Direct Entry Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT)

According to the AOTA, occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability.

Program Features 

• Part-time, evening program: This Fall start program takes four years on a part-time evening basis to complete. 

• Affordable: Our MSOT program is one of the most affordable programs in the state; almost half the cost of many other programs. 

• 87% SSU NBCOT exam pass rate; higher than the national first-time test taker pass rate of 67% 

• On campus expectations: Students are expected to be on campus no more than two evenings per week. 

• Graduate assistantships: Opportunities to apply for graduate assistantships, grants, and scholarships.

Curriculum* 

This 87-88 credit program follows a cohort model, and course attendance is required during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. 

Credit Commitments per Semester 

Students will begin their level 1 field work during the spring of their second year, and their level 2 field work during the summer of their third year. 

Level 1 Field Work 

• OCT 705 - OT Analysis & Intervention I (20 hours; department organized) 

• OCT 707 - OT Analysis and Intervention II (20 hours; department organized) 

• OCT 715 - OT Analysis and Intervention III (20 hours; department organized) 

• OCT 720 - OT Analysis & Intervention IV (20 hours; department organized) 

Level 2 Field Work 

• OCT 850 - Level II Fieldwork and Seminar A (40 hours/week for 12 weeks; department organized) 

• OCT 960 - Level II Fieldwork and Seminar B (40 hours/week for 12 weeks; department organized) 

*Subject to change; accurate for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The program meets the standards, skills, values and ethics set forth by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Graduates meeting all requirements will be eligible to sit for the occupational therapy certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Please note that any student who has been convicted of a prior felony may be considered ineligible by NBCOT to sit for the NBCOT exam and may be unable to obtain an OT license from the state licensure board. 

The occupational therapy program at Salem State University is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD, 20814. 

Contact AOTA at (301) 652-6611 ext. 2915 or accred@aota.org. 
Visit ACOTE online at acoteonline.org. 

Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. 

National demand for occupational therapists is expected to grow by 11 percent over the next decade, much faster than average. Nationally, 96% of OT jobs require a master's degree. 

The average salary for an occupational therapist is $98,340 per year*. Graduates from Salem State's program achieve high pass rates on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024