Occupational Therapy

Jason Browning, Program Coordinator
Graduate Faculty

Graduate Program

The Master of Occupational Therapy program prepares students for professional careers as occupational therapists. Occupational therapy enables people with special needs to participate in the occupations of daily life; that is to care for themselves and their families and homes, to work or study, and to enjoy rest and play activities. Occupational therapists are employed in hospitals, schools, nursing homes and community settings to assist clients of all ages whose developmental or medical conditions affect their independence and productivity.

Students are admitted to the M.O.T. program once each year, and begin their course work in the fall. Completion of the degree normally requires seven consecutive terms (including Summer Session III) of full-time didactic and clinical study.

Accreditation, Certification and Licensure

The M.O.T. program was approved in 2008 by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. It is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association. ACOTE can be contacted by mail at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-3449 or by telephone at (301) 652-AOTA. The Council’s web address is: www.acoteonline.org

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). In addition, most states, including Virginia, require a license to practice. 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 exam or attain state licensure.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisite requirements for admission to the M.O.T. program are as follows.

The Master of Occupational Therapy Traditional Track application deadline will be published on the program’s website and on OTCAS by July of each year.
Required GPA of 3.00 of undergraduate and/or graduate coursework; minimum of 3.25 overall preferred
Grades of “B-” or better in the following courses:
- Cultural Anthropology (3 credits) OR Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
- Introductory Statistics (3 credits)
- Human Anatomy (3-4 credits)
- Human Physiology (3-4 credits)
- Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- Life Span Growth and Development (3 credits)
- Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)

Application materials and information about tuition and fees can be obtained by contacting the Graduate College at http://gradcollege.asp.radford.edu/index.html. Specific program requirements and instructions for application are described in the Department of Occupational Therapy website at www.radford.edu/ot. Individuals interested in application to the M.O.T program should ensure that the following materials are received by the deadline date of November 15:

Radford University Supplemental Application for Graduate Admission;
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work;
A professional resume describing past and current educational and employment experiences;
A two-page Statement of Purpose; This is your opportunity to tell us why you want to earn the Master of Occupational Therapy degree at Radford University. In a two-page essay, discuss the development of your interest in occupational therapy, how your observation experiences have informed your understanding of occupational therapy as a profession and the people occupational therapists work with, and your aspirations and goals for a career as an occupational therapist.
Two letters of recommendation from instructors or employers;
Observation Hours - Minimum of 20 hours with an occupational therapy practitioner (OTR or COTA), 40 hours preferred; in at least two different practice settings. Experience with diverse populations and settings - Experience with.diverse populations and programs is highly recommended in the form of work and/or volunteer experiences with individuals encountered in occupational therapy practice.

Applications for admission to the M.O.T. program are reviewed by the Admissions Committee of the department. Candidates who have submitted a complete application and meet prerequisite requirements may be contacted to schedule a mandatory virtual interview. Admission decisions are announced by the end of March.