Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc (2024)

Table of Contents
This course is for people who want to help others to carry out everyday occupations with greater ease and independence – despite their disabilities, injuries or impediments. Course Information Occupational Therapy / Meet our Students Book a Virtual Open Day / Experience Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc Your tutors will use a variety of teaching methods including enquiry-based approaches in which you will be an active participant in your learning. As with other Masters degrees there will be a major element of independent learning and self-motivated reflection. Book a Virtual Open Day / Experience Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc This course is delivered by a team of enthusiastic, research-active lecturers and contemporary clinicians with extensive knowledge and expertise relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. Tutor Profiles / Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc Book a Virtual Open Day / Experience Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc This course is based at our Coach Lane campus which houses our purpose-built Clinical Skills Centre. It will allow you to develop skills within simulated scenarios and extend your practical experience. Facilities Book a Virtual Open Day / Experience Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc As a Masters student you’ll develop your research and enquiry skills to a new level. The Research Project module will enable you to plan, develop, manage and appraise an original piece of research. Research Book a Virtual Open Day / Experience Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc Based on your particular interests, you can let us know your preferences regarding the type of placements you are interested in, whether this be a particular clinical area or location that reflects your career aspirations. For example you could undertake a placement in another country in order to gain experience within a fresh culture and healthcare system. Book a Virtual Open Day / Experience Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc Entry Requirements 2024/25 Standard Entry Fees and Funding 2024/25 Entry Modules Overview 2024/25 Modules Year one Year two Modules Overview 2025/26 Modules Year one Year two Any Questions? Accessibility and Student Inclusion FAQs

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Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc (1)Option for Placement Year

Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc (2)Option for Study Abroad

Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc (3)

Course Overview

  • Course Overview
  • Teaching Staff
  • Facilities
  • Research-rich learning
  • Career Edge

**PLEASE NOTE: We are no longer accepting new applications for this course starting in September 2024.**

This course is for people who want to help others to carry out everyday occupations with greater ease and independence – despite their disabilities, injuries or impediments.

The two year course is specifically designed for people who have already completed previous degree level study, and who can apply their critical thinking skills to the theory and practice of occupational therapy. The course includes three placements to develop skills and confidence in providing occupational therapy in a range of settings and contexts.

The advantages of this course include the breadth of our healthcare expertise and the variety of our placement opportunities.

This course adheres to the professional standards of practice, values and behaviours set out by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Occupational Therapists - RCOT, which will allow you to be eligible for professional registration on successful completion of your degree.

Our pre-registration occupational therapy provision has been accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc (4)

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
2 years Full Time

Department
Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing

Location
Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2024

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc (5) Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc (6) Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc (7) Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc (8)

Occupational Therapy / Meet our Students

Hear from our students on their experience of studying Occupational Therapy, and what some of your learning will look like.

Book a Virtual Open Day / Experience Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc

Visit an Open Day to find out about life in Newcastle, tour our facilities, discover your funding options and chat to staff and students.

  • Book an Open Day
  • Take a Virtual Tour

EntryRequirements ModulesOverview Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Entry Requirements 2024/25

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in a subject relevant to Occupational Therapy, and completed within the last five years. Applicants with experience in the field who hold a 2:2 honours degree will be assessed on an individual basis.

GCSE grade C (or equivalent) in English Language, Maths and Science.

Accredited Prior Learning (APL), Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) and Accredited Work Based Learning (AWBL) may also be considered against University Criteria.

Additional requirements:

All offers of places on this course are subject to a satisfactory DBS Disclosure. You must meet the Health and Care Professions Council's suitability for registration requirements.

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visitwww.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7 with 6.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visitwww.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

For further admissions guidance and requirements, please visitwww.northumbria.ac.uk/admissionsguidancePlease review this information before submitting your application.

Fees and Funding 2024/25 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: £9,250

EU Fee in Year 1: £18,250

International Fee in Year 1: £18,250

Scholarships and Discounts

Discover Moreabout Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options for UK, EU and International applicants.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

You will be required to purchase suitable footwear for use in placement. You will need to pay for your own travel costs, which may be approximately £800 per year depending on your placement location. You may be eligible to claim reimbursement of travel costs from the NHS Business Authority. Up to date information relating to this can be found at: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/student-services. If using a car to attend placement, you may also need to pay parking charges of approximately £200 per year.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Modules Overview 2024/25

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two

Year one

OT6004 -

Introduction to Occupation (with Practice Placement A) (20 Credits)

In this module you will develop in-depth critical knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of Occupational Therapy alongside an appreciation of how Occupational Therapists apply their core knowledge to practice. You will explore the academic discipline of Occupational Science which studies the links between meaningful activities, health and wellbeing. Topics in this module will include:

- How occupation is performed across the lifespan
- Using theoretical models to analyse human occupation and the application of contemporary theoretical frameworks to occupational science
- The impact of environments on occupation

Your university learning will be consolidated and developed by a period of practice placement (assessed at BSc level 4) during this module where you will be supported to apply theory to practice and develop your Occupational Therapy knowledge and skills with support and supervision of a Qualified Occupational Therapist. You will engage with service users and carers to gain insight and appreciation of the impact of a range of health, social and/or environmental factors on occupational participation. Part of being a professional in practice is managing workload and your own emotional responses to pressured environments and there will be opportunities to reflect on this both in University and on placement in order to develop physical and mental health self-care strategies.

The preparatory period in university prior to placement will help you to understand the professional conduct required in practice as set out by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Hours completed on this module contribute to the 1000 hours of supervised practice required to be eligible to register to practice on completion of the programme.

More information

OT7000 -

Research Informed Occupational Therapy (20 Credits)

This module will provide you with the opportunity to engage with academic writing, a range of research methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative and consider these in the context of Occupational Therapy practice and wider health and social care to contribute to your development as an evidence based healthcare practitioner. Empirical and systematic review methodologies will be introduced and considered in the context of an MSc project option. In this module you will have the opportunity to engage with research ethics, research methodology theory, participate in data collection and analysis and engage in critical debate about public involvement in research. The module provides the opportunity for the integration and development of some skills and concepts considered in your profession specific modules to be critically evaluated in the context of research. The end product of this module will be a project proposal that could be transferable for submission for ethics approval. This module is linked with your MSc project; with the aim prepare you for involvement in data collection and analysis or systematic appraisal to provide you with a firm foundation for undertaking research as part of your MSc.

More information

OT7001 -

Developing Occupational Therapy Reasoning and Skills with Practice Placement B (30 Credits)

Occupational Therapists select, analyse, adapt and utilise occupations to promote occupational engagement, health and wellbeing and you will practice, analyse and reflect on these skills during this module. You will further develop your understanding of how environments and contexts influence occupation and again, develop practice skills in analysing occupation within different contexts and environments. You will also develop and critically reflect upon skills used within therapeutic interactions such as motivating others, collaborative goal setting and working towards behaviour change. Alongside this and integrated with opportunities to learn profession-specific Occupational Therapy skills, you will also develop wider professional skills including skills in risk assessment, record keeping and collaborative working.

Experts by experience have helped to identify the following core values as the most important elements of building relationships with service users and carers: respect, trust, compassion, empathy, listening and collaboration. Through a range of learning experiences students will be supported to examine these values and to think about how they demonstrate them in their professional practice.

You will spend time in a practice context to complete your second period of practice assessed at level 5 practice placement. Hours from the Placement B period will contribute to the 1000 hours of supervised practice required to be eligible to register to practice on completion of the programme. Part of being a professional in practice is managing workload and your own emotional responses to pressured environments and there will be opportunities to reflect on this both in University and on placement in order to develop physical and mental health selfcare strategies.

Authentic case studies will be developed to reflect diverse and contemporary areas of occupational therapy practice, including (but not limited to) scenarios with a focus on prevention and health promotion, acute care, and rehabilitation contexts.

Your university learning will be consolidated and developed by a period of practice placement during this module. Module sessions will help you to understand the professional conduct required in practice as set out by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics (RCOT, 2021) and HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (2016).

More information

RW7001 -

Academic Language Skills (ALS) for PG Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing Students (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

•Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
•Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
•Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
•Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
•Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
•Listening skills for lectures.
•Speaking in seminar presentations.
•Presenting your ideas
•Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
•Speed reading techniques.
•Developing self-reflection skills.
•Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
•Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information

Year two

OT7002 -

Occupation-Centred Practice (20 Credits)

You will develop skills which will continue to place your understanding of occupation at the centre of your practice through the consideration of the complexities of contemporary practice. This will involve debating the realities of practice with the rhetoric of public and professional discourse using applied examples of ethical and moral dilemmas in professional decision-making. You will consider how your critical thinking and reflective skills can be applied when considering the occupational needs and risks of a range of individuals, groups and communities, with an exploration of the public health agenda

As occupational therapists work with individuals and groups to promote health through occupational engagement, you will critically consider how the concepts within Occupational Science might inform your professional role in risk assessment and opportunities for positive risk taking, whilst maintaining safe and effective practice. You will also consider the role of the socio-economic, cultural and political environments in promoting or disrupting participation and engagement in valued occupations.

You will draw on previous learning, practice and experiences of service users/carers, to critically analyse the decision-making processes influenced by the challenges and barriers to maintaining occupation as the central focus of Occupational Therapy. The role of reflective practice and professional attributes will be considered in terms of exploring the opportunities for promoting occupation-centred practice and the continued development of the profession.

More information

OT7003 -

Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (with Practice Placement C) (30 Credits)

You will draw on your learning from previous modules and placements to consolidate your knowledge, skills and in values in preparation for practice and meeting the requirements for registration with HCPC. You will continue to develop your reflective skills and identify your own areas for development to focus your learning and support your transition in becoming a Professional Occupational Therapist; learning to assess and evaluate your own skills.
Your learning will be consolidated during a period of practice placement assessed at level 6 ; where you will be demonstrating the practical and professional skills required of a student making the transition to entry-level practitioner. Placement hours completed on this module contribute to the 1000 hours of supervised practice required to be eligible to register to practice on completion of the programme.

For this placement you may have the opportunity to work in a non-traditional or contemporary area of practice where there is currently no direct OT service. In private, independent and voluntary organisations. For example, previous placements have been within mainstream schools, charities and new NHS services.

You will learn to apply key skills of activity analysis and assessment to identify occupational need/opportunities and design, develop and implement occupation-based interventions/projects. Placements at this level will require you to think creatively and autonomously and apply entrepreneurship and leadership skills to promote the occupational therapy role. Part of being a professional in practice is managing workload and your own emotional responses to pressured environments and there will be opportunities to reflect on this both in University and on placement in order to develop physical and mental health self?care strategies.

More information

OT7004 -

Occupational Therapy Research Project (60 Credits)

In this module you will develop the necessary skills to plan, develop, implement, and critique a research project which is relevant to and with the ability to contribute to the knowledge and evidence base for occupational therapy. This will enhance your skills in the critical evaluation of data. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to plan for dissemination of your research to a wider audience via producing a manuscript in the format suitable for submission for publication in a health or social care peer reviewed journal.

With support from your academic supervisor you will undertake your own research project; this may involve primary data collection, critical analysis of existing data, or a systematic review of the literature on a specific topic.

More specifically, depending on your choice of methodology you will develop
•Project management skills including time management skills
•Knowledge and skills required for quantitative or qualitative data collection and/or systematic literature reviewing
•Knowledge and skills required for critical qualitative or quantitative data analysis, and/or data synthesis

This is a valuable and exciting learning and development opportunity that will enhance your employability and future career opportunities as a contemporary autonomous professional.

More information

Modules Overview 2025/26

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two

Year one

OT6004 -

Introduction to Occupation (with Practice Placement A) (20 Credits)

In this module you will develop in-depth critical knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of Occupational Therapy alongside an appreciation of how Occupational Therapists apply their core knowledge to practice. You will explore the academic discipline of Occupational Science which studies the links between meaningful activities, health and wellbeing. Topics in this module will include:

- How occupation is performed across the lifespan
- Using theoretical models to analyse human occupation and the application of contemporary theoretical frameworks to occupational science
- The impact of environments on occupation

Your university learning will be consolidated and developed by a period of practice placement (assessed at BSc level 4) during this module where you will be supported to apply theory to practice and develop your Occupational Therapy knowledge and skills with support and supervision of a Qualified Occupational Therapist. You will engage with service users and carers to gain insight and appreciation of the impact of a range of health, social and/or environmental factors on occupational participation. Part of being a professional in practice is managing workload and your own emotional responses to pressured environments and there will be opportunities to reflect on this both in University and on placement in order to develop physical and mental health self-care strategies.

The preparatory period in university prior to placement will help you to understand the professional conduct required in practice as set out by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Hours completed on this module contribute to the 1000 hours of supervised practice required to be eligible to register to practice on completion of the programme.

More information

OT7000 -

Research Informed Occupational Therapy (20 Credits)

This module will provide you with the opportunity to engage with academic writing, a range of research methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative and consider these in the context of Occupational Therapy practice and wider health and social care to contribute to your development as an evidence based healthcare practitioner. Empirical and systematic review methodologies will be introduced and considered in the context of an MSc project option. In this module you will have the opportunity to engage with research ethics, research methodology theory, participate in data collection and analysis and engage in critical debate about public involvement in research. The module provides the opportunity for the integration and development of some skills and concepts considered in your profession specific modules to be critically evaluated in the context of research. The end product of this module will be a project proposal that could be transferable for submission for ethics approval. This module is linked with your MSc project; with the aim prepare you for involvement in data collection and analysis or systematic appraisal to provide you with a firm foundation for undertaking research as part of your MSc.

More information

OT7001 -

Developing Occupational Therapy Reasoning and Skills with Practice Placement B (30 Credits)

Occupational Therapists select, analyse, adapt and utilise occupations to promote occupational engagement, health and wellbeing and you will practice, analyse and reflect on these skills during this module. You will further develop your understanding of how environments and contexts influence occupation and again, develop practice skills in analysing occupation within different contexts and environments. You will also develop and critically reflect upon skills used within therapeutic interactions such as motivating others, collaborative goal setting and working towards behaviour change. Alongside this and integrated with opportunities to learn profession-specific Occupational Therapy skills, you will also develop wider professional skills including skills in risk assessment, record keeping and collaborative working.

Experts by experience have helped to identify the following core values as the most important elements of building relationships with service users and carers: respect, trust, compassion, empathy, listening and collaboration. Through a range of learning experiences students will be supported to examine these values and to think about how they demonstrate them in their professional practice.

You will spend time in a practice context to complete your second period of practice assessed at level 5 practice placement. Hours from the Placement B period will contribute to the 1000 hours of supervised practice required to be eligible to register to practice on completion of the programme. Part of being a professional in practice is managing workload and your own emotional responses to pressured environments and there will be opportunities to reflect on this both in University and on placement in order to develop physical and mental health selfcare strategies.

Authentic case studies will be developed to reflect diverse and contemporary areas of occupational therapy practice, including (but not limited to) scenarios with a focus on prevention and health promotion, acute care, and rehabilitation contexts.

Your university learning will be consolidated and developed by a period of practice placement during this module. Module sessions will help you to understand the professional conduct required in practice as set out by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Professional standards for occupational therapy practice, conduct and ethics (RCOT, 2021) and HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (2016).

More information

RW7001 -

Academic Language Skills (ALS) for PG Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing Students (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

•Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
•Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
•Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
•Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
•Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
•Listening skills for lectures.
•Speaking in seminar presentations.
•Presenting your ideas
•Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
•Speed reading techniques.
•Developing self-reflection skills.
•Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
•Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information

Year two

OT7002 -

Occupation-Centred Practice (20 Credits)

You will develop skills which will continue to place your understanding of occupation at the centre of your practice through the consideration of the complexities of contemporary practice. This will involve debating the realities of practice with the rhetoric of public and professional discourse using applied examples of ethical and moral dilemmas in professional decision-making. You will consider how your critical thinking and reflective skills can be applied when considering the occupational needs and risks of a range of individuals, groups and communities, with an exploration of the public health agenda

As occupational therapists work with individuals and groups to promote health through occupational engagement, you will critically consider how the concepts within Occupational Science might inform your professional role in risk assessment and opportunities for positive risk taking, whilst maintaining safe and effective practice. You will also consider the role of the socio-economic, cultural and political environments in promoting or disrupting participation and engagement in valued occupations.

You will draw on previous learning, practice and experiences of service users/carers, to critically analyse the decision-making processes influenced by the challenges and barriers to maintaining occupation as the central focus of Occupational Therapy. The role of reflective practice and professional attributes will be considered in terms of exploring the opportunities for promoting occupation-centred practice and the continued development of the profession.

More information

OT7003 -

Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (with Practice Placement C) (30 Credits)

You will draw on your learning from previous modules and placements to consolidate your knowledge, skills and in values in preparation for practice and meeting the requirements for registration with HCPC. You will continue to develop your reflective skills and identify your own areas for development to focus your learning and support your transition in becoming a Professional Occupational Therapist; learning to assess and evaluate your own skills.
Your learning will be consolidated during a period of practice placement assessed at level 6 ; where you will be demonstrating the practical and professional skills required of a student making the transition to entry-level practitioner. Placement hours completed on this module contribute to the 1000 hours of supervised practice required to be eligible to register to practice on completion of the programme.

For this placement you may have the opportunity to work in a non-traditional or contemporary area of practice where there is currently no direct OT service. In private, independent and voluntary organisations. For example, previous placements have been within mainstream schools, charities and new NHS services.

You will learn to apply key skills of activity analysis and assessment to identify occupational need/opportunities and design, develop and implement occupation-based interventions/projects. Placements at this level will require you to think creatively and autonomously and apply entrepreneurship and leadership skills to promote the occupational therapy role. Part of being a professional in practice is managing workload and your own emotional responses to pressured environments and there will be opportunities to reflect on this both in University and on placement in order to develop physical and mental health self?care strategies.

More information

OT7004 -

Occupational Therapy Research Project (60 Credits)

In this module you will develop the necessary skills to plan, develop, implement, and critique a research project which is relevant to and with the ability to contribute to the knowledge and evidence base for occupational therapy. This will enhance your skills in the critical evaluation of data. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to plan for dissemination of your research to a wider audience via producing a manuscript in the format suitable for submission for publication in a health or social care peer reviewed journal.

With support from your academic supervisor you will undertake your own research project; this may involve primary data collection, critical analysis of existing data, or a systematic review of the literature on a specific topic.

More specifically, depending on your choice of methodology you will develop
•Project management skills including time management skills
•Knowledge and skills required for quantitative or qualitative data collection and/or systematic literature reviewing
•Knowledge and skills required for critical qualitative or quantitative data analysis, and/or data synthesis

This is a valuable and exciting learning and development opportunity that will enhance your employability and future career opportunities as a contemporary autonomous professional.

More information

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.

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Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership withAccessAbleto provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need.

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

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* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc (2024)

FAQs

Is a master's in occupational therapy hard? ›

The short answer is: YES, occupational therapy school is hard. But so is physical therapy school, nursing school, medical school, pharmacy school, physician's assistant school, etc. All healthcare degrees are going to be challenging, and for good reason.

What are the entry requirements for MSC occupational therapy? ›

Entry requirements
  • An understanding of the philosophy, practice and scope of occupational therapy.
  • Appropriate work experience/shadowing.
  • The attitudes, behaviours and values of care and compassion.
  • Evidence of self-direction and motivation.

Do occupational therapists need a master's degree or doctorate in order to enter the field? ›

While some OTs are grandfathered in from the days when a bachelor's degree was standard, a minimum of a master's degree is now required as entry-level OT education. In many schools, a doctorate (OTD) is also being offered.

How to be successful in occupational therapy school? ›

7 Tips To Survive Occupational Therapy School
  1. Limit Distractions In Class. ...
  2. Get a Flexible Part-Time Job. ...
  3. Stay Organized. ...
  4. Make Friends! ...
  5. Accept Making Mistakes. ...
  6. Embrace Working With Others. ...
  7. Don't Forget to Have Fun!
Nov 12, 2020

Is OT or nursing harder? ›

Is Occupational Physical Therapy Harder Than Skilled Nursing? No, occupational physical therapy is not as difficult as skilled nursing. Nurses have to deal with a wide range of stressors such as long hours, double shifts, lack of sleep, illnesses, injuries, and death.

Is OT grad school competitive? ›

It's good to see the big-picture numbers, but the big question is: What are YOUR chances of getting in. Roughly, you have about a 20% chance of getting into an OT program. And, a 50% chance of getting admitted to an OTA program.

When did occupational therapy require a master's degree? ›

In 1970, all accredited occupational therapy programs transitioned to the baccalaureate level (Walls, 1999). Occupational therapy education transitioned again in 2007 to the entry-level master's (MSOT; AOTA, 2015).

Do OT schools require GRE? ›

Admission Requirements

A minimum GPA of 3.0 (A = 4.0) and completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within five years of application are required. Applicants must have earned a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in the 400- and 500-level required courses.

Do you need a degree for OTs? ›

OTs need to earn a master's degree or higher to qualify for their roles. As healthcare professionals, they need to complete a high level of education to gain the right skills to care for their patients. Before pursuing graduate education, OTs typically earn a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

What do you call someone with a doctorate in occupational therapy? ›

Upon graduation and passing the NBCOT licensing exam, graduates with this degree typically use “Dr.” as their salutation and use the credentials OTD, OTR/L. The OTD degree sets you up to begin specializing and pursuing your particular interests early in your career.

Is OT switching to doctorate? ›

Occupational therapists who currently practice with a bachelor's or master's degree in occupational therapy degree will not need a doctoral degree. They can continue to practice. After July 1, 2027, all new practicing OTs will require a doctor of occupational therapy degree.

What degree do most occupational therapists need? ›

They can work in hospitals, schools, mental health settings, home health services, and nursing homes. A minimum of a master's degree and state licensure is required to become an occupational therapist. Most OTs begin their careers at the master's level. Although some earn a doctoral degree.

Is it hard to get into OT grad school? ›

Getting into an occupational therapy master's or doctorate program can be challenging but it is possible. The key is doing your due diligence by submitting an excellent application and preparing to ace the interview.

What is the easiest occupational therapy school to get into? ›

WHAT ARE THE EASIEST MASTER'S IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROGRAMS TO GET INTO IN THE NATION FOR 2024?
  • University of Southern Indiana - Evansville, IN. ...
  • Indiana State University - Terre Haute, IN. ...
  • Nebraska Methodist College - Omaha, NE. ...
  • University of Texas at Tyler - Tyler, TX. ...
  • AdventHealth University - Orlando, FL.

Is the occupational therapy exam hard? ›

The COTA pass rate indicates that the exam is indeed challenging. Not studying for the exam would be a mistake. On the other hand, with a focused study plan, passing the exam on the first try is very doable. What makes it a rigorous test is both the questions' format and the exam's length.

What is the hardest part of being an occupational therapist? ›

1 – The Medical Field is Emotionally Stressful

As with many occupations in the medical field, being employed as an occupational therapist occasionally entails directly dealing with disturbing and heavy cases. These cases can leave individuals stressed out and unable to separate professional lives from personal ones.

Is it better to get a masters or doctorate in occupational therapy? ›

If you'd like to open your own practice someday or want to work in policy change and don't mind the extra time in school, then an OTD may be the best route. However, if you'd like to earn a degree faster and start working as a clinician, consider an MOT program.

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Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.