About our M.S.O.T.

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program (M.S.O.T.) is a full-time 2-year program beginning in late May (summer term) each year, requiring completion of the bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university prior to enrollment.

NBCOT Exam Pass Rates

M.S. program graduates are eligible to take the certification examination administered by the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy. Learn more about the exam and UNE pass rates

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at UNE was initially accredited in 1985 and has been continuously accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) since that time. Our next accreditation visit will occur in the 2024/2025 academic year. ACOTE is located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number, C/O AOTA is (301) 652-6611 and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Important Application Dates

Application Process

  • All verified applications are reviewed for minimum admissions requirements.
  • Qualified applicants are invited to complete a virtual interview. Interviews are conducted by invitation only.
  • UNE communicates all status updates, notifications, and admission decisions via email.

For specific academic dates, please view the UNE Academic Calendar.

Learn more about the UNE M.S.O.T. 

Admissions Events

Requirements

Admissions Requirements

Application

The University of New England Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program participates in the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

Degree Requirement
GPA Requirement
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is preferred, as calculated by OTCAS (inclusive of all coursework taken with no forgiveness for retakes).
  • A minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is preferred, as calculated by UNE using the highest grade received for repeated coursework; calculated using the OTCAS universal computation scale for quality points.
  • Last 60 credit hour GPA is also considered during application review.
Prerequisite Coursework Requirements
Course Subject Course Details Course Credits
Anatomy & Physiology I or Human Anatomy
  • Lab Required
4 semester or 6 quarter credits

Anatomy & Physiology II or Human Physiology

  • Lab Required
4 semester or 6 quarter credits
Science
  • College-level science course with lab is required to fulfill this requirement.
  • Any course subject listed in the attached UNE OT Subject List (PDF) is acceptable to fulfill this requirement. Survey courses will not satisfy this requirement.
3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits
Statistics
  • Biology, Math, or Psychology-based statistics are all acceptable to fulfill this requirement.
3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits
Introduction to Psychology
  • College-level course is required.
3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits
Abnormal Psychology
  • College-level course is required.
3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits
Human Development
  • Human Development course that covers the entire lifespan is required to fulfill this requirement.
  • Course must cover the entire lifespan from birth to death. Applicants wishing to use Developmental Psychology to fulfill this prerequisite must contact the program for approval prior to application submission.
3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits
Social Science
  • Sociology is acceptable to fulfill this requirement.
  • Anthropology is acceptable to fulfill this requirement.
  • Acceptable courses should be focused on the study of society, human interactions/relationships, the structure and function of social institutions or organized groups, and culture.
3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits
English
  • English Composition is acceptable to fulfill this requirement.
  • This requirement can also be met by taking a course identified as a Writing-Intensive. Please note that if a writing-intensive course is being used to satisfy this requirement, the course description must clearly indicate that it is considered a writing-intensive course.
3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits
Other Important Prerequisite Coursework Considerations
  • Courses in or familiarity with Medical Terminology, Introduction to Occupational Therapy, and APA 7th Edition formatting are not required but highly recommended.
  • All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better (“C minus” grades not acceptable).
  • All science prerequisite coursework must be completed no more than seven (7) years prior to UNE’s OTCAS application deadline.
  • A maximum of 6 Advanced Placement (AP) or equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) credits may be accepted as a substitute for Introduction to Psychology and English Composition prerequisite courses only.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
  • Prerequisite coursework may be in-progress or planned at the time of application.
  • Official transcripts for coursework and/or degrees completed in the summer/fall term should be submitted and verified by OTCAS during the Academic Update period.
  • Official transcripts for coursework and/or degrees completed after the Academic Update period should be submitted directly to UNE’s Office of Graduate Admissions.
  • All planned or in-progress prerequisite coursework must be listed on the OTCAS application at the time of application submission. Not doing so may lead to the applicant being deemed ineligible for admission review.
  • Online courses offered through UNE’s Online Science Prerequisites as well as online courses from other regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities may be acceptable (with program approval).
Standardized Tests

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission.

Letters of Evaluation

Two (2) letters of evaluation are required*, submitted via OTCAS.

  • Letters should come from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s academic abilities and/or professional experiences.

*Letters from friends or family members are not permitted.

Observation Hours
  • Volunteer, shadowing, and/or work experience in a health or human services-related setting is not required, but it is highly recommended.
  • All hours should be documented within the OTCAS application.
Personal Statement
  • Please refer to the OTCAS application for specific writing prompts and additional information.
Interviews
  • Interviews are required as part of the application process.
  • Qualified applicants will be invited to interview via email. All interviews are completed through the Kira Talent virtual assessment platform.
  • Although applicants are not required to physically come to campus during the application process, campus visits are welcome and available by appointment. Please reach out to the Office of Graduate Admissions via email for additional information.
International Applicants

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

  • Official credential evaluation by World Education Service (WES), confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be submitted directly to OTCAS. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the UNE website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a UNE-approved English language proficiency test.
  • Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the UNE website for specific information, minimum score requirements, and test score submission instructions.
Other Requirements

Prior to starting the program, all entering students will be required to complete the following compliance requirements:

  • All outstanding documents, including official transcripts and baccalaureate degree conferral via an official transcript, must be submitted to the UNE Office of Graduate Admission prior to the start of the program.
  • Completion of a physical examination with proof of up-to-date immunization status. Please refer to UNE’s Student Health Center for detailed information.
  • Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen prior to matriculation, as well as periodically throughout the program (as required by clinical affiliations).
  • All students must have the ability to meet the Academic and Technical Standards of the Occupational Therapy profession.

All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of UNE and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Policy Exceptions

  • Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants to the university and its programs.
  • All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum and/or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements.
  • Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates.

Transfer Credits

  • Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another Occupational Therapy program
  • Transfer credits will be reviewed and awarded on a case-by-case basis

Advanced Standing

  • No advanced standing available

Experiential Learning

  • No credit awarded for experiential learning

M.S.O.T. Admissions FAQ

How can I find out about the status of my application to UNE’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy?

You will receive an email confirming receipt of your verified application from the Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment. All communication from Graduate Admissions and Recruitment will be sent to the email address listed on your OTCAS application. If you wish to check the status of your application please email the Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment.

Does state residency play a role in admissions to UNE’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy?

There are no quotas for Maine or New England students. Prospective students from all geographic regions are encouraged to apply for admission.

Can I update or make changes to my M.S.O.T. application post-submission?

Yes, updates can be made post-submission. Experiences can be added, but edits of previously submitted information is not allowed. Coursework can be updated during the Academic Update Period from mid-December to mid-February. See more information on updating your OTCAS application

I am reapplying to UNE’s M.S.O.T. What do I need to do?

Applicants reapplying to the UNE Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program need to resubmit all application materials for any new cycle in which they apply, including: primary CAS application, transcripts, letters of recommendation, written statements and responses, fees and payments, and any additional required documentation. Applicants should also actively update their experiences, extracurricular activities, clinical involvement, and volunteering each cycle as well, to reflect the most up-to-date engagement.