Psychology
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Occupational Therapy Accelerated Program in Pennsylvania
Students who pursue this accelerated program earn both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree (your choice of applied health science with a pre-occupational therapy concentration, or psychology) and a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree from Messiah University in five years.
Study Occupational Therapy Accelerated Program at a Christian University
Earn your bachelor's degree and a Master of Occupational Therapy degree in just five years
If your passion is helping and encouraging others, problem solving and working as part of a team to improve individuals’ quality of life and independence, Messiah's accelerated program in occupational therapy may be a good fit for you.
Occupational therapy is a growing allied health profession that prepares you to work with patients in a variety of health care settings to help restore abilities needed to perform activities of daily living, recovering from disease/injury or adapting environments to meet individual needs.
Messiah’s five-year accelerated program is designed for academically qualified first-year students who are confident they want to become occupational therapists. The program allows entering first-year students to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees at Messiah University, one of the top private Christian schools in the U.S., in less time than would be required to complete both of these degrees separately. Students who pursue this accelerated program earn both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree (your choice of applied health science with a pre-occupational therapy concentration, or psychology) and a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree from Messiah University in five years.
When studying in the accelerated occupational therapy program at Messiah University, you will:
- Obtain a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree at the end of your fourth year of study; a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) at the end of your fifth year of study
- Develop strong professional networks in the field through clinical experiences
- Qualify for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Exam and Licensure in all 50 states.
- Learn from intentional, creative, hands-on faculty that still practice in the field.
- Participate in community-engaged learning opportunities that allow you to practice what you are learning in the classroom while tangibly serving the community.
- Enjoy individualized fieldwork placements.
- Receive a comprehensive education that prepares you to work in any practice setting across the lifespan.
- Collaborate with physical therapy, nursing, social work, dietetics, athletic training and special education programs.
Students enrolled in the accelerated occupational therapy program at Messiah are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam after graduating with their master’s degree. After passing the exam, you are eligible to apply for state licensure as an occupational therapist.
The NBCOT pass rate for Messiah graduates is 98%
Employment opportunities are available in the following areas:
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Outpatient clinics
- Academia
- Early intervention
- Mental and behavioral health
- Community settings
For more information on career planning for occupational therapy, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
You will choose one of two bachelor’s degrees to complete the occupational therapy accelerated program.
Applied health science (with a pre-occupational therapy concentration): This major is most appropriate if you enjoy studying the human body, basic science courses and how the body responds to both physical activity and disease. The pre-occupational therapy concentration provides a multi-dimensional approach to studying health and offers coursework in anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, chronic disease, health promotion, exercise psychology and nutrition. Prerequisite psychology courses will be incorporated in the curriculum to prepare you for the integration of the mental and physical components of occupational therapy.
Psychology: This major is most appropriate if you enjoy studying human behavior, the motivations behind behavior and mental processes. You will study a wide-range of foundational psychology courses in lifespan development, abnormal psychology, experimental psychology, and sensation and perceptions. Prerequisite science courses will be incorporated in the curriculum to prepare you to understand the biological basis of behavior required for the field of occupational therapy.
The 5-year, accelerated B.S./MOT program will admit no more than 15 total new students each fall (split between the B.S. in psychology and the B.S. in Applied Health Science – Pre-OT). New admits will be accepted directly from high school.
Minimum high school entry requirements:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 (Grades of A or B in all high school science and math courses)
- SAT/ACT/CLT testing optional for 24/25 admissions cycle.
- Evidence of extracurricular activities and/or strong leadership in school or community activities
- Honors courses, evidence of dual enrollment, or AP courses is preferred
- High school students must apply to Messiah University by Feb. 1, 2025
- Selected applicants will be invited to interview virtually on Nov. 21, 2024 or Feb. 27, 2025
Questions regarding the occupational therapy accelerated program may be directed to gradot@messiah.edu.
National Board of Certification Exam
Occupational therapy students who meet academic and clinical requirements are eligible to sit for the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam, which certifies them as occupational therapists.
Want to learn more?
Questions regarding the occupational therapy accelerated program may be directed to Dr. Leanne Rutt at lrutt@messiah.edu.
Programs related to Occupational Therapy Accelerated Program
Applied Health Science
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In the Occupational Therapy Accelerated Program program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Students who pursue this accelerated program earn both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree (your choice of applied health science with a pre-occupational therapy concentration, or psychology) and a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree from Messiah University in five years.
Course options for Occupational Therapy Accelerated Program:
Applied Health Science (B.S.) Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration and Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.)
Psychology (B.S.) Pre-Occupational Therapy / Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.)
Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.)
Occupational Therapy Accelerated Program careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of the Occupational Therapy Accelerated Program program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
96% of the Class of 2022 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.