Program Overview

Occupational Therapy, MS

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Technology offers a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy that prepares students to become occupational therapists. During the program, students engage in graduate-level instruction embedded in the theory, research, and clinical underpinnings required to become evidence-based occupational therapy practitioners. Students may select a thesis option or project option in pursuing this degree. Students who are interested can choose to combine elective courses from the OT program with other courses on campus to receive the transcript-designated concentration in assistive technology and accessible design and/or ergonomics.

Overview of the Program

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Graduates of the program are eligible to take the occupational therapist certification examination offered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.

Admission Requirements

• Application deadlines vary by program.
• Applications for the MS OT are handled annually using the OT Centralized Application Service (OTCAS).
• Following are important timelines for the OTCAS application cycle:
  • Mid July: OTCAS applications cycle opens.
  • Mid January (December 1 if international): Deadline for submission of all application material to OTCAS.
• In addition to Graduate School requirements, applicants must meet these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
  1. An undergraduate degree completed by the end of the Spring semester of the year prior to beginning the OT Program, from an accredited institution, with an overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  2. Six prerequisite courses, required to be completed by end of Fall semester of the year prior to beginning the OT Program, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale):
  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Physiology
  • Human Development
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Select one of the following natural science courses: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology
  3. Completed OTCAS application.
  4. Three letters of recommendation: One letter must be from an academic source and one from a clinical/health-related source.
  5. Reasons Statement or Personal Essay: Address why you selected occupational therapy as a career and how an occupational therapy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals.
  6. Additional Question: Answer why the Occupational Therapy Program in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a good fit for you.

Credits and Courses

• The program is a tracked curriculum of 75 credits over 28 months, including a minimum of 24 weeks of full-time fieldwork during the program.
• OCCTHPY 810 serves as the capstone requirement for the degree.
• Students will enroll as full-time students for each term of study (Summer, Fall, Spring).
• There is no part-time option for students in the MS in OT program.
• Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and a grade of B- or better in all required courses.

Transcript-Designated Concentrations

Through judicious use of electives, students may also choose one of two transcript-designated concentrations. This may require completion of more than the minimum 75 credits.

Additional Requirements

• Major Professor as Advisor: The Graduate School requires that each student have a major professor to advise, supervise, and approve the program of study.
• Time Limit: The student must complete all degree requirements within four years of initial enrollment.
• Background Information Disclosure: All students admitted to the MS in Occupational Therapy degree program will be required to complete a Background Information Disclosure form.
• Graduates of the master's 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).