Master of Occupational Therapy

Foster Independence

Support well-being and become a more effective caregiver with a Master of Occupational Therapy from The University of Texas at Tyler.

Build on your training and experience as a certified occupational therapy assistant to become an Occupational Therapist. Develop new skills and sharpen your judgment under guidance from expert faculty who are active practitioners and researchers. Get ready to take the NBCOT exam and look ahead to the next stage of your career with a convenient, affordable program structured for working professionals.

Why Earn a Master of Occupational Therapy at UT Tyler?

There's satisfaction in completing the tasks and activities of daily life. With additional training and opportunities, you can help others achieve or recover their independence and improve their overall quality-of-life.

UT Tyler’s master’s in occupational therapy program equips you to impact rehabilitative care in East Texas through:

• World-Class Faculty: Learn from professors who actively contribute to the field. Our faculty publish articles and give talks on topics like “How to Create an Occupational-Based Group for Clients With Dementia and Their Caregivers,” “Effective Strategies for Therapists Communicating With Parents” and “Occupational Therapy's Role in Maternal Mental Health." Our Program Director has years of training in OTA and OT education and understands the value of bridge programs, as they are so few in the country.
• Convenient Schedule: Lower your stress with a program designed for working professionals. UT Tyler holds class sessions on campus every other weekend in the fall and spring and for four weekends during the summer. You, meanwhile, complete the rest of your coursework online. Finish your degree in five semesters, including two semesters of fieldwork experience.
• Effective Learning: Reap all the benefits of a program informed by current theories of adult learning and engagement. Classroom instruction, lab work and clinical experience with real clients combine to reinforce concepts and refine your professional competence.
• Ready for Licensure: After completing your degree requirements, confidently sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam, the first step in applying for state licensure.
• Accredited: Get solid preparation that follows the field’s best practices. UT Tyler’s program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
• Affordability: Build your professional skills without building a burden of debt. We offset our already-low tuition with graduate assistantships, scholarships and other forms of financial support.

Curriculum

The Master of Occupational Therapy is a 68-credit-hour program you can complete in two and a half years. The program is designed for certified occupational therapy assistants and builds on their bachelor's-level knowledge and clinical experience.

Strengthen what you know about Applied Neuroanatomy, the Art & Science of Occupational Therapy Practice and Occupation & Evaluation. At the same time, develop your research skills, leadership abilities and professional ethics.

Gain practice and hands-on experience through two semesters of fieldwork assignments in clinical settings, where seasoned supervisors mentor and direct your progress.

Graduate ready to:

• Employ advanced clinical reasoning and critical thinking processes that build upon your background.
• Approach your practice with an enhanced level of self-reflection.
• Use new skills and knowledge to serve those with whom you work more effectively.
• Engage in culturally sensitive, ethical, holistic, client-centered and evidence-based practice.

See All Master of Occupational Therapy Degree Requirements

What Can You Do With a Master of Occupational Therapy?

Reach a new level in this rapidly growing field as a licensed occupational therapist. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 14% more positions by 2031, a rate much faster than average. Additionally, there is a growing demand nationally and within East Texas for healthcare workers trained in mental health needs, including within rehabilitation.

Or, use your rehabilitation expertise and experience to serve in related areas, finding work as a:

• Consultant
• Director of Rehabilitation
• Health Education Specialist
• Occupational Therapy Supervisor
• Rehabilitation Liaison
• Entrepreneur or Professor

How to Apply

Graduate Admission Requirements

To apply to the Master of Occupational Therapy program, you must currently be a licensed, experienced Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

You should additionally provide proof of or undergo the following:

• A completed online application.
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution completed prior to application.
• Official transcripts for all prior college- or graduate-level work.
• One year of full-time experience as a licensed COTA (or 1500 hours), completed prior to application.
• An overall GPA of 3.0/4.0 calculated on your last 60 credit hours.
• A completed Recommendation Form from two licensed OTs who supervised you and documented these hours. Have your referrers submit completed forms to ogs@uttyler.edu.
• Submit a current résumé to the department or email it to ot@uttyler.edu.
• Completion of all prerequisite courses with a grade of "B" or higher prior to applying.
• A completed Prerequisite Form.
• Successfully complete an admission interview.

Please submit your official transcripts and GRE scores to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

See General Graduate School Admissions Requirements

Tuition

The estimated total cost of attendance for the program is $30,000. Read more about tuition, charges and fees, as well as cost information for non-Texas residents.

Important Dates

March 1

Application deadline for fall admission.

May 1

Decision deadline for admitted students.

October 1

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens for the upcoming academic year.