Degree and Accreditation

The Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.) curriculum encompasses 36 continuous months (3 years) of study. Completion of the M.O.T. program in its entirety is required for eligibility for the registry examination. Graduates of the program 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).  The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program has a 87% pass rate for first time test takers of the NBCOT exam over the calendar years 2006, 2007, and 2008.  The total number of graduates during this reporting period was 79; the total number of first time test takers who took the exam was 79; the total number of first time test takers who passed the first time was 69.  Due to variability of available clinical sites, completion of the required curriculum may be extended beyond the minimum of 36 months. Be advised that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) until the year 2013/2014. AOTA is located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. Their phone number is (301) 652-AOTA. Graduates of the program will be able 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). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. The program consists of 36 months of didactic, laboratory, demonstration and clinical course work. All OT students must complete Level II Fieldwork within 24 months following completion of didactic coursework.