Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists are health professionals who are licensed to provide services to treat clients with injuries or disabilities and to promote health through the use of everyday activities. Occupational therapists work to develop, recover, improve, and enhance the skills needed for participation in daily living in individuals across the lifespan. Occupational therapists build or restore abilities so individuals with mental or physical, emotional, or developmental issues can fully participate in the daily tasks of life. Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, ranging from schools and pediatric hospitals to locations such as the homes of individual clients, community centers, rehabilitation hospitals, businesses, and nursing homes, where individuals learn to live productive lives through the use of meaningful occupations.

The Master of Science program in Occupational Therapy (OT) is designed to prepare graduates to become registered and licensed occupational therapy practitioners. The graduate-level curriculum of 68 credits is divided into seven semesters, including a summer semester of didactic instruction and six months, consisting of two Level II fieldwork placements. The full-time, on-campus program is offered on weekdays and evenings, providing a sequential curriculum that integrates laboratory experiences with classroom instruction. The mission of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at Hofstra University is to facilitate the development of effective, compassionate, evidence-based practitioners with critical thinking skills and competencies, knowledge, and skills needed to be lifelong learners with the ability to meet professional standards and societal occupational needs.

The entry-level occupational therapy master's degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 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. Graduates of the 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 individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice, however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

The educational philosophy of Hofstra's University Occupational Therapy (OT) program has its core beliefs, values, and theories of the profession as guided by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a cumulative science GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Three (3) letters of recommendation, with at least one letter from a licensed Occupational Therapist.
Personal essay identifying areas of interest and reasons for seeking advanced training in occupational therapy.
Transcript of prerequisite courses if not completed as part of a baccalaureate degree (see courses below).
Documentation of at least 20 hours of volunteer experience observing/shadowing occupational therapy-related experiences in at least two settings.
Interviews may be requested of applicants.
International students must take the TOEFL exam and pass with a minimum score of:
Internet-based test: 80
Computer-based test: 213
Paper-based test: 550
IELTS - 6.5