Occupational Therapy, M.O.T.
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.
MOT Scheduled Information Sessons
| Date | Time | Location |
| July 1, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. | Virtual |
| August 5, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. | |
| September 2, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. | Virtual |
Information Sessions are held via Microsoft Teams the
first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.
Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 225 810 345 623 52
Passcode: ZD7Yt7jG
Join the meeting now
Occupational Therapy as a Career
The Master of Occupational Therapy 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 place 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.
Career Outcomes
Occupational Therapy is consistently ranked among the top professions in the United States. For more information, take a look at the sources below.
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 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-6611 and its web address is acoteonline.org. In May 2019, the program received accreditation for 10 years until 2028.
Quote from Lauren Green
"My experience in the MOT program at GovState 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"
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 completing this exam, the graduate will be registered as an occupational therapist (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 CALENDAR YEARS
| Year of Graduation/ Year of NBCOT | Number of Students Matriculated/Graduated | Graduation Rate |
| 2025 | 29/27 | 93% |
| 2024 | 15/15 | 100% |
| 2023 | 28/28 | 100% |
| Totals | 72/70 | 97% |
COST OF ATTENDANCE
| Master of Occupational Therapy | AY26-27 | AY27-28 | FY28 | Total |
| Tuition | $18,150.00 | $19,800.00 | $4,950.00 | $ 24,810.00 |
| Mandatory Fees | $2,208.00 | $2,208.00 | $100.00 | $4,516.00 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $700.00 | $700.00 | $0.00 | $1,400.00 |
| OT Program Fees : Subscriptions, tools, Program & Fieldwork Requirements | $500.00 | $500.00 | $330.00 | $1000.00 |
| Federal Loan Fees | $210.00 | $210.00 | $105.00 | $525.00 |
| Total | $34,633.00 | $36,283.00 | $9803.00 | $50,671.00 |
All United States residents pay the same amount as Illinois residents
*Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.
MOT Admission Requirements and Application Process
In addition to meeting university admission criteria, applicants must have successfully completed the following prerequisites in addition to, or in conjunction with, a baccalaureate degree.
If you're interested in pursuing the Master of Occupational Therapy degree, contact us today. We can walk you through the steps to admission, explain how you can meet the program prerequisites, and tell you what you can expect to experience if you're accepted into the program.
Applications are only accepted once a year through OTCAS.
Applicants applying for admission to the College of Health and Human Services Occupational Therapy Program must submit documentation for the following minimum requirements:
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree prior to matriculation
- Prerequisite coursework with a grade of “C” or above in the following subjects:
- Human anatomy and human physiology with lab (8 credits)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 credits) to include:
- Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
- Developmental Psychology or other related Sociology, Anthropology or lifespan course (3 credits)
- General/ Intro to Psychology courses (3 credits)
· Orientation of Occupational Therapy (2 credits)
· Medical Terminology (1 credit)
- Students must have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75 excluding your freshman and sophomore year.
- A personal statement paper that is no longer that 2 pages and should articulate why you are choosing occupational therapy as a career.
- Three letters of recommendation: One must be from a healthcare professional, one from an academic person, one from a mentor, employer, advisor, or volunteer experience supervisor.
- An interview by invitation based on review of application.
- A $750 seat deposit is required upon acceptance.
The curriculum for the Master of Occupational Therapy degree is 78 credit hours extending 27 months from matriculation to graduation. The student completes 61 credit hours of didactic education then moves into Candidacy and completes 24 weeks of Level II Fieldwork experience.
For complete information regarding degree requirements for the Master of Occupational Therapy, please see our current GovState Catalog.
NOTE:
* All Occupational Therapy students must apply for Candidacy after completing 61 credits.
*All Occupational Therapy students must complete Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of academic preparation.
Application to the Master of Occupational Therapy program at Governors State University is made through a centralized application service: OTCAS. To apply to our program, you should access the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service via the OTCAS Applicant Portal Link. The application cycle is from July 1 -February 15.
Admission Process:
The OTCAS application cycle opens on July 1:
•Applications that are “complete” – meaning all prerequisites are met – will be reviewed within 2-3 weeks after it is submitted. Applications that meet the criteria by November 15 will be invited for an interview in late November. You will be notified of acceptance through an early decision letter by December 15.
•Applications will continue to be reviewed until the close of the application cycle on February 15. At that time, applications will be reviewed between 2-3 weeks after the close of the application cycle and applicants will be invited for an interview in late February. You will then be notified of the decision through a decision letter by mid March.
At that point, you will have to commit to:
•A $750 seat deposit that is due within two weeks of notification of acceptance in the MOT program
Applicants for the next term must apply online using the OTCAS application:
- Begin the application process by visiting https://otcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login
- Click "Create Account"
Once you have created an account, it is recommended to click on FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) and Instructions prior to completing your application. These links provide you with important information regarding the application process (e.g., transcripts, personal statement/essay, and letters of reference).
The following information must be submitted directly to OTCAS in order to complete your application:
- Official Transcripts-You are required to provide official transcripts from every accredited U.S. institution attended. Your transcripts must include final grades received through the most recent semester or quarter before the application deadline. It is not acceptable to use another school's evaluation of previous credits or another school's grade report as a transcript. All official transcripts MUST be sent to OTCAS.
- References-You are required to submit a minimum of three (3) letters of reference. You should use three qualified recommenders who can attest to your academic and professional abilities. One letter must be from a college professor/academic advisor; a second letter from a health care professional, preferably an occupational therapist; and a third letter may be submitted by a person of your choice, including but not limited to; an employer, college instructor, or another health professional. Recommendation letters from fellow students, personal friends, or family members are not acceptable.
- Letters of Recommendation - Letters of recommendation must be completed using the required reference forms available from OTCAS. If you choose to use the Paper Letter of Recommendation as opposed to the Electronic version, the OTCAS form must be used.
All documents not submitted electronically MUST be sent to OTCAS at the address listed below:
OTCAS Verification Department
P.O. Box 9120
Watertown, MA 02471
The fee schedule is $125 for the first application to a designated OTCAS school and $45 for each additional school. Applicants will pay fees directly to OTCAS.
Quote from Caren Schranz
"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 are integrated with community partners. In addition, our facilities, including our state-of-the-art ADL (Activities of Daily Life) lab provide students with opportunities to practice providing care for clients in a setting that is authentic to their future careers."
What You'll Study
Our academic catalog has detailed information about what you'll study, like courses, hours needed for completion, and other requirements.
How to Apply
You'll need certain documents and meet certain requirements in order to apply. Read about them here.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Governors State’s mission is to offer accessible and exceptional education, which is why GovState offers the most affordable tuition rates in the Chicagoland area—all while maintaining our top accreditations.
As a student at Governors State University, you have many available ways to cover the cost of your tuition.
Contact Us:
- Dr. Erin Simpson
- Associate Professor, OT
- Department of Occupational Therapy
- 708.235.7387
- esimpson2@govst.edu