Accelerated Graduate Pathway to Occupational Therapy

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The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) and the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) programs both offer an Accelerated Graduate Pathway for current USM students majoring in Social and Behavioral Sciences or Health Sciences. These degrees often cover the majority of the MOT and OTD prerequisites as part of the undergraduate degree program.

Students interested in pursuing the MOT or OTD Accelerated Graduate Pathways complete approximately 85-90 undergraduate credits, usually through the course of approximately three (3) years of full time study. During their third year, the student would then apply and potentially gain conditional acceptance into the MOT/OTD program. The student’s final undergraduate year would then overlap with their first year of the master’s or doctoral program, with some credits counting toward both degrees.

Prerequisites for the MOT and OTD Accelerated Pathway:

USM course titles are listed in brackets.

Medical Terminology 1-3 credits [USM SCI 140 Medical Terminology}
Neuroscience 3 credits [USM BIO 321 Neurobiology]
Introduction to Sociology (or an upper level SOC/SBS course) 3 credits [SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology]
Multicultural Human Development (or Developmental Psychology) 3 credits (HRD 200 Multicultural Human Development]
Statistics 3 credits** [MAT 120 Introduction to Statistics (or equivalent)]
Abnormal Psychology (or Psychopathology) 3 credits** [PSY 233 Abnormal Psychology]
Introduction to Physics with Lab^~ 4 credits** (or SCI 150 Physics and Biomechanics/no lab) 3 Credits [PHY 101/102 Introduction to Physics/Lab]
Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab^~ 4 credits** [BIO 111/112 Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab]
Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab^~4 credits** [BIO 113/114 Anatomy and Physiology II/Lab]

Prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university
- All prerequisite courses are available through the University of Southern Maine
- Straighterline courses are unacceptable for prerequisite courses
- Optional OT Prerequisites Worksheet is available to track progress
Prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of B or higher
- For grades lower than a B, students may opt to retake the course, complete an equivalency exam (specific subjects only), or petition the faculty to substitute an appropriate course and/or work/life experience

**Statistics, Abnormal Psychology, Physics, A&P I, and A&P II must have been taken within six years prior to applying to the MOT/OTD programs. Courses taken outside of this date range will need to be retaken or an equivalency exam may be used in its place.

^~Online/simulated labs will be assessed for equivalency at the discretion of the Program Director.

If using an AP credit to fulfill a prerequisite course, the credit must have been completed within 6 years of applying to the program and applicants must complete a petition form for the Program Director to review. Acceptance of AP credits for prerequisite courses will be at the discretion of the Program Director. An AP credit score of 4 is equivalent to a B grade at the college level.

How to apply:

Matriculate into one of the aforementioned undergrad degree programs (SBS or HLS).
Declare the MOT/OTD Accelerated Pathway option using the Accelerated Pathways Declaration form, available from the Office of Registration. Return the completed form to the Office of Registration for processing.
Complete all college core and academic major degree requirements, as well as the required MOT/OTD prerequisite courses.
APPLY* to the MOT/OTD program the year prior to the fall you expect to start.
If accepted, MOT/OTD courses are used toward your undergraduate degree’s general electives in order to reach the 120 total credits required to earn the bachelor’s degree.
If not accepted, the student will be expected to complete the necessary electives within their undergraduate program in order to obtain bachelor’s degree.
Continue with MOT/OTD graduate school coursework (if accepted into the program) and earn your Master of Occupational Therapy degree or Doctorate of Occupational Therapy upon completion of all MOT or OTD academic and fieldwork requirements.

*APPLICATION TO THE MOT/OTD PROGRAM IS REQUIRED. Participation in the accelerated pathway option DOES NOT guarantee admission to the MOT program. Each applicant joins the overall applicant pool for admission consideration.

If interested in pursuing the MOT/OTD accelerated pathway option, talk to your faculty or professional advisor. You can also call (207) 753-6536 to set up an advising appointment on the Lewiston campus for the SBS degree path, or call (207) 780-4555 to set up an advising appointment on the Gorham campus for the Health Sciences option. Transfer of any previously earned college credits will also be discussed.