Occupational Therapy, MSOT

At Maria College, our Master of Science in Occupation Therapy program is a 70-credit, full-time program that is completed over two years. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to sit for the occupational therapy national certification exam, through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Passing the certification exam allows graduates to apply for OT licenses in the state(s) of their choosing.

Occupational Therapy is a growing profession, serving people of all ages and backgrounds, and provides the option to work in schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities. Maria’s occupational therapy master’s program is designed to emphasize the support of underserved communities—highlighting cultural awareness, inclusivity, and community integration.

We welcome diversity.

In Maria’s MSOT program, we strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. We welcome applications from various educational backgrounds, whether people are continuing their education or looking for a career change.

The Maria experience.

Maria offers a career-relevant education, holistic guidance and support, and a flexible weekend schedule for courses within the MSOT program. With state-of-the-art learning spaces, innovative technology, and a close-knit school environment, you will have the resources needed to succeed in your career.

Early Mentoring Program.

The Early Mentoring Program provides incoming MSOT students with a review of professional terminology and hands-on skills. The course is free and available to every student accepted into the MSOT program at Maria.

The Early Mentoring Program begins in June with online activities and culminates in August with an on-campus meeting. Although this program is not required, it is strongly recommended for students who do not have a background in Occupational Therapy.

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT):

Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at: https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance

Accreditation Status

This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

You may contact ACOTE at the address below:
7501 Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814
ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

For general questions about the program, please contact the Director, Don Kallembach, at dkallembach@mariacollege.edu.

Applicants should note: a felony conviction, prior to the start of or during the completion of the MSOT program may affect the ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination and to obtain licensure in some states.

Admissions Requirements
Apply to Maria College’s Master’s in Occupational Therapy Program
Applying to the program is free and relatively simple. The application opens in October, with priority applications due by March 1, 2024, for the Fall 2024 cohort. Early admissions may be available for well-qualified applicants. When spaces remain, we will continue to accept applications after March 1, and through August 1, 2024.
Thank you for your interest and we look forward to receiving your application.
Start your application!
MSOT Admissions Policy and Requirements
Qualified applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The minimum GPA requirement for prerequisites is 3.2. The program will not be conducting interviews with applicants, except in the cases described, below*.
Required Prerequisite courses:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II with Labs
- Applied Kinesiology (recommended)
- Developmental Psychology or Lifespan Human Development
- General Psychology
- Gross Anatomy with Lab or Neurobiology with Lab (recommended)
- Sociology
- Statistics and/or Research Methods
The following items need to be submitted via Maria’s Admissions Department:
- Academic transcripts from all colleges attended
- Resume of professional, educational, and volunteer experiences, if appropriate.
- Personal essay/statement
- Academic letters of recommendation (2)
- Supportive documentation showing a minimum of 20 hours of supervised clinical observation.
Exceptions
Applicants that have completed their bachelor’s degree and all required prerequisites will be given priority in the admissions process. However, we have accommodations to this policy for students who have not completed their undergraduate work, prior to the admissions deadline; but who otherwise meet admissions standards.
Students currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program with a minimum of 100 undergraduate credits and a prerequisite GPA of 3.2 or higher can apply to the program for provisional acceptance, provided other entrance criteria are satisfied. The bachelor’s degree must be completed, the minimum GPA requirement maintained, official academic transcripts received, and all prerequisite requirements met prior to the beginning of the master’s program, or the applicant will be denied entry into the program.
Otherwise, qualified applicants deficient in one qualification may petition to be considered for admission. The Graduate Program Admissions Committee will evaluate the applicant for consideration, to include an admissions interview, provided there is space available in the program or for approval to the waitlist. *Qualified applicants may be asked to complete an interview with the Committee. The committee will interview the candidate to determine if the deficiency can or will be addressed prior to commencement of the program or if the applicant can demonstrate other qualities which would make them a strong candidate for entrance to the program.
The MSOT Admissions Policies does not have provisions for advanced placement, transfer of credits from other graduate programs, or credit for experiential learning
Technology Requirements
Upon entering the program, applicants will have regular and reliable internet access and a laptop, or other portable device, and be able to utilize the following functions:
- Blackboard Learning Management System
- Accessing library databases for purposes of research
- Video conferencing, chat, web browsing and internet searches
- Bibliography management software (provided by the College)
- Microsoft Office Cloud functions

Course Sequence

First Year: First Semester (Fall)
Course		Credits
OCT 501	Occupational Therapy Domain and Practice	3
OCT 502	Theories and Models of Occupational Therapy Practice	4
OCT 511	Functional Anatomy for Practice	2
OCT 514	Groups, Cultures and Contexts	2
OCT 515	Physiological and Neurological Effects of Occupation	2
		13
First Year: Second Semester (Spring)
OCT 504	Assessment and Intervention II: Psychosocial Factors and Community Wellness	6
OCT 505	Research I: Professional Writing	2
OCT 512	Conditions Affecting Occupational Performance	3
OCT 513	Movement Sciences Affecting Occupational Performance	3
		14
First Year: Third Semester (Summer)
OCT 506	Assessment and Intervention II: Developmental	2
OCT 507	Interventions with Assistive Technology	2
OCT 508	Healthcare Systems	2
OCT 509	Research II: Topics in Occupational Therapy Research	3
OCT 601	Assessment and Intervention III: Adult Physical Dysfunction	2
		11
Second Year: First Semester (Fall)
OCT 516	Assessment and Intervention II: Developmental – Part II	3
OCT 610	Assessment and Intervention III: Adult Physical Dysfunction – Part II	3
OCT 603	Research III: Research Intensive	3
OCT 604	Level I Fieldwork	2
OCT 605	Occupational Therapy Practice Integration	3
		14
Second Year: Second Semester (Spring)
OCT 607	Level II Fieldwork (1st Rotation)	9
		9
Second Year: Third Semester (Summer)
OCT 608	Level II Fieldwork (2nd Rotation)	9
		9

Program Costs

	Credits	Tuition	Fees	Books & Supplies (may vary)
First Year
First Term	13	$13,585.00	$1,010.00	$1,000.00
Second Term	14	$14,630.00	$1,010.00	$500.00
Third Term	11	$11,495.00	$1,010.00	$500.00
				$44,740.00	$44,740.00
Second Year
First Term	14	$14,630.00	$1,010.00	$500.00
Second Term	9	$9,405.00	$1,010.00	$200.00
Third Term	9	$9,405.00	$1,010.00	$200.00
				$37,370.00	$37,370.00
					$82,110.00	Total program cost of tuition and fees at the 2024/2025 rates dor the MSOT Program

Program Outcomes
The total number of graduates from the Maria College Master of Science in Occupational Therapy admitted the first cohort in the fall of 2020 with graduation in Summer/Fall 2022.
Graduation rates are indicated below.
Maria College MSOT Program Graduation Rates
Graduation Year
Graduates Entering/Graduating
%
2022
20/20
100%
2023
18/17
94.4%
Totals
38/37
97.2%

Graduation Year	Graduates Entering/Graduating	%
2022	20/20	100%
2023	18/17	94.4%
Totals	38/37	97.2%

Occupational Therapy, MSOT

We welcome diversity.

The Maria experience.

Early Mentoring Program.

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT):

Accreditation Status

INSTANT ADMIT DAYS