Occupational Therapy
NEW PROGRAM BEGINNING FALL 2025:
This program is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The Department of Occupational Therapy at William Carey University anticipates accepting its first cohort of Master of Occupational Therapy students (traditional and OTA to MOT) for the Fall 2025 academic term.
The Department of Occupational Therapy at William Carey University offers two pathways to a Master of Occupational Therapy degree, including a traditional MOT program and an OTA to MOT Bridge program.
The William Carey University traditional MOT program accepts a limited number of students for the fall semester of each academic year.
Program Overview
Hours
The program is 80 credit hours.
Delivery Method
This program is delivered in a traditional in-person format at William Carey’s Hattiesburg campus, with required clinical/experiential learning that allows students to work alongside established and trusted industry experts, to gain advanced skills and knowledge to graduate, to become a leader in the profession, and to build their social impact as a occupational therapist within our communities.
Curriculum
The traditional MOT program provides an innovative contemporary curriculum that is student-focused to promote professional and scholarly excellence in clinical knowledge and skills, professional development, leadership and advocacy skills, and advanced knowledge in evidence-based practice. The curriculum is delivered through a blend of didactic courses, campus lab immersions, seminars, fieldwork experiences, community service, and web-based instruction to ensure that students are competent to provide optimal care and implement therapeutic approaches to improve the quality of life for patients/clients. Our program's holistic approach addresses the importance of acknowledging people's physical, psychological, and emotional needs.
During the program, students will have several integrated experiences with specific populations, from pediatrics to adults. After successfully completing the didactic coursework, students will participate in two 12-week Level II fieldwork rotations.
The MOT curriculum prepares students for entry-level practice in traditional and role-emerging settings and with clients across the lifespan, such as hospitals, clinics, schools, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home health, etc.
Applicant Prerequisites & Requirements
Prospective Students must:
- Hold an earned Baccalaureate Degree from a regionally accredited college or university. A degree must be conferred prior to entering the MOT program.
- Complete all sections of the OTCAS application by the deadline date at https://otcas.liaisoncas.com/ using Institutional Code 7400. No documents should be sent directly to William Carey University.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for OT prerequisite courses.
- A grade of "B" or above in each prerequisite course is recommended; however, no grade lower than a "C" will be accepted in these courses.
- It is recommended that prerequisites be completed within seven years of the the relevant application cycle.
- Complete 40 hours of observation under a licensed occupational therapist or licensed OTA in two different settings. A minimum of 50% of hours must be observed under a licensed occupational therapist. Must be verified and submitted electronically to OTCAS.
- Provide three letters of recommendation. It is required that one of the recommendation letters be from a licensed occupational therapy practitioner.
- It is most important that the people providing recommendations know you well so that they can provide specific examples of your strengths and accomplishments. Letters of recommendation must be submitted through OTCAS.
- After the initial processing of applications, selected applicants will complete an admission interview.
|
Courses |
Semester/Term Credit Hours |
|
|
Human Anatomy with lab AND Human Physiology with lab |
8 |
|
|
Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
|
|
Abnormal Psychology |
3 |
|
|
Human Growth & Development |
3 |
|
|
Sociology or Social Sciences |
3 |
|
|
Statistics |
3 |
|
|
Oral Communication |
2 - 3 |
Complete all application steps at https://otcas.liaisoncas.com/
Tuition & Fees
For the 2025-2026 academic year, the expected tuition rate for the Master of Occupational program is $25,000*.
*Rates subject to change
Please note, this does not include additional costs such as immunizations, drug screenings, criminal background checks, CPR certification, graduation fees, and other expenses which may be incurred, which are the responsibility of the student.
Our Financial Aid Office is committed to guiding students through the financial aid process effectively. Mississippi students have various financing options available, including military benefits, work-study programs, and need-based loans. For assistance, please reach out to financialaid-tradition@wmcarey.edu or call 228-702-1809.
Career Outlooks
Graduates of the WCU MOT program will be eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. Successful completion of this exam qualifies the individual as an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) and makes them eligible to be licensed to practice occupational therapy in most states, including Mississippi. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification exam or attain state licensure.
The William Carey University OTA to MOT Bridge program accepts a limited number of students for the fall semester of each academic year.
Program Overview
Hours
The program is 74 credit hours and can be completed in 7 semesters.
Delivery Method
This program is delivered in a hybrid format that allows students to continue part-time work as an occupational therapy assistant while in the MOT program. Didactic preparatory work is completed online; and students commute to William Carey’s Hattiesburg campus for extended weekends three to four times per term to attend in-person classes and labs.
Required clinical/experiential learning experiences allow students to work alongside established and trusted industry experts, to gain advanced skills and knowledge to graduate, to become a leader in the profession, and to build their social impact as an occupational therapist within our communities.
Curriculum
The OTA to MOT Bridge program provides an innovative contemporary curriculum that is student-focused to promote professional and scholarly excellence in clinical knowledge and skills, professional development, leadership and advocacy skills, and advanced knowledge in evidence-based practice. The curriculum is delivered through a blend of didactic courses, campus lab immersions, seminars, fieldwork experiences, community service, and web-based instruction to ensure that students are competent to provide optimal care and implement therapeutic approaches to improve the quality of life for patients/clients. Our program's holistic approach addresses the importance of acknowledging people's physical, psychological, and emotional needs.
During the program, students will have several integrated experiences with specific populations, from pediatrics to adults. After successfully completing the didactic coursework, students will participate in two 12-week Level II fieldwork rotations.
The MOT curriculum prepares students for entry-level practice in traditional and role-emerging settings and with clients across the lifespan, such as hospitals, clinics, schools, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home health, etc.
Applicant Prerequisites & Requirements
Prospective Students must:
- Graduated from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program with an associate's degree
- Hold an unencumbered OTA license throughout the duration of the program.
- Complete all sections of the OTCAS application by the deadline date at https://otcas.liaisoncas.com/ using Institutional Code 7400. No documents should be sent directly to William Carey University.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for OT prerequisite courses.
- A grade of "B" or above in each prerequisite course is recommended; however, no grade lower than a "C" will be accepted in these courses.
- One year of full-time work experience as a licensed occupational therapy assistant.
- A professional resume
- Provide three letters of recommendation. It is required that one of the recommendation letters be from a licensed occupational therapy practitioner.
-
- It is most important that the people providing recommendations know you well so that they can provide specific examples of your strengths and accomplishments. Letters of recommendation must be submitted through OTCAS.
- After the initial processing of applications, selected applicants will complete an admission interview.
Courses
Semester/Term Credit Hours
Human Anatomy with lab AND Human Physiology with lab
OR
Human Anatomy & Physiology I with lab AND Human Anatomy & Physiology II with lab8
Introduction to Psychology
3
Abnormal Psychology
3
Human Growth & Development
(Life Span Development)3
Sociology or Social Sciences
3
Statistics
3
Oral Communication
2 - 3
Complete all application steps at https://otcas.liaisoncas.com/
Tuition & Fees
For the 2025-2026 academic year, the expected tuition rate for the Master of Occupational program is $25,000*.
*Rates subject to change
Please note, this does not include additional costs such as immunizations, drug screenings, criminal background checks, CPR certification, graduation fees, and other expenses which may be incurred, which are the responsibility of the student.
Our Financial Aid Office is committed to guiding students through the financial aid process effectively. Mississippi students have various financing options available, including military benefits, work-study programs, and need-based loans. For assistance, please reach out to financialaid-tradition@wmcarey.edu or call 228-702-1809.
Career Outlooks
Graduates of the WCU MOT program will be eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. Successful completion of this exam qualifies the individual as an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) and makes them eligible to be licensed to practice occupational therapy in most states, including Mississippi. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification exam or attain state licensure.
The Master of Occupational Therapy Program at William Carey University is candidacy 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; (301-652-6611); email accred@aota.org. For additional information related to the programs accreditation status, click here.
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