Master of Occupational Therapy

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Stroke, brain injury, birth injury, accidents, disease, disability—any of these can change a person's life in a single moment. Governors State’s Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) prepares the Occupational Therapists who will guide clients through long-term recovery and shape and lead the profession in years to come. Our graduates are well-versed in the sciences and skills that enable clients to restore function and adapt to the new realities and limitations that follow life-altering events. The MOT program places a strong emphasis on advocacy, communication, critical reasoning, 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. You must hold an undergraduate degree for admission to the MOT program, and while no specific undergraduate major degree is required, certain course prerequisites must be acquired prior to admission.

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. If you are an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) wishing to advance your career, you can achieve your bachelor’s degree through Governors State’s Interdisciplinary Studies program—the next step on your way to becoming an Occupational Therapist.

Why get a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy?

As a graduate student of the MOT program, you will gain an appreciation for the individual and gain an understanding of cultural identities and the role they play in shaping therapy. Our graduates work to make the profession and its services available to all and to eliminate the health disparities that exclude many from the level of care and participation they deserve. 

Data collected in 2017 reflected the median annual salary of Occupational Therapists at $81,910 with an average range of $67,140 – $99,300 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Chicago’s median salary for Occupational Therapists is $84,250.

Delivery Format

The Master of Occupational Therapy degree is an intensive, 102 credit hour program that provides students with the comprehensive knowledge and skills they need to become licensed, practicing members of the profession who help clients master the tasks of daily living. Admittance to the program takes place once a year, with courses beginning in the summer session.

The MOT curriculum is sequential. Duringthe first year, coursework lays a strong foundation in the sciences, ethics, the processes of Occupational Therapy, and multiculturalism. Students gain a thorough understanding of anatomy, physiology, movement analysis, and neuroscience.Second year coursework builds on the first year’s foundational courses and teaches students to apply their skills in increasingly complex environments. Several clinical experiences are integrated into second year coursework, and students learn through case method learning and evidence-based research.The final year is primarily fieldwork that bridges the theoretical with real-life practice.