Occupational Therapy Degrees
Entry-Level Master's - Occupational Therapy (MSOT)
About the Program
The entry-level Master’s program in Occupational Therapy, leading to a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT), is for college graduates who wish to become occupational therapists. The program, which requires completion of 14.75 units of Occupational Therapy coursework, is two academic years in length plus a minimum of six months of full time fieldwork experience. In addition to meeting admission requirements for the School of Occupational Therapy, candidates must meet the admission requirements for graduate students at the university.
This graduate degree has existed at Puget Sound for more than 30 years. It was established at a time when it was critically important to test and verify the theoretical foundations and practical techniques of occupational therapy using rigorous, systematic methods of study. The need for such an emphasis today is no less. The health care system requires evidence of effective therapeutic outcomes, and the need to promote evidence-based practice is stronger than ever before. Students will engage in understanding, critiquing, and applying quantitative and qualitative research studies to real clinical questions through a systematic review of the literature and develop the skills to apply this evidence in the real-life complexities of everyday practice.
Course of Study
There are three phases to the Occupational Therapy entry level course of study: pre-professional, professional, and fieldwork experience.
The pre-professional phase occurs prior to enrollment in the program. During this phase, applicants complete School of Occupational Therapy prerequisites.
During the professional phase, students complete the required Occupational Therapy coursework.
The fieldwork experience phase consists of completion of at least six months of full-time practice under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist in a medical center, school, or health care facility. Following completion of the fieldwork experience, students are eligible to take the written national certification examination. In states with occupational therapy licensure laws, passing the national examination is accepted as evidence of competence to practice.
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements are established by the faculty on recommendation from the Dean of Graduate Study and the Academic Standards Committee.
A degree candidate must complete, for a letter grade, a minimum of 14.75 units of graduate credit in Occupational Therapy. Unless otherwise noted in the course description, graduate courses are valued at 1 unit each. A unit of credit is equivalent to 4 semester hours or 6 quarter hours. Up to six and one half (6.5) previously completed graduate occupational therapy transfer units may be applied toward a degree if requested and approved at the time of application for acceptance as a degree candidate.
Transfer students must be in good standing with a grade point average of 3.0 or better to be considered. Requests are reviewed and approved by the occupational therapy faculty. Any transfer student must complete a minimum of 8.0 units on the Puget Sound campus.
All degree candidates must complete the diploma application card and degree clearance form, available in the Office of the Registrar, prior to the final term of graduate study.
Questions about degree requirements and degree candidacy should be referred to the Office of the Registrar.
Continuation toward a Degree in Occupational Therapy
Once degree candidacy has been granted, a student must complete all degree requirements within six years. All courses to be counted in the degree, including graduate transfer credit, must be taken within the six year period prior to granting the degree; hence, courses may go out of date even though candidacy is still valid.
A student is expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The Academic Standards Committee reviews the record of a degree candidate who earns a cumulative grade point below 3.0. Grades less than 2.0 (including a WF) cannot be used in meeting graduate degree requirements but are computed in the cumulative grade point average. A candidate falling below a 3.0 cumulative grade point average will be placed on academic probation and may be removed from degree candidacy.
When candidacy is removed for any reason, the student may not register for additional work without the prior approval of the Academic Standards Committee and the faculty of the School of Occupational Therapy. Students who are removed from degree candidacy for academic reasons may petition the School of Occupational Therapy faculty and the Academic Standards Committee for reinstatement.
A student will be unable to continue in the program or enroll in Occupational Therapy courses if the student receives less than a 2.0 (including a WF) for the second time in a single required course; must repeat more than two required courses; violates the standards of ethical practice observed by the academic and clinical educational programs in occupational therapy; or violates university policies regarding academic dishonesty.
Requirements for Graduation from MSOT (Professional Entry-Level)
- Successfully complete the required courses (see below) for a letter grade with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.
- Successfully complete a minimum of six months of fieldwork experience in a medical center, school, health care facility, or other agency that holds an extended campus agreement with the School of Occupational Therapy (register for OT 670). OT 675 and 676 may be taken as electives. Level II Fieldwork must be completed within 24 months of the completion of OT didactic (on campus) coursework.
- Maintain professional liability insurance throughout educational program.
- Provide transportation for travel to clinical facilities.
- Pay a fee for fieldwork experience.
- Maintain health insurance and immunizations throughout educational program.
- Maintain current CPR certification throughout educational program.
- Adhere to the standards of ethical practice observed by the academic and clinical education programs in occupational therapy.
- Undergo a national background check and a Washington State Patrol background check yearly thereafter as required by RCW 43.3.830, prior to placement in both on- and off-campus clinical experiences.
Required Courses and Sequence for MSOT
Students must be admitted to the School of Occupational Therapy before taking the following course sequence:
First Year
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Second Year
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**OT 630 will be a hybrid course with a two week intensive on campus the first 2 weeks of Summer Term 1
Third Year - Students complete two level II fieldwork experiences (OT 670), which typically occur during two of the following three terms:
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Successful completion of fieldwork experience is required for graduation from the university with a degree in occupational therapy. During this phase, the student spends a minimum of six months of full-time practice under registered therapists in medical centers, schools, or health care agencies.
OT 670 and 671 - Required
OT 675, 676 - Elective 3rd Fieldwork opportunity in a specialty area or international setting
Sequence for part-time graduate study must be approved by the School of Occupational Therapy faculty.
Upon successful completion of all degree requirements, a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree is awarded. Students are then eligible to take the national certification examination offered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Please note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or obtain a state license.
Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Experiences
Level I Fieldwork: Level I Fieldwork opportunities are offered throughout the curriculum. As part of the initial experiential learning experience in the first semester (OT 651), students will have opportunities for observation in specific settings as well as hands-on learning. Additional Fieldwork I experiences occur during the community mental health clinic (OT 660) and the onsite clinic (OT 661).
Level II Fieldwork: Clinical centers for OT 670, 671, 675, and 676 (Fieldwork II) are available in approximately 12 states in the U.S. It is possible to arrange for optional fieldwork (OT 675, 676) to be done internationally. The School of Occupational Therapy has an official pediatric site on the island of Zanzibar, Tanzania. The program's Academic Fieldwork Coordinator places students in their fieldwork sites and consults with them during their clinical education experiences. Students can expect that at least one Fieldwork II placement will be in a rural setting or require driving 50 miles or more. Once placed, if a student cancels a placement, a $500.00 cancellation fee will be assessed.
Entry-Level Doctorate - Occupational Therapy (OTD)
About the Program
The entry-level Doctoral program in Occupational Therapy, leading to a Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy (OTD), is for college graduates who wish to become occupational therapists, specifically those interested in leadership or managerial positions, or those interested in program development. The program, which requires completion of 15 units of Occupational Therapy coursework, is two academic years in length plus six months of full-time fieldwork experience which is followed by a 14-week, full-time capstone experience culminating in a Capstone Project. In addition to meeting admission requirements for the School of Occupational Therapy, candidates must meet the admission requirements for graduate students at the university.
The Puget Sound School of OT was granted Candidacy by ACOTE for the entry-level doctoral degree in the Fall of 2020. Full Accreditation was granted December 2022, with the maximum allowable renewal cycle of 7 years.
This degree has been established in response to a time when occupational therapy practitioners are required to solve increasingly complex occupational problems through service-delivery at an individual, group, and population-level. These health and social care systems require evidence of effective therapeutic outcomes, and the need to promote evidence-based practice is stronger than ever before. Students will engage in understanding, critiquing, and applying quantitative and qualitative research studies to real clinical questions through a systematic review of the literature and develop the skills to apply this evidence in the real-life complexities of everyday practice. Studies culminate with the doctoral capstone which provides in-depth exposure in one or more of the following: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development.
Course of Study
There are three phases to the Occupational Therapy entry level course of study: pre-professional, professional, and fieldwork experience.
- The pre-professional phase occurs prior to enrollment in the program. During this phase, applicants complete School of Occupational Therapy prerequisites.
- During the professional phase, students complete the required Occupational Therapy coursework.
- The fieldwork experience phase consists of completion of at least six months of full-time practice under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist in a medical center, school, or health care facility. Following completion of the fieldwork experience, students are eligible to take the written national certification examination. In states with occupational therapy licensure laws, passing the national examination is accepted as evidence of competence to practice.
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements are established by the faculty on recommendation from the Dean of Graduate Study and the Academic Standards Committee.
- A degree candidate must complete, for a letter grade, a minimum of 15 units of graduate credit in Occupational Therapy. Unless otherwise noted in the course description, graduate courses are valued at 1 unit each. A unit of credit is equivalent to 4 semester hours or 6 quarter hours. Up to six and one half (6.5) previously completed graduate occupational therapy transfer units may be applied toward a degree if requested and approved at the time of application for acceptance as a degree candidate.
- Transfer students must be in good standing with a grade point average of 3.0 or better to be considered. Requests are reviewed and approved by the occupational therapy faculty. Any transfer student must complete a minimum of 8.0 units on the Puget Sound campus.
- All degree candidates must complete the diploma application card and degree clearance form, available in the Office of the Registrar, prior to the final term of graduate study.
Questions about degree requirements and degree candidacy should be referred to the Office of the Registrar.
Continuation toward a Degree in Occupational Therapy
- Once degree candidacy has been granted, a student must complete all degree requirements within six years. All courses to be counted in the degree, including graduate transfer credit, must be taken within the six-year period prior to granting the degree; hence, courses may go out of date even though candidacy is still valid.
- A student is expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The Academic Standards Committee reviews the record of a degree candidate who earns a cumulative grade point below 3.0. Grades less than 2.0 (including a WF) cannot be used in meeting graduate degree requirements but are computed in the cumulative grade point average. A candidate falling below a 3.0 cumulative grade point average will be placed on academic probation and may be removed from degree candidacy.
- When candidacy is removed for any reason, the student may not register for additional work without the prior approval of the Academic Standards Committee and the faculty of the School of Occupational Therapy. Students who are removed from degree candidacy for academic reasons may petition the School of Occupational Therapy faculty and the Academic Standards Committee for reinstatement.
- A student will be unable to continue in the program or enroll in Occupational Therapy courses if the student receives less than a 2.0 (including a WF) for the second time in a single required course; must repeat more than two required courses; violates the standards of ethical practice observed by the academic and clinical educational programs in occupational therapy; or violates university policies regarding academic dishonesty.
Requirements for Graduation from OTD (Professional Entry-Level)
- Successfully complete the required courses (see below) for a letter grade with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.
- Successfully complete a minimum of six months of fieldwork experience in a medical center, school, health care facility, or other agency that holds an extended campus agreement with the School of Occupational Therapy (register for OT 670). OT 675 and 676 may be taken as electives. Level II Fieldwork must be completed within 24 months of the completion of OT didactic (on campus) coursework.
- Successfully complete a 14-week doctoral capstone consisting of both the doctoral project and doctoral experience.
- Maintain professional liability insurance throughout educational program.
- Provide transportation for travel to clinical facilities.
- Pay a fee for fieldwork experience.
- Maintain health insurance and immunizations throughout educational program.
- Maintain current CPR certification throughout educational program.
- Adhere to the standards of ethical practice observed by the academic and clinical education programs in occupational therapy.
- Undergo a national background check and a Washington State Patrol background check yearly thereafter as required by RCW 43.3.830, prior to placement in both on- and off-campus clinical experiences.
Required Courses and Sequence for OTD
Students must be admitted to the School of Occupational Therapy before taking the following course sequence:
First Year
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Second Year
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* will be a hybrid course with a two week intensive on campus the first two weeks of Summer Term 1
Third Year - Students complete two level II fieldwork experiences (OT 670), which typically occur during two of the following three terms:
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Successful completion of fieldwork and capstone experiences are required for graduation from the university with an OTD degree in occupational therapy. During fieldwork, the student spends a minimum of six months of full-time practice under registered therapists in medical centers, schools, or health care agencies. During the faculty-mentored capstone experience, the student spends 14-weeks building upon what was learned in the classroom and during fieldwork, in an area of occupational therapy practice, research, program development or policy.
OT 770 & 771 - Required
Sequence for part-time graduate study must be approved by the School of Occupational Therapy faculty.
Upon successful completion of all degree requirements, a Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree is awarded. Students are then eligible to take the national certification examination offered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Please note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or obtain a state license.
Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Experiences
Level I Fieldwork: Level I Fieldwork opportunities are offered throughout the curriculum. As part of the initial experiential learning experience in the first semester (OT 651), students will have opportunities for observation in specific settings as well as hands-on learning. Additional Fieldwork I experiences occur during the community mental health clinic (OT 660) and the onsite clinic (OT 661).
Level II Fieldwork: Clinical centers for OT 670, OT 675, and OT 676 (Fieldwork II) are available in approximately 12 states in the U.S. The program’s Academic Fieldwork Coordinator places students in their fieldwork sites and consults with them during their clinical education experiences. Students can expect that at least one Fieldwork II placement will be in a rural setting or require driving 50 miles or more. Once placed, if a student cancels a placement, a $500.00 cancellation fee will be assessed.
Doctoral Capstone Experience: OTD students work with the Capstone Coordinator, a faculty mentor and a community collaborator to develop, plan and implement a 14-week capstone experience addressing one or more of the following: practice, academia, research, advocacy, or policy. Capstone experiences may occur on campus, in the immediate community or outside of Washington State. Once placed, if a student cancels a placement, a $500.00 cancellation fee will be assessed.
Post-Professional Doctorate - Occupational Therapy (DrOT)
About the Program
The School of Occupational Therapy offers a Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) Program designed to fit all levels of experience, whether you are a new entry-level occupational therapist or a seasoned one. The twelve-month curriculum is designed to be student-centered and to support students’ development of advanced practice skills that support their career goals. To that end, students in the program are required to articulate an area of concentration and related learning outcomes that will guide them in developing a doctoral thesis project, shaping course assignments, and selecting experiential learning opportunities. Students will enter the DrOT Program with a range of professional experience and interests, which will enhance the learning of all.
DrOT students will also have opportunities to interact with entry-level MSOT and OTD students, developing mentoring, teaching, and collaborative skills in classroom activities, clinic settings, and through thesis projects.
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements are established by the faculty on recommendation from the Dean of Graduate Study and the Academic Standards Committee.
A degree candidate must complete, for a letter grade, a minimum of eight (8) units of post-professional graduate credit in Occupational Therapy. Unless otherwise noted in the course description, graduate courses are valued at 1 unit each. A unit of credit is equivalent to 4 semester hours or 6 quarter hours.
All degree candidates must complete the diploma application card and degree clearance form, available in the Office of the Registrar, prior to the final term of graduate study.
Questions about degree requirements and degree candidacy should be referred to the Office of the Registrar.
Continuation toward a Post Professional Degree in Occupational Therapy
Once degree candidacy has been granted, a student must complete all degree requirements within six years. All courses to be counted in the degree, including graduate transfer credit, must be taken within the six year period prior to granting the degree; hence, courses may go out of date even though candidacy is still valid.
A student is expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The Academic Standards Committee reviews the record of a degree candidate who earns a cumulative grade point below 3.0. Grades less than 2.0 (including a WF) cannot be used in meeting graduate degree requirements but are computed in the cumulative grade point average. A candidate falling below a 3.0 cumulative grade point average will be placed on academic probation and may be removed from degree candidacy.
When candidacy is removed for any reason, the student may not register for additional work without the prior approval of the Academic Standards Committee and the faculty of the School of Occupational Therapy. Students who are removed from degree candidacy for academic reasons may petition the School of Occupational Therapy faculty and the Academic Standards Committee for reinstatement.
A student will be unable to continue in the School of Occupational Therapy or enroll in Occupational Therapy courses if the student receives less than a 2.0 (including a WF) for the second time in a single required course; must repeat more than two required courses; violates the standards of ethical practice observed by the academic and clinical educational programs in occupational therapy; or violates university policies regarding academic dishonesty
Requirements for Graduation from DrOT (Post Professional Program)
- Successfully complete the required courses (see below) for a letter grade with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.
- Successfully complete residency experiences as part of their coursework.
- Maintain professional liability insurance throughout educational program.
- Provide transportation for travel to clinical facilities.
- Maintain health insurance and immunizations throughout educational program.
- Maintain current CPR certification throughout educational program.
- Adhere to the standards of ethical practice observed by the academic and clinical education programs in occupational therapy.
- Undergo a national background check and a Washington State Patrol background check yearly thereafter as required by RCW 43.3.830, prior to placement in both on- and off-campus clinical experiences.
Required Courses and Sequence for DrOT*
Students must be admitted to the Post Professional School of Occupational Therapy before taking the following course sequence:
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* The DrOT program is offered approximately every 2-3 years and typically starts in the fall with an occasional summer start. If the program starts in the summer, the course sequence will be adjusted.
** OT 750 and 751 may be taken in Summer, Fall, or Spring Term, as long as (i) 750 is taken prior to or concurrently with 751, and (ii) 751 is taken prior to or concurrently with 752