³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯ offering expanded, accelerated options toward careers in occupational therapy

An accelerated master's pathway and a new minor aim to reshape the health care workforce

Three students and a professor assemble part of a wheelchair together
Students in Chris Delenick's Community Mobility class assemble wheelchairs out of PVC pipes.
Learn more about Occupational Studies at ³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯
Learn more about graduate Occupational Therapy at ³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯

In its continuing mission to train outstanding health professionals to meet evolving patient needs, the ³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯ is now offering an accelerated pathway toward a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.), allowing students to earn their master’s degree in as little as five years β€” saving time and money and empowering them to help more patients in less time.

In ³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯’s accelerated Pre-OT to Occupational Therapy 3+2 degree program, students can begin earning credits toward their M.S.O.T. degree from Maine’s leading health professions university before they complete their bachelor’s degree in Occupational Studies, which is done in three years instead of four. 

β€œIn a landscape where some schools are actually increasing the time commitment for occupational therapy students, ³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯ is doing just the opposite,” said Caryn Husman, M.S., director of ³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯’s Occupational Studies degree program. β€œOur graduates are passing the boards and getting good jobs at a rate that’s higher than the national average, so we know our students are up for the challenge.”

All students enrolled in the accelerated Pre-OT pathway are given real-world experience early in their education by participating in internships before their graduate-level classes.

β€œWe are doubling down on Occupational Studies here at ³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯,” said Husman. β€œOur students graduate with a strong understanding of what human occupation is and how being engaged in life leads to strong health outcomes for people of all ages.”

The first student cohort begins classes this fall.

³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯ is also announcing a new minor in assistive technology, allowing health students from across multiple disciplines to gain in-depth knowledge of the tools and training methods used in occupational and physical therapy professions.

Assistive Technology at ³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯

Students in Chris Delenick’s Community Mobility class utilized ³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯’s  P.D. Merrill Makerspace to construct adaptive wheelchairs out of PVC. The project is but one example of how ³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯’s health professions degree programs train providers to empower patients to live independently through assistive means. Learn more about the project.

About the ³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯

The ³ΙΘΛΦ±²₯ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.