Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT)

The entry-level occupational therapy master's degree programs on the Manchester NH and Worcester MA campuses are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 510E, Bethesda MD 20814. ACOTE's telephone number c/o AOTA is 301.652.2682. Graduates of the programs 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 the exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order 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.

This Manchester program is also approved by the Division of Higher Education-Higher Education Commission, Department of Education State of New Hampshire.

At its August 2025 meeting, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) granted a status of Accreditation for a period of ten years for the Manchester, New Hampshire Campus (Main Campus) and the Worcester, Massachusetts Campus (Additional Location). The program's next on-site evaluation will be scheduled within the academic year 2034/2035. Graduates from both campuses are eligible to sit for the National Board for certification in Occupational Therapy.

Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance. NBCOT Results are based on the calendar year.

The MCPHS School of Occupational Therapy prepares entry-level students for successful careers in occupational therapy. Through excellence in teaching, scholarship, professional service, and community engagement, the School creates learning and practice opportunities that equip occupational therapy students to practice in a wide range of contexts and who are able to respond to society’s ever-changing health and wellness needs.

All program outcomes are calculated using a yearly calendar and not by semester.

View program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). NBCOT Results are based on the calendar year.

At the completion of this program, students will:

• Apply knowledge of occupational therapy history and development to enhance patient/client care and outcomes. Foster leadership, cultural awareness, and advocacy skills to support individuals, groups, and populations.
• Integrate current occupational therapy theories into professional practice and written work. Make clinical and ethical decisions informed by contemporary theories, models, and frameworks.
• Effectively use professional language and terminology to explain the occupational therapy process including, evaluation, treatment, and outcomes to the interprofessional team. Additionally, clearly articulate the value of occupational therapy to patients/clients, team members, and community members, promoting positive and collaborative relationships throughout these interactions.
• Understand the differences between diagnoses, medical conditions, signs and symptoms, and developmental milestones across individuals, groups, and populations. Analyze how these factors impact a person’s ability to participate in daily activities.
• Adhere to safety guidelines for conditions such as orthopedic injuries, heart conditions, and mental health challenges. Demonstrate the ability to use and teach clients of all ages, proper movement and body positioning techniques to prevent injury.
• Effectively analyze data from occupational therapy assessments to develop appropriate interventions. Students will follow standard procedures, evaluate evidence, and communicate the needs of patients/clients, groups, and populations to optimize outcomes.
• Demonstrate how to help clients regain independence and improve daily living skills through personalized occupational therapy. This involves understanding their unique needs, using various intervention strategies, leading group activities, providing training for safe movement and daily tasks, adapting environments with helpful tools, and applying assessment results to guide treatment. Throughout the process, build positive, collaborative relationships with clients to support their progress and well-being.
• Develop the skills to be a consumer and contributor to evidence-based occupational therapy practice and research. This includes creating clear research questions that identify specific populations, interventions, comparisons, and outcomes. Critically evaluate both quantitative and qualitative research for validity, reliability, and trustworthiness. Use this knowledge to design effective, customized intervention plans for specific populations, based on strong research evidence.

Tuition and Fees

Indirect Costs to Consider

Year 1 is based on current published rates. Year 2 and the total cost of attendance is estimated.

Published fees are subject to change.

Please visit tuition, fees, & other costs for Student Financial Services contacts and additional financial aid resources.