Occupational Therapy (Online), MS

[Advanced] Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

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ASHS School Information & Policies   Length of Program Tuition Admissions

Graduation Requirements Curriculum Courses: Descriptions and Credit Values

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.

Tuition

Distance programs’ tuition is due the first day of class. For programs with payment per credit or course, the tuition covers the payment for the coming quarter.  Delinquent tuition penalties accrue at 1.5% per month, which is 18% per year.

Tuition

$520.00 per credit hour

Admissions

A.T. Still University is no longer accepting applicants for the online Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

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.

Curriculum

The program of study is divided into four areas:

1. Professional Practice: The Professional Practice area courses provide the student with a firm foundation in the practice of occupational therapy and the issues and concerns of a graduate health profession. This area includes 9 required credits.
2. Critical Inquiry & Analysis: The Critical Inquiry courses provide the student with formal skills in critical inquiry and decision- Students learn to use the research literature and technology resources to establish interventions based on scientific evidence and best professional practices. This area includes 12 required credits.
3. Electives: Clinical practice areas of specialization or interest are offered for the practicing therapist. Students may choose from general practice, pediatric, or management specialty areas. Electives may be chosen (when offered) from the OT courses listed below, from several physical therapy courses listed below, or from any course offered by ATSU’s College of Graduate Health Studies. Students are required to take 12 elective credits.
4. Capstone Experience: The Advanced MS in OT Capstone Experience includes an integrating and culminating project that allows each student to explore an area of professional interest. Under supervision of OT faculty, each student develops and implements a project that exemplifies practice-based scholarship and furthers the profession’s body of knowledge. The projects are completed over the course of a consecutive three-quarter sequence and include the involvement of the same cohort of peers throughout the overall three course sequence. There are 9 required credits among the Capstone Experience courses.

Courses