OT Programs
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MS-OT)
Program|Admission
Criteria|Applying|Curriculum|Fieldwork|Fieldwork
Manual (PDF)|Student
Handbook (PDF) |Sample
AOTA FW Performance Eval| Tuition, Scholarships,
Financial Aid| Accreditation |Certification
The Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy is an entry-level master's degree
offered to students who have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
With an emphasis on research and evidenced-based practice, the program will prepare
students for entry into the occupational therapy profession. Upon completion of
the program, students will have the required academic credentials to sit for the
certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational
Therapy. Completion of 61 program credits are required and includes coursework related
to biological sciences, professional skills, occupation-based theory and practice,
research methods, completion of a research project or review paper, and 24 weeks
of full-time fieldwork.
FAQs About Choosing Occupational Therapy as a Profession:
1. Is there a course that I can take that will help me decide if I want to become
an occupational therapist?
Yes. It is recommended that UW-Madison undergraduate students take a course titled
TS100: Orientation to Occupational Therapy which is offered in both the fall and
spring semesters. This is not a requirement for admission, but completion of this
course will be accepted for 10 hours of observation if the appropriate observation
form (see link titled “Applying”) is signed by the instructor and submitted
with application materials.
2. Where can I find more information about a career occupational therapy?
For general information about the profession of occupational therapy, please consult
the website of the American Occupational Therapy Association at www.aota.org. Under
the “Welcome” tab, check out the “About Occupational Therapy”
and the “Career Information” sections. You may also find helpful information
at www.nbcot.org The Wisconsin Occupational
Therapy Association provides statewide information at
www.wota.net.
3. Since occupational therapists are licensed in different states, is it difficult
to move from state to state?
Most states license occupational therapy practitioners, but there is only one national
OT certification exam that is used by all licensing states to certify occupational
therapy practitioners. This exam is administered by the National Board for Certification
in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Because of this, it is quite easy to move from
state to state as an OT, and be eligible for licensure in each state. To qualify
to sit for the NBCOT exam, an individual must be a graduate of an occupational therapy
program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
(ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Our program is
accredited by ACOTE. For more information on the certification exam and other information
on the field, please visit www.nbcot.org.
FAQs for High School or Undergraduate Students who have not
Chosen Majors:
1. Is there one or more undergraduate majors that will help me get into your MSOT
program?
No. We accept any undergraduate major as long as the applicant has fulfilled all
our prerequisite requirements (see link to Admission Criteria above).
2. Can you give me guidance in selecting an undergraduate major?
We advise that you choose a major that you are really interested in. If you have
a passion for one or more fields, choose the one that you feel more drawn to or
that you are more talented in. Take some courses in other areas that would round
out your education and your varied interests.
3. Can you give me guidance in selecting undergraduate courses that will provide
a good foundation for further study or work in occupational therapy?
The following topics may prove to be useful to you in the future if you are interested
in taking these courses at the undergraduate level. They are NOT prerequisites.
1. Humanities:
Foreign languages, ethics, literature, communication arts, art, music, dance
2. Social Sciences & Education:
Child and family studies, psychology, cultural and ethnic studies, sociology, anthropology,
history, counseling psychology, rehab. psychology, art education, special education,
adapted physical education, environmental design, human ecology, communication disorders
3. Science:
Anatomy and physiology, biology, human kinesiology, exercise physiology
4. Other recommended areas of study:
Interviewing, group dynamics, interpersonal communications, medical terminology,
human sexuality, stress management and coping, business and management, health care
management, computer competency, public speaking, writing and composition
4. Why did you phase out your undergraduate program in occupational therapy?
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) changed the entry level educational
requirements. Beginning January of 2007, individuals must hold a minimum of a masters
degree in occupational therapy to be eligible to sit for the national OT certification
examination (see www.nbcot.org).
5. Other universities and colleges in this state offer undergraduate specializations
in occupational therapy, why doesn’t UW-Madison?
We are a part of the larger UW System. Each educational entity offers something
a little different to the prospective student. Other system schools offer combined
bachelor and masters degrees which allows their students to be eligible to sit for
the national OT certification exam with a minimum of 5 years of courses and 6 months
of internships. This is advantageous for the student who has determined that he
or she would like to become an occupational therapist very early in life, and would
like to complete his or her education as soon as possible. However, this is NOT
advantageous for older individuals who already have bachelors degrees in other fields,
and would like to begin a career in OT. Our program is designed for the prospective
student who has enriched themselves with in-depth study of another field, and has
a range of life experiences. Additionally, UW-Madison has a very strong commitment
to research, and our MSOT curriculum reflects this. For a listing of all accredited
OT programs, go to:
www.aota.org/nonmembers/area13/links/link65.asp