Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

Dr. Bernadette Schmeltz​, Program Director

MOT Program Vision

The Occupational Therapy program cultivates a learning environment that promotes critical thinking and autonomous problem-solving skills using evidence to meet the dynamic needs of society through occupational engagement in traditional and emerging practice areas.

The program prepares culturally sensitive occupational therapists who advance the profession through innovative thinking, collaboration, and service.

MOT Program Mission

The mission of the Walsh University Occupational Therapy Program reflects the philosophy and vision of the profession of occupational therapy. The Occupational Therapy Program provides an educational experience that integrates active learning techniques, evidence-based practice, and collaboration with faculty who engage in scholarship. The program supports personal and professional growth through lifelong learning, critical thinking, professional behaviors, interprofessional collaboration, cultural awareness, and spirituality.

Graduates will facilitate participation in meaningful and necessary occupations with clients, families, and organizations within their communities. Graduates will contribute to the future of the profession through leadership, evidence-based practice, and service. The Occupational Therapy Program supports the missions of Walsh University and the School of Behavioral and Health Sciences, which encourage individuals to act in accordance with reason guided by the example and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Program Goals
  • The program will prepare competent, generalist occupational therapy practitioners equipped to engage in evidence-based practice and inter-professional collaboration.
  • The program will foster development of professionalism and respect for diversity consistent with the profession of occupational therapy.
  • The program will develop leaders in service to others both professionally and in the community

Curricular Threads

Professional Behaviors & Ethical Practice: Incorporate the AOTA Code of Ethics & Core Values (AOTA, 2025) to demonstrate ethical decision-making skills & articulate rationale for delivery of occupational therapy services across the lifespan in multiple contexts. Model behaviors consistent with the profession of occupational therapy & in alignment with the mission of Walsh University.

Client-centered: Respecting client diversity & autonomy, integrate psychosocial, cultural, contextual needs & preferences of the client to develop intervention priorities & set goals to maximize participation in desired occupations.

Critical Thinking: Integrate principles of occupational therapy along with knowledge of anatomy, medical conditions, human behavior, & human development to analyze client occupational functioning. Solve clinical problems using skills of observation, reflection, analysis, & interpretation combining current evidence & OT theory to synthesize components of the OT Process.

Evidence-based Practice: Generate a clinical question & locate evidence relevant to OT practice. Evaluate, interpret, & synthesize results to determine applicability to client care. Integrate current literature, clinical experience, and client preferences to inform clinical decisions.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for degree conferral in August of the second year of the program, students must successfully complete all program requirements, including the following:

  • Earn a final grade of 79.5% or higher in all academic courses. Students who earn below 79.5% in a course will be granted one opportunity to repeat the course. Failure to successfully pass the course on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the program.
  • Successfully complete all Level II Fieldwork courses with a passing course grade
  • Satisfactorily complete required course work with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
  • Complete 20 hours of required service activities.
  • Complete all mandatory post-Level II program requirements, including program evaluation activities, exit interviews, NBCOT preparation activities, practice examinations, and other assigned professional transition requirements.

Program Structure

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

  • 24-month, six-semester curriculum (including two summer semesters) designed to prepare students for entry-level occupational therapy practice.
  • Hybrid learning model that combines online coursework, asynchronous/synchronous, & in-person instruction, hands-on labs, and immersive clinical experiences.
  • Dedicated faculty mentorship that supports academic success, professional growth, leadership development, and ethical practice.
  • Active, student-centered learning through case-based instruction, simulation, collaborative learning, and evidence-informed clinical reasoning.
  • Innovative educational technology that reinforces classroom learning, enhances clinical decision-making, and prepares students for fieldwork and the NBCOT® certification examination.
  • State-of-the-art learning spaces, including an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) House and a dedicated clinical skills laboratory, where students develop hands-on assessment, intervention, transfer training, adaptive equipment, and functional living skills in realistic practice environments.
  • Experiential education through Level I and Level II fieldwork and community-based learning experiences that integrate classroom knowledge with real-world occupational therapy practice.
  • Comprehensive NBCOT® preparation through practice examinations, review courses, and faculty-supported study resources designed to promote certification success.
  • Professional development opportunities that strengthen clinical readiness, expand specialized skills, and enhance career preparation. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to complete a variety of recognized certifications and professional trainings that support success during fieldwork and future practice.
  • Collaborative graduate community that encourages teamwork, professional networking, leadership, service, and lifelong learning.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & SPECIALIZED TRAINING

Students have the opportunity to complete a variety of recognized certifications and specialized trainings that enhance clinical competence, strengthen fieldwork readiness, and support career success after graduation. These professional development experiences may include:

  • Adult Vision Screening Certification through Prevent Blindness Ohio
  • Active Threat Response Training (Run, Hide, Fight)
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Certification
  • Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program) Certification
  • VIRTUS® Training
  • Mental Health First Aid Certification
  • OT Quest Training
  • Section GG Functional Abilities and Goals Training

ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (ADL) HOUSE & CLINICAL SKILLS LABORATORY

Students gain hands-on experience in realistic practice environments designed to bridge classroom learning with clinical application. The Activities of Daily Living (ADL) House and dedicated Clinical Skills Laboratory provide opportunities to develop assessment, intervention, transfer training, adaptive equipment, and functional living skills across the lifespan while building confidence and clinical competence in preparation for fieldwork and professional practice.

TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED LEARNING

Students engage with innovative educational technologies that reinforce classroom learning, strengthen clinical reasoning, and support success in fieldwork and preparation for the NBCOT® certification examination. Learning resources may include:

  • Canvas Learning Management System
  • OTu Interactive Learning Platform
  • Simucase® Virtual Simulation Experiences
  • ICE Video Learning Modules
  • TrueLearn® Board Preparation and Practice Question Platform

Academic Guidelines for Master of Occupational Therapy

Registration Procedures

Students fully admitted to the program will register electronically through the Cavalier Center. A registration time ticket and instructions will be provided by Graduate Admissions. 

Academic Standards

The Occupational Therapy Master's program has four primary academic standards:

1. Students must earn a course grade of B- (79.5) or higher in every class (including level I fieldwork). 
2. Students must receive a satisfactory/passing grade for all Level II experiences. 
3. Students must maintain a B (3.0) overall GPA throughout matriculation. 
4. Students must maintain Academic Integrity Standards in every class. 

The Occupational Therapy program follows the Student Retention Policy in the MOT Program Student handbook, which outlines a stepped process of formative and summative assessment geared to ensure that students are informed of their academic standing and status in the program. Students who do not meet one or more of the primary academic standards may be given a warning and/or placed on probation with remediation as deemed appropriate prior to dismissal from the program. 

Students must complete the didactic portion of their coursework within 36 months of admittance to the Master of Occupational Therapy program and complete Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.  

Graduation Requirements

1. Earn a final grade of 79.5% or higher in all academic courses. Students who earn below 79.5% in a course will be granted one opportunity to repeat the course. Failure to successfully pass the course on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the program. 
2. Successfully complete all Level II Fieldwork courses with a passing course grade. 
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3. Satisfactorily complete required course work with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. 
4. Complete 20 hours of required service activities. 
5. Complete all mandatory post-Level II program requirements, including program evaluation activities, exit interviews, NBCOT preparation activities, practice examinations, and other assigned professional transition requirements. 

Appeals

The Master of Occupational Therapy program adheres to the University guidelines for the appeal process as outlined in the Graduate Catalog. In addition, specific programmatic policies that lead up to the University appeal process are outlined in the Program Student Handbook.

Withdrawal
The Master of Occupational Therapy program is lock-step; therefore, students cannot withdraw from individual courses and continue in the curriculum. Students may need to withdraw from the program for various reasons including a medical leave of absence. Students wishing to return to complete the program at a later time should meet with their academic advisor or the program director to establish a plan prior to withdrawal. Students who are dismissed from the program will not have the option to return to complete the program.
Academic Advising

Upon entry into the Occupational Therapy program, each student is assigned an academic advisor. This advisor will assist/counsel the student as needed to help ensure success in the program. Students are required to meet regularly (at least one time per semester) with their advisor to facilitate communication and progression in the curriculum. If at any time there is a need for a change in academic advisor, the student and current advisor will present their request to the program director. The Office of Counseling Services is available in the David Campus Center for students having difficulties beyond the scope of academic advising.