The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ is committed to:
Developing professionals with deep cultural sensitivity and innovative problem-solving skills who will respond to current and emerging societal needs and improve the health and well-being of diverse individuals, groups and populations.
Expanding the knowledge base of the profession through interprofessional scholarship and practice.
Serving the unique needs of rural and underserved communities.
A master's degree in occupational therapy is the entry point for a high-demand career with projected job growth over the next decade and beyond.
Why Earn an MS in Occupational Therapy From Clarkson?
Clarkson's MS in Occupational Therapy offers a strong foundation in technology and innovation, professional reasoning and hands-on clinical skills. In just 6 semesters, you will:
Learn from faculty with well-rounded clinical expertise and contemporary practice experience working with children, adults and geriatric populations.
Receive an elevated educational experience through simulated patient interactions and co-curriculars that include a variety of community activities designed to further prepare you to engineer solutions that enable health and well-being throughout an individual’s lifespan.
Apply your clinical skills in state-of-the-art simulation labs and classrooms designed to give you real-world practice in safe learning environments.
Utilize technology. Clarkson is world renowned for our contributions to STEM fields. Clarkson OT is no exception, with opportunities to interact with assistive technology throughout the curriculum. CUOT houses the Assistive Technology Resource and ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Center (ATREC), which contains over 400 pieces of low- and high-tech equipment.
In addition to having top-notch clinical skills, our students are exceptionally well prepared to pass the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy ().
Clarkson's Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ () of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
What You'll Learn
A Clarkson education prepares each student for today’s world and tomorrow’s challenges. Our MS in Occupational Therapy curriculum provides a sequential progression and follows a cohort model, in which students move through the curriculum together.
The first semester provides a strong foundation in the basic sciences and the framework that guide the domain and process of occupational therapy practice.
Subsequent semesters provide the basis for occupational therapy evaluation and intervention, as students concurrently interact with more advanced content related to the leadership and management of occupational therapy services, evidence-based practice and professionalism.
Hands-on skills are taught through a series of experiential learning courses designed to provide opportunities to demonstrate competency and clinical reasoning across practice settings and with diverse individuals, groups and populations.
Practicum exams and competency checks are used to ensure safe practice and to identify any areas requiring remediation.
The MS in Occupational Therapy consists of 92 credit hours and is typically completed in 24 months.
Occupational Therapy MS Program
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy consists of 92 credit hours for completion and can usually be completed in 24 months (6 Semesters).
Occupational Therapy MS Curriculum
Curricular Threads and Goals
The Clarkson Occupational Therapy Program has five curricular threads and related goals that are interwoven throughout the curriculum. The threads and goals reflect the values and priorities of our program, as well as the unique philosophy and mission of ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳. Each goal is introduced, applied, and synthesized by the end of the didactic curriculum.
Thread 1: Professional Identity
Goal 1-1: Demonstrate professional behaviors, attitudes, and actions that are reflective of the ethical standards, values, and scope of the profession.
Goal 1-2: Advocate for the profession through participation and membership in community and professional organizations.
Goal 1-3: Develop a plan to ensure lifelong learning.
Thread 2: Innovation and Technology
Goal 2-1: Implement innovative solutions to barriers using technological resources.
Goal 2-2: Educate clients and their families in the safe use and maintenance of assistive technologies and adaptive equipment.
Thread 3: Evidence-informed Practice
Goal 3-1: Critically appraise qualitative and quantitative research.
Goal 3-2: Use a combination of research evidence, professional expertise, and data driven decision making to inform assessment and intervention decisions throughout the continuum of care.
Thread 4: Occupation-based practice
Goal 4-1: Articulate the value of occupation as means and ends, which is integral to the health and well-being of individuals, groups, and populations.
Goal 4-2: Develop and implement occupation-based interventions that support clients’ habits, routines, and roles within their contexts.
Goal 4-3: Exercise sound professional judgment and clinical reasoning.
Thread 5: Interprofessional Practice
Goal 5-1: Collaborate skillfully with clients, interprofessional team members, families, and community members to ensure high quality client- and population-centered care.
Coursework:
Fall I
OT 501: Gross Anatomy (4 credits)
OT 533: Applied Kinesiology (2 credits)
OT 521: Clinical Conditions I (2 credits)
OT 531: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
OT 541: Evidence-based Practice (2 credits)
OT 591: Fundamental of Practice (2 credits)
OT 603: Activity Analysis (3 credits)
Total = 18 credits
Spring I
OT 503: Neuroscience (3 credits)
OT 537: Evaluating Children and Youth (3 credits)
OT 589: Interventions for Children and Youth (4 credits)
OT 579: Group Dynamics (3 credits)
OT 580: Clinical Conditions II (2 credits)
OT 595: Interprofessional and Emerging Practice (2 credits)
OT 700A: Fieldwork Level I (2 credits)
Total = 19 credits
Summer I
OT 630: Master’s Project I (2 credits)
OT 705: Fieldwork Level II (9 credits)
Total = 11 credits
Fall II
OT 563: Adult and Aging (2 credits)
OT 583: Adult and Aging Clinical Practice (4 credits)
OT 605: Assistive Technology (3 credits)
OT 557: Upper Extremity Rehabilitation and Orthotics (3 credits)
OT 539: Leadership and Management (3 credits)
OT 640: Master’s Project II (2 credits)
OT 700B: Fieldwork Level I (2 credits)
Total = 19 credits
Spring II
OT 567: Adult Neuro (2 credits)
OT 587: Adult Neuro Clinical Practice (4 credits)
OT 553: Cognition and Occupational Performance (2 credits)
OT 597: Specialty Practice (4 credits)
OT 599: Lifelong Learner (2 credits)
OT 650: Master’s Project III (2 credits)
Total = 16 credits
Summer II
OT 710 Fieldwork Level II (9 credits)
Total: 9
Total Program Credits: 92
Fieldwork
All students are required to complete a series of supervised fieldwork experiences as part of the Clarkson Occupational Therapy program. Fieldwork provides an opportunity to complement your academic preparation with the application of theory and course content to practice, to further develop and refine clinical skills, and to establish professional relationships with supervisors and future colleagues.
To enrich the didactic coursework, level I fieldwork occurs in Spring I (Term II) and again in Fall II (Term IV). After students have completed the first two semesters of the program and possess a strong foundation in mental health and pediatric practice, the first level II fieldwork occurs in Summer I (Term III). The second level II fieldwork occurs after two more didactic semesters, in Summer II (Term VI).
Students must participate in the fieldwork experiences in the appropriate sequence (refer to the curriculum) and complete all Level II fieldwork requirements within one year after completion of the academic coursework. If circumstances arise and a student needs to complete fieldwork outside of the one-year timeline, students can submit a petition and the case will be reviewed by the faculty. Approval is needed to extend fieldwork placements.
Fieldwork education is an essential part of the professional preparation of each generation of occupational therapists. At Clarkson OT, we ensure every student has experiences that are broad in scope and rich in content. Your fieldwork program is tailored to your needs, geographic preferences and the type of practice setting that interests you. We have collaborative relationships coast to coast and place students in clinical settings throughout the United States.
Want to practice fieldwork abroad? Ask us about our first international fieldwork site in Uganda.
One of the highlights of being a student in our MS in Occupational Therapy program is the incredible facilities and resources available, including a Simulation Lab, Pediatrics Lab, Cadaver Lab, Media Lab, Assistive Technology Resource and ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Center, Shared PT/OT Clinical Lab and the Health Sciences Library.
Assistive technology (AT) has been defined as any item, device or system, whether purchased, customized or fabricated, that can be used to improve the functional capabilities of an individual with a disability.
At Clarkson OT, you will have the opportunity to interact with over 400 pieces of AT, ranging from low- to high-tech.
Which areas are addressed by AT?
Aging in place
Communication and social participation
ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ and academics
Environmental modifications and controls
Mobility and community access
Recreation
Self-help
Supported employment
Workplace modification
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy plan at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ is a full time graduate program. To be considered for admissions, applicants must:
Complete a baccalaureate degree, with preference given to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Take all the necessary prerequisite courses, with preference given to students with a prerequisite grade point average of 3.2 or higher with no grade lower than C.
Submit documentation of a minimum of 20 hours of observation/volunteer work or work experience under the supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.
If you are unable to complete observation hours, please contact us for a supplemental essay prompt, and the observation hours requirement will be waived.
Submit three letters of recommendation. Letters from family or friends will not be accepted. Satisfactorily complete admissions process.
Applications may be submitted through the .
The deadline for application submissions is June 1. However, that the department uses a rolling admissions process, and as such, applications will be reviewed and students offered admission on an ongoing basis. For more information, please contact Otadmissions@clarkson.edu
Please note: the OT program is delivered on-site in Potsdam, New York with up to two courses offered virtually. For virtual courses, students are required to have the ability to use a computer and to access and use software and online platforms to perform all necessary educational functions. It is recommended that all entering students have a computer. Students without a computer can utilize available departmental and university computers.
The Occupational therapy program tuition is based on a flat rate per semester.
Category
Tuition/Fee*
Total
Flat Fee Basic
$10,715 per term
$64,290 (6 terms) $75,005 (7 terms)
One Time Software Fee
$250
$250
Additional Fees and Costs
Graduate facility usage fee (per year)
$760
$2,280
Additional Lab Fees (per term Spring and Fall only)
$125
$625
CU Mandatory Health Insurance **
$3,291
$9,873
Total
$68,445 (6 semesters, without mandatory health insurance) $77,318 (6 semesters, with mandatory health insurance)
$79,160 (7 semesters, without mandatory health insurance) $88,033 (7 semesters, with mandatory health insurance)
Graduate Assistantships
The occupational therapy program offers two graduate assistantships. Students who are awarded a graduate assistantship will receive a 15% reduction in current tuition each semester, and will be required to work 5 hours per week for the occupational therapy department. Applications for GA positions will be considered in the order they are received. To be considered, please contact otadmissions@clarkson.edu.
*Tuition and Fees are subject to change without notice based on the University's needs and/or discretion.
**Health Insurance coverage is required during the academic and clinical portions of the curriculum. This insurance is mandatory, but CU health insurance may be waived with proof of other current coverage.
Graduation and NBCOT Pass Rate
The ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association. ACOTE awarded the program a ten-year, full accreditation in September 2024. The next re-accreditation evaluation will be in 2033-2034.
ACOTE is located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE's telephone number is 301-652-6611 x2914, its email is accred@aota.org and its website is .
ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ is accredited by the Commission on Higher ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-2680, 215-662-5606. In addition, the University is accredited by the United States Civil Service Commission, and its curricula are approved by the New York State Board of Regents. The occupational therapy program has been registered by the New York State ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Department.
Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). Graduation from an accredited program is a requirement of NBCOT for certification. It is also required for most states for licensing. For more information on the requirements for certification, see the NBCOT website at . For more information on license requirements for New York State, see the New York State ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Department, Office of the Professions website at A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Examination or attain state licensure.
Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found at:
Data below is reflective of a calendar year.
2021 Students Entering/Graduating: 21/21 Graduation Rate: 100 %
2022 Students Entering/Graduating: 21/21 Graduation Rate: 100 %
Graduation Year
Students Entering/Graduating
Graduation Rate
2022
17/17
100%
2023
26/25
96%
2024
11/10
90%
Total
58/56
96%
Year
NBCOT Pass Rate
2022
86%
2023
82%
2024
83%
The total number of graduates from the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Master of Occupational Therapy program during the 3-year period 2022-2024 was 56, with an overall graduation rate of 96%. The average pass rate for the National Board Examination in Occupational Therapy during the 3-year period of 2022-2024 was 83%.
Living in the North Country
In Potsdam, New York, we're off the beaten path. A quintessential college town at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, Potsdam is rural living at its finest, offering a welcoming community and boundless outdoor adventures. Canadian cities Montreal and Ottawa are less than two hours away, and Lake Placid, home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, is an outdoor enthusiasts dream. Hear what students have to say about living in the North Country.
Career Possibilities
The demand for occupational therapists is rising, with , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Occupational therapists work in a variety of environments, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, small medical offices and clients' homes. They also work in policy and administration, as well as research and academia.
Job titles include:
Advocate
Consultant
Educator
Entrepreneur
Manager
Occupational therapist
Researcher
Recent Employers
Following licensure, graduates have found employment through many health and rehabilitation organizations, including:
Beaumont Hospital, Troy, Texas
Encompass Health, Austin, Texas
Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI
Gottsche Rehabilitation Center, Wyoming
New York City Department of ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳, New York, NY
Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, Oregon City, OR
The Center for Discovery, Monticello, New York
The Perfect Playground, Staten Island, NY
Kurel's Journey to Clarkson
Hear from Kurel about her college search story. She is the first person in her family to go to college and not just get her master's degree.
