Occupational Therapy MOT

About the Program

As of Summer II 2022, the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree program is no longer accepting incoming students for future enrollment. Prospective students are encouraged to explore the new entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. For questions, email Kimberly Gargin at kimberly.gargin@temple.edu.

The MOT is an 80-credit, full-time program that begins in June and takes seven academic terms to complete, including six months of supervised full-time fieldwork. Students take foundational, theoretical, intervention and research courses while engaging in community and field experiences.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 2.5 years

Campus Location: Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: Full-time study is required.

Interdisciplinary Study: Community and fieldwork experiences offer students the opportunity to interact, communicate and collaborate with clients, families and other disciplines.

Affiliation(s): Local, regional and national community and fieldwork affiliations are available.

Ranking: In 2020, according to U.S. News and World Report, Temple University's Occupational Therapy program ranks 23rd out of 198 OT programs.

Accreditation: The MOT program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®):

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®)
American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
Phone: 301-652-6611
E-mail: accred@aota.org

Areas of Specialization: The Temple University Occupational Therapy program prepares graduates to be entry-level practitioners in any area of service delivery.

Job Prospects: As of 2016, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 24% growth in occupational therapy until 2022, much higher than average for all jobs.

Licensure/Certification: Graduates of the MOT program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination leading to the designation Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Additionally, practitioners must abide by specific licensure requirements as determined by individual states. For more information about state licensure, see https://www.aota.org/Advocacy-Policy/State-Policy/Licensure.aspx.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: MOT coursework is available only to full-time matriculated students.

Financing Opportunities: Financial aid is available to students. For information, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services at sfs@temple.edu or 215-204-2244.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

This program is no longer accepting applications.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from evaluators, typically college/university faculty or an immediate work supervisor, who can provide insight into the applicant's aptitude for graduate study. These letters are to be submitted electronically at https://otcas.liaisoncas.com/.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Required coursework includes:

Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology (1000-level course, not a 2000- or 3000-level course)
Anatomy with lab and Physiology (1000-level course, not 2000- or 3000-level course), which can be taken separately or as a combined sequence (e.g., Anatomy and Physiology I with Anatomy lab, or Anatomy and Physiology II). The lab must include human muscular and skeletal anatomy.
Developmental Psychology or Lifespan Development, which must include a lifespan perspective of development. Two developmental psychology courses in two different life phases are accepted (either child/youth and adult/older adult).
Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology
Statistics, Biostatistics, or Research Methods

Without exception, grades earned in prerequisite courses must be a "B-" or better for consideration in an application. Prerequisites are not required to have been taken while an undergraduate. The courses may be completed at a local community college or any accredited institution of higher education. AP or CLEP courses are not accepted for prerequisites, except for Introduction to Psychology with a score of 4 or higher. Science courses must be 4 credits. Prerequisites may be in progress at the time of the initial application, but must be completed and verified on one’s OTCAS application by February 1 of the year for which application is made.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: Without exception, the February 1 deadline for OTCAS transcript and course verification must be met. If you have questions regarding transcript and course verification, contact OTCAS directly. A baccalaureate degree in any discipline is acceptable for applying to Temple University’s Occupational Therapy program as long as the required prerequisites are successfully completed with a grade of "B-" or better. No particular undergraduate program of study is required for occupational therapy.

Statement of Goals: The education and practice of occupational therapists demand a great deal of mental flexibility, creativity, teamwork and service to others. Temple OT has a curriculum specifically designed to integrate these aspects into our surrounding community to support student learning and service to our community. Your statement, which is submitted at https://otcas.liaisoncas.com/, should reflect your interest in this type of curriculum and your capacity to successfully engage in the demands of this type of professional graduate occupational therapy education and practice.

Standardized Test Scores:
MAT or GRE: Scores are expected in the top 50th percentile.

Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

TOEFL iBT: 100
IELTS Academic: 7.0
PTE Academic: 68
Duolingo: 110

Laptop: Beginning in Fall 2020, all incoming students in the College of Public Health are required to have a laptop. Academic programs in the college are technology intensive. They incorporate statistical and database analyses; utilize specialized tools for athletic training, kinesiology and physical therapy; stream audio and video for communication sciences; facilitate online interactive counseling for social work; and foster clinical experiences and online assessments. The laptop requirement enables the College of Public Health to improve opportunities for active learning and provide greater access to specialized software and required tools in and out of the classroom, better preparing students for the workforce. Learn more about device specifications and suggested vendors. Students can use excess financial aid (i.e., funds that are reimbursed after all tuition and fees are paid) to meet student needs, including the purchase of a laptop. Scholarships may also provide funding.

Clearances: The Occupational Therapy MOT program requires students to complete clinical/field education experiences at facilities both on and off Temple University’s campuses. These placements require a physical examination, immunization records, criminal background checks, Act 33/34 clearances, DHS fingerprinting, Healthcare Provider CPR certification, proof of personal health insurance, an annual influenza vaccine, and perhaps a drug screen. The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options for the student, thus resulting in their inability to meet graduation requirements. Additionally, conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or felonious or illegal act may prevent the individual from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice occupational therapy.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required to Earn the Degree: 80

Required Courses:

Year 1
Second Summer Session		Credit Hours
HRPR 5001	Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions¹	0
OTHR 5002	Theoretical Perspectives of Occupation	2
OTHR 5005	Neuroscience Perspectives in Occupational Therapy	4
OTHR 5015	Human Dynamics in Occupational Therapy	3
	Term Credit Hours	9
Fall
OTHR 5001	Developmental Perspectives in Occupational Therapy	2
OTHR 5008	Kinesiology Perspectives in Occupational Therapy	4
OTHR 5013	Medical Perspectives in Occupational Therapy	3
OTHR 5014	Person-Environment Dynamics in Occupation	1
OTHR 5019	Theoretical Perspectives in Occupational Therapy	2
OTHR 5151	Research I: Evidence-Based Practice in Occupational Therapy	3
	Term Credit Hours	15
Spring
OTHR 5003	Group Dynamics in Occupational Therapy	3
OTHR 5105	Occupational Therapy Practice: Children & Youth	5
OTHR 5152	Research II: Design and Methodologies in Occupational Therapy	1
OTHR 5185	Occupational Therapy Practice: Fieldwork IA	1
OTHR 5222	Occupational Therapy Practice: Adults and Older Adults	6
	Term Credit Hours	16
Year 2
Second Summer Session
OTHR 5161	Occupational Therapy Service Delivery & Management	3
OTHR 5219	Occupational Therapy Practice: Community and Social Participation	3
OTHR 5251	Research III: Implementation in Occupational Therapy	1
OTHR 5285	Occupational Therapy Practice: Fieldwork IB	1
	Term Credit Hours	8
Fall
OTHR 5104	Occupational Therapy Practice: Mental Health	5
OTHR 5123	Occupational Therapy Practice: Assistive Technology	4
OTHR 5221	Health & Wellness in the Community	3
OTHR 5252	Research IV: Outcomes & Dissemination Promoting Occupational Therapy	1
OTHR 5286	Occupational Therapy Practice: Fieldwork IC	1
	Term Credit Hours	14
Spring
OTHR 5287	Intensive Occupational Therapy Practice: Fieldwork IIA²	9
	Term Credit Hours	9
Year 3
Second Summer Session
OTHR 5288	Intensive Occupational Therapy Practice: Fieldwork IIB²	9
	Term Credit Hours	9
	Total Credit Hours:	80

This common College Core course is required of all incoming graduate students in the College of Public Health. It is available completely online and aligned with the M.O.T. curriculum. Your course instructor will provide additional information on which modules are required for each course.

The Fieldwork II experience must be completed within 24 months of completion of academic coursework.

Minimum Grade to be Earned for All Required Courses: B-

Culminating Events:
Intensive Fieldwork Practica:
Students may be required to travel up to 90 minutes from their place of residence to a Level I or II clinical site.

Level I: Students participate in a variety of Level I fieldwork experiences that are largely local. However, opportunities do exist for international Level I field experiences.

Level II: Two 12-week supervised full-time fieldwork experiences are required for degree completion. Level II fieldwork must be completed within 24 months of successful completion of all academic courses. Students are assigned to Level II fieldwork either locally or in another state. No international Level II fieldwork experiences are available.