In the occupational therapy program, you’ll engage in a mix of classroom, laboratory, group projects, and various levels of fieldwork experiences. As a student, you will become practiced in entry-level occupational therapy theory, evaluation and treatment techniques, clinical reasoning, research, teaching skills, management, and teamwork.

With the opportunity for flexible scheduling, the occupational therapy program is ideal for any type of student. You’ll gain experience working under the direction of trained therapists in two full-time internships that will help you build essential technical and clinical skills, critical problem-solving techniques, leadership skills, and self-confidence and professional identity. And, with more than 300 fieldwork sites across the country that are affiliated with the program, chances are that you’ll be able to do something you love—all while giving back to your community.

Master's Degree, MS, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy Department offers an entry-level master’s degree program for persons with various backgrounds and levels of education who wish to become occupational therapists. Fully encompassing Springfield College’s humanics philosophy, the occupational therapy program emphasizes that health and learning are best gained through an approach that unifies spirit, mind, and body. The overarching goal of the programs is to foster in each student a strong sense of professional identity embracing the basic tenets and ethical practices of the profession.

The entry level course of study includes occupational therapy theory, skills and administration in working with individuals across the life span. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449, telephone 301-652-2682, www.acoteonline.org). Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, 12 South Summit Avenue, Suite 100, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, telephone 301-990-7979, www.nbcot.org). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states also require licensure in order to practice.

Interested students are encouraged to contact the Occupational Therapy Department at (413) 748-3581 to attend an information session or to meet with a faculty member before or while applying for admission to the program. General criteria for admission are included in the Graduate Catalog, and specific criteria are included under the program description that follows.