Salem State University will remain closed for day classes on Tuesday, January 27. Only designated essential personnel should report to work as scheduled. A decision on evening classes will be announced by 12 noon.

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Direct Entry Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT)

This program is designed for students who have earned a baccalaureate degree in another area of study and wish to become qualified as an occupational therapist. The focus of the direct entry master’s in occupational therapy is to prepare excellent practitioners who are dedicated to providing occupation-focused, client-centered, and evidence-based services and are committed to leadership in the field. The program’s design is a part-time evening cohort model. 

The program meets the standards, skills, values, and ethics set forth by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Graduates from the direct entry program 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).

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Program Requirements
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School of Graduate Studies Open House

Saturday, March 7 | 10 am - 12 pm

Join us on campus for an MSOT information session, where you’ll meet representatives from the School of Graduate Studies and various campus offices.

See the full schedule

Program Features

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 

  • Evening Program: With a dependable two-night-per-week evening course schedule, this fall-start program offers flexibility while maintaining a clear four-year pathway to completion.
  • Master’s Entry-Level Profession: Salem State’s MSOT program meets AOTA’s educational requirement for entering practice as an occupational therapist in the United States.
  • Affordable: Our MSOT program is one of the most affordable programs in Massachusetts.
  • Strong Outcomes: SSU boasts an 87% NBCOT exam pass rate (calculated on the number of New Graduates who passed the NBCOT exam regardless of the number of attempts during the testing year).
  • Funding opportunities: Opportunities to apply for graduate and research 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 

Year 

Fall 

Spring 

Summer 

First Year 

9-10 credits 

9 credits 

6 credits 

Second Year 

7 credits 

9 credits 

6 credits 

Third Year 

9 credits 

11 credits 

6 credits 

Fourth Year 

8 credits 

7 credits 

 

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.

Accreditation and Licensure

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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. 

A Growing Career

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

Take the Next Step

Apply now!

Contact Us

Want to learn more about the occupational therapy program? Contact the program coordinator, Jill Turcotte.

For admissions-related questions, please contact graduate admissions. 

Graduate Admissions

978.542.6200
Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm
331 Lafayette St.
Second Floor,
Salem, MA 01970
Mailing Address:
352 Lafayette St.
Salem, MA 01970

Felony Statement

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 attain an OT license from the State Licensure Board. 

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