Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who need specialized assistance to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives due to physical, developmental, social, or emotional problems.
Occupational therapy is a form of therapy for those recuperating from physical or mental illness that encourages rehabilitation through the performance of activities required in daily life.
Shenandoah’s graduate program in occupational therapy prepares you to help clients reach their greatest level of quality of life and independence by serving as a caring and effective occupational therapist. Close mentorship with faculty, combined with the program’s small class sizes and practical learning experiences, prepare you to enter the field as a professional dedicated to service, ethics, and leadership.
Shenandoah’s 75-credit Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is delivered in a flexible, hybrid format, with much of the content delivered online. Students attend classes on campus one day per week and fieldwork experiences are completed on non-campus days and during normal working hours. Additionally, students are expected to engage in hands-on experiences in their home communities as directed by faculty. The learning model requires students to think critically and act professionally in independent, interpersonal and community-based problem-solving experiences. Graduates of this program enter the field as skilled and compassionate occupational therapists, serving a diverse range of patient populations in a variety of health care and community-based settings.
Occupational Therapy at Shenandoah University
Shenandoah University’s unique hybrid occupational therapy program has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience during face-to-face learning, online discussion and opportunities within the community. Beyond the flexibility of the program and the relationships I have developed with my professors and peers, I truly value the multidisciplinary approach. In addition to the general curriculum to prepare students for collaboration with clients and other health care professionals, the program has equipped me with both leadership and effective team management skills to use in future practice.”
Stephanie Jackson, MSOTS
Welcome to Shenandoah University’s Division of Occupational Therapy. We offer three distinct programs in unique hybrid and online curriculum models to meet the needs of diverse learners. Our students graduate prepared to be a leader in the field of occupational therapy and make a difference locally, nationally, and abroad.
The Shenandoah Occupational Therapy program offers students the opportunity to learn all the skills they will need as an entry-level occupational therapists. These skills include evaluation of clients, treatment planning, being an evidence-based practitioner, and specific treatment interventions such as adaptations to the client’s environment, splinting and mobility skills.
The majority of coursework in the Shenandoah University occupational therapy programs is based on a hybrid model. Under this model students will attend class face to face one day a week and complete additional work online for the rest of the week. Online work includes recorded lectures, readings, and various interactive online assignments.
What is Occupational Therapy?
What is Occupational Therapy and what does an OT do?
Occupational therapy is a health profession that helps people across the lifespan engage in meaningful tasks that provide their life with purpose. From a holistic approach, occupational therapists use evidence based therapeutic activities to address the needs and goals of individuals and groups.
Career and Salary Possibilities
Occupational Therapy Rankings
- The current U.S. News and World Report ranked Occupational Therapists as #11 in Best Health Care Jobs and #13 in 100 Best Jobs in January 2019.
- Glassdoor ranked Occupational Therapists at #4 for their 50 Best Jobs in America in January 2019.
Occupational Therapy Salary Projections
The current US News and World Report indicated that occupational therapists made a median salary of $83,000 in 2017 and that the profession is expected to grow by 24% from 2016-2026.
Occupational Therapy Salary Projections
Recent reporting from alumni indicate that a majority of starting salaries was between $60,000-80,000 with over 20% of graduates making above $80,000. (Sample size 15 respondents from 2017)
- 13.3% | 40,000 – 60,000
- 60% | 60,000 – 80,000
- 20% | 80,000 – 100,000
- 6.7% | 100,000 – 120,000
Occupational Therapy Employment Projections
Recent alumni obtained entry level positions in:
- early intervention
- home health
- long term care/skilled nursing facility
- mental health
- hospital (non-mental health)
Data from 2017 indicates that all reporting recent graduates of our program were employed in OT or OT related positions within 6 months of graduating.
Ashley Lankford ‘11 ‘13 works as an occupational therapist at Cecil County Public Schools in Elkton, Maryland. This experience increased her understanding of biopsychology, which in turn has assisted in her day-to-day work with students. Lankford’s advice to future students is, “Continue to challenge yourself and take every opportunity you can. Be creative, and don’t be afraid to fail.”
Autumn O’Hara ’11 is the executive director for Ride-On Ranch Equine Assisted Therapies. “The mission of Ride-on Ranch is to provide therapy to people with cognitive, psychological and physical disabilities. “With a master’s degree from Shenandoah University comes a network of health professionals as well as the education needed to pursue my dreams. There is so much information out there and so much that occupational therapists can do and be involved in. Research all there is out there, find your passion, and then pursue your passion.”
Classes
At first I was very nervous about going into a hybrid program because I really value learning face-to-face in the classroom, but the courses are structured so that you get a great balance of online and face-to-face learning. My favorite part of the program is that we are getting involved in the community in potential OT settings within the first month of starting classes.”
Ryan Parker, MSOTS
One of the things I love most about the Shenandoah’s OT program is the flexibility it offers. We have class once a week, which gives me six days to complete homework, spend time with my family, and have a job. The faculty and staff understand that things happen and work with you, because they want to see you succeed and grow into great occupational therapists!”
Darlena Poling, MSOTS
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Shenandoah University will prepare occupational therapist practitioners to meet the occupational needs of persons, groups and populations in diverse local and global settings.
The opportunity for hands-on learning in the community begins in your first semester of classes. Students will have the opportunity to work in small groups with a community partner In both their first and second semester to address the needs of the facility and their clients. During the second year of the program students will have the opportunity to participate in two level one fieldworks That will allow them exposure to occupational therapy practice. In addition, During physical disabilities treatment classes for adults and pediatrics, students will have the opportunity to evaluate and treat clients from the community under the supervision of faculty. The last six months of the program is made up of 24 weeks of full time Fieldwork experiences where students will work under the supervision of a practicing OT at two separate facilities.
Semester 1 (Fall)
Ot 522 Foundations Of Occupational Therapy – 4 Credits
Ot 523 Therapeutic Occupation – 2 Credits
Ot 524 Occupation And Movement – 4 Credits
Ot 525 Fundamentals Of Scholarly Inquiry – 3 Credits
Ot 526 Foundational Case Groups I – 1 Credit
Ot 527 Community Application With Individuals – 2 Credits
Total– 16 Credits
Semester 2 (Spring)
Ot 531 Scholarly Inquiry: Design And Analysis – 3 Credits
Ot 532 Neuro-occupation – 5 Credits
Ot 534 Analysis Of Health And Occupation – 2 Credits
Ot 535 Management And Systems In Ot Settings – 3 Credits
Ot 536 Foundational Case Groups Ii – 1 Credit
Ot 537 Community Application In Systems – 2 Credits
Total– 16 Credits
Semester 3 (Fall)
Ot 621 Scholarly Inquiry: Program Development And Evaluation – 2 Credits
Ot 623 Ot In Biomechanical And Neurological Practice – 4 Credits
Ot 624 Ot In Mental Health Practice – 3 Credits
Ot 625 Occupational Performance And Participation: Children – 4 Credits
Ot 626 Basic Case Groups – 1 Credit
Ot 628 *basic Level 1 Fieldwork – 1 Credit
Total – 15 Credits
Semester 4 (Spring)
Ot 630 Scholarly Inquiry: Application – 3 Credits
Ot 631 Specialization: Ot With Children – 3 Credits
Ot 633 Environmental Intervention – 3 Credits
Ot 634 Policy And Advocacy – 3 Credits
Ot 635 Specialization: Ot For Adults – 3 Credits
Ot638 *bridge Level 1 Fieldwork – 1 Credit
Total – 16 Credits
Semester 5 (Summer)
Ot 640 *level 2 Fieldwork – 6 Credits
Ot 641 *level 2 Fieldwork – 6 Credits
* All Fieldwork Experiences Are Completed On Non-campus Days And During Normal Business Hours.
Ot 640 *level 2 Fieldwork – 6 Credits
Ot 641 *level 2 Fieldwork – 6 Credits
* All Fieldwork Experiences Are Completed On Non-campus Days And During Normal Business Hours.
Program Accreditation
Shenandoah’s Occupational Therapy Program Is Accredited Through AOTA.
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200
Bethesda, MD 20814-3449
(301) 652-2682 or 301-652-AOTA
http://www.acoteonline.org/
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.
12 S. Summit Ave., Suite 100
Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150
Phone (301)990-7979 Fax (301)869-8492
https://www.nbcot.org/
Application Information
SUDOT requires potential students to go through OTCAS for the application process. This is an online centralized application service located at www.otcas.org which has a thorough and accurate list of all required documents and prerequisites for the program. For a list of the prerequisites, please go to Shenandoah University that can be found on the list of participating programs located on OTCAS.
Program Prerequisites
COTA’s and students who have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college must have an overall cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
ALL students must have completed the following courses with grades of “C” or better:
- 3 credits: General Psychology
- 3 credits: Abnormal Psychology, 200 level or above.
- 3 credits: Statistics Course content must include the descriptive and inferential statistics
- a minimum of 6 credits: Two sequential courses in Human Anatomy & Physiology. No online only courses. Content must include lecture and laboratory sections to include human structure and function, including the musculoskeletal system and an overview of the nervous system
- 3 credits: Entry level Sociology
- 3 credits: 200-level or above advanced course in Sociology or Anthropology.
- A minimum of 3 credits: Courses to cover Life Span Human Growth and Development from infancy to the elderly. **students may have to take more than one course to meet this requirement.
- 3 credits: Medical Terminology course. In class and online courses are accepted with evidence of completion. (CEU courses/certificates are not accepted)
- Students must complete a minimum of 40 shadowing hours under a licensed occupational therapist and these must be completed at time of application.
- Students are required to have 2 different letters of recommendation from the following: an employer, licensed OT you shadowed, or an academic professor.
- ** No more than 9 outstanding prerequisite course credits are permitted at time of application and a plan for taking the outstanding credits must be indicated on the application **
- ** GPA is calculated at time of application**
- COTA applicants must have a full year of work experience prior to matriculation
- Students must also complete all required application materials as listed on OTCAS to be considered for application
International Opportunities
Our university and programs pride ourselves on our international opportunities for experiential learning. We regularly engage in interprofessional and intraprofessional abroad trips to Haiti and Morocco for course credit. We are always open to new opportunities for expanding our collaborations abroad.
Related Programs
Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) – Winchester Campus
This program is for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree.
Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) – Online
This program is for occupational therapists who have a master’s degree and are interested in obtaining an OTD.
Entry Level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) – Leesburg Campus
This program is for individuals who have bachelor’s degree and are interested in obtaining a master’s degree in Occupational therapy.
COTA Associates to Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) – Leesburg Campus
This program is for Occupational Therapy Assistants who have an Associate’s degree or higher and are interested in becoming an occupational therapist.
Early Assurance Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) – Winchester Campus
This program is for high school students who are interested in becoming an occupational therapist by attending Shenandoah University Undergraduate 3 years and then transitioning to the Entry Level Doctorate Program.
Shenandoah University Articulation Agreement
This articulation agreements provides a simplified, guaranteed admissions process for a limited number of undergraduate students from Shenandoah University.
NOVA Community College Articulation Agreement
This articulation agreements provides a simplified, guaranteed admissions process for a limited number of undergraduate students from NOVA Community College.
