Occupational Therapy

Turn your occupation, into a passion

Helping others realize or regain their independence is about as rewarding as it gets. With a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, you'll work with people of all ages who have illnesses, injuries, or developmental or psychological impairments and need help learning the skills necessary to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives. Love people? Love helping? This degree from WMU's College of Health and Human Services is the next step for you.

Why Occupational Therapy at Western Michigan University?

With or without a bachelor's degree related to occupational therapy, this professional master's degree program could be a great fit for you either way. It's an entry-level program for non-therapists that prepares students to treat clients with various disabilities and be eligible for certification as an occupational therapist at program completion.

The OT program at WMU offers an integrated curriculum that draws from multiple instructional formats and methods to offer the strongest education possible. Classes are offered face-to-face, online, and in a hybrid format (both online and face-to-face).

Attend an ACOTE/AOTA accredited program en route to your OTR

The Occupational Therapy master's degree program at WMU is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Graduates are 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 this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR).

Who should apply

Students who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply to the Occupational Therapy master's program.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Documented OT experience
• Completion of all prerequisites with a 'C' or better *
• Minimum GPA of 3.00
• Admission to WMU **

* Applicants may apply for admission before prerequisites are completed. However, all prerequisite courses must be completed before beginning the program.

** Admission to WMU does not guarantee admission to the OT program.

Career opportunities

Graduates who successfully earn their Occupational Therapist Registration (OTR) work in a variety of health care-related settings.

Other Program Benefits

• Twenty-eight month program combines academic and clinical education.
• The professional component provides solid preparation for entry-level clinical practice as an occupational therapist.