Master of Occupational Therapy
Department of
Occupational Therapy at Governors State University
Master of Occupational
Therapy Program
Governors
State University established the Department of Occupational Therapy (OT) in
1996 and has continued the long tradition of providing quality, reputable, and affordable
educational opportunities to a diverse student body. We are proud of the long-standing
history of producing knowledgeable, competent, and skilled occupational
therapists to meet the healthcare needs of all clients.
To
learn more about our program attend our monthly Information Sessions
Occupational Therapy as a Career
Governors State University’s Master of Occupational Therapy(MOT) program prepares the Occupational Therapist to build a career
as a caring and thoughtful professional therapist. You will guide clients and
help them regain their independence in everyday life activities at home, work,
school, and in the community through responsive, evidence-based treatments. Through
education and mentorship, the expert, caring, supportive faculty will help
guide you along the way. The MOT program and faculty places a strong emphasis
on advocacy, communication, critical reasoning, leadership, and lifelong
learning—skills and activities that distinguish our graduates and empower them
to become highly effective professionals. Occupational therapists come from a variety of
backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common: a mission to help change
lives.
Reach your career
goals.
Occupational
Therapy is consistently ranked among the top professions in the United States. In
2017 alone, it was included in rankings by Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, MSN Money, and Glassdoor, among others. Data collected in 2020 reflected the median annual salary of Occupational Therapists at $84,290 with an average range of $67,140 -$99,300 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 16 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
ACCREDITATION
The
Governors State University Master of Occupational Therapy program is accredited
by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive
Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number
c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is acoteonline.org In May
2019, received accreditation for 10 years until 2028.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Graduates of the program
will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the
occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in
Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the
graduate will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). In addition, all
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 Exam and/or
attain state licensure.
Program/Student outcomes for the past 3 years
Year of Graduation/ Year of NBCOT | Number of Students Matriculated/Graduated | Graduation Rate | Graduate NBCOT Pass Rate |
2021/2022 | 31/31 | 100% | 94%(29/31) |
2020/2021 | 28/27 | 96% | 100%(27/27) |
2019/2020 | 26/26 | 100% | 100%(26/26) |
Totals | 85/84 | 99% | 97% |
Program results from the National Board for
Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Exam can be found online
at:HTTPS://WWW.NBCOT.ORG/EDUCATORS-FOLDER/SCHOOLPERFORMANCE
COST OF ATTENDANCE
Tuition and Fees for the Academic Year 23/24
Tuition:
$505.00 per 1 credit hour = $39,390
Fees:
(Student Center, Technology, Facilities, Health and Wellness, Instructional
Support, Student Support and Services, and Strategic Initiative): $12,360
Books
and Supplies: $4000
Total Cost of Attendance for the entire program:
$55,750
All United States residents pay the same amount as Illinois
residents
* Tuition
and fees are subject to change.
HRSA-Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students Grant
The MOT program was
recently awarded a Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students grant through the Health Resources & Services
Administration. The award of $2.688 million will be dispersed
over five years, beginning with the incoming Fall 2020 semester. Qualifying
students will receive financial awards every semester through the year 2025.
For questions regarding
the application process, please contact Dr. Caren Schranz at cschranz@govst.edu.

Lauren Green, Occupational Therapy Student Alumni
My experience in the MOT program at GSU has been amazing and incomparable. Our small class sizes ensure a quality learning experience, and the professors are truly invested in us—they go to great lengths to make sure we understand and are competent with the information needed to succeed and grow. We take part in community experiences where we apply our skills and knowledge in the community. The experiences are eye opening and rewarding, as well as allow a learning experience that could never be simulated in a classroom.

Caren Schranz, Chair of Occupational Therapy and Associate Professor
Our well-established Occupational Therapy program is fueled by faculty members who are passionate about OT, invested in student learning and connected to the community; their strong research agendas and collaborative research with students is integrated with community partners. In addition, our facilities, including our state-of-the-art ADL (Activities of Daily Life) lab provides students with opportunities to practice providing care for clients in a setting that is authentic to their future careers.
Meet Our Faculty
Click here to view a list of our faculty members.
MOT Curriculum and Required Preparation
Click here to learn more about our curriculum and preparation requirements.
How to Apply
Click here to review our application requirements.
Dept. of Occupational Therapy Mission Statement
Click here to read the Department of Occupational Therapy Mission Statement.
Student Resources
Click here to explore additional Student Resources.
Program Accreditation and Outcomes
The Occupational Therapyprogram has full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
MOT Special Admissions Requirements
Click here to learn more about our special admissions requirements.
Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program
Learn more about our Doctor of Occupational Therapy program here.