Program Overview
Our new entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy bridge program provides an avenue for certified occupational therapy assistants to become licensed occupational therapists. If you are an assistant with a bachelor’s degree, you can advance your career opportunities with the bridge program and open the door to expanded clinical roles, more specialized credentialing, upward mobility in leadership roles, an increase in salary, or teaching positions.
Our program is now enrolling for its first cohort and will begin classes in September 2024. Our hybrid model provides students with flexibility as working professionals while still having eight onsite visits to campus for collaborative learning opportunities with other occupational therapists as well as interprofessional collaboration with the University’s optometry and counseling programs.
Program Highlights
Bridge Program for OT Assistants
Certified occupational therapy assistants with a bachelor’s degree can immediately enroll in the bridge program and earn their master’s degree in six semesters.
Collaborative & Interprofessional Partnerships
When on campus, students will experience a traditional classroom setting, explore special topics and participate in clinical labs in partnership with the Doctor of Optometry and the Master of Science – Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs.
All assessment and intervention-based courses incorporate understanding and addressing of psychosocial factors that influence an individual psychologically, physically and socially across the lifespan.
Advanced Career Opportunities
Certified occupational therapy assistants can advance their career opportunities with a master’s degree. An assistant’s desire to transition to a therapist may include salary increase, advancement and leadership opportunities, teaching positions, expanded clinical roles or additional credentialling in pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health and physical rehab.
Occupational therapists practice in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehab centers and schools.
Hybrid Model
Practicing certified occupational therapy assistants can earn their degree where they live. Our hybrid learning model uniquely combines engaging asynchronous and synchronous instruction with on-campus visits for a personalized and flexible learning experience.
Asynchronous learning allows students to view instructional materials each week at a time convenient for them. Synchronous learning occurs at a set class time with live instruction. In-person campus visits happen twice a semester for the first four semesters.