Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science

Phone: 410-704-2762
Fax: 410-704-2322
Email: otadmissions@towson.edu

Admissions Coordinator: 410-704-2653

Programs of the Department

The Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science offers entry level professional programs at the MS and Doctoral (ELOTD) levels. Only those who have completed a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and all required prerequisites are considered for graduate admission to the entry-level occupational therapy programs. Please refer to the Graduate Catalog for specific admission information. 

The practice of occupational therapy is the ­therapeutic use of everyday life activities (occupations) with individuals or groups for the purpose of participation in roles and situations in home, school, workplace, community, and other settings. Occupational therapy services are provided to those who have or are at risk for developing an illness, injury, disease, disability or activity ­limitation. Occupational therapy addresses the physical, psychosocial, cognitive, sensory and other aspects of ­performance in a variety of contexts to support engagement in everyday life activities that affect health, well-being and quality of life (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014).

The Entry-Level MS and ELOTD Occupational Therapy Programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at:

6116 Executive Blvd. Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852

ACOTE phone number: (301)652-AOTA 

ACOTE web address: www.acoteonline.org

Graduates of the entry-level professional programs (MS and ELOTD) are 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. (Persons convicted of felonies may be unable to sit for the certification examination and should inquire in advance of program entry regarding eligibility.)

Occupational therapy is a profession that demands its practitioners have clinical competencies as well as academic knowledge. In addition to satisfactory completion of course work, students must demonstrate appropriate professional behaviors and skills prior to beginning clinical/fieldwork experiences. In the event that students do not demonstrate appropriate professional behaviors and/or skills and/or do not have satisfactory academic performance in one or more required courses, recommendations for remedial courses of action will be made in accordance with department policy.

Students are expected to be aware of and adhere to the AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics, and Ethics Standards (2020). Violation of the standards is cause for disciplinary action which may include dismissal from the programs offered by the Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science.

The department offers an accredited entry-level Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy, an accredited entry-level Clinical Doctorate (OTD), a Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PPOTD) and a Doctor of Occupational Science (Sc.D.). 

Program and Fieldwork Requirements

Initial Health and Insurance Requirements

Contracts with fieldwork facilities require that students in placements show proof of current health insurance and documentation of current health status. The findings of the health examination will not necessarily exclude students from placement. Students must present evidence of current health insurance, a recent health examination (including documentation of results of titers for immunization of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella), a speech and hearing screening, results of a PPD test, and results of a Hepatitis B titer or sign a declination form for the vaccine. Failure to comply will prevent registration.

Speech and Hearing Screening

Speech and hearing screening is offered free of charge through the Towson University Speech, Language and Hearing Center each term. Only one initial screening is required. Failure to comply will prevent registration.

Annual Health Requirements

Students must present annual evidence of current health insurance and results of PPD test.

CPR Courses and First Aid

Certification for adult, infant and child CPR is required prior to beginning the program. Proof of annual CPR certification is required during enrollment in the major. Online courses are not accepted. It is highly recommended that students complete a standard course in first aid.

Criminal Background Check

Students may be required to obtain a criminal background check and a drug screening if required by the fieldwork site. This can occur for any Level I or Level II fieldwork experience. The student is responsible for this expense.

Damaged or Missing Equipment, Assessments or Other Resources

Students are responsible for covering replacement costs for any items that are found to be damaged or missing due to their actions.

Entry-Level Professional Master’s Degree Program

This Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is designed for individuals with bachelor’s degrees in other fields who are interested in becoming occupational therapists. 

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate

The Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) is designed for individuals who hold a bachelors degree not in occupational therapy and are looking to enter the profession with a set of leadership skills and experiences that the clinical doctoral degree can provide. 

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Blvd. , Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and the Web address is www.acoteonline.org.

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). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all 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 and/or attain state licensure.

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate

The Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PPOTD) is an advanced clinical degree for eligible occupational therapists with evidence of successful initial certification by the National Certification Board of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) as an OTR, and at least a Master's degree. The PPOTD is grounded in the science of occupation and evidence-based advanced practice. 

Doctor of Science in Occupational Science (Sc.D.)

The applied doctoral degree in Occupational Science prepares graduates to teach, influence policy, and engage in applied research. Occupational science is the scientific study of human occupation related to the purposeful and meaningful activities that comprise everyday life ­experiences. The main emphasis of this interdisciplinary doctoral program is to advance education, research and service that promote occupational engagement, social and occupational justice, and health and well-being of persons, organizations and populations by applying knowledge gained through the promoted study of occupational science.

The ScD degree requires the completion of at least 90 units beyond a bachelor’s degree.

For more information on any of these programs, consult the Graduate Catalog.

• Major in Occupation and Well-being

Faculty

Professor: M. Beth Merryman (Graduate Program Director)

Associate Professors: Kathleen Eglseder, Kendra Heatwole-Shank (Chairperson / Graduate Program Director), Amanda Jozkowski (Graduate Program Director), Sonia Lawson (Graduate Program Director), Cynthia Yeager

Assistant Professors: Ashley Lankford, Chetna Sethi, Jennifer Wingrat

Clinical Assistant Professors: Allysin Bridges-German, Audrey Combs, Elizabeth Gosnell, Rachel Guilfoyle, Dan Hollern (Occupational Therapy Center Director), Amanda Littleton, Derek Piggott