Occupational Therapy, M.S.
Dr. Claire M. Mulry, OTD, OTR/L, CAPS, FAOTA
Room: East Campus, Room 224
Phone: 908-737-5850
Email: ot@kean.edu
Program Description
The Master of Science program in Occupational Therapy is a 72 credit program designed to provide entry level education in occupational therapy for individuals who have a baccalaureate degree in another field. Thirty students are admitted into the program each September. Each student accepted into the program completes eight semesters, including six semesters of required academic courses and a minimum of six months of supervised fieldwork in an approved clinical setting. Clinical fieldwork must be completed within 24 months of academic courses. Students successfully completing the program will be eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be able to identify themselves as an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). All states, including New Jersey, require licensure in order to practice. State licenses are usually based on the successful passing of the NBCOT Certification Exam.
* Please note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to complete fieldwork, take the certification examination and/or attain state licensure.
The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Correspondence should be directed to ACOTE, c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. There phone number is 301-652-6611. Website: https://www.aota.org/
Prerequisites Coursework
Each prerequisite course must be completed with a grade of B or better. At the time of application, prospective students may have only three prerequisite courses outstanding/in progress. However, due to the completive applicant pool, the Admissions Committee encourages the completion of all prerequisite courses prior to application.
| General Psychology |
3 |
| Life Span Developmental Psychology1 |
3 |
| Psychological Statistics |
3 |
| Introduction to Occupational Therapy2 |
3 |
| Abnormal Psychology |
3 |
| Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
| or |
| Cultural Anthropology |
3 |
| Anatomy & Physiology I & II (w/lab)1 |
8 |
1These courses must be taken within 5 years of application to the program.
2Must be completed at Kean University
Students may complete the required prerequisite at any accredited institution. If you intend to complete these prerequisites at Kean University, you may apply to the University as an undergraduate second-degree, non-matriculated student.
Degree Requirements
- 72 credits including full time academic course work as described below
- Six months required fieldwork
Admission Requirements
In addition to the University's admission requirements:
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Three letters of recommendation, one letter must be from an occupational therapist. The Letter of Recommendation Form must be attached to the typed letter. Letters must be within two years of applying.*
- Documented observation of occupational therapy services within a variety of age groups and practice areas for a minimum of 40 hours in two or more practice settings. Each applicant may choose from a diverse variety of settings, such as: hospital settings, community based programs, skilled nursing facilities, early intervention, school based programs, home care, outpatient programs, hand therapy sites and/or mental health sites.*
- Professional Resume/CV
- Respond to a departmental questions
- Departmental interview may be required
- TOEFL (for applicants whose native language is not English)
- Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee interview or admission to the program
*This program admits in the fall semester only
Required Coursework
Fall Semester One - 16 Credits
| OT 5002 | FOUNDATIONS OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY | 1 |
| OT 5303 | OCCUPATIONS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| OT 5612 | GROUP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| OT 5400 | THEORETICAL GUIDELINES TO PRACTICE I | 4 |
| OT 5611 | COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND SERVICE | 1 |
| BIO 5405 | HUMAN GROSS ANATOMY | 4 |
Winter Semester Two - 3 Credits
| OT 5520 | RESEARCH METHODS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY I | 3 |
Spring Semester Three - 16 Credits
| BIO 5406 | ADVANCED NEUROSCIENCE (M) | 4 |
| OT 6521 | RESEARCH METHODS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY II | 3 |
| OT 5212 | CONDITIONS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| OT 6920 | SEMINAR IN PSYCHOSOCIAL PRACTICE | 6 |
Summer I & II Semester Four - 10 Credits
| OT 5401 | THEORETICAL GUIDELINES TO PRACTICE II | 4 |
| OT 5500 | APPLIED KINESIOLOGY FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY | 3 |
| OT 5551 | EDUCATION, SUPERVISION, ADMINISTRATION, AND ADVOCACY | 3 |
Fall Semester Five - 15 Credits
| OT 6525 | ADVANCED RESEARCH IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY | 3 |
| OT 6923 | SEMINAR IN PEDIATRIC PRACTICE | 6 |
| OT 6921 | SEMINAR IN ADULT REHABILITATION PRACTICE | 6 |
Winter Semester Six - 3 Credits
| OT 6610 | ORTHOTICS, PROSTHETICS, AND MODALITIES | 3 |
Spring Semester Seven - 4.5 Credits
| OT 6962 | ADVANCED FIELDWORK SEMINAR I | 4.5 |
Summer Semester Eight - 4.5 Credits
| OT 6963 | ADVANCED FIELDWORK SEMINAR II | 4.5 |
Total Credit Hours: 72