Program Overview

Occupational Therapy Program

The Master of Science Program in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) at Pace University College of Health Professions is a graduate degree program designed to prepare competent and ethical Occupational Therapy practitioners who maximize clients' quality of life and occupation engagement through technology, evidence-based, client-centered, and interprofessional practice.

Program Overview

The program prepares students to work in a variety of practice settings, including long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, schools, community, mental health, home health, private practices, outpatient clinics, academia, early intervention, and non-traditional community practice settings.

Accreditation

The MSOT Program has been registered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and has been granted full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The program received 7-year initial accreditation in August 2021.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must have the ability to perform essential functions of an occupational therapy graduate student.
• All pre-requisite courses must be completed at an accredited institution, with a grade of C and higher, and be taken within the past 10 years.
• The program does not accept Advanced Placement credits or CLEP credits to fulfill prerequisite coursework requirements.
• The program does not accept transfer credits.
• Students may apply to the program before completing their baccalaureate; however, the bachelor's degree must be awarded prior to enrollment in the program.

Curriculum Design

The curriculum is organized around four major themes:

• Evidence-based Practice and Scholarship
• Occupation-centered and Client-centered Approach
• Ethics and Interprofessional Practice
• Innovation and Technology The curriculum design reflects the mission and philosophy of both the OT program and the College, identifying four primary practice areas: Children and Youth, Rehabilitation and Disability, Productive Aging, and Mental Health.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the Occupational Therapy program, students must:

• Have a Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Complete all OT courses with a grade of C or better.
• Successfully complete each Fieldwork Level I and Level II experience.
• Successfully complete research capstone project, research manuscript, and presentation.
• Complete the program within 4 years maximum.

Certification and Credentialing Requirements

Graduates of an ACOTE-accredited OT 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 graduate will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR).

Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening

Background checks are required for all Pace MSOT students. Many facilities that provide clinical fieldwork experiences to students require criminal background checks, health screenings, fingerprinting, and drug tests before allowing the students to participate in the clinical experience. Students are responsible for all expenses incurred to meet these requirements and may be required to undergo a criminal background check more than once over the course of the program.