implement best practice in occupational therapy.
4. The student will advance their knowledge base in order to integrate and evaluate occupational therapy theory in clinical practice.