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Occupational Therapy

A page within Occupational Therapy

Earn a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT)

OT students practicing techniques OT students practicing techniques
OT students practicing techniques OT students practicing techniques
OT students practicing techniques OT students practicing techniques
OT students practicing techniques OT students practicing techniques
OT students practicing techniques OT students practicing techniques

Program distinction

ENTRY LEVEL MASTER'S DEGREE
24 month program beginning September 2025

PERFECT PASS RATE
100% pass rate on National Board Certification for Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam

SMALL CLASS SIZES
Low student-faculty ratios for personalized feedback & relationships

HANDS-ON LEARNING
Throughout curriculum in coursework, labs, fieldwork, and clinic experiences

HEALTH SCIENCE CONSORTIUM
Inter-professional collaboration & research with allied health programs from local universities

 

Students collaborating

Graduate preparation and employment

NATIONALLY ACCREDITED PROGRAM
The 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, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. 

IMPRESSIVE EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Employment of Occupational Therapists is expected to grow 12% from 2022-2032, much faster than national average (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

 

OT student working with child

What is an occupational therapist?

Occupational Therapy (OT) practitioners implement a holistic perspective focused on adapting environments to fit the client.

Practitioners incorporate techniques to assist people across lifespan participate in everyday activities (occupations). Services provided by an OT include:

  • Individualized evaluation
  • Environment evaluation
  • Goal determination
  • Customized interventions for daily activity performance
  • Recommendations & training in equipment use
  • Caregiver guidance & education
  • Outcomes evaluation 
OT students practicing technique

MSOT vs. OTD

MSOT vs OTD? - How do I decide which is best for me? 

  • Currently, it is approved to practice occupational therapy with either an entry-level Master's Degree (i.e. MSOT) or entry-level Doctorate (i.e. OTD). 
  • Both degrees typically earn the same pay in entry-level, clinical positions
  • Both degrees create qualified applicants for competitive clinical positions 
  • A Master's degree is shorter in length and will save you time and money allowing you to start hands-on with your clients
  • A Doctoral degree will support future careers in higher education and research 
  • If occupational therapy education should ever require an entry-level Doctorate, practicing therapists with Master's degrees will be grandfathered in and do not require additional degrees 
  • If you are ever interested in advancing your degree after receiving your Master’s degree, many flexible post-professional OTD programs are available that will support continuing your education while working. 

Contact our program

PROGRAM INQUIRIES & APPLICATION QUESTIONS 

Peter Amann  Profile of Peter Amann

Application Review Specialist
4033 Health Science Center
pamann@uwlax.edu

MEET OUR GRADUATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Laura Schaffer  Profile of Laura Schaffer

Program Director - Occupational Therapy
4049 Health Science Center
lschaffer@uwlax.edu

Specialty areas:

Physical Dysfunction

Neurological Conditions and Treatment

Acute care and inpatient rehabilitation

GoBabyGo!

Spinal Cord Injury Support Group Facilitator

LSVT-Big Certified (Parkinson's Treatment)

Strong interest in Interprofessional Education (IPE) and community based practice

Increasing access to OT for underserved populations

Application Window

Interested in joining the program for Fall 2025?  The 2024-25 OTCAS application cycle opens July 14.  The program requires applicants have a complete OTCAS application by the December 14 deadline.  To learn more about applying, please visit "Application process"

Meet Dr. Wags

Program welcomes Rossi, Canine Companions Facility Dog.

UWL Story

WEAU News Story

Rossi the dog

Health professions news feed

UWL students engaged with athletes at various stations, measuring physical fitness data. Project ALL STAR Posted 10:29 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 UWL students help collect health insights on Special Olympics athletes Read more about Project ALL STAR Nate Vannatta's journey in physical therapy has come full circle — now working alongside UWL faculty that he learned from as a student. From student to colleague Posted 10:29 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21, 2024 Alum Nate Vannatta’s career strengthens ties between UWL and Gundersen Read more about From student to colleague The study involved 26 TKR patients performing squats and leg presses at an outpatient sports medicine clinic. Balancing act Posted 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 New UWL research offers hope for enhanced recovery after total knee replacement Read more about Balancing act Professor of Health Professions/Physical Therapy Tom Kernozek was selected to serve on a statewide task force exploring ways to grow Wisconsin's health care workforce. A stronger health care workforce Posted 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 Professor of Health Professions Tom Kernozek lends expertise to statewide task force Read more about A stronger health care workforce UWL students observed a total knee replacement at the Gundersen Integrated Center for Education (ICE House). An inside look Posted 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 Unique partnership at Gundersen's ICE House allows students to explore healthcare careers up close  Read more about An inside look
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