Please read these questions carefully as the information contained is very important to your application to the Masters of Occupational Therapy Program. The answers below will assist you in completing your application.

*For questions or concerns regarding the application process, please contact the Department of Allied Health or the Admissions Office*

1.      What if I already have an OTA degree but do not have a bachelor’s degree yet?

In order to be admitted, the MOT program requires that participants have an OTA degree and a bachelor’s degree (in any subject), both from an accredited university. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you will need to pursue one prior to admission to the MOT program. You may want to consider the on-line Bachelor of Arts in Rehabilitation Services degree offered through the Allied Health Department at WNMU. For more information on this program, contact the Department of Allied Health at WNMU.

2.      If I don’t have one (or more) of the prerequisite courses, can I still get into the program?

The prerequisite courses are based on the accreditation standards and are essential for admission. You may submit an application if you can complete the prerequisite(s) during the summer, prior to the start of fall classes in August. However, if you have multiple prerequisites to take, you may have to postpone admission to the next year.

3.      What if I have a bachelor’s degree but am not a COTA?

The MOT program is designed to be on-line plus three weekends per semester, and is intended to provide additional technical skills needed to supplement the OTA education and to bridge up to the entry level master’s degree. In order for the program design to be successful, it is necessary that the participants bring a certain minimum knowledge and skill set with them. We believe that a bachelor’s degree and an OTA degree, along with certain prerequisite courses, provide the minimum knowledge. In addition, it is expected that you will have applied to and received from NBCOT your COTA certification. The majority of our participants currently work in the field and are seeking to expand their professional credentials and opportunities through this program.

4.      Can I complete the OTA degree and the MOT degree at the same time?

No. Both programs are set up in a “lock step” sequence of courses that build on each other. The foundation of OTA skills acquired through the OTA degree plan is critical to advancing into the MOT program.

5.      What if I live out of state or out of the country: can I still do the on-line portion and just not come in for the weekend labs?

No. You would miss crucial information. The lab-based weekend experiences are not available via the on-line delivery methods. Attendance at the three weekend labs per semester is mandatory.

6.      How long does it take to complete the program?

The length of the program is 2.5 years. The first two years are academic, and consist of 5 semesters of course work. The course load is 10 – 11 credit hours for the fall and spring semesters and 4 hours for the summer semester. The final half year is divided into two fieldwork assignments of 12 weeks duration at each site.

7.      Is there any way to condense the program to one year if I have all the pre-requisites   and already have experience as a COTA?

No. The accreditation standards require certain content to be taught. Experience as a COTA is certainly helpful, but can not be counted towards college credit at the master’s level.

8.      I have an OTA degree and am a COTA but I have never worked for a supervising OTR. Can I get references from non-OTR supervisors?

The perspective of a practicing OT who observed you in the field is what we are looking for.

You can use a referral from an OT that supervised you during your educational fieldwork phase.

9.      Why can’t I start the program in the spring or summer?

The program is structured in a cohort group that stays together until graduation. Admissions are limited to the fall semester, and the group progresses through the sequence of courses in the program. If you were to join the cohort during any other later semester, you would have missed the prior semester’s course offering which is pre-requisite to the next semester’s classes.

10. When should I submit my application?

Applications are accepted year round and so you should submit your application as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is the 1^st of April for admission to the fall semester of that year. Applications received after April 1 will be considered for the class starting the following year unless there is still space available. Decisions will be made by May 15 for the class of that year.

11. How do I finance my education?

Program costs information and assistance are available.  This is a hybrid program consisting of online courses and on- campus labs. If you live out of state, you will pay out of state tuition. Current tuition and fees are listed on the home page of www.wnmu.edu, and you can calculate a budget from the information contained therein. Also, the Western Interstate Commission of Higher Education Professional Student Exchange Program offers reduced tuition to qualifying applicants from the following states: AL, AZ, HI, MT, and WY. To see how you can qualify, search www.wiche.edu/psep. In addition, the WNMU Admissions homepage offers other tuition waivers for graduate students from El Paso, TX and from Colorado. Information on loans, grants, and WNMU Foundation private scholarships can be found on the WNMU Financial Aid homepage. AOTA members may be able to qualify for AOTF scholarships. The Federal Financial Aid Relief for Allied Health Students is another recommended resource.