Occupational Therapy, Master of Science

Program Description

The Entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Program prepares students for a professional career focused on helping people achieve skills and utilize resources to live independent and meaningful lives. The MSOT degree is a full-time Cohort Program. Students within a specific cohort matriculate together and are expected to take the same courses every semester and to complete the requirements of the program at the same time. MSOT students are assigned to specific sections and are given their class schedule by the department. One cohort of 66-69 students is admitted per year, and the program starts every spring semester.

Academic Advisement

Interested students should contact the Department of Occupational Therapy at (310) 243-2726 or visit https://www.csudh.edu/ot/ for program specific details, application, and additional information.

Pre-Admission Disclosure for Academic Programs Leading to Licensure or Credentialing

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements are available from Heather Kitching: WH A320 - (310) 243- 2726.

Accreditation

The MSOT 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. TEL: (301) 652-AOTA.

Certification

Graduates of the MSOT Program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapists administered by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this examination, the graduate will be an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR).

Licensure

Graduates wishing to practice in the state of California must apply for a state license to practice. A state license is based on successful completion of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Credentialing Requirements

A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the certification examination administered by the NBCOT or to attain state licensure. NBCOT's certification examination application contains character review questions that must be answered by all exam candidates applying for the certification examination. Applicants who answer "yes" to any of these questions must submit an explanation and official documentation regarding their background to NBCOT's Regulatory Affairs Department at the time of application to take the examination. This information will be reviewed by the NBCOT on an individual basis prior to determining exam eligibility.

An individual who is considering entering an educational program or has already entered an educational program can request an early determination review to have their background reviewed prior to the application for the certification exam. If you have additional questions or would like additional information, you may contact the Credentialing Services at NBCOT, located at One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878; TEL: (301) 990-7979. Email: info@nbcot.org 

Admission to the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Program

Applicants must submit an application to the MSOT Program through CalStateApply at https://www2.calstate.edu/apply.

Applications to the program are accepted one time each year. Students planning to seek admission to the program should submit a complete application - including all supporting materials - no later than September 15 preceding a spring semester admission to the program. For additional information about the admissions process for the MSOT program, please contact the Department of Occupational Therapy at (310) 243-2726, msotadmissions@csudh.edu (email) or refer to the website https://www.csudh.edu/ot/.

MSOT Application opens: August 1^st

Application (ALL documents) deadline: September 15^th

Admission Requirements

1. A completed and awarded Bachelor of Arts or Sciences degree from a   regionally accredited college or university.

2. Completion of the following prerequisites (must be within the last ten years, minimum 3 semester units each, a minimum of B average in all prerequisite courses, and a minimum of C for each course).

   1. Human Anatomy with laboratory (3 Credits)

   2. Human Physiology with laboratory (3 Credits)

   3. Developmental Psychology or Human Development (Across the Lifespan) (3 Credits)
   4. Abnormal Psychology (3 Credits)
   5. Statistics (3 Credits)
   6. Medical Terminology (academic credit or certificate, taken from an accredited institution)
      1. ​Notes:

         • Combined Human Anatomy and Human Physiology courses are acceptable as long as each are offered with Lab components, total at least 6 semester units, focus on general gross human structures, and taken from an accredited institution.

         • For applicants who completed a 4-unit combined Anatomy and Physiology course with lab that covers all systems, you could take the 2-unit OTR 595 Case-Based Analysis of Anatomical Structures and Functions course offered through CSUDH College of Extended and International Education to meet both Human Anatomy and Human Physiology prerequisite requirements. For inquiries, email: msotadmissions@csudh.edu.

         • It is acceptable to combine two or more Development courses that focus on different life stages, e.g. a course on Childhood Development from infancy to adolescence and a course on Adulthood and Aging.

         • The CSUDH OT Department offers a Medical Terminology in OT Practice Workshop that meets the Medical Terminology prerequisite requirement. For inquiries, email: msotadmissions@csudh.edu

3. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in bachelor's degree and pre-requisite coursework.

4. Completion of 80 hours of documented volunteer experience under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist; or Successful completion of the department workshop: Foundations of Occupational Therapy https://www.csudh.edu/ot/curriculum/electives/To register, kindly email the department at msotadmissions@csudh.edu.

5. Three letters of recommendation: one letter from the occupational therapist supervising volunteer hours and two from professionals that can attest to student's ability to complete graduate coursework.

6. A minimum combined Verbal and Quantitative GRE Scores of 286, with required minimum scores of 140 on the Quantitative Reasoning and 146 on the Verbal Reasoning sections. A minimum Analytic Writing score of 4 is required. (Note: GRE scores must be within the last five years.)

7. Attendance of an MSOT Information Session prior to applying to the program.

8. Download and complete Application Checklist

9. Applicants who meet the aforementioned qualifications might be invited for a personal interview with members of the Occupational Therapy Program Admissions Committee. (A decision about admission interviews is to be made by the Committee on a yearly basis.)

10. If accepted, completion of the CSUDH medical history questionnaire and physical examination with proof of required immunizations are mandatory.

11. If accepted, student must sign up for all fieldwork management, background screening and/or compliance tracking systems being utilized by the program prior to admission.

For additional information about the admissions process for the MSOT program, please contact the Department of Occupational Therapy at 310-243-2726 or refer to the website https://www.csudh.edu/ot/

Graduation Requirement

The entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Program is comprised of 98 units of entry-level professional didactic and clinical coursework offered in a semester format (including summer sessions). Courses are listed by course number and title as a sequence of seven consecutive semesters, five didactic and two full-time clinical internships.

Requirements

MSOT Required Courses for Graduation

All courses listed below are required for the MSOT Program and need to be taken in the prescribed sequence.

Total Course Requirements for the Master's Degree (98 units)

• Completion of a B.S. or B.A. in another field of study.
• Completion of specific prerequisites for admission to the program.
• Completion of the following didactic and clinical courses in the sequence offered:

The entry level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program is comprised of 98 units of entry-level professional didactic and clinical coursework offered in a semester format including Summer Sessions. Courses are listed by course number and title as a sequence of seven consecutive semesters, five didactic and two full-time clinical internships.

Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Semester One - Foundations (16 units)
OTR 500	Person-Environment-Occupation	2
OTR 502	History of Occupation	2
OTR 504	Activities Across the Lifespan	3
OTR 506	Interactive Reasoning	3
OTR 508	Professional Development Seminar - Portfolio I: Introduction to E-Portfolio	1
OTR 510	Introduction to Frameworks for Occupational Therapy Practice	2
OTR 512	Human Anatomy	3
Semester Two - Adolescence (17 units
OTR 515	Occupation Across the Lifespan I: Adolescence	3
OTR 517	Assessments in Occupational Therapy Practice: Adolescence	1
OTR 519	Interventions in Occupational Therapy Practice - Adolescence	2
OTR 521	Conditions Affecting Health I - Adolescents	2
OTR 523	Case Seminar I - Adolescent	1
OTR 525	OT Research I - Qualitative Research Methods for Health Professionals	2
OTR 527	Foundations of Kinesiology for Occupational Therapy	4
OTR 529	Fieldwork I Adolescents	1
OTR 530	Professional Development Seminar - Portfolio II: Ethics	1
Semester Three - Pediatrics (17 units)
OTR 535	Conditions Affecting Health I - Adolescents	3
OTR 537	Assessments in Occupational Therapy Practice: Pediatrics	2
OTR 539	Interventions in Occupational Therapy Practice - Pediatrics	2
OTR 541	Conditions Affecting Health II - Pediatrics	2
OTR 543	Case Seminar II Pediatrics	1
OTR 547	Neurological Foundations of Oc	5
OTR 550	Level I Fieldwork - Pediatrics	1
OTR 552	Professional Development Seminar - Portfolio III: Qualitative Research Project	1
Semester Four - Adult (15 units)
OTR 545	OT Research II - Quantitative Research Methods for Health Professions	3
OTR 553	Professional Development Seminar - Portfolio IV: Evidence-Based Practice in Occupational Therapy	1
OTR 555	Occupation Across the Lifespan III - Adult	3
OTR 557	Assessments in Occupational Therapy Practice: Adult	2
OTR 559	Interventions in Occupational Therapy Practice: Adult	2
OTR 561	Conditions Affecting Health III - Adults	2
OTR 563	Case Seminar III Adult	1
OTR 571	Level I Fieldwork - Adults	1
Semester Five - Genetics (15 units)
OTR 554	Professional Development Seminar - Portfolio V: Quantitative Research Project	1
OTR 567	Administration & Management in Occupational Therapy	2
OTR 569	Adaptive & Assistive Tech	2
OTR 575	Occupation Across the Lifespan IV - Geriatrics	3
OTR 577	Assessments in Occupational Therapy Practice: Geriatrics	1
OTR 579	Interventions in Occupational Therapy Practice: Geriactrics	2
OTR 581	Conditions Affecting Health IV - Geriatrics	2
OTR 583	Case Seminar IV Geriatrics	1
OTR 591	Level I Fieldwork - Geriatrics	1
Semester Six (9 units)
OTR 592	Fieldwork II A	9
Semester Seven (9 units)
OTR 593	Fieldwork II B	9
Capstone Clinical Capston 1
Total Hours		98

¹

Capstone Clinical Project consists of a comprehensive evidence-based clinical paper, an oral and clinical competence presentation. 

Other Requirements 

Transportation

Students will be responsible for transportation and housing during Fieldwork Levels I and II and may be required to attend a Fieldwork II experience in neighboring states.

Uniforms

Uniforms or a CSUDH polo shirt, and/or laboratory coats may be required in some fieldwork settings. Purchase of a lab coat, CSUDH polo shirt/uniform and name tag are the responsibility of the student.

Health Insurance/Immunizations

Student must have evidence of health insurance and a record of current and past immunizations at the time of admission into the program.

Fingerprinting and Background Check

Students may be required to complete and submit a Live Scan Fingerprint and criminal background check as preparation for some Fieldwork Levels I and II. Many centers hosting Fieldwork students serve vulnerable populations that by law require the background check of all service providers and student affiliates. The results of the Live Scan will be held in strict confidentiality.

Physical Examination

Students admitted to the program will be required to supply evidence of a completed physical examination and immunization records. Physical exams can be completed by the family physician or Student Health Center if the student is a member of the student health program. A form will be provided at the time of admission into the program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the entry-level MSOT, students will be able to…

1. demonstrate entry-level knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences and skills essential to practice occupational therapy;
2. use knowledge of how humans construct meaning and seek adaptation through occupation across the lifespan;
3. demonstrate mastery of entry-level professional clinical skills specific to all areas identified in the Practice Frameworks for Occupational Therapy;
4. serve the needs of diverse and underserved populations with demonstrated sensitivity to psychosocial identity and cultural and ethnic heritage;
5. implement occupational therapy services that maintain health and wellness and remediate dysfunction;
6. apply principles and constructs of ethics to individual, institutional and societal problems and demonstrate competence in developing appropriate resolutions to these problems;
7. identify researchable problems, advocate for and participate in research, and incorporate findings into clinical practice;
8. provide scholarly contributions to the knowledge base of the profession through written and oral communication;
9. relate theory with practice and use research evidence to think critically about or adapt new and existing practice environments based on population needs and research evidence;
10. participate in advocacy and educational roles with patients and their families, students, and others in community and clinical settings; 
11. serve as practitioners and leaders who can influence practice, education, and policy development; 
12. assume leadership roles at the local, state, national and international levels in occupational therapy and in health professions.
13. achieve success in Fieldwork settings, the national board examination and become licensed to practice occupational therapy.