To best meet the needs of our students, we have decided to suspend enrollment in the Master of Science Occupational Therapy & Doctor of Occupational Therapy. We encourage you to explore our Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy.
Not Accepting Applications
This two-tiered pathway combines NYU Steinhardt’s professional Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degrees. As a student, you will earn credits from our top-ranked, entry-level master’s – preparing you for professional certification – before completing the OTD curriculum to further advance and define your practice.
Degree Details
Official Degree Title
Master of Science Occupational Therapy & Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Licensure or Certification
Format
Full-time
Credits
90
The two-tiered degree will help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to become an entry-level occupational therapist. Through classwork and fieldwork, you will learn theoretical and hands-on applications of occupational therapy for a diverse range of populations and how to assess and make use of outcomes measures and intervention approaches. After completing the master’s curriculum and fieldwork, you will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination and apply for state licensure.
The OTD component of the MS/OTD will teach you how to deliver optimal evidence-based care. After completing the OTD, you will have specialized clinical knowledge in an area of occupational therapy of your choosing and the competence to serve as a leading clinician in the field. Potential areas of specialization include pediatrics, gerontology, mental health, or physical rehabilitation.
Throughout the MS portion of the Ms/OTD, you will take a range of courses, covering topics such as human anatomy, rehabilitation, and pediatric intervention to prepare to become a registered occupational therapist.
As a part of the master’s, you will also participate in fieldwork experiences, connecting academic learning and clinical practice. Our department has relationships with over 200 hospitals, outpatient centers, rehabilitation facilities, schools, and private practices throughout the country, enabling you to work in diverse settings under the guidance of seasoned professionals.
Through the OTD component of the MS/OTD, you will enhance your clinical and analytical skills and explore an area of special interest through integrated core courses, electives, and the creation of an evidence-based professional electronic portfolio (ePortfolio) documenting advancement throughout the degree.
The OTD may be completed part-time, enabling you to work prior to graduation.
Increasingly, having an advanced clinical degree like an OTD is recognized as an important health care credential in occupational therapy and other professions. As a result, you may qualify for more senior positions in practice and administration with a joint MS/OTD degree than a master’s alone.
As a graduate, you will be well-positioned to become:
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A practitioner or administrator in a health facility
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A health planner or policymaker in government and public service agencies
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An educator at a college or university
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A private practitioner or independent contractor in schools, home health agencies, and health service corporations
Licensure Requirements
The NYU Steinhardt OT MS places students in clinical settings in several states outside New York. View more information about licensure requirements in those states.
DEPARTMENT OF
Occupational Therapy
Pless Hall, 82 Washington Square East, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-998-5825
Email: occupational.therapy@nyu.edu
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Accreditation Information
The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
c/o Accreditation Department
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
Tel: 301-652-6611 x2914
Fax: 301-652-7711
accred@aota.org | ACOTE website
See results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).