MSOT Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

MSOT Tracks

Alvernia offers two Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy degree tracks based upon a student's previous coursework.
 

Track I: Five-Year Combined BSHS + MSOT Program

Description

The five-year Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program is for students beginning the program as undergraduates:

• This track requires five-years of study in a seamless progression - three years of undergraduate and two years of graduate course and fieldwork
• The combined BSHS + MSOT track follows a traditional Fall-Spring semester sequence
• Accepted students entering this track as freshman or as transfer undergraduate students, and maintaining applicable progression and retention requirements, automatically transition from the undergraduate to graduate phases without needing to reapply and retain the undergraduate tuition rate

Cost of Attendance

Current Cost	2023 Fall Semester	2024 Spring Semester	2023-2024 Academic Year
Tuition	$20,530	$20,530	$41,060
Student Fees *student activities, health and wellness, shuttle service and web fees	$1,305	$1,305	$2,610
Lab Fees	Freshman = $0 Sophomore = $100 Junior = $200 Senior = $325 Fifth-Year = $75	Freshman = $0 Sophomore = $200 Junior = $225 Senior = $125 Fifth-Year = $130	Freshman = $0 Sophomore = $300 Junior = $425 Senior = $450 Fifth-Year = $205
Books and Supplies	$750	$750	$1,500

*The projected total cost of attendance includes a rate adjustment equivalent to 5%/year. However, rates are subject to change. The cost includes completion of both an earned bachelor and master’s degree.

Total Projected Cost Over Five Years

Tuition	Student Fees	Lab Fees	Books and Supplies
*$226,879	*13,853	AY2023/24 = $0 AY2024/25 =$300 AY2025/26 =$425 AY2026/27 =$450 AY2027/28 =$205 Total = $1380	$7,500

Estimated undergraduate housing and dining costs

Estimated costs for housing and meals as part of the 2023-24 cost of attendance for undergraduate student based on residential status may be found here.

Track II: Post-Baccalaureate MSOT

Description

The Post-Baccalaureate Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree program is for students with an earned bachelor’s degree:

• This track requires 2 years and 4 months of study (including foundational, professional, and field-work)
• The Post-Baccalaureate track follows a year-round curriculum sequence: Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall
• Prerequisites include completion of the following: Anatomy and Physiology (6 cr. with lab component), Kinesiology (3 cr.), Introduction to Sociology or Anthropology (3 cr.), Introduction to Psychology (3 cr.), Lifespan Development or Developmental Psychology (3 cr.), Psychopathology (3 cr.), and Statistics (3 cr.)

Cost of Attendance

Current Cost	2023 Fall Semester	2024 Spring Semester	2024 Summer Semester	2023-2024 Academic Year
Tuition ($985/credit)	$11,820 (12 credits)	$12,805 (13 credits)	$9,850 (10 credits)	$34,475
Comprehensive Fees	$354	$384	$295	$1,035
Lab & Liability Fees	$100	$290	$325	$715
Books and Supplies	$500	$500	$500	$1,500

Total Projected Cost Over 2 Years, 4 Months

Tuition ($985/credit)	Comprehensive Fees	Lab & Liability Fees	Books and Supplies
$75,845 (77 credits)	$2,275	$1570	$3,500

Program Overview

Accreditation

The occupational therapy master's degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. Click here to see Alvernia's ACOTE certificate. ACOTE's telephone number is 301-652-6611. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the NBCOT exam, the individual becomes an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the result of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Examination or attain state licensure.

All students in the occupational therapy program at Alvernia University must complete Level II Fieldwork within 24 months of completing undergraduate or prerequisite course work. After passing the NBCOT Certification Examination, the student will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) and after attaining state licensure they are entitled to use the designation OTR/L. The program holds accreditation status for an entry-level professional master's degree.

ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage.

Career Options with an Occupational Therapy Degree

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 16 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, or the loss of a limb. The median annual wage for occupational therapists in 2019 was $84,950.

• Rehabilitation Director for skilled nursing facility
• Home Health OT
• Pediatric OT for inpatient and outpatient clinics
• School-based and Telehealth OT
• Early Intervention OT
• Hand therapist
• Staff therapist for hospitals
• Occupational Therapist for VA Medical Centers
• OT in the Army Medical Specialist Corps
• Investigator/Track Research for large corporation
• Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for a university
• OT in community Mental Health Centers
• Occupational Therapist specializing in low vision, driver rehabilitation, work hardening, home and environmental modifications, and sensory integration

Graduation Rate

The total number of graduates from the Alvernia University Five-Year Combined BSHS+MSOT program during the 3-year period of 2018-2020 was 162, with an overall graduation rate of 97%.

The total number of graduates from the Alvernia University Post-Baccalaureate MSOT program during the 3-year period of 2018-2020 was 51, with an overall graduation rate of 96%.

A breakdown of Alvernia's 3-Year MSOT Graduation Rate is available for each program.

NBCOT Results

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam to become board certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Alvernia boasts a competitive pass rate on this exam.

Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online.

Learn More

For more information about Alvernia’s Five-Year Combined BSHS+MSOT program, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office at 1-888-ALVERNIA or 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu.

For more information about Alvernia’s Post-Baccalaureate MSOT program, please contact the School of Graduate and Adult Admissions Office at 610-796-5187 or gradandadult@alvernia.edu.

Or reach out directly to:

Elizabeth M. Bentz, OTD, OTR/L, SIPT, RYT
Chair, Occupational Therapy Department
Assistant Professor
Bernardine Hall 114E
610-790-2991
elizabeth.bentz@alvernia.edu

Amy J. Thomas, OTD, OTR/L, ARSP
Program Director, Occupational Therapy
Assistant Professor
Bernardine Hall 114C
amy.thomas@alvernia.edu