Abilene Christian University

Programme overview

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is a 24-month professional entry-level program that begins in late August and concludes with graduation the following August two years later. The curriculum totals 69 credit hours and combines classroom instruction with two phases of supervised fieldwork. The program emphasizes faith-informed service and leadership alongside clinical competency, teaching students to view occupation broadly as central to health and functioning.

What you'll study

Core coursework covers anatomy and clinical foundations alongside occupation-focused interventions. Example course subjects listed by the program include:

• Musculoskeletal Anatomy
• Neuroscience
• Hand and Upper Extremity Conditions
• Implementing OT Treatment
• OT for Mental Health and Wellness
• Ethical and Professional Decision Making in OT

Students also complete two levels of fieldwork: Level 1 consists of three observation/practice experiences under a licensed occupational therapist; Level 2 comprises two full-time, 12-week supervised clinical assignments in varied OT settings.

Entry requirements

All application materials are submitted via OTCAS. Applicants must hold (or expect to hold by matriculation) a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and provide official transcripts. Additional requirements include:

• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Three letters of recommendation (one from an occupational therapist; another from a professional who has observed the applicant’s work)
• Documentation of at least 40 hours of volunteer/observation in a professional occupational therapy setting (hours in multiple settings encouraged)
• Completion of specified prerequisite courses within seven years prior to enrollment; prerequisites must be taken for a letter grade (no Credit/No Credit) and a grade no lower than C. Required prerequisite areas and minimum credits: Anatomy & Physiology I & II (6 credits), Statistics (3 credits), Abnormal Psychology (3 credits), Life Span Development or Developmental Psychology (3 credits), and Medical Terminology (verification of completion; may be a certificate or continuing education)
• Personal statement via OTCAS and a supplemental question addressing spiritual/life experiences and clinical observations that motivated application
• At application time, ability to complete any remaining prerequisites prior to program start; a maximum of 6 prerequisite credits may be pending when applying; AP/CLEP credit is not accepted for prerequisites except as noted for Medical Terminology
• Students must have access to a laptop with internet and Word, Excel and PowerPoint; the program uses Canvas and online applications for testing and learning activities

Career prospects

The program notes occupational therapy as a growing field with projected employment growth of about 16 percent over the next decade. The program cites a May 2019 median annual wage for occupational therapists of $84,950. Graduates work across elder care, physical and mental health clinics, pediatric and school settings, and other community environments; the curriculum and fieldwork prepare graduates for entry-level practice and siting for NBCOT examination eligibility (pass rates are reported through NBCOT).

Scholarships & funding angle

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until cohorts are full and applicants are encouraged to apply early to be considered for scholarships and departmental incentives. For a fall start, the program generally closes applications by May 5, though materials may be reviewed after that date by contacting the department directly.