Occupational Therapy

The Master of Occupational Therapy degree program at KU is a full-time, three-year course of study at the graduate level and includes academic, practicum, and fieldwork preparation. This program has been designed to provide students with skills necessary to work as an occupational therapist in a range of possible settings. Practicum and fieldwork experiences are offered throughout the Kansas City community, the state of Kansas and, in some cases, in states other than Kansas. KU’s Master of Occupational Therapy program is located at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.

Upon completion, students are eligible for the national OT certification examination required for legal employment in this field. Only those who have successfully completed the entire three-year sequence are eligible for the registration exam administered by the National Board of Certification for Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Individuals who earn passing scores on that exam may then seek employment as registered occupational therapists.

KU's MOT program is typically completed in three years. If unusual circumstances arise which interfere with an individual’s ability to continue the program in the prescribed sequence, please be advised that all educational requirements must be completed in no more than four-and-a-half years.

The Master of Occupational Therapy degree program at KU is a full-time, three-year course of study at the graduate level and includes academic, practicum, and fieldwork preparation. The program has been designed to provide students with skills necessary to work as an entry-level occupational therapist in a range of possible settings. Practicum and fieldwork experiences are offered throughout the Kansas City community, the state of Kansas and, in some cases, in states other than Kansas.

Curriculum:

Admission Requirements

Applications may be submitted with course work still in progress but must indicate the student's plan for completion prior to entering the program. Students cannot complete prerequisite courses while concurrently enrolled in MOT program course work.

• Undergraduate Degree
  A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution must be completed prior to start of program classes. The degree can be in any field.

• Required Prerequisite Course work
  The following courses are required: Abnormal psychology, human development, statistics, ethics, human physiology, and human anatomy with a lab. Each course must be a minimum of three credit hours.

• Grade Point Average
  Minimum GPA = 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in cumulative undergraduate course work. In addition, a minimum 3.0 GPA average is required for the specific prerequisite courses (see right). A passing grade of "C"or higher is required in all prerequisite courses; courses resulting in pass/fail or credit/no-credit are not accepted. Information documented on student transcripts will be used to calculate all grade point averages.

Scholarships

Barbara Reber Umlauf Scholarship
The Barbara Reber Umlauf Memorial Scholarship is a self-nominating scholarship, which is awarded each year to selected full-time students enrolled in the MOT program. The recipients must be members of the Student Occupational Therapy Association, have participated in both volunteer and work experiences, and have a competitive grade point average. Applications will be sent to students in the spring, and awarded in the following fall and spring semester.

Kathlyn ‘Kitty’ Reed Occupational Therapy Scholarship
Dr. Kathlyn ‘Kitty’ Reed established this scholarship to recognize a deserving occupational therapy student. The recipient must be an outstanding graduate student. This is not a self-nominating scholarship. The OT Scholarship Committee determines the recipient of this scholarship.

Ellen Roose Scholarship
The Ellen Roose Scholarship is for a deserving graduate teaching assistant occupational therapy student. This is not a self-nominating scholarship. The OT Scholarship Committee determines the scholarship recipient.

Andy Thompson Award
Established by the family of Andy Thompson, a KU OT graduate, the Andy Thompson Award is awarded to a third year graduating occupational therapy student. This is a self-nominating award. The recipient of this award must possess an interest in serving individuals with traumatic brain injury or psychiatric disabilities. Applications will be sent to qualifying students and the recipient awarded at graduation.

Community Internship Opportunity
Since the early 1990’s, the KU Department of Occupational Therapy Education has collaborated with local organizations to provide graduate student internship opportunities which may be eligible for in-state tuition. Minds Matter, LLC is a local organization which provides cognitive and behavioral training and consulting while supporting trainers and therapists who work with people with disabilities within their communities. Students who are part of this paid internship work with men and women in individual home and community settings to meet independent living needs.