Program Information

The College of Allied Health Sciences at the Georgia Regents University offers a Master of Health Science in Occupational Therapy (MHSOT) degree. The program consists of 6 consecutive full time graduate semesters, including two twelve week fieldwork rotations. After successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy examination.

THE MHSOT PROGRAM

• Curriculum: Theoretical Model
• Curriculum Schedule
• MHSOT Course Descriptions

DEPARTMENTAL MISSION

The Department of Occupational Therapy supports the mission of the University and the College of Allied Health Sciences. The Occupational Therapy Mission Statement is committed to the development of lifelong learners who are able to systematically consider complex issues that influence the ability to engage in meaningful occupations within a culturally diverse society. The Department of OT is committed to the following: 

To Educate: OT's educational curriculum experiences include theory, practice, assessments and interventions, hands on skills, documentation, management and supervision courses, research projects, leadership development and fieldwork experiences.

To Discover: All OT students participate in scholarship activities and analyze evidence based occupational outcomes in order to positively impact the health of the people we serve. Research and scholarship experiences translate evidence based outcomes to improve population health, community benefits, and the OT profession.

To Care: The educational experiences are designed to provide client and family centered care through excellence in all service delivery, advocacy, and leadership roles. MCG's Department of OT has a commitment to quality and ethical care in order to meet the health care needs of a widely dispersed and diverse population. ( top)

ACCREDITATION AND PROGRAM OUTCOMES

The occupational therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Please visit the Accreditation and Program Outcomes page for more detailed information. ( top)

CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION FROM THE MHSOT PROGRAM

Students must meet requirements in the following areas in order to be recommended for graduation by the MHSOT program: The Georgia Regents University’s time frame for completion of all program requirements is specified as 4 years from the date of initial enrollment.

Curriculum: Students must have successfully completed all academic requirements set forth by the Department, including a passing score on the Departmental Exit Examination.

Research: All MHSOT students are required to complete a graduate level research project in conjunction with a faculty research mentor. Research projects will culminate by successful defense of the research topic on a date determined by the Chair and faculty.

Field Work Requirements: ACOTE requires all Occupational Therapy students successfully complete Level II fieldwork within the time frame established by the program. The time frame is specified as within twenty four month (2 years) of completion of academic course work.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE

Graduates of accredited programs are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successfully completing this certification examination (NBCOT), the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states, including Georgia, require licensure to practice. Hence, in such states, the therapist will receive a professional license, and be considered an OTR/L. State licenses are usually based on the receipt of a passing score on the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Disclaimer of Certification & Licensure:

• GRU - Students are continually required to disclose in writing to their dean and/or the director of Campus Life Services criminal convictions occurring since completing the application for admission. (Preapplication for admission criminal record disclosure is required on the application for admission.) Criminal convictions include adjudication of guilt by a judge or jury for any crime. This does not include minor traffic offenses, but it does include "no contest" pleas, first-offender treatment, convictions under appeal and convictions which have since been pardoned. Minor traffic offenses are those which do not involve driving while under the influence of alcohol and other drugs, which did not result in imprisonment and for which a fine of less than $250 was imposed. Disclosures should be made within 30 days of conviction. Retrieved July 20, 2009, from: GHSU Student Handbook 2010-2011.
• Department of Occupational Therapy - An integral part of the OT curriculum is successful completion of fieldwork experiences throughout the program. All OT students must consent to a criminal background check in order to have access to our fieldwork sites. Prior criminal history may impact the student's ability to be cleared for client contact, thus jeopardizing successful completion of the program.

Certification & Licensure: The National Board for Certification for Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) will require applicants to answer questions concerning felony history. This information is then available to states with Licensure. The Georgia Regents University Department of Occupational Therapy Program assumes no responsibility for ineligibility for sitting for the NBCOT certification examination or the denial of licensure in states in which there are such requirements. For further information please contact the:

National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy, Inc.
800 S. Frederick Avenue, Suite 200
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877-4150
Telephone: (301) 990-7979

Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217-3858
Telephone: (478) 207-1620

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