Accelerated Master’s Program, (3+2 program for undergraduates beginning with the class entering UNE as freshmen in 2011)

UNE students with the BS in Health, Wellness, and Occupational Studies major will be eligible to apply in the fall of their junior year for early admission to the master’s program following the completion of the junior year.  These students will not receive a Bachelor’s degree but will progress to the Master’s program after 3 years of undergraduate coursework. Students will be selected based upon GPA, interview, related work or volunteer experience, letters of reference, and a writing sample.  Those students who are accepted must complete a minimum of 90 credits of undergraduate work including all MS in OT pre-requisites prior to entering the program in the summer after their third year.

Master’s Program (4+2 program for Post Baccalaureate Students)

The University of New England offers a 24-month Masters Program (MS in OT).  This is a full time 2-year program beginning in late May (summer term) each year. The program will begin with a strong foundation in science including a functional anatomy and kinesiology course (4 credits), as well as a practice class focused on working with older people.  In the fall semester the emphasis will be on adults who have psycho-social and/or physical disabilities. The spring semester content will focus on working with children who have a wide range of abilities, therapeutic use of self, and developing research knowledge and skills. Upon completion of the first graduate year, students spend two semesters in full time fieldwork (summer and fall). They then return in the spring to complete one semester of academic work to integrate and apply their learning.

Requirements Prerequisite Courses

• The Anatomy & Physiology and Neuroscience prerequisites must have been completed within seven years prior to matriculation (taken summer 2006 or more recently). The Anatomy & Physiology I & II courses must include all body systems and be a full-year (two semester sequence) or the equivalent.  The courses must consist of either 4 credits of anatomy with lab and 4 credits of physiology with lab OR 8 credits of A&P I & II (both with lab). Animal Physiology or Exercise Physiology will not satisfy the physiology prerequisite.
  
• All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better (“C-“grades are not acceptable).
  
• Prerequisites can be in-progress or planned at the time of application, but must be completed by May, prior to matriculation.  Please include any in-progress or planned coursework in your OTCAS application. If you are accepted into the MS in OT Program, official transcript(s) must be sent directly to UNE's Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions upon completion of the course(s).
  
• Courses in medical terminology, college level chemistry or physics, and introduction to occupational therapy are highly recommended.

Academic/Experience Requirements

• Successful completion of a Bachelor’s Degree, in any major, from a regionally accredited institution
• A minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Volunteer experience in a healthcare setting is recommended
• Computer experience is strongly recommended

Note:  Before matriculation, accepted applicants will need to obtain a physical exam with proof of up-to-date immunization status. Immunization of students is based on current Centers for Disease Control recommendations for health professionals.  This information must be presented prior to matriculation.

As required by clinical training sites, students will be subject to criminal background checks and drug screens periodically throughout the MOT program.

Procedures and Policies

• Applications for admissions are accepted through the Central Application Service for Occupational Therapy (OTCAS) at www.otcas.org 
• Deadline for submission of an OTCAS application is January 1st of each year prior to the summer start of the Program. (Applications submitted after this deadline will be reviewed on a space available basis only.)
• On-campus interviews will be granted to qualified applicants upon invitation by the Admissions Committee, beginning with the application cycle for summer 2014 matriculation.
• Admissions will be rolling and decisions will be made after each interview session and continue until the Program starts (beginning with applications for summer 2014).
• International students and students with international degrees must have transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited institution in the US.  See International Students for a list of educational credential evaluators. 
• UNE requires all deposited students, to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, to the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions prior to matriculation.
• International applicants must submit the International Student Supplemental Application Form at time of acceptance to the university.
• All applicants to UNE must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university.  UNE accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Students.  If applicable, the TOEFL requirement must be completed and the score received by the application deadline.

The Admission Committee reserves the right to make changes or exceptions to the admission policies and procedures without notice when it deems such a decision is appropriate.

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the OT Website.

Transfer Credit

Transfer Credit
Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another occupational therapy program. The program director will review and award transfer credits on a case-by-case basis.

Advanced Placement
There is no advanced placement.

Experiential Learning
No credit will be awarded to students for experiential learning.