Occupational Therapy (Online), MS

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (Advanced MS in OT) is a post-professional degree for practicing occupational therapists holding a bachelor’s degree but wishing to enhance their clinical skills and professional status. This distance education program will allow the occupational therapist to build upon existing experience, strengthen academic foundations, improve critical reasoning skills, and increase the ability to practice in varied clinical and administrative settings.

Although faculty and students “meet” in online classroom environments, clinical (practice related) experiences are required to complete several of the core “Professional Practice” courses. Advanced MS in OT students are encouraged to use their current practice settings to meet this requirement. In the event that a student is not employed or practicing at the time of a particular course requiring a clinical experience, the student is responsible for identifying and gaining access to a clinical practice setting applicable to the assignments required in the course.

The Advanced MS in OT program requirements also include completion of a Capstone Project designed to promote students’ development of practice-based scholarship. Through a series of three Capstone courses students have the opportunity to develop, implement and document a project related to their professional interests while participating in this experience along with a cohort group of their peers and the tutelage and support of faculty.

Length of Program

A.T. Still University’s (ATSU) Post-Professional Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree requires a minimum of 42 quarter credit hours. The AMOT Program’s flexible design makes it possible to complete the degree in two years, on average.

Admissions

Application Process

Applicants will need to create an account at https://apply.atsu.edu for access to the online application. Instructions are included on how to complete the application and provide us with all required documentation. If you have any questions regarding the online application, please contact Admissions at 877.469.2878 or by email at onlineinquiry@atsu.edu.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the Advanced MS in OT program must meet the following requirements prior to matriculation.

1. Applicants are required to meet all ATSU and ASHS general admission requirements
2. Applicants must have earned a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum Occupational Therapy program GPA 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Applicants will have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.
   1. Applicants who have graduated from a non-US college or university must submit acceptable evidence of U.S. degree/course equivalency and must have foreign transcripts evaluated by an evaluation service specializing in foreign transcript evaluation. The evaluation must state that the transcript(s) reflect an equivalency of a U.S. degree.
4. Official sealed transcripts from all institutions attended must be submitted prior to matriculation.
5. Initial certification as an occupational therapist from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
   1. International applicants are eligible to apply, but must show proof of certification or eligibility to practice as an occupational therapist that is equivalent to OT certification and licensure in the United States and have earned an OT degree from an OT Program recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy.
6. No GRE is required for admission
7. All students are required to demonstrate proficiency in English when applying to the Arizona School of Health Sciences, A.T Still University. See the ASHS English Proficiency  section for more details.
   1. Advanced MS in OT minimum TOEFL score requirements:
      1. TOEFL Paper based total score = 550
         1. Minimum of 56 on Reading Skills section
         2. Minimum of 61 - 62 on Writing Skills section
      2. Computer based total score = 213
         1. Minimum of 22 on Reading Skills section
         2. Minimum of 26 on Writing Skills section
      3. Internet based total score = 80
         1. Minimum of 21 on Reading Skills section
         2. Minimum of 24 on Writing Skills section
8. Applicants are expected to be computer literate and experienced in word processing. All curricula require extensive computer usage. Accepted applicants are required to have a laptop computer prior to the first day of class.
   1. See the Minimum Technology Specifications  under the General Admission Requirements section.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree online, all students must:

1. Complete all prescribed didactic and clinical courses and the terminal project.
2. Pass all courses with a minimum grade of “C” or higher, maintain a 2.70 or higher cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, and pass all comprehensive exams when applicable.
3. Complete the Program within a 5 year period from matriculation.
4. Discharge all financial obligations to ATSU.
5. Submit an RSVP for the appropriate Commencement ceremony (found on the graduation website).
6. Ensure that the mailing address in the CampusNexus Student Portal is current. This is the address where the diploma will be mailed.
7. Attending commencement is not required but highly recommended.