Occupational Therapy degree paths
Master of
Three ways to earn your Master of Occupational Therapy degree at Messiah University Understanding your undergraduate academic pathways to a career in occupational therapy
messiah.edu/MOT
Inside this booklet, you can explore your academic pathways to earn your Master of Occupational Therapy degree at Messiah University:
Occupational Therapy Accelerated Program Early Assurance Program: Master of Occupational Therapy Post-Baccalaureate Option Each path provides a program summary, completion timeframe, the criteria required to be admitted and links to visit our website to learn more.
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For questions related to the accelerated and early assurance programs, please contact:
For general information related to the Master of Occupational Therapy program at Messiah University, please contact:
Scott Kieffer
Leah Smock
call: 717-766-2511, ext. 2633 email: kieffer@messiah.edu
call: 717-796-1800 ext. 2350 email: lsmock@messiah.edu web: messiah.edu/MOT
Occupational Therapy Pathways Occupational Therapy Accelerated Program
Early Assurance Program
Post-Baccalaureate Option
as a high school senior:
as a messiah junior:
as a messiah senior:
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale • 1170 SAT or 24 ACT • Complete undergraduate application by Jan. 15 • Interview with faculty
• Select any major
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Complete prerequisites courses
• Complete at least 40 observation hours
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 by junior year
• Obtain three
• Complete at least 40 observation hours
including one from an OT
while at messiah:
• Major in applied health science or psychology • Complete all prerequisites at Messiah with a C or better • Maintain 3.0 GPA or higher • Complete graduate application by July 15, year two • Complete at least 40 observation hours • Obtain three recommendations, including one from an OT • No GRE • No OTCAS application
recommendations,
• Obtain three
• Complete prerequisites courses
recommendations,
• Take GRE
including one from an OT
• Fulfill OTCAS
• Complete graduate application by Dec. 15
requirements by Nov. 1 • Interview with faculty
• Interview with faculty
Learn more on page 5
• No GRE • No OTCAS application Learn more on page 4
Learn more on page 4
A career in occupational therapy 3
Occupational Therapy Accelerated Program Program summary Messiah’s five-year accelerated program is designed for academically qualified first-year students who are committed to becoming occupational therapists. The program allows entering first-year students to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree at Messiah University in less time than would be required to complete both of these degrees separately. New admits will be accepted directly from high school. Students who pursue this accelerated program earn either a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in applied health science with a preoccupational therapy concentration, or a B.S. in psychology.
Completion timeframe to MOT degree
Criteria This program admits up to 30 total new students each fall (between the B.S. in applied health science – pre-OT and the B.S. in psychology).
Five years You will obtain a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree during your fourth year of study and a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree from Messiah University at the end of your fifth year of study.
Minimum high school entry requirements: • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (Grades of A or B in all high school science and math courses)
• Minimum 1170 SAT or 24 ACT
• High school students must apply to Messiah University by Jan. 15.
• Interview required for acceptance into the program
messiah.edu/OTAP
Early Assurance Program: Master of Occupational Therapy Program summary This program is designed for students who are committed to becoming an occupational therapist. It allows Messiah University juniors, who fulfill the program’s requirements, to obtain guaranteed acceptance for admissions into Messiah’s Master of Occupational Therapy program.
Completion timeframe to MOT degree
Criteria
Typically six years
• Messiah University students must complete all application requirements (which can include the future course of study to fulfill prerequisites and their academic degree) with the graduate application. The deadline for all application materials is Dec. 15 of your junior year.
Criteria to be considered for the Early Assurance Program:
Four years to complete your bachelor’s degree and two years to complete your MOT degree at Messiah University.
Up to 10 Messiah juniors may be accepted for early assurance for any given MOT cohort.
• 3.5/4.0 overall GPA
• Complete a minimum of 40 observation hours in two areas of occupational therapy practice
• Obtain three recommendations, including one from an occupational therapist
• Interview required for acceptance into the program
messiah.edu/EAPMOT
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Messiah’s Master of Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Post-Baccalaureate Option Program summary This academic path is well suited for students who are interested in occupational therapy but may want more flexibility in their undergraduate education. Messiah University can help prepare you for a graduate program in occupational therapy through a personalized advising pathway within any major you choose. Some of the more widely selected majors include applied health science, psychology (B.A. or B.S.), human development and family science, and biology. You will work one on one with our dedicated pre-health advisors to develop an academic and career path that matches your interests and skills and to help ensure you complete the prerequisite courses and application materials required for acceptance into graduate school.
Completion timeframe to MOT degree Typically six years Four years to complete your bachelor’s degree and two years to complete your MOT degree at Messiah University.* *Students who pursue this option may also apply for admission to occupational therapy degree programs other than Messiah’s, but completion timeframes will then vary by specific program.
Criteria This is a very competitive program and acceptance into Messiah’s MOT program is not automatically guaranteed. The specific admissions requirements and prerequisite courses for Messiah University’s accredited MOT program may be found at messiah.edu/MOT. Messiah also prepares students for acceptance into other top-rated OT schools. While specific admissions requirements vary by school, you will likely be required to take the following courses to be able to apply to a graduate program in occupational therapy: Anatomy and Physiology, Psychology, Statistics and Medical Terminology.
messiah.edu/Pre-OT
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Applied Health Science Accelerated Sample Course Progression Course #
Course Name FALL YEAR 1
IDFY 101
First Year Seminar*
BIOL 185
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
APHS 170
Course #
Course Name SPRING YEAR 1
3
IDCR 151
Created and Called for Community*
3
4
BIOL 186
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
4
Concepts of Conditioning
2
Varies
Second Language (first or second year)
3
PSYC 101
Introduction to Psychology*
3
COMM 105
Oral Communication*
3
Varies
First Language
3
PSYC 209
Life Span Development
TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS
Credits
15
TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS
FALL YEAR 2
Credits
3
16
SPRING YEAR 2
APHS 215
Chronic Disease and Exercise
3
BIBL 20X
Knowledge of the Bible* (first or second year)
3
STAT 269
Statistics*
3
HIST XXX
History* (first or second year)
3
CHEM 103
Chemical Science
4
Varies
Art, Music or Theatre (first or second year)
3
APHS 220
Health Promotion Management
3
PSYC 319
Abnormal Psychology
3
Varies
Third Language or Cross Cultural* (second or third year)
3
BIOL 189
Genetics for Health Professionals
3
TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS
16
ATHT 203
Medical Terminology and Topics
TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS
FALL YEAR 3
2
17
SPRING YEAR 3
NUTR 222
Nutrition Theory
3
THEO 2XX
Christian Beliefs (second or third year)
3
APHS 301
Exercise Physiology
4
APHS 325
Applied Human Physiology
3
ENGL XXX
Literature*
3
IDS XXX
Ethics/Pluralism/World Views* (third or fourth year)
3
RELI/PHIL
Religion/Philosophy* (first or second year)
3
APHS XXX
APHS Elective
3
IDNW XXX
Non-Western Studies (second or third year)
2-3
Varies
Free Elective
Varies
Free Elective
1
TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS
18
16-17
SUMMER YEAR 3
FALL YEAR 4
Starting in Summer Year 3, students begin graduate occupational therapy courses. All course work will be completed at Winding Hill. From a registration/financial aid perspective, students maintain undergraduate status. OCCU 501
Foundations of Occupational Therapy
3
OCCU 505
Applied Anatomy
3
OCCU 505L
Applied Anatomy Lab
0
OCCU 508
Enabling Occupations
3
TOTAL CREDITS APPLIED TO BOTH PROGRAMS
3
TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS
9
OCCU 524
Theoretical Perspectives in OT
3
OCCU 526
Analysis of Occupation
3
OCCU 510
Evidence-Based Inquiry
3
OCCU 535
OT Process: Psychosocial Practice
4
OCCU 535L
OT Process: Psychosocial Practice Lab
0
OCCU 544
Therapeutic Techniques
3
OCCU 544 L
Therapeutic Techniques Lab
TOTAL CREDITS APPLIED TO BOTH PROGRAMS
0
16
At the completion of Fall Year 4, students will have completed all 123-124 credits for their undergraduate degree in Applied Health Science.
SPRING YEAR 4
SUMMER YEAR 4
Starting in Spring Year 4 students will be considered full-time graduate students.
OCCU 602
Level I Fieldwork: Adult Practice
1
IPEC 500
Interprofessional Education (IPE) Seminar
1
OCCU 605
OT Process: Adult Practice
4
OCCU 530
Research Methods and Design
3
OCCU 605L
OT Process: Adult Practice Lab
0
OCCU 553
Common Conditions in OT Practice
3
OCCU 615
Adaptations and Assistive Technology
3
OCCU 555
Neurological Conditions in OT Practice
4
OCCU 615L
Adaptations and Assistive Technology Lab
OCCU 555L
Neurological Conditions in OT Practice Lab
0
OCCU 562
Level I Fieldwork: Pediatric Practice
1
OCCU 565
OT Process: Pediatric Practice
4
OCCU565L
OT Process: Pediatric Practice Lab
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS
0
16
FALL YEAR 5
SPRING YEAR 5
OCCU 572
Level I Fieldwork: Community Interventions
2
OCCU 583
Cultural & Global Considerations
2
OCCU 573
Health Promotion in OT: Community Interventions
2
OCCU 586
Spirituality, Meaning and Health in Occupation
2
OCCU 623
Administration, Management and Leadership
3
OCCU 622
Fieldwork Level II-A
OCCU 625
OT Process: Older Adult Practice
4
OCCU 625L
OT Process: Older Adult Practice Lab
0
OCCU 630
Research Seminar
3
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS
14
SUMMER YEAR 5 OCCU 632
Field Work Level II-B
OCCU 636
Enrichment Seminar
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS
6
0
8
6 1
7
At the completion of Summer Year 5, students will have completed all 80 credits for their Master of Occupational Therapy degree.
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS
6
10
Psychology Accelerated Sample Course Progression Course #
Course Name FALL YEAR 1
PSYC 101
Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 099
Writing for Psychology
IDFY 101
Course #
Course Name SPRING YEAR 1
3
PSYC 209
Lifespan Development
3
1
IDCR
Created and Called for Community*
3
First Year Seminar*
3
PHL/RELI
Philosophy or Religion Elective*
3
MATH/CIS/STAT
Math/CIS/Statistics*
3
Varies
Second Language
3
COMM 105
Fundamentals of Oral Communication*
3
BIOL 258
Human Biology
Varies
First Language
3
TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS
Credits
Credits
3
TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS
16
16
SPRING YEAR 2
FALL YEAR 2 PSYC 271
Statistical Methods in Psychology
3
PSYC 272
Research Methods in Psychology
3
PSYC 350
Biological Bases of Behavior
3
PSYC 226
Social Psychology
3
BIBL 2XX
Encountering the Bible/OT/NT*
3
PSYC 204
Cognition
3
Varies
Third Language or Cross Cultural*
3
IDXX XXX
Ethics/World Views/Pluralism*
3
BIOL 185
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
4
BIOL 186
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
4
ATHT 201
Medical Terminology
TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS
16
TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS
FALL YEAR 3
2
18
SPRING YEAR 3
PSYC 441
History of Systems
3
PSYC 351
Sensation and Perception
3
PSYC 494
Psychology Seminar
3
PSYC 319
Abnormal Psychology
3
PSYC 408
Experimental Psychology (fall only)
3
Varies
Literature Meeting QuEST*
3
IDNW 2XX
Non-Western Studies*
2-3
Varies
Art, Music, Theatre or Dance Meeting QuEST*
3
THEO XXX
Christian Beliefs*
3
HIST XXX
History Meeting QuEST*
3
WELL XXX
Wellness Course*
1
Varies
Elective
TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS
15-16
SUMMER YEAR 3
17
FALL YEAR 4
Starting in Summer Year 3, students begin graduate occupational therapy courses. All course work will be completed at Winding Hill. From a registration/financial aid perspective, students maintain undergraduate status. OCCU 501
Foundations of Occupational Therapy
3
OCCU 505
Applied Anatomy
3
OCCU 505L
Applied Anatomy Lab
0
OCCU 508
Enabling Occupations
3
TOTAL CREDITS APPLIED TO BOTH PROGRAMS
2
TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS
9
OCCU 524
Theoretical Perspectives in OT
3
OCCU 526
Analysis of Occupation
3
OCCU 510
Evidence-Based Inquiry
3
OCCU 535
OT Process: Psychosocial Practice
4
OCCU 535L
OT Process: Psychosocial Practice Lab
0
OCCU 544
Therapeutic Techniques
3
OCCU 544 L
Therapeutic Techniques Lab
TOTAL CREDITS APPLIED TO BOTH PROGRAMS
0
16
At the completion of Fall Year 4, students will have completed all 123-124 credits for their undergraduate degree in Applied Health Science.
SPRING YEAR 4
SUMMER YEAR 4
Starting in Spring Year 4 students will be considered full-time graduate students.
OCCU 602
Level I Fieldwork: Adult Practice
1
IPEC 500
Interprofessional Education (IPE) Seminar
1
OCCU 605
OT Process: Adult Practice
4
OCCU 530
Research Methods and Design
3
OCCU 605L
OT Process: Adult Practice Lab
0
OCCU 553
Common Conditions in OT Practice
3
OCCU 615
Adaptations and Assistive Technology
3
OCCU 555
Neurological Conditions in OT Practice
4
OCCU 615L
Adaptations and Assistive Technology Lab
OCCU 555L
Neurological Conditions in OT Practice Lab
0
OCCU 562
Level I Fieldwork: Pediatric Practice
1
OCCU 565
OT Process: Pediatric Practice
4
OCCU565L
OT Process: Pediatric Practice Lab
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS
0
8
0
16
FALL YEAR 5
SPRING YEAR 5
OCCU 572
Level I Fieldwork: Community Interventions
2
OCCU 583
Cultural & Global Considerations
2
OCCU 573
Health Promotion in OT: Community Interventions
2
OCCU 586
Spirituality, Meaning and Health in Occupation
2
OCCU 623
Administration, Management and Leadership
3
OCCU 622
Fieldwork Level II-A
OCCU 625
OT Process: Older Adult Practice
4
OCCU 625L
OT Process: Older Adult Practice Lab
0
OCCU 630
Research Seminar
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS
6
10
3
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS
14
SUMMER YEAR 5 OCCU 632
Field Work Level II-B
OCCU 636
Enrichment Seminar
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS
6 1
7
At the completion of Summer Year 5, students will have completed all 80 credits for their Master of Occupational Therapy degree.
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Our campus Located in suburban, south-central Pennsylvania, Messiah University is situated on 471 scenic acres. Whether you’re taking a stroll along the picturesque Yellow Breeches Creek that runs through campus, listening to a lecture in one of our state-of-the-art academic buildings, watching a soccer game at our outdoor sports complex, hanging out at a concert in our student union or simply enjoying the beauty of campus, you’ll be sure to feel at home.
Facilities designed for OT Students in our graduate program in Occupational Therapy complete their course/lab work at Winding Hill, Messiah University’s 37,000-square-foot educational center, offering a technologically advanced, custom-designed learning environment, including:
• Full-size apartment with universal design for activities of daily living (ADL)
• Pediatric lab with sensory integration equipment, climbing wall and indoor play gym
• Large musculoskeletal lab that simulates a rehabilitation environment
• Fully equipped cadaver lab for students to engage in hands-on learning 20_1209