2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Occupational Therapy, M.S.

 

Dr. Claire M. Mulry, OTD, OTR/L, CAPS, FAOTA

Room: East Campus, Room 224

Phone: 908-737-5850

Email: ot@kean.edu 

Program Description

The Master of Science program in Occupational Therapy is a 72 credit program designed to provide entry level education in occupational therapy for individuals who have a baccalaureate degree in another field. Thirty students are admitted into the program each September. Each student accepted into the program completes eight semesters, including six semesters of required academic courses and a minimum of six months of supervised fieldwork in an approved clinical setting. Clinical fieldwork must be completed within 24 months of academic courses. Students successfully completing the program will be eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be able to identify themselves as an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). All states, including New Jersey, require licensure in order to practice. State licenses are usually based on the successful passing of the NBCOT Certification Exam.

* Please note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to complete fieldwork, take the certification examination and/or attain state licensure. 

The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Correspondence should be directed to ACOTE, c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. There phone number is 301-652-6611. Website: https://www.aota.org/

Prerequisites Coursework

Each prerequisite course must be completed with a grade of B or better. At the time of application, prospective students may have only three prerequisite courses outstanding/in progress. However, due to the completive applicant pool, the Admissions Committee encourages the completion of all prerequisite courses prior to application.

General Psychology 3
Life Span Developmental Psychology1 3
Psychological Statistics 3
Introduction to Occupational Therapy2 3
Abnormal Psychology 3
Introduction to Sociology 3
or
Cultural Anthropology 3
Anatomy & Physiology I & II (w/lab)1 8

1These courses must be taken within 5 years of application to the program.

2Must be completed at Kean University

Students may complete the required prerequisite at any accredited institution. If you intend to complete these prerequisites at Kean University, you may apply to the University as an undergraduate second-degree, non-matriculated student.

Degree Requirements

  • 72 credits including full time academic course work as described below
  • Six months required fieldwork

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University's admission requirements:

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
  • Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Three letters of recommendation, one letter must be from an occupational therapist. The Letter of Recommendation Form must be attached to the typed letter. Letters must be within two years of applying.*
  • Documented observation of occupational therapy services within a variety of age groups and practice areas for a minimum of 40 hours in two or more practice settings. Each applicant may choose from a diverse variety of settings, such as: hospital settings, community based programs, skilled nursing facilities, early intervention, school based programs, home care, outpatient programs, hand therapy sites and/or mental health sites.*
  • Professional Resume/CV
  • Respond to a departmental questions
  • Departmental interview may be required
  • TOEFL (for applicants whose native language is not English)
  • Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee interview or admission to the program

*This program admits in the fall semester only

Required Coursework

Fall Semester One - 16 Credits

OT 5002FOUNDATIONS OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

1

OT 5303OCCUPATIONS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

3

OT 5612GROUP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

3

OT 5400THEORETICAL GUIDELINES TO PRACTICE I

4

OT 5611COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND SERVICE

1

BIO 5405HUMAN GROSS ANATOMY

4

Winter Semester Two - 3 Credits

OT 5520RESEARCH METHODS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY I

3

Spring Semester Three - 16 Credits

BIO 5406ADVANCED NEUROSCIENCE (M)

4

OT 6521RESEARCH METHODS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY II

3

OT 5212CONDITIONS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

3

OT 6920SEMINAR IN PSYCHOSOCIAL PRACTICE

6

Summer I & II Semester Four - 10 Credits

OT 5401THEORETICAL GUIDELINES TO PRACTICE II

4

OT 5500APPLIED KINESIOLOGY FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

3

OT 5551EDUCATION, SUPERVISION, ADMINISTRATION, AND ADVOCACY

3

Fall Semester Five - 15 Credits

OT 6525ADVANCED RESEARCH IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

3

OT 6923SEMINAR IN PEDIATRIC PRACTICE

6

OT 6921SEMINAR IN ADULT REHABILITATION PRACTICE

6

Winter Semester Six - 3 Credits

OT 6610ORTHOTICS, PROSTHETICS, AND MODALITIES

3

Spring Semester Seven - 4.5 Credits

OT 6962ADVANCED FIELDWORK SEMINAR I

4.5

Summer Semester Eight - 4.5 Credits

OT 6963ADVANCED FIELDWORK SEMINAR II

4.5

Total Credit Hours: 72