Curriculum

The Boston University MSOT curriculum reflects the commitment of our program to high quality, rigorous, up-to-date preparation for practice. The curriculum has three organizing threads that guide all instruction:

  • a clear focus on occupation as the central concern of the profession;
  • a commitment to client-centered practice;
  • a strong belief that practice must be guided by the best scientific evidence available.

The curriculum is designed to provide integrated preparation for diverse professional roles. We have adopted a life-course perspective in all of our clinical courses rather than organize teaching by the traditional divisions by diagnosis (mental health; physical disabilities) or age group (pediatrics, geriatrics). Clinical courses make extensive use of case examples, which are followed across the life-course and guide the introduction of relevant assessment, intervention, and systems issues as they would typically occur in relation to each part of the life-course.

Students register for 16–18 credits each semester. Each course carries 4 credits unless otherwise noted.

This is a sample sequence of courses for the MSOT program The sequence is fixed. Professional courses are sequential and offered only once a year.

Senior Year, First Professional Year, MSOT-1

Fall Semester

  • SAR OT 500 Integrative Seminar I and LIFW (2 cr)
  • 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

Spring Semester

  • SAR HS 582 Neuroanatomy
  • SAR OT 501 Integrative Seminar II and LIFW (2 cr)
  • 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)

Fall 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 cr)
  • SAR OT 904 Thesis Proposal (2) optional*

Spring 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
  • SAR OT 590 Level II Field Experience Fee (0) Practice elective (2) or SAR HP 905 Thesis: Directed Research* (4)

    • Level II Fieldwork

    No student may start LIIFW until all academic course work (including optional thesis) has been completed, a minimum "C" grade is earned in all required professional courses, and the minimum 3.0 MSOT GPA is achieved. Students must complete LIIFW within 24 months of finishing didactic portion of MSOT program.

    • 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.

* 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