Master of Science Occupational Therapy

Tuition: $925/credit*

Read the attached document for information regarding cost of attendance for the 2024-2026 tuition and fees by year and total program costs.

* Tuition rates are for the 2024-25 academic year. Additional fees and costs for course materials may apply. Total program cost and completion time varies depending on transfer credits and individual program plans. Tuition rates are subject to change.

The following information provides additional details about the MS in OT program. You will find Pass and Graduation rates as required by ACOTE, NBCOT Examination and Fieldwork Experience information.

Program Delivery

The MS in OT program is located at the Health Science Center and delivered primarily in person, allowing students to engage in hands-on experiential activities. Select courses between the Level II fieldworks are delivered in a hybrid format. The courses focus on student skill refinement and clinical reasoning in specialty areas prior to the final Level II Fieldwork. The courses are delivered with synchronous and asynchronous content for seven weeks as well as in-person course delivery for one week. Fees associated with hybrid course delivery are the responsibility of the student and include the costs of travel to campus for the one-week intensive (e.g. travel, lodging).

Graduation Rates

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Examination

Upon completion of all academic and fieldwork requirements of the Occupational Therapy Program, students are awarded a Master of Science (MS) degree. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for certification as occupational therapists. Most states require licensure to practice.

The exam is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a registered occupational therapist (OTR) and become eligible to practice occupational therapy. Most states require additional licensure. The graduates of the Occupational Therapy Department at The College of St. Scholastica have a high pass rate as shown below.

ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage.

Exam Pass Rates

St. Scholastica graduates have a 99% NBCOT exam pass rate (3-year average), the highest in Minnesota. For test data by school and state, visit NBCOT.

Technology Requirements

The following technology requirements are required or recommended for the MS in OT program:

Laptop or Desktop Computer

Apple Mac or Microsoft: We recommend you use the most updated operating systems for internet speed and compatibility with software programs. A tablet device (e.g. Chrome Book, iPad) will not be sufficient for the tasks completed in the program. Tablet devices can be useful in class, but are not required. The College strongly recommends using a computer that was purchased within the last 2 years. Older computers frequently cannot handle software requirements.

Accessories

You will use cameras, microphones, speakers (typically included with the computer) during this program.

Antivirus

All students are required to have anti-virus software on their computers and complete regular updates weekly.

Word Processing

Google Suite is utilized as the main word processing through Google drive (folders) and Google docs, sheets and slides. Microsoft Office products may be uploaded to Google drive. Google Suite is available free for students.

Computer Stations

Computer stations for printing are available at the Health Science Center on each floor. Wireless printing is also available.

View Requirements

View Learning Outcomes

Schema

Scope and Sequence of the Occupational Therapy Curriculum

We aim to give students a solid foundation for implementing the occupational therapy process so they are prepared to enter a variety of practice settings. The scope of the occupational therapy curriculum is intentionally broad in order to prepare students to work with diverse client populations across the lifespan in a wide range of environments.

Moreover, the curriculum is designed to familiarize students with traditional practice areas, including: children and youth, health and wellness, work and industry, productive aging, rehabilitation and disability, and mental health. Areas of practice introduced include low vision, driving, consultation, transitions for older youths, mental health, private practice and technology for rehabilitation.

Experiential Learning

The Occupational Therapy program’s courses offer depth of content that immediately immerses the student in hands-on learning experiences and progresses from understanding fundamental concepts to application in dynamic clinic scenarios and fieldwork experiences. The curriculum is designed to prepare students by providing the depth of knowledge and skill to be competent entry-level practitioners.

The program’s courses are sequenced in a way that allows for the integration of course content with experiential application in each semester. Each Level I fieldwork is integrated with content in courses that are occurring simultaneously and allow for the application of learned information and the progression of knowledge translation, skill development and independent clinical thinking. With the exception of summer sessions, semesters have been divided into session I and session II to allow students to focus on fewer courses at one time allowing for reflection about the complexities of clinical practice. Please see the curriculum schema for specific courses and when they appear in the curriculum.

More information about curriculum design.

Fieldwork is an opportunity for Occupational Therapy (OT) students to integrate occupational therapy theory and conceptual practice models with real client situations. Students are able to integrate occupational therapy language and skills that are acquired during the academic phase of the program into clinical practice in a structured and supervised environment. Students are also afforded the opportunity to practice and refine their interpersonal and communication skills with clients and colleagues, develop leadership skills, practice decision-making skills, problem-solve real client situations and participate in evidence-based practice. Fieldwork prepares students for entry-level practice as a generalist occupational therapy practitioner.

Level I Fieldwork

Level I Fieldwork is integrated into the academic portion of the program through experiential learning. Students participate in three required Level I experiences during the OT program with opportunities for additional elective Level I fieldwork. These experiences occur in the on-campus maurice’s Community Clinic, which includes partner sites in the community and enriched simulated experiences. Students are encouraged to volunteer beyond the required fieldwork experiences to gain as much variety as possible through student or program organized events. Students find that this allows them to expand their knowledge and practice skills and to develop a comfort level with clients from all practice areas.

Level II Fieldwork

Level II Fieldwork occurs in the second year of the program. Students complete two 12-week rotations reflective of two different setting types. This level of fieldwork allows the student, under the supervision of a registered and licensed occupational therapist, to apply clinical reasoning for occupation-based practice, engage in professionalism through various practice settings and participate in evidence-based practice. Students may complete their occupational therapy Level II Fieldwork in traditional, community-based or emerging practice settings. They are expected to develop reflective practice and to transition from the role of a student into the role of an entry-level OT practitioner.

Students have the opportunity to complete a Level II Fieldwork rotation focusing on mental health in school-based settings. This Level II Fieldwork opportunity is a federally funded grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The focus of this project is to address student mental health needs by increasing the number of school-based mental health service providers in high-need education agencies, increasing the number of service providers from diverse backgrounds or from the communities they serve, and ensuring that all service providers are trained in inclusive practices. Occupational therapy practitioners have the unique ability to work with students on mental health-related concerns within the context of their daily lives, experiences, and the school structure and environment.

Occupational Therapy (OT) remains a dual-entry degree profession, which allows the choice between earning an entry-level Master’s degree or an entry-level Doctorate. The entry-level Master’s degree program at St. Scholastica offers a well-established, rigorous pathway to becoming a practitioner through state-of-the-art facilities with faculty engaged in scholarship and service in diverse ways. Our OT program is cost-effective and takes less time when compared with an entry-level Doctorate degree.

Because of the one-on-one attention students receive and the “early and often” approach to hands-on learning, our graduates are in high demand. Graduate surveys indicate between 97% and 100% of graduates are employed as occupational therapists after one year. Many students have employment offers before graduation.

Where do Occupational Therapists work?

• General, psychiatric, and pediatric hospitals
• Public and private schools
• Rehabilitation hospitals or centers
• Colleges and universities
• Home health agencies
• Skilled nursing homes
• Private practice

Growth Projections

Occupational Therapy is consistently ranked as one of the best jobs across the nation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for occupational therapists is expected to grow by 12% over the next decade, a rate much faster than average.

The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814.
301-652-AOTA (2682)
www.acoteonline.org

Visit our admissions page for information about transcripts, online application, international admissions and financing.

Application Deadline

Start term: Summer
Application priority deadline: Nov. 15
Application final deadline: May 15

Application Process

The OT program uses the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). To learn more about the application process and schedule, visit the OTCAS website. You’ll find information specific to our program listed under the Participating Programs link on the left side of the page, then select College of St. Scholastica.

Eligibility

The MS Occupational Therapy program uses an inclusive and equitable admissions process to grow a diverse occupational therapy profession with cohorts that represent a wide range of educational, personal and professional experiences. Applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:

Degree

• Bachelor’s degree (any major) from a regionally accredited institution

GPA Requirement

• Cumulative or most recent 64 credit GPA of 3.0 is preferred. The College will consider whichever is higher: GPA as calculated by OTCAS. Admissions committee members do not see GPA when reviewing applications. Applicants will also have an opportunity in OTCAS to explain whether their academic record accurately reflects their capabilities.

Understanding of occupational therapy profession

• Through an OTCAS question, the applicant will  show they have sufficiently researched the profession to demonstrate that they are making a career choice based on a sound understanding of the profession of occupational therapy. Options that demonstrate understanding of the profession:
  • Observation hours
  • Successful completion of an introduction to occupational therapy course or healthcare careers course.
  • Completion of an online shadowing experience (i.e. CBL Consulting & Training LLC — fee required)
  • Personal experience

Personal Experience

• The experiences that each individual has enrich the profession. This information allows the applicant to highlight their important accomplishments. Enter information in OTCAS for any of the following:
  • work history
  • community service
  • honors/recognitions
  • leadership
  • teaching
  • participation in research activities

Essays

• Essays should be written with clear expression of ideas and good organization. Specific prompts for the essays are found in OTCAS.
  • OTCAS Personal Essay/ Statement
    • This allows the applicant to show why they selected OT as a career and how their personal, educational, and professional background will achieve their professional goals.
  • St. Scholastica Supplemental Statement
    • This allows the applicant to explain their connection to the mission and focus of the St. Scholastica OT curriculum.
• Hardship Statement (optional)

Additional Information about Becoming an Occupational Therapy Student

• A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. An individual, who has a felony background and is considering entering an occupational therapy program, can have their background reviewed prior to actually applying for the exam by requesting an Early Determination Review.
• Students who apply to the MS in OT program will be expected to perform a minimum number of Technical Standards and Essential Requirements.

Prerequisites

1. Complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of 2.0 or better
2. Complete prerequisite courses no later than two weeks prior to the start of classes in June
3. AP credit accepted for General Psychology. To verify results, applicants must submit official CollegeBoard scores directly to The College of St. Scholastica (not OTCAS) using the code 6107.
   • A score of 3 or better is required to qualify; scores must be within 10 years from date of application.
4. Prerequisite courses must be within the past 10 years.
5. The College of St. Scholastica MS OT program does not give credit for work experience or credits taken in another occupational therapy program toward prerequisite or in-program courses.
6. The following prerequisites (or their approved transfer equivalents) are required for admission:
   • Human Anatomy and Physiology I
   • Human Anatomy and Physiology II
   • One of the following:
     • Lifespan Development Psychology
     • General Psychology
     • General Sociology

The Office of Graduate Admissions does not review unofficial transcripts to determine the completion of prerequisite coursework. In most cases, course titles match. If you have specific questions about a particular course, please reference Transferology to determine if the course meets the stated requirement.

Any student may request a waiver of admission requirements through a written request to the Graduate Admissions Office. Waiver requests are reviewed by the admissions committee and the applicant will be notified of the decision by email.

Submit the completed Occupational Therapy Centralized Admission System (OTCAS) application by the mid-November priority deadline.

Note: meeting minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission. Exceptions to minimum criteria may be made at the discretion of the admissions committee. The College of St. Scholastica follows the OTCAS method of calculating GPA.

Transcripts

Official transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended or where credit was earned must be sent to OTCAS. Instructions are indicated on the OTCAS application.

Online Application

1. Submit an OTCAS application (reference OTCAS for application instructions/requirements)
2. Interviews are not typically part of the admission process, but may be requested

Accepted Students

• After you are emailed a decision regarding your application, please inform us of your decision (accept or decline the offer, if one is made) via the Intent to Enroll form linked in the email
• Submit $500 non-refundable deposit