Occupational Therapy, Master of Science

The Occupational Therapy course curriculum prepares you to become an occupational therapist in dynamic health care and human services systems. It reflects the mission and values of McDaniel College and the Graduate and Professional Studies division. McDaniel's Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program is committed to supporting the educational standards of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

Our faculty ensure that topical "threads" bridge different Occupational Therapy courses. You'll learn through lectures, case studies, discussions, presentations, research, technology, simulation, labs, inter-professional collaborative practice, and service-immersive projects and fieldwork experiences. 

Students will also gain experience with diverse populations of all ages in traditional and emerging health care and community settings. 

Level I Fieldwork is completed once each semester, beginning in the second semester, for four total experiences. It supports didactic coursework through participation in selected aspects of the occupational therapy process. Objectives may be met through community service-learning and a host of instructional methods such as simulation, faculty led site visits, interactions with standardized patients and observations. 

Level II Fieldwork integrates two 12-week fieldwork learning opportunities during which students apply the scope of professional knowledge and skills acquired to clients in practice settings. Level II Fieldwork only occurs after successful completion of coursework. Level II Fieldwork placements are collaboratively developed between the program and facilities overseen by licensed occupational therapists. Both Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences embrace diverse methods that ultimately promote student engagement and competency when working with lifespan populations in traditional and emerging practice arenas. 

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 18 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status 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 telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. 

For more information, please visit our Professional Licensure webpage.

McDaniel College M.S. in Occupational Therapy Program Outcomes

Data on McDaniel College graduation rates from the M.S. in Occupational Therapy will be available upon the inaugural summer 2026 cohort's completion of the program.

*The number of students who graduated according to the published program length. If a student does not graduate according to the published program length, the student will not be counted in any graduation rate.

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) School Performance Data

1. Apply contemporary theories and occupation-based approaches to deliver therapeutic evidence-based services to individuals, groups, and populations across the lifespan.
2. Implement client-centered, collaborative, and inter-professional practices to maximize quality of life of all clients.
3. Adhere to ethical principles, attitudes, and professional behaviors consistent with the AOTA Code of Ethics that promote inclusion, participation, safety, and health and well-being.
4. Deliver holistic care by considering contextual factors such as psychosocial, culture, diversity, health equity and service in traditional and evolving health care environments.
5. Contribute to the profession’s global body of knowledge through participation and research that advance leadership, advocacy, professional growth, and life-long learning.
6. Act as change agents and leaders that employ policy, socioeconomics, political factors, emerging technologies, and resources to inform occupational therapy administration and management.