Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

Duquesne University's Department of Occupational Therapy offers a 5-year entry-level master's degree program. Upon successful completion of the 4th year of this program students earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree (BS) and then go on to earn a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MS) upon successful completion of their 5th year of studies. Students admitted as freshmen have the option of pursuing a minor in another discipline such as psychology, special education or business in the first 2.5 years of the program. In the spring semester of their 5th year, students choosing to complete the occupational therapy program with an MS degree participate in graduate seminar courses that occur over 4 weeks in January. Students are then typically eligible to sit for the national certification exam, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and apply for state licensure by mid February. All current students now have the option of continuing their studies into a 6th year to earn an Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree (OTD). Beginning in the fall of 2016, newly admitted freshmen students enter a 6-year occupational therapy program leading to a professional doctorate degree (OTD). The Department of Occupational Therapy will continue to offer the 5-year MS degree as an option. As students complete their 4th year they may decide to continue their pursuit of the 6-year OTD degree or to complete their studies after 5 years and earn the MS degree. Both these degrees ensure a student who successfully completes our program is eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy examination and, when successful, to practice as a registered occupational therapist (OTR). Program Outcomes: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MS) - This program of study within the Department of Occupational Therapy has been designed to provide students with skills necessary to work as an occupational therapist in a range of possible settings. Upon completion of this course of study, graduates of this 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. 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, most states required successful completion 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.