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MASTER'S

Master of Occupational Therapy · MOT

Hybrid (Primarily Online) | 5 semesters

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FAQ

Each semester is 16 weeks long. Most of those weeks you’ll be learning from where you live, but but during semesters 1, 2, and 3, you’ll come on campus for a one week in-person skills acquisition and professional development.

This face-to-face instruction includes meaningful labs that complement your online learning. Students will learn in our cadaver lab with pre-dissected specimens and experience the state-of-the-art virtual anatomy lab, technology lab for assistive technology, driving rehabilitation, and occupational therapy/optometry low vision suite all on our new campus.

Through Rocky Mountain University’s learning management system, online instruction will include regularly scheduled live lectures via Zoom with faculty experts and student colleagues. Instruction will also include pre-recorded, faculty-led lectures that may be viewed, asynchronous discussion forums (written and video), and the use of a number of instructional technologies (GoReact, Simucase, ICE Video’s, etc.) and game-based learning resources (Kahoot). Students will also have direct access to faculty during virtual office hours (discussion board, live chat, or Zoom) to assist them in their courses and clinical affiliation planning.

You do not have to relocate to enroll in and complete this program. The large majority of the instruction takes place online. This is still a full-time program, so you’ll need to be committed and available to come on campus when required. However, these visits are predetermined and spaced between extended periods of online instruction.

The program is designed to span 5 semesters over the course of 20 months. This is a year-round program, with breaks in between semesters so you’ll be working consistently toward your MOT.
During the early portion the program, students will complete two Level I fieldwork rotations, which are one week in length. At the end of the program students will complete two Level II fieldwork rotations, each being 12 weeks long. Fieldwork rotations are established and managed by program administration in collaboration with each student taking into consideration their clinical interests, goals, and resources. With the aim of providing students with diverse clinical experiences needed for practice as a generalist.
The program priority application cycle runs from mid-January through June 15 each year. However, late applications may be accepted through August 15 of each year on a case-by-case basis.
Candidates for admission will be evaluated once their application is complete. Once the program receives all application materials, the candidate will be considered. Within 15 business days of the application review, applicants will be informed whether they are immediately accepted, placed on a wait list, or not accepted.
In addition to the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS), we ask students to submit an essay (1500 word minimum) that includes a personal statement and strategies for handling our hybrid model. Students must also complete an essay comprising of four questions.
No, there are no limits or quotas related to the acceptance of in-state or out-of-state students into the program.
Yes, prerequisite courses can be taken at any accredited institution of higher learning or online, as long as they satisfy our prerequisite requirements.
The entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy bridge program accepts applications submitted with no more than nine credit hours of prerequisite courses work in progress (or planned) and evidenced in the OTCAS application. The prerequisite course(s) in progress or planned at the time an application is submitted must be completed with a grade of “B” or higher. All grades under “B” will disqualify an applicant from matriculating into the program.
After completing the program, you’ll be eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to become a nationally board-certified occupational therapist. During the last semester of our program, you’ll complete the Occupational Therapy Knowledge Exam (OTKE) to determine where your expertise needs improvement. You’ll receive feedback that you can then use to prepare for the NBCOT board exam.
Both degrees prepare graduates as occupational therapists with the in-depth knowledge and skills to practice in various settings, including clinics, hospitals, school systems, or community programs. A Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree further prepares graduates for working in academia, albeit for different faculty roles than a PhD.
A variety of financial aid loans and grants are available for qualified applicants to Rocky Mountain University. Students will need to meet with a financial aid adviser at the time of admission, before each semester, and upon graduation. Students seeking financial assistance may apply by contacting the Finance Office. Further information is found in the University Handbook.
Due to the exacting requirements of the occupational therapy course of study, it is unwise for students to work more than part time. Most semesters in the master’s program include between 12 and 16 credit hours, requiring approximately 40 or more hours per week of learning activities (including class, lab, and time for studying/assignments). Rocky Mountain University does not specifically forbid full time work, but discourages it. The Master of Occupational Therapy, furthermore, reserves the right to indicate that such work be discontinued if, in the opinion of the faculty, it interferes with the satisfactory completion of prescribed academic activities.

Technology Requirements FAQ

No, your computer does not need to be brand new – just reliable and with an operating system and specifications as listed above. If you intend to purchase a new computer, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to become familiar with it prior to beginning courses.

You are welcome to use a desktop computer at home. However, if you are in a program that includes onsite classes, you must have a laptop to bring with you.

Because software aside from apps available via an internet browser will be used, a Chromebook is not sufficient. Chromebook can be incompatible with some required software.

Sorry, no. A hybrid/convertible laptop will be fine, but a tablet (including iPad) is not sufficient. Tablets can be incompatible with some required software.

Our “Welcome to RMU!” student resource course includes specific information about multiple resources available to incoming students. In addition, at 6 weeks before the start of your program (PA students at 8-10 weeks), you will be enrolled in our required New Student Orientation course, “RMU101”. Participation in this course will give you practice with our systems and experience online.

The most critical thing is a strong, stable internet connection. This is VITAL for all students. If your current internet signal is poor or you only have access to public WiFi, you should secure a more reliable option such as a different internet provider, a higher-level internet service contract, or a dedicated mobile hotspot. To participate in online meetings, you need a microphone and webcam. Most laptops have these built-in. If you choose to use a desktop computer at home, you will need to obtain a headset or external microphone in order to be heard.  The Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 Headset is a recommended affordable choice.

Fieldwork FAQ

Please get in touch with Dr. Heather Johnson at heather.e.johnson@rm.edu to discuss making arrangements to accept a Level II fieldwork student.

Our level I fieldwork experiences (MOT 619 & 629) require students to participate in a minimum of 40 hours for each fieldwork experience.

Level II fieldwork experiences are full time, as defined by the clinical site, for 12 weeks, in accordance with Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards.

For Rocky Mountain University’s entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy bridge program, students complete their first Level I fieldwork in the second semester and their second Level I in the third semester. Please see the MOT program curricular sequence.

At Rocky Mountain University, Level II fieldwork is completed during semesters 4 and 5. Please see OTA-MOT Program curricular sequence.

MOT students are required to submit evidence of a physical assessment, immunization record, criminal background check, drug screen, TB test, flu shot, HIPAA training and CPR certification, and other site-specific documents as requested.
There are a variety of practice settings in which students can perform Level II fieldwork including, but not limited to, acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, outpatient pediatric rehabilitation, mental health facilities, school systems, outpatient adult rehabilitation, home health care and nontraditional settings. Rocky Mountain University’s MOT program meets the ACOTE requirement that either Level I or Level II fieldwork experience is focused on psychological or social factors that influence engagement in occupation.
The Level II fieldwork site and the academic program together decide time off during fieldwork. The student is responsible to meet the time requirements of the placement. Please see Rocky Mountain University’s fieldwork attendance policy.

The new ACOTE Standard C.1.16 states that “supervision should be direct, then decrease to less direct supervision as is appropriate for the setting, the severity of client’s condition, and the ability of the students.” Supervision should also be consistent with state licensure regulations, reimbursement guidelines such as Medicare and Medicaid, and facility policy. Unless specified by reimbursement guidelines or other regulatory requirements, supervision need not always be “line of sight.” Telephones, mobile phones, or other communications technologies may supplement on-site supervision.

Remember that other professionals can participate in student supervision, but the primary supervisor must be an occupational therapist. The ACOTE Standards permit Level II fieldwork to be in a setting where there is no OT employed by the facility. In such cases, the program must document there is a plan for the provision of supervision by an OT.

On-site supervision must be provided in accordance with the plan and state credentialing requirements, and the student must receive a minimum of eight hours of OT supervision per week, including direct observation of client interaction. Additionally, the OT fieldwork educator must be readily available for communication and consultation during work hours.

Please explore the following resources for more information on student supervision guidelines:
AOTA’s Medicare OT Student Supervision Rules

These situations should be discussed with the student’s academic fieldwork coordinator (AFWC). Any time that the fieldwork educator is away, another person must be designated as the responsible party and contact person to whom the student can go for guidance. Any state licensure regulations and reimbursement guidelines such as Medicare or Medicaid must also be followed.

2025

Level I Fieldwork Education Experiences
Level I A Pediatric -April 21-25, 2025 (1 week)
Level I B Psychosocial- August 18-22, 2025 (1 week)

2026

Level II Fieldwork Education Experiences
Level II Fieldwork A- January 5- April 24, 2026 (12 weeks)
Level II Fieldwork B – May 4- August 21, 2026 (12 weeks)

Yes, a fieldwork educator can earn 12 professional development units (PDU) for providing 12 weeks of full-time Level II fieldwork or one PDU for each full-time week of Level I fieldwork supervision.
Yes, supervision of a Level I or Level II fieldwork student can be split in numerous ways. The fieldwork sites can collaborate with the Rocky Mountain University academic fieldwork coordinator to develop the best plan for split supervision.
For Level II fieldwork, MOT students must be supervised by an occupational therapist who meets state regulations and has a minimum of one year of practice experience subsequent to initial certification.
The first step is for the fieldwork site to notify the student that he/she is at risk of failing fieldwork. Then the site should let the student know that the site will now notify the academic fieldwork coordinator (AFWC) and encourage the student to call the AFWC as well. One of the roles of the AFWC is to serve as a mediator between a student and the fieldwork educator about concerns. The AFWC can provide the site and student with a different perspective, can advise on possible solutions, and can guide all parties through the necessary next steps.
All MOT courses can be repeated one time as a part of the program’s remediation policy.

The academic program is not permitted to inform the fieldwork site of a student’s disability without the student’s permission. It is the student’s decision whether or not to disclose a disability. The academic fieldwork coordinator (AFWC) will counsel students on the pros and cons of sharing this type of information prior to beginning fieldwork. If a student decides not to disclose, the AFWC is legally not allowed to share that information with the fieldwork setting in accordance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) laws.

A fieldwork setting cannot refuse to place a student with a disability unless that student is unable to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations. To refuse placement solely on the student’s disability is discriminatory and illegal.

To ensure adequate preparation for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam following graduation from our MOT program, we require that our students complete both Level II fieldwork experiences within the United States. Students may have the option to complete an international fieldwork experience as a third Level II experience, if available.
We strongly advise against requesting a job shadow at a potential fieldwork site due to the overwhelming amount of job shadow requests received by many facilities.
Rocky Mountain University awards a pass/fail grade for Level II fieldwork. This grade is determined based upon a student’s score on the fieldwork performance evaluation (FWPE), which is provided by your fieldwork educator. Scores are determined as satisfactory or unsatisfactory at midterm point of fieldwork (six weeks). Final evaluation scores are provided near the end of 12 weeks. This score indicates whether a student has passed or not passed their Level II fieldwork experience.
Each student is asked to review the list of fieldwork (FW) education sites in the online fieldwork management system. Each student turns in their ranked top three site/location preferences for each fieldwork experience. The academic fieldwork coordinator (AFWC) leans heavily on considerations for the best fit for student/site/fieldwork educator (FWE) and educational learning needs. When several students request the same site, final decisions are made by the AFWC. Multiple meetings between the student and the AFWC may occur to find the best match for each student in their fieldwork education sites. No fieldwork education site is guaranteed to an MOT student.
Three excused absence days are permitted per fieldwork education experience. Any more than three absence days must be made up. All time away from the fieldwork education site must be approved by the AFWC, fieldwork educator, and site coordinator. If a fourth day is missed due to an excused absence, make-up time must be completed with the fieldwork education site as available or in the form of extra assignments at the discretion of the FWE/FWE education site coordinator in conjunction with AFWC.

Program Accreditation

Accreditation: The entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) applied for candidacy, August 11, 2023, 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.

The program must obtain candidacy status, have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.