BS/MS in Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a health care profession that promotes life-long health and well-being of individuals, groups, and populations through engagement in occupation. By “occupation” we mean the activities that are meaningful to the person within the environments in which he/she lives and functions, including self-care, work and other productive activities, and play or leisure activities. Occupational therapists work to increase daily function, enhance and support development, and prevent disability both through promotion of individual performance and by adapting tasks and the environment.
The range of functions an occupational therapist may perform includes: evaluating children with developmental disabilities and collaborating with their families to create daily routines and activities that help them grow socially, cognitively, and physically; helping individuals with movement limitations learn to carry out important daily tasks at home, on the job, and in the community; working with groups of clients experiencing psychiatric disability to help them identify effective strategies for managing daily activities in the community; and suggesting changes in the design layout, routines, and equipment of home, school, or workplace to support full participation for persons with disabilities.
Occupational therapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools and early childhood programs, nursing homes, home care, private practice, college and university faculties, the military services, Veterans Administration, community health programs, Public Health Service, and other government agencies. Work opportunities for registered occupational therapists include positions as clinicians, educators, consultants, researchers, administrators, and private practitioners.
The undergraduate program combines liberal arts and professional education. The Occupational Therapy program offers a combined BS/MSOT program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Studies after the fourth year and the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy after five years of coursework and a minimum of 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork.
Accreditation: Boston University Sargent College’s Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220; 301-652-2682; www.aota.org. In November 2001, ACOTE awarded Boston University Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences professional entry programs in Occupational Therapy full reaccreditation for 10 years through academic year 2011/2012 for substantial compliance with the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program for the Occupational Therapist.
Institutional Accreditation: Boston University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. The University was most recently granted continuing accreditation in October 2009.
Certification: Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Visit the NBCOT website at www.nbcot.org for more information. Upon successful completion of the exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.
NBCOT Eligibility: The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) may disqualify students with felony convictions/charges from becoming certified. The Qualifications Review Committee (QRC) will review the qualifications of examination candidates who have been convicted of or charged with a felony to determine if the circumstances appear to relate directly to the safe, proficient, and/or competent practice of occupational therapy. For students entering an OT program, the QRC may give an early determination for approval to take the certification exam. For more information, please contact the NBCOT directly.
NCBOT Success Rate: Over the past 3 years (January 2008–December 2010), our graduates have achieved an overall pass rate of 95.5% on the National Certification Exam in Occupational Therapy.
Because the calendar year of a student’s official graduation may differ from the year in which the exam was taken, these two categories (*) do not overlap 100%.
| Year | Number of program graduates* | Number of first-time test takers* |
Number of first-time test takers who passed the exam |
Percentage of first-time test takers who passed the exam |
| 2008 | 41 | 42 | 40 | 95.2% |
| 2009 | 47 | 47 | 43 | 91.4% |
| 2010 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 100% |
| 3-year total | 121 | 122 | 116 | 95.5% |
More than 80 percent of our graduates seeking employment last year had jobs within three months of completing the program. Boston University graduates consistently rate themselves as very well prepared for practice, and many have taken on leadership roles in practice and education.
BS/MSOT Degree Requirements
A minimum of 128 semester credits is required for award of the Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Studies degree and a cumulative minimum total of 160 credits (64 credits must be from graduate-level courses numbered 500 or above) is required for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree. Successful completion of 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork is also required prior to program completion.
The occupational therapy program requires a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 by the end of the spring semester sophomore year and by the end of the junior year (i.e., by the end of the summer session before the start of the fall semester senior year). Students who do not meet the GPA requirement at the stipulated times may not continue matriculation in the occupational therapy program.
It is assumed that students receiving a BS in Therapeutic Studies will continue on to complete requirements for the MSOT degree. Students cannot use AP or transferred college credit to reduce the curriculum from five years to four years. BS degree recipients who do not complete MSOT requirements are not eligible to apply for fieldwork, national certification, or occupational therapy licensure. For more details, please refer to the MSOT Student Manual.
Pre-Professional Policies
During the first three pre-professional years of the BS/MSOT program (freshman, sophomore, and junior years), students must complete a minimum of 96 credits. Additional requirements include:
Grade Point Average (GPA): A cumulative GPA of 2.7 with a limitation of 12 credits of D grades. If a student repeats a course, both grades (non-passing and repeat) will be counted in calculating the overall GPA. The highest grade, however, will be considered as the final grade received in the course. No course may be repeated more than once. Cumulative GPA will include Boston University courses only.
Prerequisites: Seven prerequisite courses must be completed.
Four courses must be completed with a grade of B– or better:
- Statistics (CAS MA 113 preferred, MA 115, or PS 211)
- Developmental Psychology (CAS PS 241)
- Psychology of Personality (CAS PS 251)
- Abnormal Psychology (CAS PS 371 or SAR HP 412)
Three courses must be completed with a grade of C or better:
- Human Anatomy (CAS BI 106)
- Human Physiology (CAS BI 211)
- Gross Human Anatomy (SAR HS 369 or HS 581)
Repeating Pre-Professional Courses: Students may not repeat more than two of the following courses or they will be terminated from the program: seven prerequisites and OT 317.
Sargent Core Curriculum and OT-Prefix Courses: Students must obtain a minimum grade of C in the Sargent Core Curriculum and OT-prefix courses:
- SAR HP 151 Introduction to Health Professions
- SAR HP 252 Health and Disability Across the Life Span
- SAR HP 353 Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the U.S.
- SAR OT 317 Professional Preparation Seminar for OT
The Occupational Therapy Program does not require, but does recommend, that students complete the Sargent ethics requirement (CAS PH 251 Medical Ethics, or CAS PH 272 Science, Technology, and Value, or CAS PH 452 Ethics of Health Care). The ethics course may be applied to meet the Human Occupation requirements in the area of Health, Illness, and Disability Studies.
Human Occupation Courses: Students must complete a minimum of 18 credits in courses related to human occupation. Because courses are subject to change across the several years that the student is completing BS requirements, an updated list of courses approved in each area is generated and posted each year. At least two courses should be taken in each of the three content areas (categories) described below.
Category I—Cultural and evolutionary influences on occupation: approved courses in this area are all of those courses offered by the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) in Anthropology, Religion, Sociology, and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, unless otherwise listed in Category II or III below.
Category II—Processes contributing to human activity performance: approved courses in this area are all of those offered by the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) in Psychology (other than those that are OT program prerequisites: PS 211, PS 241, PS 251, PS 371, or SAR HP 412) and selected courses from the School of Education (visit the OT Office course site for complete list of approved courses).
Category III—Health, illness, and disability studies: approved courses in this area are posted on the OT Office course site and offered in several different departments and programs including College of Arts & Sciences (CAS: Economics, Philosophy, and Sociology), School of Education (SED), Sargent College (SAR), and School of Public Health (SPH).
Some courses taken to fulfill human occupation requirements may also fulfill distribution requirements.
English Composition: Two courses in expository composition (CAS WR 100 and WR 150) are required.
Distribution Requirements: Students must complete a minimum of 20 credits in courses that expand their knowledge to areas other than their area of study. These courses must be distributed among at least 3 of the following divisions:
Humanities Division
Social Sciences Division
Mathematics Division and Computer Science Division
Modern Language Division other than Literature Courses
Natural Sciences Division
NOTE: CAS PS 101 (social sciences) and CAS BI 105 (natural sciences) count toward distribution requirements.
Minor Concentrations: Minors in a different discipline must be completed by the end of the junior year.
Electives: Students may select a variety of electives from across the University. A maximum of 3 credits of Physical Education (including CPR and First Aid) will be accepted toward the 96 credits required by the junior year.
Optional International Internship
During the second or third year of undergraduate study, students may participate in the Human & Health Services segment of the International Internship Programs in cities such as London, Paris, Dublin, and Sydney. Arrangements are coordinated by Boston University Study Abroad, 143 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-9888. Interested students must meet with their advisor during their freshman year to ensure completion of the pre-professional requirements.
Sample Sequence of Courses
Below is a sample of how a student might meet degree requirements prior to entering the professional (MSOT) portion of the program. Some of the pre-professional required courses may be offered during a particular semester only or must be taken in sequence, and students should plan accordingly. Students should prepare an individual schedule of courses in consultation with their advisors.
Each course carries 4 credits unless otherwise noted. Students should register for a total of 16–18 credits per semester.
Freshman Year
Note: Students who participate in the International Internship Program (study abroad) will need to work with their advisor to modify this schedule in order to meet prerequisites.
First Semester
- CAS BI 105 Introductory Biology for Health Sciences
- CAS WR 100 Writing Seminar
- CAS PS 101 General Psychology
- SAR HP 150 Freshman Year Experience (0)
- SAR HP 151 Introduction to Health Professions (2)
Plus
- Other prerequisite courses or
- Human occupation courses or
- Distribution requirements or
- Undergraduate electives
Second Semester
- Elective: SAR OT 151 Occupation and Health: Intro to OT (2)
- CAS BI 106 Human Anatomy
- CAS WR 150 Writing and Research Seminar
Plus
- Other prerequisite courses or
- Human occupation courses or
- Distribution requirements or
- Undergraduate electives
Sophomore Year *
First Semester
- SAR HP 252 Health and Disability Across the Life Span
- CAS BI 211 Human Physiology
- CAS PS 241 Developmental Psychology
Plus
- Other prerequisite courses or
- Human occupation courses or
- Distribution requirements or
- Undergraduate electives
Second Semester
- CAS PS 251 Psychology of Personality
Plus
- Other prerequisite courses or
- Human occupation courses or
- Distribution requirements or
- Undergraduate electives
Junior Year *
First Semester
- CAS PS 371 Abnormal Psychology (or SAR HP 412)
- SAR OT 317 Professional Preparation Seminar for OT (2 cr; Fall or Spring)
- SAR HP 353 Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the U.S.
- SAR HS 369 Gross Human Anatomy (Fall or Spring)
Plus
- Other prerequisite courses or
- Human occupation courses or
- Distribution requirements or
- Undergraduate electives
Second Semester
- CAS MA 113 Statistics (or CAS MA 115 or PS 211)
- SAR HS 369 Gross Human Anatomy (Fall or Spring)
- SAR OT 317 Professional Preparation Seminar for OT (2 cr; Fall or Spring)
- Ethics course (recommended)
Plus
- Human occupation courses or
- Distribution requirements or
- Undergraduate electives
BS/MSOT Transfer Students: The program welcomes transfer students through the beginning of the junior year. An individual plan for each transfer student will be developed in consultation with his/her advisor.
Sophomore Transfers: For students transferring into the occupational therapy program as sophomores, all of the Pre-Professional Requirements for students entering as freshmen must be met by the beginning of the senior year, with the exception of HP 151, the Sargent core course normally taken by freshmen.
Junior Transfers: Students transferring into the occupational therapy program as juniors must complete all of the Pre-Professional Requirements for students entering as freshmen by the beginning of the senior year. Exceptions are:
Only two Sargent Core Curriculum courses will be required:
- SAR HP 252 Health and Disability Across the Life Span
- SAR HP 353 Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the U.S.
A minimum of three Human Occupation courses will be required.
Professional Program Policies
To enter the senior year, minimum requirements are 96 credits and a 2.7 cumulative grade point average.
Once students begin the professional portion (senior year) of the program, they must meet all the academic standards and requirements of the MSOT program, including:
- a cumulative GPA of 3.0 during the professional years (MSOT-1 and MSOT-2). The MSOT professional GPA will be calculated separately from the pre-professional GPA. Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 have one semester to bring up their GPA. Thereafter, if a GPA of 3.0 is still not achieved, students may be terminated from the professional program. If it would be statistically impossible for the student to achieve a 3.0 GPA the following semester, the program may terminate the student immediately. Students will not be scheduled for Level II Fieldwork while they remain on academic probation. If a student repeats a course, both grades (non-passing and repeat) will be counted in calculating the GPA. The highest grade, however, will be considered as the final grade received in the course. GPI and cumulative GPA will include courses taken at Boston University only;
- a minimum grade of C in all required courses in the professional program. Students may not repeat more than two courses in the professional program or they will be terminated from the program. No course may be repeated more than once;
- a cumulative minimum total of 160 credits is required for the MSOT degree (64 credits must be from graduate-level courses numbered 500 or above);
- successful completion of 24 weeks of supervised Level II Fieldwork (SAR OT 593/594) within 24 months after finishing didactic work;
- demonstration of appropriate professional behaviors as described in the Occupational Therapy Student Manual.
Essential Skills
Full participation in the academic and clinical portions of the occupational therapy programs requires ability to perform a set of essential skills (please visit www.bu.edu/sargent for a list of the Boston University Essential Functions for OT). Applicants who anticipate difficulty performing one or more of these functions because of a disability are encouraged to consult with the Boston University Disability Services office (www.bu.edu/disability).
Sample Sequence of Courses
The sequence of courses for the MSOT program is fixed. Professional courses are sequential and offered only once a year.
Senior Year (First Professional Year, MSOT-1)
First Semester
- SAR OT 500 Integrative Seminar I and LIFW (2)
- SAR OT 513 Analysis and Adaptation of Occupation
- SAR OT 520 Evidence-Based OT Practice I (2)
- SAR OT 526 Functional Movement: Analysis and Assessment
- SAR OT 529 Occupation Across the Life Course
- SAR OT 589 Orientation to Practice (0)
Second Semester
- SAR OT 556 Neuroscience for Occupational Therapy
- SAR OT 501 Integrative Seminar II and LIFW (2)
- SAR OT 524 Introduction to the OT Process
- SAR OT 562 Learning and Behavior Change
- SAR OT 620 Evidence-Based OT Practice II (2)
Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Studies awarded
MSOT Year (Second Professional Year, MSOT-2)
First Semester
- SAR OT 502 Integrative Seminar III & LIFW
- SAR OT 538 Assistive Technology (2)
- SAR OT 563 Context and Occupational Performance
- SAR OT 564 Skills for Occupation-Based Practice I
- SAR OT 621 Evidence-Based OT Practice III (2)
- SAR OT 904 Thesis Proposal* (2) optional
Second Semester
- SAR HP 650 Health Care Management
- SAR OT 530 Occupation-Based Practice with Groups
- SAR OT 565 Skills for Occupation-Based Practice II
- SAR OT 566 Client Factors and Occupational Performance (2)
- SAR OT 590 Level II Field Experience Fee (0)
- XXX XX 500+ Graduate-level elective (2) or SAR HP 905 Thesis: Directed Research* (4)
Where marked (*), a thesis is an option for students who are in good academic standing and accepted by a faculty reader/advisor (thesis project must be in an area of current faculty research). If approved, the student registers for SAR OT 904 Thesis Proposal (2 credits) in Semester I and for SAR HP 905 Directed Research (4 credits) in Semester II. Students cannot begin OT 593/594 LIFW until the thesis is completed. No more than 6 credits of thesis will apply toward the MSOT degree.
Level II Fieldwork (LIIFW)
No student may start LIIFW until all academic coursework (including optional thesis) has been completed, an acceptable grade (C) is earned in all required professional courses, and the minimum cumulative GPA (3.0+) is achieved. All students must complete LIIFW within 24 months of finishing their academic coursework.
- SAR OT 593 Level II Field Experience I (0)
- SAR OT 594 Level II Field Experience II (0)
- SAR OT 595 Level II Elective Field Experience (0) optional via petition
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Awarded
