Skip to main content

2026-2027 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog [In Progress]

Search Help

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Health Professions section in this catalog.

Website: gvsu.edu/ot

The occupational therapy (OT) program offers two distinct academic paths to earning an entry-level Master of Science degree: a two-year traditional delivery model or a three-year hybrid delivery model. Both programs contain the same content, but the traditional program is intended for those students who can take 15 to 16 credits per semester and is primarily in-seat, while the hybrid program is intended for students who wish to maintain full-time employment throughout the curriculum and take a reduced credit load of 7 to 11 credits per semester.

The occupational therapy graduate curriculum is built around the science of occupation as the core knowledge base, which is predicated upon the assumption that occupational therapists must operate from a common base of knowledge, skills, values, and philosophy. The curriculum is designed to produce professional practitioners and socially conscious citizens who appreciate the unique perspective of individuals and the cultures that influence them, value a democratic perspective of health care and social services delivery, and apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and lifelong learning toward meeting the needs of society.

Accreditation

The occupational therapy (OT) traditional program and the OT hybrid program are fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE's phone number is (301)652-AOTA or (301)652-6611, and its web address is acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist, administered by the certifying body, National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), 800 S. Frederick Ave., Ste. 200, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice. However, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Mission, Vision, and Core Values

Mission: The mission of the GVSU Occupational Therapy Department is to educate and empower students to have a positive impact on the health of individuals and groups in our society through innovation and leadership in occupation-based practice.

Vision: We envision the Occupational Therapy Department as a leader in developing critical thinking skills and reflective judgment through a transformative approach to education that considers the connection between occupation and health over the lifespan. Through faculty and student scholarship/research and student service in the community, graduates will emerge as professionals prepared to create and lead the future of occupational therapy.

Core Values:

  • Occupation-Based
  • Active/Adult Learning
  • Innovation
  • Excellence
  • Community

Admissions

GVSU utilizes the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS). By the application deadline, all candidates must have completed at least nine credit hours of the prerequisite requirements (the elective and statistics course do not count toward this total) and have their application materials submitted to and verified by OTCAS.

Additional application information can be found on the How to Apply page.

A candidate can apply to either the traditional or hybrid delivery models as their first choice during the OTCAS application process. Applicants are able to select the other option as their second choice.

Admission to either program will also require completion of the Grand Valley State University graduate application. Candidates must complete all prerequisite courses and earn a bachelor's degree prior to entering the program. There will be no waivers or exceptions to this policy.

Completed applications should be submitted prior to the annual deadline found in OTCAS for both traditional and hybrid programs. All application forms and supplemental application materials should be submitted through OTCAS. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that all application materials are verified within OTCAS annual deadline.

Here is a checklist for applicants:

  • Complete The Graduate School application online within OTCAS.
  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended prior to the annual application deadline via OTCAS. Students are responsible for sending official transcripts at the end of each semester for proof of completion of prerequisites and if admitted to the program, to demonstrate progress toward or completion of a bachelor's degree.
  • Submit three recommenders within OTCAS from any combination of an OTR, a professor, or an employer.
  • Complete the Prerequisite GPA Calculation form and upload into OTCAS.
    • At least nine credit hours of prerequisite coursework must be completed at the time of application. The elective and the statistics course are not included in this requirement. Each individual prerequisite course must be completed with a grade of C or better.
    • GPA scores for the prerequisite courses and for the last 60 hours must both be at or above 3.0.
    • A plan for completion of prerequisites that are not fulfilled at the time of application must also be included in the Prerequisite GPA Calculation form.
  • Complete the Experiences section of OTCAS detailing student accomplishments that reflect the core values of the program. The program will be most interested in Health-Related Experiences, Employment, Leadership, Teaching Experience, Research, Volunteer/Community Enrichment.

Prerequisites

PREREQUISITE COURSES

Prerequisite Course Name

GVSU Course Equivalent

Anatomy and Physiology Sequence A

BMS 208 AND BMS 290 AND BMS 309

OR Anatomy and Physiology Sequence B

BMS 250 AND BMS 251

Kinesiology

MOV 300

Psychopathology

PSY 303

Lifespan Developmental Psychology

PSY 364

One of the following:

Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience

Neuropsychology

Neuroanatomy

EITHER:

PSY 330

OR PSY 431

OR BMS 427

Intro to Statistics

STA 215

One elective from psychology, sociology, anthropology, public health, or related field (200-level or higher).

The Prerequisite GPA Calculation Form details the prerequisite course requirements for the program and allows candidates to document their progress.

If candidates have any questions regarding the prerequisites, they may contact the College of Health Professions (CHP) Student Services office at gvsu.edu/chpss. The OT program Admissions Committee must approve any prerequisite not posted on gvsu.edu/ot/guide-list.htm or gvsu.edu/studentapps/mtn. The OT program accepts prerequisite courses that have been taken at accredited community colleges and/or universities. All non-GVSU prerequisite courses not found in either of these guides should be first reviewed by a Student Services advisor; a member of the OT program Admissions Committee may be consulted to ensure the course meets admissions standards. It is better to ask questions and have the prerequisite course reviewed/approved prior to your enrollment in the course. This will avoid potential barriers in the admission process.

Some prerequisites might be available through Michigan Colleges Online at micollegesonline.org.

GPA REQUIREMENTS

Each candidate must have at least a 3.0 GPA average in both the last 60-hours of coursework and in the prerequisite coursework with no individual prerequisite grade below a C. If a student elects to repeat a course, the program will use the higher grade of the two courses in the prerequisite GPA calculation. The OT program Admissions Committee will not complete a full review of applications with GPA scores lower than 3.0 in either category.

International student applicants should be able to communicate effectively in English and submit the following materials:

  • Original or certified original transcripts
  • Written TOEFL score minimum of 550; Minimum IELTS score of 6.5
  • Official transcript credential evaluation (e.g., WES, ECE)

Five-year Prerequisite Requirement

Note: All prerequisite coursework must have been completed within five years of the year of application. Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants and others with professional experience related to content addressed in pre-requisite courses, can request a waiver to the 5-year rule.

Degree Requirements

Completion of 81 to 84 credits is required for the master's degree in occupational therapy. General graduate academic policies can be found in the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog. General university degree requirements are in the Academic Regulations section of the catalog, and the requirements for undergraduate majors are in the Academic Programs section.

Because the occupational therapy program prepares students to practice in a variety of settings, the department assumes the responsibility to assure the public that our students have met high standards of professional behavior, academic achievement, and consistent evidence of response to consumer needs. All students must complete all health compliance requirements, including criminal background checks and drug screens prior to participation in certain clinical experiences. The cost of health compliance tests and screens the responsibility of the student.

The program requires that students attain a minimum of 84-percent competency in each course. This requirement is reflected in each course syllabus across the professional curriculum.

* Level II fieldwork must be completed within 24 months of completion of the academic program.

Suggested Order of Coursework for Traditional Program

Year One

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

Summer Semester:

Year Two

Fall Semester:

Winter Semester:

Summer Semester:

Suggested Order of Coursework for Hybrid Delivery Model

Fall One

Winter One

Summer One

OST 502 (3 credits)

OST 503 (3 credits)

OST 555 (3 credits)

OST 551 (3 credits)

OST 505 (3 credits)

PNH 668 (3 credits)

OST 552 (3 credits)

OST 553 (2 credits)

STA 610 (3 credits)

OST 600 (2 credits)

TOTAL: 9 credits

TOTAL: 10 credits

TOTAL: 9 credits

Fall Two

Winter Two

Summer Two

OST 557 (2 credits)

OST 558 (3 credits)/OST 559 (2 credits)

OST 571 (3 credits)/OST 572 (3 credits)

OST 561/OST 562 (5 credits)

OST 564 (2 credits)

OST 573 (1 credit)

OST 563 (1 credit)

OST 565 (3 credits)

OST 693 (1 to 3 credits)/OST 695 (2 to 4 credits)

Total: 8 credits

Total: 10 credits

Total: 8-10 credits

Fall Three

Winter Three

Summer Three

OST 651/OST 652 (6 credits)

OST 660 (FW) (9 credits)

OST 661 (FW) (9 credits)

OST 653 (1 credit)

OST 693 (1 to 3)/OST 695 (2 to 4 credits)

Total: 9 credits

Total: 9 credits

Total: 10 credits

Total Credits: 81 to 84 credits

Occupational Science and Therapy Program Description

Click here for the program description.


If you are in need of assistance please submit any questions or comments.