Program Overview

OT Professional with patient

Move ahead in your career and take the lead as a registered occupational therapist (OTR). You’ll learn the assessment techniques to identify clients’ functional problems as well as their underlying physical, mental, and psychosocial problem areas so you can establish appropriate intervention plans. As an OTR, you’ll be a critical member of rehabilitation teams that work with people of all ages with varying injuries and abilities to become independent and self-sufficient. You’ll evaluate, develop, and execute individual treatment plans and supervise occupational therapy assistants and other personnel. The hybrid structure of our program, which alternates between weekend classes and online learning, means you can continue to work even as you take the next big step in your OT career.

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Full Description

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program at New England Tech allows certified occupational therapy assistants to expand on their academic and clinical experience to become leaders in their profession. This program is designed to be a bridge for professionals to move to the next level of responsibility as registered occupational therapists. The program is offered in a weekend format that requires students to be on campus five (5) weekends in each ten-week academic term and to participate online during alternate weeks. A student following the MSOT program as outlined may complete the program in ten (10) terms. Registered occupational therapists (OTRs) assist people of all ages, with varying abilities or handicaps, to become independent in their day-to-day activities. Because every client has a unique set of circumstances, OTRs evaluate, develop, and help carry out an individual treatment plan for each one.

As an OTR, graduates can work in traditional medical environments or in any setting where people need to learn new ways to live satisfying and productive lives. In the field, OTRs often supervise occupational therapy assistants and other personnel. Students learn to use a variety of assessment techniques to identify a client’s functional problems as well as their underlying physical, mental, and psychosocial problem areas. The OTR takes the lead in using pertinent personal information as well as theoretical and scientific evidence to establish appropriate intervention plans for individual clients or groups. The OTR acts as part of the rehabilitation team, participating in various interdisciplinary meetings and assuring that all occupational therapy intervention meets the legal, ethical, and fiscal requirements that apply to various medical and community-based settings.

After completion of all classroom training on campus and Level I Fieldwork off campus, students enter the community for Level II Fieldwork. Two full-time twelve-week Level II Fieldwork experiences give students many opportunities to apply classroom training in real life situations. Upon successful completion of all degree requirements, students will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for Occupational Therapists. Those who complete the program and pass the exam are awarded the title of Occupational Therapist Registered. Employment is available in a wide variety of settings in the areas of physical disabilities, pediatrics, and geriatrics, as well as in mental health and wellness programs.

The total number of graduates from the NEIT MSOT program during the 3-year period of 2016-2018 was 88, with an overall graduation rate of 90%.

Graduation Year Students Entering/Graduating Graduation Rate
2016 30/28 93%
2017 27/26 96%
2018 31/25 81%
Total 88 90%

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is 301-652-AOTA, and the website is www.aota.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.  A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

To access NBCOT examination data, please use this link provided: https://secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx

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.

Program Mission, Goals and Outcomes

Program Mission

The mission of the NEIT Occupational Therapy (OT) Program is to provide a specialized master’s degree program to prepare Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants to become occupational therapists who are leaders in critical thinking and problem solving for service management in health care and community programs. As occupational therapists, graduates will take on various leadership roles in the healthcare field. Through a combination of classroom, laboratory and fieldwork experiences, students build on their professional knowledge and experience to provide occupational therapy services to individuals and populations who strive to live productive and fulfilling lives.

Program Outcomes

By the end of the occupational therapy program, students will become dynamic, well-rounded professional level practitioners prepared for contemporary practice as evidence by the ability to:

  1. Demonstrate a depth and breadth of understanding of foundational and OT theoretical knowledge and its practical application for all aspects of service management.
  2. Apply advanced knowledge and skills to OT assessment, outcome prediction, and planning of service delivery.
  3. Integrate information and experiences to detect and solve problems, and think logically, flexibly, and critically about client and managerial questions.
  4. Demonstrate mastery of the human dimension by contributing to and leading in a rapidly changing society with respect to advances in technology, and changes in legislation, reimbursement, health care delivery and social contexts.
  5. Continuously value and take responsibility for professional development and life-long learning and encourage these qualities in others.
  6. Care for society and their profession by consistently demonstrating the highest level of ethics and standards of practice for occupational therapy.

Courses Offered

For the latest listing of courses offered, please review our University Catalog here.