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Students collaborating at table.

Program profile

Curriculum

The MSOT program is 24 months in length with extensive hands on clinical experiences woven through the curriculum.  The curriculum includes 18 months of face to face on campus education followed by 24 weeks of full time Level II Fieldwork at sites across the United States.

Curriculum design

Curricular threads

The professional program is conceptualized as a confluence of five curricular threads emphasized at different points in the curriculum: 

  • Foundational science
  • Research (scholarly practice) skills
  • Professional identity/leadership
  • Clinical skills
  • Community engagement
Revised

FOUNDATIONAL SCIENCE - Provides understanding of occupational performance and effects of disease/developmental delays based in scientific reasoning.

SCHOLARLY PRACTICE SKILLS - Allow for precise evaluation and interpretation of data/documentation.

PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY/LEADERSHIP - Strong emphasis on therapeutic use of self, multicultural sensitivity, and professional behaviors. 

CLINICAL SKILLS - Includes the knowledge and skills necessary for OTs to make decisions at each step of the occupational therapy process.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - A pillar to our University and Program's strategic plans. Active engagement in our community promotes mutually beneficial relationships by investing in our people, providing services, advocacy and monetary donations, while promoting personal and clinical growth in students.

Facilities

Health Science Center (HSC) serves as the UWL-OT program's home. The HSC  provides lecture space for didactic courses as well as clinical and lab facilities. In addition to the UWL Health Professions Programs, the HSC also houses Western Technical College Health Professions Programs, allowing opportunities for inter-professional collaboration.. 

Campus parking info and map

Accreditation & program history

Accreditation

The UWL OT program is accredited by:

  • Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
    7501 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 510E
    North Bethesda, MD  20814
    301-652-6211
    accred@aota.org
    www.acoteonline.org.

Occupational Therapy educational programs are periodically reaccredited to maintain the quality of the program. The UWL OT program was last accredited (for 10 years) in 2015. 

History

The UWL OT program graduated its first class in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree. The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program began in 2005, with the first class graduating in 2007.

Mission

The University of Wisconsin‐La Crosse Occupational Therapy Program is a regionally recognized program, grounded in foundational sciences, hands-on learning, and community engagement. Graduates serve as entry level leaders and team members in the community. UWL occupational therapy graduates are committed to providing quality evidence-based services individualized to facilitate quality of life, wellness, and participation throughout all populations.

Students collaborating
Program outcomes

Outcomes

Graduation year (calendar year)

Students entering / Students graduating

Graduation rate

Percent of students with passing NBCOT certification scores
(including retakes)

2022

26/26

100%

100%

2023

26/26

100%

100%

2024

25/24

96%

In Progress

Total

77/76

99%

100%

The official pass rate for the UWL program is available from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) (select Wisconsin, Masters Programs and year of interest).  

Fieldwork rotations

Fieldwork experiences are integrated into the curriculum to enhance implementation OT process knowledge and skills in various practice settings.

Program fieldwork timeline:

TYPE SETTING TIMELINE LENGTH
Level I Physical Dysfunction Summer 2 1 week
Level I Pediatrics Winter 2 1 week
Level I Community Health Wellness Spring 2 40 hours
Student led community clinics Pediatric & Adult Spring 2 Semester
Level II variety Summer 3 12 weeks
Level II variety Fall 3 12 weeks

*Throughout the curriculum, all clinical courses incorporate additional hands-on learning opportunities.

Fieldwork educator resources