Occupational Therapy

M.S. in Occupational Therapy

Now expanding to the Grand Rapids Campus! Recruitment is currently in progress for a fall 2009 cohort. The admission deadline is February 1, 2009.

WMU's OT program earns US News & World Report ranking!
In its 2008 Best Graduate Schools ranking, US News & World report lists Western Michigan University's Occupational Therapy program in the top 25% of OT programs in the country. With a ranking of 33, WMU is the highest-ranked program in the State of Michigan, surpassing five other institutions. According to the magazine, these rankings are based on two types of data: expert opinion about program quality and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school's faculty, research, and students.

View the rankings at: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/occ/search

Program details
Enroll now in prerequisite courses. Contact Jaclyn West-Frasier at (269) 387-7244 or email jaclyn.west-frasier@wmich.edu for program information.

Due to the number of qualified applicants outnumbering the space available in Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is bringing the Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy program to the Grand Rapids Campus. The program will be equivalent to the existing master's program in Kalamazoo.

Workforce shortages are expected as baby boomers age and require assistance regaining and building skills for independent functioning, health, well-being and security. Money magazine has named Occupational Therapy as the 9th fastest-growing occupation in the U.S., and Forbes Magazine has listed it as one of the 50 best professions.

The entry-level program for non-therapists is designed to prepare the student to treat clients with various disabilities, and be eligible for certification as an occupational therapist after successful completion of the Master of Science degree. This twenty-eight month program of combined academic and clinical education is intended for the student who has a baccalaureate degree in an area of study other than occupational therapy. Upon completion of the academic program, the student participates in six months of internship, which leads to the award of the Master of Science degree and eligibility to take the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy examination. Entry is in the fall semester of each year, and full-time study is expected. The professional component provides a solid preparation for entry-level clinical practice as an occupational therapist.

Program accreditation

The professional master’s program in occupational therapy is expanding to the WMU-Grand Rapids Campus. The program is developing and is in the process of obtaining accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
PO Box 31220
Bethesda, MD 20824-1220
(301) 652-AOTA (2682)

Prerequisite courses      open close