Masters of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Entry-Level

The Department of Occupational Therapy at Wayne State University (WSU) was founded in 1944 and is one of the first programs established in the country. Beyond the department's rich history, an exciting transformation of the program has been completed. The entry-level Masters of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program began in the Spring semester of 2003. The new program provides many exciting opportunities. In this "2+3" MOT curriculum model, the full-time student can complete the program within a minimum of five years. Each student will meet with a faculty advisor for a customized plan of work to ensure a smooth transition.

Department Philosophy

The department's philosophy is centered upon a holistic view of human beings, integrating the mind, body and spirit within society, while engaging in meaningful occupations. Students will develop skills in clinical practice, research, entrepreneurship, technology, and advocacy, resulting in culturally competent practitioners who will provide services in traditional and emerging practice areas. Opportunities will be available for students to utilize leading edge equipment, be mentored by experts in the field with "hands on" assignments, and engage in computing and communication technologies, and dynamic group experiences in diverse social, economic, cultural and urban environments.

Program Admission Criteria

• Complete a College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Occupational Therapy application.  If you are not a Wayne State University Student, complete a Wayne State University application
• Complete a minimum of 20 contact hours under the supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR), or equivalent, prior to your admission to the program. The documentation for contact hours is provided in the application packet. The packet can be downloaded from the Office of Enrollment Management
• Complete a one-page personal/professional statement
• Submit a letter of recommendation from a current or former employer or instructor using the form provided in the packet. The OTR who supervised your 20 contact hours is not eligible to complete this form
• You must have a grade point average of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale). All prerequisite courses may be repeated to improve grades
• If you are transferring from another institution, it is highly recommended that you meet with a representative at the Office of Enrollment Management at (313) 577-1716

Prerequisite Coursework

• Science Prerequisites

  • BIO 1510 Basic LIfe Mechanisms
  • BIO 2870 Anatomy & Physiology (with lab)
  • PHY 2130 & 2131 General Physics

• Non-Science Prerequisites

  • ENG 1020 Introduction to College Writing
  • ENG 3010 Intermediate Writing
  • PSY 1010 or 1020 Introductory Psychology
  • PSY 2400 Developmental Psychology
  • STA 1020 or PSY 3010 Introduction to Statistics
  • COM 1010 Introduction to Oral Communication
  • PS 1010 Introduction to American Government
  • SS (Social Science) course of your choice

Please note:

• If you have been convicted of a felony, you will not be admitted to the program.
• If a student is convicted of a felony during the program, such conviction may impede the graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination and/or attain state licensure.
• If you have questions or concerns about this issue please contact NBCOT at 800 South Frederick Avenue, Suite 200 - Gaithersburg, MD, 20877 - (301) 990-7979 www.nbcot.org

Click here to access the 2008 MOT Student Handbook. Please check back annually for updates.

For more information please contact:

Regina Parnell PhD, OTR
Assistant Professor and Graduate Coordinator for the Master of Occupational Therapy Program
Department of Health Care Sciences
Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan 48202
(313) 577-6794
Occupational Therapy Program: (313) 577-1435
(313) 577-5822 FAX
ad9049@wayne.edu

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Statistics

All data below represents aggregate scores from 2006, 2007, and 2008

• Sixty-five students have graduated with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Master of Occupational Therapy over the past three years (2005-2008)
• Our program boasts a 97% retention rate during that same time period
• The total number of first-time test takers of the national certification examination during that period totaled 67
• Fifty-four percent of first-time test takers passed the exam on their first attempt

We acknowledge the noted pass rate and are actively engaged in strategies to greatly improve our pass rate for example increased review sessions, and enhanced course exam strategies.