USciences is proud to announce its brand-new accelerated pathway to the doctorate in occupational therapy (DrOT) program. Not only are you accepted into our OT program in your first year of college, but you have the opportunity to earn an entry-level doctorate degree. Our DrOT program will give you the necessary cutting-edge knowledge and skills to make an impact on a broad range of patient/client problems. The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education required all graduates of OT programs to have a minimum of a master’s degree. USciences’ DrOT will put you ahead of the game, setting you up to be a leader in the burgeoning occupational therapy field.
Meaningful, Goal-Directed Activities
Occupational therapy focuses on helping people with physical, developmental and behavioral disabilities participate effectively in meaningful and goal-directed activities. Occupational therapists work in medical and nonmedical settings. Occupational therapy is seeing strong growth in its administration in community-based settings, such as schools, outpatient facilities, and senior centers. Effective training is essential.
Why University of the Sciences Should Be Your First Choice
- You can earn a BS in health sciences after 3½ years and a doctor of occupational therapy (DrOT) after an additional 2½ years of study, with no additional application to enter the professional phase of our program.
- You take six intervention courses rather than the typical two or three in other schools’ master’s programs.
- Our program prepares you for general practice, plus it offers you the choice of two specializations, one in community-based practice and one in leadership
- You learn by doing, working side-by-side with nationally recognized faculty.
- You benefit from involvement in grant-funded projects with noted professors
- Different entry options give you flexibility
- You enjoy smaller classes with personalized attention.
Accreditation
The master in occupational therapy program (MOT) is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The doctoral program in occupational therapy (DrOT) has been granted developing program status and has received a letter of review by ACOTE. Our on-site visit by ACOTE is scheduled for March, 2013. We expect a final report on our accreditation status in the summer, 2013. ACOTE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
ACOTE can be contacted at:
ACOTE
c/o Accreditation Department
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200
Bethesda, MD 20814-3449
(301) 652-6611 extension 2914
www.acoteonline.org
Licensure
Nearly every state will require you to have a license to practice occupational therapy. Please note that a prior felony conviction may prevent licensure. Each state has a law describing the process for obtaining a license to practice occupational therapy. The primary criterion for obtaining a license is passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. Each state has specific application requirements. The NBCOT examination is widely recognized throughout the world in case you plan to work overseas. In order to be eligible to take the certification exam, you must complete all of the MOT or DrOT program requirements. All fieldwork must be completed within two years of completion of the academic work. The total number of MOT graduates who passed the NBCOT examination as first time new graduate test takers in 2010-2012 was 63 out of 103, a pass rate of 61%. During that three year time period, the program has 102 graduates. The Occupational Therapy Program has implemented several initiatives to improve the first time pass rate on the NBCOT examination, which are having a positive impact. The first time pass rate for graduates in both 2011 and 2012 has been above the three year average. As of March 8, 2013, 12 of 13 graduates from January, 2013 have taken the NBCOT exam and passed on their first attempt.