Occupational Therapy, MSOT

Program Coordinator: Denise Donica (3305-E Health Sciences Building; 252-744-6197; donicad@ecu.edu)

The Department of Occupational Therapy offers the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT), a professional (entry-level) master’s program that offers preparation for certification for individuals with baccalaureate degrees in fields other than occupational therapy. Students who complete this program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam with National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and subsequently apply for state licensure once certification is obtained.

1. Admission:

The Department of Occupational Therapy prepares graduates with the skills, abilities, and habits of mind of the entry-level occupational therapist. The MSOT degree consists of a foundation core (15 s.h.), practice core (22 s.h.), fieldwork core (20 s.h.) and research core (9 s.h.). Students begin the program in the fall semester and participate 6 continuous semesters to complete the program within 2 calendar years. Graduates of the occupational therapy program must successfully complete a certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and obtain state licensure to begin professional practice.

2. Admission Requirements:

For the professional (entry-level) master’s degree, all applicants must provide evidence of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Prerequisite courses must be completed with a B- or better prior to beginning the program, which include anatomy with lab; physiology with lab; statistics; abnormal psychology; human development; sociology or anthropology; and a reasoning course such as logics, ethics, or research inquiry in social sciences. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in medical terminology. In the application process, students must submit transcripts, prerequisite course descriptions, written essay, electronic interview, resume, and two letters of reference. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination is also required at the time of application. Non-native speakers must submit an acceptable score on one of the language tests approved by the Graduate School or evidence of at least 1 year of college/university study in the United States. Although not required at the time of application, all students accepted into the occupational therapy program must earn a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university prior to beginning graduate level classes.

3. Degree Requirements:

The minimum degree requirement is 66 s.h. as follows:

a. Foundation core - 15 s.h.

b. Practice core - 22 s.h.

c. Fieldwork core - 20 s.h.

d. Research core - 9 s.h.

4. Accreditation

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program 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 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.

Licensure/Certification Requirements in North Carolina

The curriculum for all ECU Certificates, Degrees, and other Graduate Programs have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for licensure/certification exams in North Carolina. The various licensure boards in each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state. Other states have their own requirements, and you’ll want to make sure your program meets criteria in your home state (or state where you intend to work) before you apply. Search our state Licensure Dashboard to see if the program you’re interested in meets the educational requirements for licensing/certification in your home state (or state where you intend to work).