Program Overview

Occupational Therapy (M.S.)

The Occupational Therapy Master's Program at the University of New Hampshire is designed to prepare students for a career in occupational therapy, supporting people in daily activities that are important to them. The program emphasizes the understanding that engagement in everyday activities fulfills social needs and gives meaning to life, and is essential to the development, adaptation, and well-being of individuals and populations.

Description

A master's degree in occupational therapy will prepare students for a career in a fast-growing field, with opportunities to work with people of all ages in a range of settings. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Requirements

To be awarded a M.S. in Occupational Therapy from UNH, students must:

• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0
• Earn a minimum of B- in all required occupational therapy courses
• Not earn more than 8 credits of B- in OT courses (700 level or above)
• Pass all competency (practical) exams as part of OT courses
• Pass all level I fieldwork requirements
• Receive a passing criterion score on the American Occupational Therapy Association Fieldwork Performance Evaluation for the Occupational Therapist in both 12-week Level II fieldwork experiences

Degree Plan

The program includes 2 years (5 semesters) of coursework, including Level II fieldwork experiences and one summer course. A Level I fieldwork is scheduled for 1 week, 40 hours, in January in the first year of the program.

Course List

• Required Courses:
  • OT 810: OT Practice and Professional Roles (3 credits)
  • OT 830 & 830L: Assistive Technology for Enhancing Occupational Performance and Assistive Technology for Enhancing Occupational Performance Lab (4 credits)
  • OT 841: Human Occupation (3 credits)
  • OT 844: Fieldwork and Professionalism - Level 1 (1 credit)
  • OT 845: Administration and Management for Occupational Therapy Practice (3 credits)
  • OT 846: Fieldwork and Professionalism-Level II (1 credit)
  • OT 851: Mind Body Systems/Neurologically-based Function and Dysfunction (3 credits)
  • OT 852 & 852L: Human Movement and Environmental Effects on Everyday Occupations and Human Movement and Environmental Effects on Everyday Occupations Lab (4 credits)
  • OT 854: Level II Fieldwork, I (8 credits)
  • OT 855: Level II Fieldwork Discussion (1 credit)
  • OT 856: Level II Fieldwork, II (8 credits)
  • OT 860 & 860L & 860R: Psychosocial Evaluation and Intervention, Psychosocial Evaluation and Intervention Lab, and Psychosocial Evaluation & Intervention Recitation (4 credits)
  • OT 862 & 862L & 862R: OT Evaluation and Intervention for Children, OT Evaluation and Intervention for Children - Lab, and OT Evaluation and Intervention for Children Recitation (4 credits)
  • OT 863 & 863L & 863R: Occupational Therapy Intervention for Adults, Occupational Therapy Evaluation and Intervention for Adults - Lab, and Adult Evaluation and Intervention Recitation (4 credits)
  • OT 871 & 871L: Enabling Participation in Community Groups and Enabling Participation in Community Groups Lab (4 credits)
  • OT 881: Introduction to Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
  • OT 882: Research Methods and Application (3 credits)
  • OT 892: Level I Fieldwork (1 credit)
• Electives:
  • Select 3 credits of graduate-level elective course(s)

Sample Degree Plan

The sample degree plan is as follows:

• First Year:
  • Summer: OT 841 (3 credits)
  • Fall: OT 810 (3 credits), OT 851 (3 credits), OT 852 & 852L (4 credits), OT 881 (3 credits), OT 844 (1 credit)
  • January Term: OT 892 (1 credit)
  • Spring: OT 863 & 863L & 863R (4 credits), OT 882 (3 credits), OT 862 & 862L & 862R (4 credits)
• Second Year:
  • Summer: OT 845 (3 credits)
  • Fall: OT 860 & 860L & 860R (4 credits), OT 830 & 830L (4 credits), OT 871 & 871L (4 credits), OT 846 (1 credit), OT 893 (3 credits)
  • Spring: OT 854 (8 credits), OT 855 (1 credit), OT 856 (8 credits)

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Occupational Therapy M.S. program will:

• Demonstrate professional attitudes and behaviors in their work and interactions with clients and others
• Understand that engagement in meaningful occupations is essential to one's health and well-being
• Be competent entry-level OT practitioners across diverse practice settings, skilled in the delivery occupation–based evaluation and intervention techniques
• Apply evidence-based practices in their work
• Demonstrate skills necessary to advance occupational justice so that all persons can fully participate in desired occupations

Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures

The University of New Hampshire offers a number of academic programs designed to lead to professional licensure or certification in New Hampshire. However, completing a UNH degree/program does not guarantee professional licensure or certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like years of work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria.