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Health and Medical Sciences
MS in Occupational Therapy
Graduate
Master of Science (M.S.)

Occupational Therapy

Seton Hall's Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.) is a two-year program effective July 2025. The M.S.O.T. has been updated to meet accreditation standards for the 21st century. See the revised two-year, 64 credit program curriculum here.

US News and World Report Best Grad School Health Occupational TherapyOccupational therapists (OTs) help their clients regain lost abilities, develop new skills and live life to the fullest. That work can take many forms — from serving children with development disabilities, to helping a patient relearn daily tasks after a stroke, to working with people who have physical and mental disabilities.

As the first entry-level master’s program of its kind in New Jersey, Seton Hall's Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program has shaped hundreds of students into competent general practitioners.

With our unique blend of academics and clinical experience, you’ll be well-prepared to join this booming healthcare field. Seton Hall's occupational therapy students do exceptionally well on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam, and many have professional occupational therapy job offers before they graduate.

Seton Hall University's two-year, 64 credit M.S. in Occupational Therapy program in the vibrant NYC metropolitan area integrates experiential learning and hands-on Servant Leadership opportunities into its curriculum through community outreach and clinical experiences in the University's robust clinical network.

Our prime location in the New York City Metro region provides diverse and challenging clinical practice settings, enhancing our student's professional preparation. Seton Hall's recent federal training grant from the Office of Special Education (OSEP) provides select students with stipends and specialized training focused on school-based transitions for children with autism, further preparing them to become more impactful occupational therapists.

Why Earn a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT)?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs in Occupational Therapy will grow by 11.5% from 2023-2033. Earning an MSOT prepares you for a sought-after and rewarding career in healthcare, focusing on helping individuals regain or improve their daily living and working skills. This degree covers essential aspects like occupational therapy evaluation, adhering to the occupational therapy code, and mastering occupational therapy degrees' curriculum. The OT program emphasizes practical skills, critical thinking, and ethical practice, preparing graduates for diverse workplace settings ranging from from hospitals and schools to private practice. 

Accreditation

Seton Hall's MSOT degree is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD  20814. ACOTE's telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-6611, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Graduates of the program 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®). Pass rates can be found here>>

After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Estimated Occupational Therapy Program Cost

BY THE NUMBERS

  • 96% % Students Passing 2023 NBCOT Exam
  • #1MSOT program  in New Jersey,
    U.S. News & World Report
  • 11% % Projected Job Growth Rate, 2023-2033
  • 2 Years to Complete M.S.O.T. Program
Students By the Numbers Ph.D Nursing
Katalyna Lorick

“I enjoy every minute of my career as a pediatric occupational therapist, and I owe so much to Seton Hall. I really connected with my professors; they treated me like a future colleague.”

Katalyna Lorick '21, M.S. ’24, OTR

Curriculum

The three-step occupational therapy curriculum begins with foundational coursework. The next phase is clinical courses that cover the impact of health conditions and impairments on activities, as well the selection and implementation of appropriate assessments and interventions for older adults, adults and children/adolescents. The final terms focus on prevention, health promotion and wellness. The occupational therapy program provides increasing challenges and complexities as the curriculum unfolds. A thread of “professional formation,” which focuses on creating your professional identity—including servant leadership, which is consistent with the Seton Hall University mission—runs throughout the entire occupational therapy curriculum.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the M.S.O.T. program is extremely competitive. Review all admission requirements and prerequisites:

Deadlines:

  • Applications are accepted when the OTCAS cycle opens until January 15.
  • Review of applications will begin after January 15.

Program Faculty

Our distinguished and accessible faculty will challenge you to expand your vision of occupational therapy. Their connections within the healthcare community enable students to meet and learn from active clinicians in the classroom and through fieldwork experiences developed by the full-time director of clinical education.

Meet all of our Occupational Therapy Faculty »

Meryl Picard posing
Meryl Picard
Assistant Professor
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Mara Podvey posing
Mara Podvey
Associate Professor
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Ruth Segal posing
Ruth Segal
Department Chair and Professor
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Learn the Art and Science of Caring

In response to society's rapidly changing healthcare needs, the School of Health and Medical Sciences combines the expertise of Seton Hall University with the resources of affiliate healthcare sites to provide exemplary academic and clinical training in graduate-level health sciences and health administration. The school's emphasis on interprofessional education prepares healthcare leaders of tomorrow to focus on patient-centered care and to make a difference in patients' lives and their communities.

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Contact Us

  • Patrick McDermott, M.A.
  • Assistant Dean for Graduate Enrollment and Student Affairs
  • School of Health and Medical Sciences
  • shms@shu.edu
  • (973) 275-2062

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