Program Overview

Introduction to the Occupational Therapy Bridge Program (MSOT)

The Occupational Therapy Bridge Program (MSOT) at Belmont University is designed for licensed occupational therapy assistants (OTAs), physical therapist assistants (PTAs), allied health professionals, and special educators who wish to advance their careers and become licensed occupational therapists. This program allows students to continue working while earning their graduate degree and preparing for licensure as an occupational therapist.

Program Overview

The MSOT program is a hybrid program that combines online learning with limited on-campus sessions. It is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and has a consistently strong NBCOT pass rate. The program empowers students to enhance their leadership, critical thinking, and advocacy skills while transitioning into their next professional role as an occupational therapist.

Why Choose Belmont's MSOT Bridge Program

• Hybrid flexibility: Balance coursework with current job through a mix of online learning and limited on-campus sessions.
• Accredited and proven: Fully accredited by ACOTE with a consistently strong NBCOT pass rate.
• Expert faculty: Learn from practicing clinicians and researchers with specialties in pediatrics, geriatrics, assistive technology, and more.
• Emerging practice areas: Explore evolving fields like pelvic health, primary care, and community-based practice.
• Supportive network: Join a nationwide community of Belmont OT alumni leaders, advocates, and educators making a difference in their communities.

MSOT Alumni Referral Scholarship

Belmont's Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program offers a referral scholarship. When a prospective student is referred by an alumnus and enrolls, they receive a $2,500 tuition discount each year of the two-year program, totaling a $5,000 scholarship.

Curriculum

The curriculum is delivered through a variety of lecture, lab, and seminar formats, fieldwork experiences, and web-based instruction. Students are required to demonstrate proficiencies in problem-solving, psychomotor, behavioral, and clinical competencies as they progress through the program. High-speed internet access is strongly recommended, and a distance learning platform, Canvas, is used for online coursework.

Courses

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is offered in an accelerated format combining intensive, in-person weekend classes in Nashville, held approximately every 3 weeks, with an online component supplementing classroom activities. This is a demanding full-time program that builds on the education and skills that OTAs, PTAs, or allied health professionals have already accomplished.

Sample Course Schedule

• Fall Semester Year 1:
  • OTW 5000 Physiology and Clinical Pathophysiology
  • OTW 5010 Neuroscience in Occupational Therapy
  • OTW 5011 Neuroscience in Occupational Therapy Lab
  • OTW 5030 Kinesiology in Occupational Therapy
  • OTW 5031 Kinesiology in Occupational Therapy Lab
  • OTW 5040 Foundations of Occupational Therapy
  • OTW 5050 Developmental Influences on Living
• Spring Semester Year 1:
  • OTW 5130 Research Methods
  • OTW 5150 Occupational Performance I
  • OTW 5151 Occupational Performance I Lab
  • OTW 5152 Clinical Studies I
  • OTW 5153 Level I Fieldwork I
  • OTW 5154 Seminar I
  • OTW 5250 Occupational Analysis
  • OTW 5260 Assistive Technologies for Human Performance I
  • OTW 5270 Mental Health in Occupational Therapy
• Summer Semester Year 1:
  • OTW 5160 Occupational Performance II
  • OTW 5161 Occupational Performance II Lab
  • OTW 5162 Clinical Studies II
  • OTW 5163 Level 1 Fieldwork II
  • OTW 5164 Seminar II
  • OTW 5230 Research Project
  • OTW 5370 Contemporary Practice Issues
• Fall Semester Year 2:
  • OTW 5170 Occupational Performance III
  • OTW 5171 Occupational Performance III Lab
  • OTW 5172 Clinical Studies III
  • OTW 5173 Level I Fieldwork I
  • OTW 5174 Seminar I
  • OTW 5320 Professional Issues
  • OTW 5360 Assistive Technologies for Human Performance II
  • OTW 5420 Professional Portfolio Seminar
• Spring Semester Year 2:
  • OTW 5400 Fieldwork Level II (part 1)
• Summer Semester Year 2:
  • OTW 5410 Fieldwork Level II (part 2)

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is an integral part of the MSOT educational experience, providing opportunities for students to integrate and apply academic learning. It is during the fieldwork experience that the student can learn, practice, and refine skills of observation, evaluation, treatment planning, implementation, and communication.

Level I Fieldwork

Level I fieldwork is highly integrated with the curricular framework and supports the two curricular themes of critical thinking and clinical reasoning and professional and leadership development through engagement. The three Level I fieldwork experiences progress developmentally and support developmentally-focused coursework for each semester.

Level II Fieldwork

Students participate in two consecutive twelve-week Level II fieldwork rotations following successful completion of the fourth academic semester. Students participate in online discussions geared toward heightening their critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills and their professional and leadership development throughout both Level II fieldwork rotations.

Student Opportunities

Students in the MSOT program have opportunities to earn additional leadership certificates through Belmont's GOLD program. They also hone their professional leadership skills through participation in student organizations and have opportunities for global missions and international fieldwork placements.

Admissions Information

The MSOT program welcomes applicants from a range of allied healthrelated fields. Applicants must have at least one year of work experience as a fully credentialed allied health professional or special educator. The program is 22 months in length, and students attend classes on campus six times per semester.

Credentialing/State Licensing Info

Program graduates are eligible to apply to take the NBCOT national certification examination for the occupational therapist. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states require licensure to practice, which is a separate process from NBCOT certification.

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree program at Belmont University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Outcomes & Alumni Success

Belmont's MSOT bridge program has a proven record of student success, with a 100% graduation rate from 20232025. Graduates consistently perform well on the NBCOT certification exam and enter the workforce fully prepared to serve as licensed occupational therapists.

Career Possibilities

Graduates of Belmont University's occupational therapy programs pursue diverse and impactful careers across clinical, community, and academic settings. They are well-prepared to work with individuals across the lifespan in hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health. Beyond clinical roles, they can contribute in community-based programs, schools, academia, research, and assistive technology.

MSOT Faculty

The faculty are committed to student success, bringing real-world experience across diverse OT practice areas. They guide students in clinical reasoning and problem-solving, leadership and communication skills, and professional reflection and goal-setting.

Admissions Process

The School of Occupational Therapy receives admission applications for the MSOT program exclusively through the Occupational Therapy College Application Service (OTCAS). Applicants must complete all sections of the application, including entering all previously completed college courses and downloading transcript request forms for each college attended.

Admission Requirements

• At least one year of work experience as a fully licensed or credentialed occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist assistant, allied health professional, or special educator.
• A minimum of 90 semester equivalent credits from a regionally accredited college or university.
• A minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in coursework from the most recent 90 semester credits.
• Two recommendations, one of which must be from a licensed occupational therapist.
• Completion of a Personal Essay as part of the OTCAS application.
• For non-OTAs, demonstration of familiarity with occupational therapy through completion of a minimum of 50 hours of observational, volunteer, or work experiences with an occupational therapist.

Cost & Financial Aid

The cost of attendance includes tuition, student fees, estimated textbooks and supplies, and travel and hotel costs for live weekends. Financial aid is available, and graduate students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility.

Program Outcomes

Belmont's School of Occupational Therapy trains students to be successful practitioners, with a total number of graduates from 2023 to 2025 being 119, and an overall graduation rate of 100%. Program performance data on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) National Certification Exam is available, and employment placements include various settings such as hospitals, school systems, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics.