Course of Study
The Occupational Therapy program requires 65 hours of coursework. All courses are in-person unless otherwise specified.
Fall 1
O_T 5000 Introduction to Occupational Science and Therapy (2)
O_T 5100 Foundations of Occupation-Based Practice (4)
O_T 5150 Human Capacities 1: Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology (3)
O_T 5170 Human Capacities 2: Applied Neuroscience (3)
O_T 5200 Client and Practitioner Well-Being (1)
Spring 1
O_T 5220 Practice Environments I: Educational and Developmental Continuum (2)
O_T 5250 Technology, Media and Modalities in Occupational Therapy (1)
O_T 5300 Occupational Development Over the Life Course (2)
O_T 5350 Disability and Health Conditions I: Childhood to Early Adulthood (3)
O_T 5400 Occupational-Based Practice with Children and Youth (4)
NUT 5300 Health Promotion and Practice in Rural and Urban Settings (3) (taken in conjunction with graduate students in Nutrition)
Summer 1
O_T 5450 Practice Environments II: Medical Continuum, Community-Based, and Emerging
Practice (2)- Hybrid
O_T 5470 Special Focus on Mental Health (2)- Hybrid
O_T 5600 Research Methods in Occupational Therapy (3)- Hybrid
Fall 2
O_T 5650 Disability and Health Conditions II: Adulthood and Later Life (3)
O_T 5700 Occupation-Based Practice with Adults (3)
O_T 5720 Occupation-Based Practice with Older Adults (3)
O_T 5750 Applied Scholarly Inquiry (3)
O_T 5800 Occupation-Based Program Development for Population Health (3)
Spring 2
O_T 5940 Fieldwork IIA (6)
O_T 5850 Leadership, Management and Professionalism in OT Practice (2)- Distance- online synchronous
O_T 5870 Critical Issues in Occupational Therapy Practice (1)- Distance- online synchronous
Summer 2
O_T 5950 Fieldwork IIB (6)
Academic Standards
In order to maintain enrollment status, students must:
abide by the Appalachian State University Code of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
adhere to the MS in Occupational Therapy expectations for professional behavior
follow the American Occupational Therapy Association Code of Ethics
earn no more than two final course grades of “C” or lower in required coursework
maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
These requirements are more fully outlined in the MS in Occupational Therapy Student Handbook provided to each cohort of students prior to starting classes.
Additional Requirements
Thesis: A thesis substitute in the form of a scholarly project suitable for dissemination as a manuscript, conference presentation or poster is required. This project is completed as the culminating assignment in OT 5750.
Proficiency: Not required
Candidacy: Not applicable
Comprehensive Exam: As a substitute for the comprehensive exam, students will construct and submit a professional development portfolio with both reflective and future-oriented components.
Time to Completion of the Degree and Graduation Requirements
The Master of Science program in occupational therapy is designed to be a full-time 24-month program from start to completion, and is based on a cohort model in which all students advance together with other students who enter the program at the same me. If a student cannot progress through the program as expected, the academic advisor and program director will work with the student on a plan for progression. In alignment with the graduate school policy on me to degree completion, all graduate credit for a master’s degree must be earned within seven (7) years after the year of admission. For the MSOT program, this includes completion of level II fieldwork. Specific requirements for the completion of level II fieldwork can be found below in the fieldwork manual. Graduation requirements: successful completion of the Master of Science graduate degree in occupational therapy requires completion of all coursework and fieldwork components to be eligible to graduate from the program and register for the national certification exam.
Technology Requirements
Technology Requirements
All MSOT students are expected to have a laptop that meets or exceeds the university’s minimum specifications.
Laptops are recommended, but tablets may be acceptable if they meet the minimum specifications.
Headphones may be recommended for some class activities involving video simulations but are not required.
Students are encouraged to purchase a laptop from App State's University Campus Store. These computers are discounted with academic pricing and come with a warranty.
Students can access the university's Technology Support Center for assistance with hardware, software, and network issues.
Fieldwork
As part of the course of study for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, students will take part in both Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences.
Level I fieldworks are integrated into coursework throughout each semester, and are short-term observational experiences designed to provide insights into practice that can be brought into the classroom for discussion and applied learning. Level I fieldwork experiences may or may not have OT practitioners as fieldwork supervisors.
Level II fieldworks are typically 12-week full-time experiences in which students are placed within an external site that partners with App State and provides a fieldwork supervisor who is an OT practitioner. There are two Level II fieldwork experiences as part of the MSOT curriculum, totaling 24 weeks of full time fieldwork.
**NOTE: Any felony conviction may impact a graduate’s eligibility for certification and credentialing to enter the profession.