Appalachian State University
Occupational Therapy (MSOT)
Application Deadlines
Fall Admission
January 1
Application Requirements
Entrance exam: GRE (exam waiver available)
Application requirements vary by program. Learn more
Location
Boone campus
Completion Time
2 years (full time)
Help others live life to the fullest.
Walking the dog. Brushing your teeth. Simple activities for most. But for those with acquired or developmental challenges, the simple activities that many take for granted are monumental, if not impossible, tasks.
Occupational therapists assess the fit between the environment, a person’s abilities and the tasks the individual wants or needs to do, in order to optimize their participation in those tasks. Through App State’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program, you will discover how science, creativity and compassion converge in this helping profession, which is in high demand across medical, educational and human service settings.
The program will provide you with a strong foundation in culturally competent and compassionate care, along with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a highly qualified and certified occupational therapist. Your studies will focus on working with people across the lifespan, helping them develop or reclaim the skills to do things they want, need or have to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities.
In addition to a robust curriculum, students will complete two 12-week fieldwork placements with regional occupational therapy providers, working under the supervision of faculty and staff in the Beaver College of Health Sciences.
App State’s MSOT program is currently in eligibility status for accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, with full accreditation expected by spring 2026. Students who graduate from accredited MSOT programs are eligible to take the national certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. The program is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Visit the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences website for more information about the MSOT program and to learn about the admissions process and prerequisite coursework.
$90,000+
Median annual salary of OT graduates nationwide, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
No. 1
U.S. News & World Report’s Most Innovative School in the South for 2024.
A 2024 Best
The Princeton Review named App State among the best schools in the U.S. and the Southeast for 2024.
Concentrations and Courses
Careers and Mountaineers
Where can an App State degree take you? Anywhere you want to go!
Careers
- Occupational Therapist
Employers
- Hospitals
- School systems
- Clinics
- Skilled nursing agencies
- Home health agencies
- Rehabilitation centers
- Public organizations
- Private practice
Career information resource
App State’s Career Development Center
Services provided by the Career Development Center include resume reviews, career coaching, job and internship search assistance, and other tools for you to achieve life and professional success.
More to Explore at App State
International Experience
Work outside your cultural boundaries. Learn more
Professional Development
Invest in yourself with opportunities designed to stimulate career growth. Learn more
Graduate Assistantships
Earn some money while you earn your degree. Learn more
Hands-on Clinical Experience
Observe and assist faculty engaged in clinical service provision at App State’s Interprofessional Clinic. Learn more
Professional Licensure
App State programs that lead to a professional licensure or certificate are intended to prepare students for licensure or certification in North Carolina. Check the Professional Licensure webpage for information on licensure requirements in other states.
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