Combined Degree: Occupational Therapy M.S. and Dr.O.T.
The combined master of science and doctor of occupational therapy program at Grand Valley State University offers current qualified OT students the opportunity to earn two degrees, meeting their unique personal, academic, and career goals. Pursuing a combined degree can reduce the cost and total time required to complete both.
Visit the program website for more information.
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Program Overview
The combined degree program allows students to complete the master's and doctorate OT programs with nine credits counting towards both degrees. It is an ideal pathway for students seeking advanced practice skills in OT preparing them for advocacy, leadership, and teaching opportunities.
This path waives the required 2 years of practice experience and in place of this requirement will consider:
- academic performance through the master's courses;
- six months of full-time work during level 2 fieldwork experience;
- NBCOT certification (following completion of level 2 fieldwork); and
- continuous employment throughout the doctoral coursework.
Application Requirements
- Minimum of 3.25 GPA in MSOT courses.
- Critical evaluation of an occupational therapy article.
- Submission of a personal statement, including specific goals and timelines for completion.
- Interview with faculty members.
- Three letters of support from professional colleagues, supervisors, or faculty.
- Professional resume.
Initial application materials for traditional students is due by December 1; application materials for hybrid students are due by April 1. See program director/advisor for details.
Why Pursue a Combined Degree in Occupational Therapy at Grand Valley?
- The combined degree program allows you to accelerate your career trajectory and complete your degrees one step ahead of the competition.
- OT is considered one of the top careers for the future with a growth rate of 26 percent in the next eight years.
- Faculty have a diverse set of clinical experiences and are highly skilled in the design and facilitation of a challenging and rewarding distance program.
- GVSU is the only public university in Michigan to offer a post professional doctorate in occupational therapy and the only OT combined degree program in the state of Michigan.
- Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. Phone: (301) 652-AOTA. Web: acoteonline.org.
- Grand Valley offers the same graduate tuition rate for in- and out-of-state students.
Career Insights
This tool shows an overview of potential career opportunities for this major. Actual salaries, employment opportunities, and job titles may change over time.
Location & Format
Classes for the program are a combination of online and in-seat on the GVSU Health Campus, near the Grand Rapids Medical Mile.
Formats:- Face To Face
- Hybrid
Coursework
The following courses will count towards completion of the M.S. and Dr.O.T. degrees:
- OST 710 - Health Disparities
- OST 715 - Occupational Science
- OST 735 - Policy & Advocacy
Admission Requirements
For general requirements for graduate admission, visit Grand Valley State University’s admission section of the online catalog.
To enter the M.S. in OT/Dr.O.T. combined degree program, interested students must first be accepted into either the traditional or hybrid MSOT program at GVSU. Visit the catalog listing for additional admission requirement information for the combined master of science and doctorate in occupational therapy.
Helpful Links
For More Information
College of Health ProfessionsDepartment of Occupational Science and Therapy
Occupational Therapy
[email protected]
500 Lafayette Ave, Suite 204
Grand Rapids, MI
49503
(616) 331-5500