Overview
Occupational therapists work in diverse settings with people of all ages, helping them gain or regain the abilities to do the daily activities they need and want to do. Students earn the Master of Occupational Therapy degree, gaining eligibility to sit for the national board examination to become a credentialed occupational therapist.
Tracks Designed to Fit Your Needs
Traditional Track
Our traditional track offers full-time or part-time options with in-person learning at our Radford and Roanoke sites. This track is for those seeking a degree in occupational therapy for the first time.
OTA to MOT Track
The OTA-MOT Bridge program is available to OTAs with at least one year of work experience as a licensed OTA and B.S. or B.A. from an accredited institution. Courses will be offered in a hybrid format, both online and hands-on labs that will occur on weekends throughout the semester.
Why Study Occupational Therapy at Radford?
- The M.O.T. program is embedded in community-based practice settings
- We offer travel-abroad opportunities for students to participate in therapeutic services with faculty and peers
- Our faculty represents depth and breadth in all major Occupational Therapy practice areas, as well as numerous specialty practice areas
- Online learning Instruction allows for flexibility for the working professional and ease to bridge becoming an occupational therapist
- The bridge program will allow an OTA the benefit of advancing their career at a reduced cost compared to the traditional track
Careers and Internships
Occupational Therapists have a range of industries available for them to practice in, including general medical and surgical hospitals, elementary and secondary schools, home health care services, and nursing care facilities. The average salary for students with an M.S. in Occupational Therapy is $92,800 nationally. You can find more information about pursuing Occupational Therapy careers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics here.
Opportunities for Occupational Therapy students at Radford
The M.O.T. degree allows graduates to work in any number of healthcare and community settings as registered and licensed occupational therapists, such as hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics, as well as have their own private practice.
Traditional Track Admissions Requirements
Prerequisite requirements for admission to Radford University's Master of Occupational Therapy Program include:
- A strong foundation of undergraduate coursework in the liberal arts and sciences (e.g. anthropology or sociology, anatomy, psychology)
- A grade of B- or better in all prerequisite courses (please see list below)
Prerequisite Course List
- Introductory Statistics (3 credits)
- Introductory Sociology OR Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
- Human Anatomy (3-4 credits)
- Human Physiology (3-4 credits)
- Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- Lifespan Growth and Development (3 credits)
- Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
*We do not accept AP courses from high school to satisfy prerequisite requirements.
Please note: A minimum of 20 hours with an occupational therapy practitioner (OTR or COTA), 40 hours preferred; in at least two (2) different practice settings. Experience with diverse populations and programs is highly recommended. We will accept alternative forms documenting your observation hours, if all information is present.
Please do not submit forms from other Occupational Therapy programs.
OTA to MOT Track Admission Requirements
- A completed application in OTCAS, the OT common application service.
- A completed Supplemental Application to the MOT program, submitted to the Radford University College of Graduate Studies and Research.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework including verification of graduation from an ACOTE accredited occupational therapy assistant program and Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts from an accredited college or university; transcripts are submitted to OTCAS.
- A professional resume of past and current educational and work/volunteer experiences.
- A typed Statement of Purpose: This is an opportunity for the student to tell us why they want to earn the Master of Occupational Therapy degree at Radford University. In a two-page (double-spaced) essay, the student will discuss the development of their interest in occupational therapy, how their education, fieldwork, and professional experiences as an occupational therapy assistant have informed their understanding of occupational therapy as a profession and the people occupational therapists work with, and their aspirations and goals for a career as a health-care professional.
- Two letters of recommendation: Acceptable recommenders include college professors, employers, or others who have worked with the student in a professional capacity (no personal references accepted). The letters should describe the student’s academic skills, general work behaviors, and the personal qualities one needs to be a competent, healthcare professional.
- A minimum of one year of work experience documented by an employer as an occupational therapy assistant and current OTA license.
A graduation track that works for you
The OTA-MOT Bridge program features a condensed curriculum that honors the knowledge and experience of an OTA allowing them to earn their degree in fewer credit hours, making this program less expensive than the traditional track.
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Fully Accredited by the American Council of Occupational Therapy Education
(now - 2027)
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96% overall retention rate
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2-4 months average time to secure full-time employment
What's it like to study Occupational Therapy?
“Radford provides all the support necessary for a student to excel on their educational path. From specialized labs and a fully-invested faculty to additional resources. Students in this program are provided with a wonderful opportunity to capitalize on their health studies in a diverse and inclusive environment.”
–Leidy Montoya '22
