OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DIRECT ENTRY PROGRAM (MS)
salemstate.edu/graduate
PROGRAM This program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than occupational therapy and wish to pursue a career as an occupational therapist. Graduates are prepared to deliver occupation-focused, clientcentered and evidence-based services, and contribute to the profession through leadership, scholarship and advocacy. Learn more at salemstate.edu/OT.
CURRICULUM This program begins each September and is designed to be completed over four years through evening coursework. Students attend classes on campus no more than two evenings per week, allowing many to remain employed while pursuing their degree. The MSOT program consists of 87 to 88 credits (depending on elective selection) and includes coursework during the fall, spring and summer semesters.
PREREQUISITES Students must complete eight prerequisite courses (27 credits) with a grade of C or better before beginning the program in September. Visit salemstate.edu/OT-reqs for a list of prerequisite courses, a prerequisite tracking form and course equivalency information.
ADMISSIONS The application deadline is December 15, 2025 for Fall 2026 enrollment. PROGRAM
TRANSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS
MS Occupational Therapy Direct Entry
Bachelor's degree in a major other than occupational therapy
LETTERS OF REFERENCE
PERSONAL STATEMENT
GPA
2
Specific prompt
3.0
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
Prerequisite tracking form Occupational Therapy Shadowing Document
APPLICATION INFORMATION Visit salemstate.edu/OT-reqs for admissions resources, forms, prerequisite information and important application deadlines.
COST For Massachusetts residents, each credit costs $599.00*, and for nonMassachusetts residents, each credit costs $696.50*. The program is 87-88 credits (excluding prerequisites). A variety of funding options may be available to help support graduate education, including financial aid, graduate assistantships, employer tuition reimbursement, tuition remission and veterans’ educational benefits. *Tuition and fees subject to change.
YEAR
FALL
SPRING
SUMMER
First Year
9-10 credits
9 credits
6 credits
Second Year
7 credits
9 credits
6 credits
Third Year
9 credits
11 credits
8 credits
Fourth Year
6 credits (Fieldwork in community)
7 credits (Fieldwork in community and Capstone)
PLEASE VISIT SALEMSTATE.EDU/GRADUATE/ADMISSIONS FOR FULL DETAILS.
ACCREDITATION AND LICENSURE The program meets the standards, skills, values and ethics set forth by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Graduates meeting all requirements will be eligible to sit for the occupational therapy certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Please note that any student who has been convicted of a prior felony may be considered ineligible by NBCOT to sit for the NBCOT exam and may be unable to attain an OT license from the state licensure board.
The occupational therapy program at Salem State University is accredited through 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. Contact AOTA at 301.652.AOTA. Visit ACOTE online at acoteonline.org.
Apply: salemstate.edu/apply Financial Aid: salemstate.edu/finaid Email: gradadmissions@salemstate.edu Phone: 978.542.6200 For accommodations and access information, visit salemstate.edu/access.