Occupational Therapy, M.S.
Occupational therapists (OTs) work with clients of all ages, who have physical, mental, or developmental difficulties to improve participation and engagement in daily activities.
Visit the program website for more information.
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Program Overview
Two curriculum options: traditional full-time, two-year program or the hybrid full-time, three-year program (for students who must maintain employment throughout the program due to life commitments). Both lead to an entry-level Master of Science in occupational therapy. Completion of all prerequisite coursework and the previous attainment of a bachelor's degree are required before starting either program.
Why Study Occupational Therapy at Grand Valley?
- Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. Phone: (301) 652-AOTA. Web: acoteonline.org.
- One hundred percent of GVSU occupational therapy graduates are employed as occupational therapists or in related fields.
- Grand Valley graduates have had a 98 percent pass rate over the past three years on the NBCOT Board Exam.
- OT is considered one of the top careers for the future with a growth rate of 26 percent in the next eight years.
- Named one of the top OT graduate programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
- 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.
Accreditation
The entry-level master's degree Occupational Therapy Program is 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 telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA
Web address is www.acoteonline.org.
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
- Low Residency
Coursework
OT students study a variety of topics that include:
- Developmental curriculum for pediatrics, adults, and older adults
- Group therapy
- Mental health
- Practice based research project
Application Deadline
Deadline for fall semester is January 15. The $30 application fee is waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU. Application information is available at 268297.com/ot and otcas.liaisoncas.com.
Admission Requirements
For general requirements for graduate admission, visit Grand Valley State University’s admission section of the online catalog.
Admission into the occupational therapy master's program has additional requirements, which are available on this page.
If you have additional questions, please contact our graduate admissions office.
Helpful Links
For More Information
College of Health ProfessionsDepartment of Occupational Science and Therapy
Occupational Therapy
268297.com/ot
500 Lafayette Ave.
NE, Suite 204, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 331-5500
Scott Truskowski, PH.D.,
OTRL
(616) 331-3128
To apply, please visit otcas.liaisoncas.com or contact the department chair.
“I think our program at GV did an excellent job at teaching us the core value of meaningful occupation. Overall, GVSU couldn't have prepared me better for thinking outside the box in some of the most challenging situations. I am so very grateful for our program.”
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ALUMNA