Our Master of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree program gives Salus students the basic skills they need as a direct care provider, consultant, educator, manager, researcher and advocate for both the profession and the consumer.
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree (MSOT) program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) (www.acoteonline.org) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) (www.aota.org), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. The telephone number for ACOTE is (301) 652-6611.
Graduates 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 individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR).
In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Graduation Rates
The total number of graduates from Salus University’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program during the 3-year period of 2021-2023 was 153, with an overall graduation rate of 99%.
| Graduation Year | Students Entering/Graduating | Graduation Rate | |
| 2020 | 50/49 | 98% | |
| 2021 | 50/50 | 100% | |
| 2022 | 52/52 | 100% | |
| 2023 | 53/51 | 96% | |
| Total | 205/202 | 99% |
NBCOT Certification Exam Pass Rate
For the year 2022, the exam pass rate was based on the percentage of graduates who take and pass the exam within 12 months of graduation. Salus University achieved a 98% pass rate. Refer to this website for comparison data:
https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance
| Year | Exam Pass Rate |
| 2022 | 98% |
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2020 | 100% |
| 2019 | 100% |
| 2018 | 100% |
| 2017 | 100% |
| 2016 | 100% |
| 2015 | 100% |
| 2014 | 100% |
Cost of Attendance
| Estimated Costs | Class of 2025 | Class of 2024 | Total Cost |
| Tuition | $44,000 | $44,000 | $88,000 |
| University Fees | $1,360 | $1,280 | $2,640 |
| Books and Instruments | $1,950 | $300 | $2,250 |
| Average Loan Fee Allowance | $1,725 | $1,440 | $3,165 |
| Living Expense Allowance | $34,800 | $30,450 | $65,250 |
| Externship Travel Allowance | $2,100 | $2,100 | |
| Totals | $83,835 | $79,570 | $163,405 |
Program Overview
Students with a bachelor’s degree may apply for entry into the master’s (MSOT) program.
All qualified students are awarded a Master of Science (MSOT) degree after successful completion of the coursework. This coursework includes didactic classroom courses, Fieldwork experiences, and a Capstone project.
After completing the MSOT degree, students can continue their education in our post-professional OTD program.
Program Details
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree requires coursework over a period of 23 months beginning in August of Year 1 and extending through June of Year 2.
Prior to entering the program, applicants must provide evidence of a bachelor’s degree and completion of at least 18 credit hours of foundational prerequisite courses.
To meet the required semester credits, students must complete curriculum designed to meet ACOTE standards including fieldwork experiences and a capstone project. Students must complete the entire program in five years.
Program Goals
At the successful conclusion of this MSOT degree program, students will:
- Have acquired, as a foundation for professional study, a breadth and depth of knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences, and an understanding of issues related to diversity
- Be educated as a generalist with a broad exposure to the delivery models and systems used in settings where Occupational Therapy is currently practiced, and where it is emerging as a service
- Have achieved entry-level competence through a combination of academic and fieldwork education
- Be prepared to articulate and apply Occupational Therapy theory and evidence-based evaluations and interventions to achieve expected outcomes as related to occupation
- Be prepared to articulate and apply therapeutic use of occupations with individuals or groups for the purpose of participation in roles and situations in home, school, workplace, community, and other settings
- Be prepared to plan and apply occupational therapy interventions to address the physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory, and other aspects of performance in a a variety of contexts and environments to support engagement in everyday life activities that affect health, well-being, and quality of life
- Be prepared to be a lifelong learner, and keep current with evidence-based professional practice
- Be prepared to effectively communicate with and work interprofessionally with those who provide care for individuals and/or populations in order to clarify each member’s responsibility in executing components of an intervention plan
- Uphold the ethical standards, values, and attitudes of the Occupational Therapy profession
- Understand the distinct roles and responsibilities of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant in the supervisory process
- Be prepared to advocate as a professional for the Occupational Therapy services offered and for the recipients of those services
- Be prepared to be an effective consumer of the latest research and knowledge bases that support practice and contribute to the growth and dissemination of research and knowledge