Seton Hall’s Occupational Therapy Program Relaunches in Two-Year Format
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Beginning in July 2025, students in Seton Hall’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.) program will earn their degree in two years. The redesigned curriculum, developed by Seton Hall to meet the evolving needs of 21st-century health care, prepares graduates to enter the dynamic and expanding field of occupational therapy, program leaders say.
M.S.O.T. students practice clinical skills in Seton Hall's state-of-the-art facilities at the Interprofessional Health Sciences campus.
“With the new two-year M.S.O.T. format, Seton Hall will equip graduates to launch their professional careers a year earlier,” said Vikram Dayalu, Ph.D., interim dean, Seton Hall School of Health and Medical Sciences.
“The revamped program benefits students who are eager to enter the workforce and make a difference in their communities as occupational therapists sooner and at a lower cost,” Dayalu said.
Occupational therapy is one of the most in-demand health care specialties with an anticipated 11 percent growth rate from 2023-2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “That’s over 16,000 new occupational therapy jobs in the next decade,” Dayalu noted.
Seton Hall's Master of Occupational Therapy students will benefit from a redesigned two-year degree starting in July 2025.
Seton Hall’s two-year M.S.O.T. degree is fully accredited and adheres to the standards of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®). “We took great care in updating our M.S.O.T. curriculum to ensure that it meets accreditation standards and that our students are fully prepared for professional licensure exams upon graduation,” Dayalu said.
Commitment to Excellence and Service
The two-year Seton Hall M.S.O.T. degree builds on the program’s established strengths: a blend of top-tier academic and experiential learning, multiple clinical experiences in the tri-state area and additional volunteer opportunities in surrounding communities such as Nutley, Montclair and West Orange.
“Our mission will remain true to our origins and closely aligned with the University’s mission to provide a premier value-centered education,” said Ruth Segal, Ph.D., chair and professor, Department of Occupational Therapy. “We prepare a diverse body of students to become ethical practitioners equipped to grow into leadership roles in their profession, employment setting and community.”
Highest-Ranking M.S.O.T. program in New Jersey
According to U.S. News and World Report’s 2024 Best Graduate Schools, Seton Hall has the highest-ranking M.S.O.T. program in New Jersey and is ranked 53rd nationally, placing it among the top 27 percent of occupational therapy programs in the country.
Seton Hall’s M.S.O.T. program is distinguished by its state-of-the-art facilities which include an award-winning simulation program and its extensive clinical network in over 300 healthcare and educational settings in the tri-state area.
Seton Hall’s Occupational Therapy program has achieved a 97.7 percent overall graduation rate over the past three years (2021-2023), highlighting Seton Hall’s commitment to student success.
For more information on Seton Hall’s M.S.O.T. program, click here.
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