About our M.S.O.T.
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program (M.S.O.T.) is a full-time 2-year program beginning in late May (summer term) each year, requiring completion of the bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university prior to enrollment.
NBCOT Exam Pass Rates
M.S. program graduates are eligible to take the certification examination administered by the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy. Learn more about the exam and 91AV pass rates
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at 91AV was initially accredited in 1985 and has been continuously accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) since that time. Our next accreditation visit will occur in the 2024/2025 academic year. ACOTE is located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, North Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, C/O AOTA is (301) 652-6611 and its web address is .
Important Application Dates
Application Process
- All verified applications are reviewed holistically, with the goal of identifying candidates with unique strengths, experiences, and perspectives.
- Qualified applicants are invited to complete a virtual interview. Interviews are conducted by invitation only.
- 91AV communicates all status updates, notifications, and admission decisions via email.
For specific academic dates, please view the 91AV Academic Calendar.
Requirements
Application
The 91AV Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program participates in the . All applicants are required to apply online through this service.
Degree Requirement
- Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, prior to matriculation.
- All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to . .
GPA Requirement
- 91AV has a preferred minimum GPA of 3.0 for both overall and prerequisite coursework. All applications are reviewed holistically, and applicants are invited to interview on a rolling basis.
- Last sixty (60) credit hour GPA is also considered during application review.
Prerequisite Coursework Requirements
Course Subject | Course Credits | Course Details |
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Anatomy & Physiology I or Human Anatomy | 4 semester or 6 quarter credits |
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Anatomy & Physiology II or Human Physiology | 4 semester or 6 quarter credits |
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Science | 3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits |
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Statistics | 3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits |
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Introduction to Psychology | 3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits |
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Abnormal Psychology | 3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits |
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Human Development | 3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits |
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Social Science | 3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits |
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English | 3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits |
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Other Important Prerequisite Coursework Considerations
- Courses in or familiarity with Medical Terminology, Introduction to Occupational Therapy, and APA 7th Edition formatting are not required but highly recommended.
- All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a grade of C or better (C- grades are not acceptable).
- A maximum of six (6) Advanced Placement (AP) or equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) credits may be accepted as a substitute for Introduction to Psychology and English Composition prerequisite courses only.
- All prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or international equivalent.
- All science prerequisite coursework must be completed no more than seven (7) years prior to 91AV’s OTCAS application deadline.
- Official transcripts for coursework and/or degrees completed in the summer/fall term should be submitted and verified by OTCAS during the period.
- All planned or in-progress prerequisite coursework should be listed on the OTCAS application at the time of application submission.
- Online courses offered through as well as online courses from other regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities may be acceptable (with program approval).
Standardized Tests
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission.
Letters of Evaluation
Two (2) letters of evaluation are required, submitted via OTCAS.
- Letters should come from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s academic abilities and/or professional experiences.
- Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable.
Observation Hours
- Volunteer, shadowing, and/or work experience in a health or human services-related setting is not required, but it is highly recommended.
- All hours should be documented within the OTCAS application.
Personal Statement
- Please refer to the OTCAS application for specific writing prompts and additional information.
Interviews
- Interviews are required as part of the application process.
- Qualified applicants will be invited to interview via email. All interviews are completed through the virtual assessment platform.
- Although applicants are not required to physically come to campus during the application process, campus visits are welcome and available by appointment. Please email the Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment for additional information.
International Applicants
International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:
- Official credential evaluation by , confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be submitted directly to OTCAS. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the 91AV website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a 91AV-approved English language proficiency test.
- Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the 91AV website for specific information, minimum score requirements, and test score submission instructions.
Other Requirements
Prior to starting the program, all entering students will be required to complete the following compliance requirements:
- All outstanding documents, including official transcripts and baccalaureate degree conferral via an official transcript, must be submitted to the 91AV Office of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment prior to the start of the program.
- Completion of a physical examination with proof of up-to-date immunization status. Please refer to 91AV’s Student Health Center for detailed information.
- Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen prior to matriculation, as well as periodically throughout the program (as required by clinical affiliations).
- All students must have the ability to meet the Academic and Technical Standards of the Occupational Therapy profession.
All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of 91AV and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.
Policy Exceptions
- Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants to the university and its programs.
- All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum and/or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements.
- Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates.
Transfer Credits
- Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another Occupational Therapy program.
- Transfer credits will be reviewed and awarded on a case-by-case basis.
Advanced Standing
- No advanced standing available.
Experiential Learning
- No credit will be awarded for experiential learning.
M.S.O.T. Admissions FAQ
You will receive an email confirming receipt of your verified application from the Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment. All communication from Graduate Admissions and Recruitment will be sent to the email address listed on your OTCAS application. If you wish to check the status of your application please email the Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment.
There are no quotas for Maine or New England students. Prospective students from all geographic regions are encouraged to apply for admission.
Yes, updates can be made post-submission. Experiences can be added, but edits of previously submitted information is not allowed. Coursework can be updated during the Academic Update Period from mid-December to mid-February.
Applicants reapplying to the 91AV Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program need to resubmit all application materials for any new cycle in which they apply, including: primary CAS application, transcripts, letters of recommendation, written statements and responses, fees and payments, and any additional required documentation. Applicants should also actively update their experiences, extracurricular activities, clinical involvement, and volunteering each cycle as well, to reflect the most up-to-date engagement.