MASTER OF SCIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is a 24-month traditional "in person" program on the Muskogee, OK campus. The curriculum consists of 78 hours and focuses on training high-quality occupational therapists for the rural region of Eastern Oklahoma. In addition to the professional programming within the coursework, cultural sensitivity education to the American Indians served in the area is integrated throughout the curriculum.
Accreditation
NSU's entry-level occupational therapy master's degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. AACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA (2682) or (301) 652-6611, and its Web address is https://acoteonline.org/. Graduates of the 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 (NBCOT). After successful completion of this examination, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Examination or attain state licensure.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate professional competencies in communication and a commitment to professional growth through life-long learning.
- Demonstrate ethical awareness, compassion, cultural sensitivity, including tribal mores unique to Native Americans in Eastern Oklahoma, and cultural responsiveness when providing interventions and planning programs.
- Demonstrate leadership skills that advocate for individuals and groups, promote the profession, and improve the service delivery of occupational therapy.
- Demonstrate entry-level practice competencies based upon a comprehensive understanding of human occupation and occupational performance to select and competently apply clinical assessments and therapeutic strategies.
M.S. in Occupational Therapy Curriculum - 78 hours
Fall Semester- OCTH 5023 - Functional Human Anatomy
- OCTH 5013 - Introduction to Occupational Therapy
- OCTH 5133 - Occupational Analysis
- OCTH 5173 - Neuroscience
- OCTH 5043 - Client Care Skills
- OCTH 5002 - Introduction to OT Evaluation
Spring Semester
- OCTH 5771 - Professional Development
- OCTH 5372 - Adult Conditions
- OCTH 5103 - Adult Evaluation and Assessment
- OCTH 5903 - Research in Occupational Therapy
- OCTH 5222 - Cultural Competency for OT
- OCTH 5063 - Movement in Occupations
- OCTH 5132 - Adult Intervention and Practice
- OCTH 5831 - Adult Fieldwork Level I
Summer Semester
- OCTH 5253 - Psychosocial Eval & Intervention
- OCTH 5262 - Psychosocial Conditions
- OCTH 5811 - Psychosocial Fieldwork Level I
- OCTH 5242 - Community & Emerging Practice
- OCTH 5632 - Research Practicum I
Fall Semester
- OCTH 5243 - Pediatric Evaluation & Assessment
- OCTH 5362 - Pediatric Conditions
- OCTH 5911 - Research Practicum II
- OCTH 5283 - Technology & Fabrication in OT
- OCTH 5102 - Pediatric Intervention and Practice
- OCTH 5821 - Pediatric Fieldwork Level I
- OCTH 5313 - Management in Occupational Therapy
- OCTH 5001 - OT Education
Spring Semester
Summer Semester
Degree Available At
- Muskogee
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Career Services
What Can I Do With A Major in Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapists can work in the following areas:
- Hospitals
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Public Schools
- Outpatient Pediatric and Adult Facilities
- Community-Based Facilities
- Mental Health Facilities
Program Chair:

Retention and Progression Standards
A student enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Program must maintain a 3.0 grade point average or above in all didactic and field experience course work. Any student earning a GPA below 3.0 is placed on probation. Once on probation, the student has 9 hours of coursework in order to bring his/her GPA up to a 3.0. Students failing to achieve the 3.0 GPA are suspended from the Graduate College and the program.
Students must receive a grade of "C" or above in each course taken within the curriculum. Students earning grades below a "C" may not progress to the next semester's courses. The students must retake the course the next time it is offered and must petition the program's faculty. Once they retake the course and receive a grade of "C" or above they may resume their progression through the curriculum.
Graduation Rate
| Graduation (Calendar) Year |
Students who entered the program | Students who withdrew for reasons other than academic performance | Students who graduated on-time |
Students who graduated late | On-time graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 100% |
| 2024 | 20 | 5 | 13 | 4 | 87% |
| 2025 | 22 | 4 | 16 | 3 | 89% |
| 3-year Total | 62 | 9 | 49 | 7 | 92% |
Pass Rate on NBCOT Certification Examination
Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance
| Calendar Year | New Graduate (NG) who took the exam | NG # passed within 1 year of graduation) | NG # did not pass within 1 year of graduation | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20 | 20 | -- | 100% |
| 2024 | 14 | 14 | -- | 100% |
| 2025 | 21 | 20 | 1 | 95% |
| 3-year Total | 61 | 60 | 1 | 98% |
Did You Know?
Occupational therapist ranked #6 in Best Health Care Jobs in U.S. - New and World Report
Program Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- Pre-reqs with grades of "C" or better
- Overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Application through OTCAS
- 3 Letters of Reference
- Official transcripts to OTCAS
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) beginning with application cycle that opens July 1, 2027
- 40 hours of OT and OTA observation (must include both)
- On-campus interview
Application Deadline
- Final deadline (late admission): April 1


