OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DEPARTMENT
PROFESSIONAL MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM
WEB SITE http://ot.fiu.edu

Thank you for your interest in the Professional Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at Florida International University.  This program is designed for students who hold a baccalaureate degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university.

Mission
The mission of Florida International University’s Occupational Therapy Department is to establish excellence in occupational therapy education, research and scholarly activities as well as to prepare culturally knowledgeable entry level practitioners who will provide evidence-based occupational therapy services to a locally and globally diverse community. The Department’s mission reflects the College’s mission, to teach, conduct research, and service the community. The College prepares diverse health care professionals as providers and leaders in the delivery of high quality, accessible, culturally competent care within a highly technological and global environment. The College promotes, expands and validates scientific knowledge and evidence-based practice through interdisciplinary research. The Department’s mission is in concert with the University’s mission, to meet the educational and support needs of a diverse student population and provide opportunities for minority and non-traditional students.

Vision
The vision of the Occupational Therapy Department is to be locally and globally recognized for quality occupational therapy education, community engagement, research and scholarly activity.

Classes begin each year in the fall term. Students attend the program on a full-time basis for seven semesters including summers. We have a dynamic curriculum, which offers students a variety of learning experiences. Our campus is an urban multicultural campus with all the exciting cultural and recreational activities of South Florida.

If you have additional questions after reading the material in this packet, please visit our website at http://ot.fiu.edu, or plan to attend one of our Question and Answer sessions.  A schedule of these sessions can be found on our website.  If you are out of the area or unable to attend a session, please contact our department office at 305-348-2922 to be directed to a faculty advisor.

We look forward to hearing from you.

General Information
Occupational therapy (OT) is a health profession concerned with promoting the quality of life of individuals. Therapeutic techniques are directed toward, reinforcement, restoration and enhancement of functional performance in carrying out valued activities. Occupational therapy may be indicated for persons whose lives have been interrupted by disease or injury, or those who suffer from developmental delays, mental illness or problems associated with aging.

Occupational therapists assess individuals' abilities to carry out tasks and activities necessary for productive living. Working collaboratively with clients, considering their personal goals, lifestyles, and environments, the therapist develops intervention programs designed to help develop/restore the greatest possible functional capacity. During the treatment or rehabilitation process, the clients actively engage in directed programs of purposeful, meaningful activities designed to increase their levels of functioning. The occupational therapist works collaboratively with individuals, other health professionals, and health and community agency personnel. A successful therapist must be able to work with others, look at the totality of human performance, think creatively, problem solve, and direct the actions of others. Occupational therapists serve a wide variety of individuals in all age ranges and work in settings such as community agencies, sheltered workshops, hospitals, schools, skilled nursing centers, rehabilitation centers, and home health. There is an increasing demand for occupational therapists and excellent opportunities exist for career advancement. Additional information regarding careers in Occupational Therapy can be requested from the American Occupational Therapy Association Inc. at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, Maryland, 20824-1220, at www.aota.org, or by calling (301) 652-AOTA or (800) 377-8555 (TDD - Telecommunication Device for the Deaf).

Program Accreditation
 The Occupational Therapy Professional MS Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. ACOTE’S telephone number C/O AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA. ONLY, the entry-level Professional Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program is accredited by ACOTE. Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapists administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). The program is currently accredited through 2019.

Certification and Licensure
Most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Examination or attain state licensure. Students should be aware that it is difficult (or impossible) to obtain a license if they have ever been convicted, plead guilty or nolo contendre to a felony violation. Any student who is in this circumstance should investigate further before attending OT school.

Background Checks and Drug Screening:
All incoming students, as part of the admission process, must comply with the College of Nursing and Health Sciences [CNHS] policy for health and immunization screening and background check.
The health and immunization screening includes the following requirements:

Florida International University- College of Nursing and Health Sciences utilizes American Data Bank as the background clearing house, and for tracking student immunization records.

The background check includes social security number search (residency history, state and year SSN issued), criminal search (7 years), sex offender search, federal criminal search, and healthcare exclusion list. Students should be aware that it is difficult (or impossible) to obtain a license if they have ever been convicted, plead guilty or nolo contender to a felony violation.

Admission Requirements:

To be admitted to the Professional Masters of Science program students must meet the following criteria.

1. Hold a bachelor degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Have a minimum of 3.0 GPA average based on a 4.0 scale in upper division courses of the bachelor’s degree.
3. Complete all prerequisite courses (see below) prior to the start of the fall admission term with a minimum grade of “C”. Required cumulative GPA for prerequisite courses is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
4. A grade of B or above must be earned in at least 3 courses among the following 4 courses: a)Anatomy and Anatomy Lab, b) Pathology, c) Physiology, and d)Neuroscience prior to the February 15th Occupational Therapy Department Application submission deadline.* (pending approval)
5. Complete the Occupational Therapy Department application (available to download online). Provide 3 letters of reference, a curriculum vitae/resume, and a summary statement of professional and educational goals. These documents are sent directly to the OT department with your application. Admission is competitive and submission of application materials does not guarantee admission into the program.
6. Apply and be admitted to the FIU graduate school. (http://gradschool.fiu.edu/)
7. Meet admission requirements of the OT Department and the University Graduate School.
8. International students are accepted subject to space and fiscal limitations. Students must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an institution recognized in their own country as preparing students for graduate level study; academic eligibility for further study in their own country; demonstrated proficiency in the English language by a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). International students must contact the International Student and Scholar Services department at http://www.fiu.edu/~isss

Required prerequisite courses: Prerequisite courses must be within 5 years.

• Abnormal Psychology   (3 credits)                                                                                                      
• Human Growth & Development (3 credits)                                                            
• Biology with Lab  (4 credits)**
• Human Anatomy and Lab (4 credits, 3000 level or higher)                                                                                
• Human Physiology (3 credits)**  
• Statistics (3 credits)                                                                            
• Pathology (3 credits)
• Medical Terminology (1-3 credits)
• Neuroscience (3 credit, 3000 level or higher) [ offered by OT department every Summer and Fall-OTH 4418)

**Anatomy & Physiology I & II with lab will meet biology and physiology requirements

Students accepted into the program must notify the OT department within 10 days of receipt of their acceptance letter to FIU’s Professional Master in Occupational Therapy program to confirm acceptance and intent to attend. A waiting list of students is also identified. Persons whose applications are received late or whose names are on the waiting list are admitted as space becomes available.

I. Students must apply online to the FIU Graduate School. Admission into the occupational therapy program is dependent on completion of the FIU Graduate School admission process. (The Graduate School must receive all your official transcripts for your application to be processed and referred to the OT department.)

Florida International University Graduate Admissions http://gradschool.fiu.edu/

II. Apply to the Occupational Therapy Department by February 15th

Students must mail the separate OT department application to the OT department by February 15th.  Review and admission of qualified applicants will begin March 1st for fall term admission. Students must have applied to and been referred to the OT department by the FIU Graduate School before the department application can be processed.  Late applications will be reviewed on a space available basis after April 15th.

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http://ot.fiu.edu Mail all department application materials certified/return request to:    Florida International  University  College of Nursing and Health Sciences  Department of Occupational Therapy  11000 SW 8th Street  AHC3 442A  Miami, FL 33199

Department Application Copies (unofficial) of all transcripts through the current   semester Resume Statement of professional and educational goals and assessment of current professional activities 3 Recommendation letters (narrative format, please do not use checklist from grad school website) Copy of TOEFL (if applicable) Copy of GRE scores(if applicable) *The certified mail receipt will serve as verification that your application packet was received.

Online Courses:
Selected courses may be offered as on-line courses or as classroom courses. Offerings are dependent on enrollment and sections needed for the term they are being offered.  Professional MS students must have department permission to register for online courses.

Advising:
Group advising sessions are held once a month.  Please visit our web site at: http://ot.fiu.edu  for information on scheduled advising sessions.  If you have specific questions related to your application, the advisor will answer them during the sessions.  All applicants who live in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area are expected to attend an advising session prior to meeting with an individual advisor.  Students who live outside the area can call the department and ask to speak with an advisor (305) 348-6068.

Financial Aid (http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/finaid/)

The office of Financial Aid handles all inquiries regarding loans, scholarships and financial aid.  Applicants should contact that office directly.  Office of Financial Aid, Florida International University; 10000 SW 8th St., MMC-PC125; Miami, Florida 33199, 305 348-2431. 

05/17/2013

Application for Professional Master of Science