UNH Graduate School - Occupational Therapy

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Application Deadlines

Fall:
February 15th for financial assistance
April 1st

Spring:
Not open for admissions

Summer:
Not open for admissions

Test Scores: No

New England Regional:
MS:
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont

Special Deadline Notes

Many departments have their own deadlines and policies concerning late or early applications. If you have any questions about when a department might accept an application, please contact them directly.

Occupational Therapy

Hewitt Hall
Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862 - 3221
Email:
Web Address: http://www.shhs.unh.edu/ot/

Degree Offered (MS):

The Department of Occupational Therapy offers the master of science degree in occupational therapy.

Admission Requirements

The master’s degree prepares students for entry-level occupational therapy practice. Students gain the knowledge and skills to work with people of all ages to enable their participation within their natural environments and daily life activities, including education, work, self-care, home management, and leisure.

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). ACOTE is located at the American Occupational Therapy Association, 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. ACOTE’s telephone number is (301) 652-2682.

Graduates from an accredited program are eligible to sit for the Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a certified occupational therapist, (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Applicants need a minimum overall grade point of 3.0 for undergraduate course work and a minimum 3.0 G.P.A. in the following prerequisite courses: human anatomy and physiology (two semesters with labs), neurology, abnormal psychology, human development, and statistics.

Three letters of reference must accompany the application. Two of these must address the applicant’s educational abilities/performance. One letter must address the applicant’s interpersonal/communications skills as observed in a volunteer or paid-employment setting.

Advanced-standing Professional Master’s Degree Students: Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy at UNH as part of a combined B.S./M.S. program will take the first year of the two-year professional master’s program as part of their senior year B.S. degree requirements. These students will be identified as advanced-standing students in the professional master’s program and will need to complete three additional semesters of coursework, which includes fieldwork, to meet the M.S. degree requirements. Students in the combined B.S./M.S. program must apply for admission to the Graduate School to enter into the professional master’s degree program. An overall minimum grade point of 3.0 and a minimum of 3.0 G.P.A. in prerequisite courses is required for admission in the master’s degree program.

Degree Requirements

The master’s degree requires the completion of 62 graduate-level credits, which includes 19 credits of fieldwork. The program consists of two years (five semesters) of professional course. One level II fieldwork placement occurs during the summer between the first and second year or after the second year. Required OT courses include: 841, 851, 852, 854, 855, 856, 857, 861, 862, 863, 865, 871, 872, 875, 885, 892.

Students must earn a minimum of B- in all required courses and receive a passing criterion score on the American Occupational Therapy Association Fieldwork Evaluation for the Occupational Therapist. Specific requirements are delineated in the OT Department Policy and Procedure Manual that is distributed to all new students. Curriculum review and revision is undertaken annually. The Department of Occupational Therapy works closely with students during academic advising sessions and throughout the academic year. Students are also expected to take an active role in verifying expectations and should check with their departmental advisers each September for updated policies and requirements.

Fieldwork experiences are scheduled in centers that are approved by the department. Students are responsible for transportation to off-campus fieldwork sites and other community learning experiences and must purchase personal liability insurance for coverage for the practical components of the curriculum. Students are responsible for meeting the health clearances established by their fieldwork sites. Proof of immunizations such as poliomyelitis, rubella, and hepatitis B may also be required. For level II fieldwork, health insurance and a physical examination, including a tuberculin test, are required. After completing both level II fieldwork requirements, graduates will be eligible to sit for the certification examination as described above. Consistent with NBCOT expectations, students must sit for the certification examination within two years of completion of coursework and field work. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination and/or obtain licensure.

Curriculum design: Classes will be scheduled during weekdays throughout the day and early evening. Many courses require experiential learning activities, which students need to work into their weekly schedules.