Florida International University
Department of Occupational Therapy
Graduate Program Information

The Department of Occupational Therapy offers a Master of Science degree in occupational therapy. This graduate program has two tracks available: the Advanced Master's for students who already hold a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy, and the Professional Master's for students who hold a Bachelor's degree in another field. Students who are enrolled in the Professional Master's program must complete the regular 36 credit M.S. degree, but must also complete the 53 credit Professional Certificate in Occupational Therapy. The Professional Certificate is only available as part of the Master's program, and we do not admit students who only intend to complete the Certificate.

The Advanced Master's program primarily attracts working occupational therapists who live in the South Florida area. Most of these students attend class in the evening, and there is no cap on this program. There is a thesis requirement and part time students generally complete the degree in two to three years. The Professional Master's program attracts students who hold a degree, but want to change professions. This three year program first brings the student through the professional level coursework (contained in the Certificate program) and then through the same graduate level courses and thesis that are required of the Advanced Master's students. Due to the combined nature of this program (certificate level plus master's level courses), students take 89 or more credits to receive their degree. The cap on this program is 20 students admitted per year.

The Professional Certificate (as part of the Master's degree) are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The programs undergo accreditation review each six to seven years, and all reviews have been favorable.

Prerequisites for Admission

• Students who will enter the Professional Masters program have the following prerequisite requirements:
  Biology with lab (3-4 credits)
  Human Physiology (3 credits, or 2 semesters of combined anatomy and physiology)
  Statistics (3 credits)
  Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
  Theories of Personality (3 credits)
  Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
  *Human Anatomy and lab
  *Neuroscience

* These courses may be taken within the occupational therapy program if not taken as prerequisite.

• Students who will enter the Advanced Masters program only have the following prerequisite:
  Statistics (3 credits)

Occupational Therapy Graduate Policies and Procedures Manual

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