Accelerated Graduate Pathway to Occupational Therapy

The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program offers 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 prerequisites as part of the degree program.

Students interested in pursuing the MOT Accelerated Graduate Pathway 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 program. The student’s final undergraduate year would then overlap with their first year of the master’s program, with some credits counting toward both degrees.

Prerequisites for the MOT:

• Medical Terminology 1-3 credits
• Neuroscience 3 credits
• Introduction to Sociology (or an upper level SOC/SBS course) 3 credits
• Multicultural Human Development (or Developmental Psychology) 3 credits
• Statistics 3 credits**
• Abnormal Psychology (or Psychopathology) 3 credits**
• Introduction to Physics with Lab^~ 4 credits** (or SCI 150 Physics and Biomechanics/no lab) 3 Credits
• Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab^~ 4 credits**
• Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab^~ 4 credits**

**Statistics, Abnormal Psychology, Physics, A&P I, and A&P II must have been taken within six years prior to applying to the MOT program. 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:

1. Matriculate into one of the aforementioned undergrad degree programs (SBS or HLS).
2. Declare the MOT 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.
3. Complete all college core and academic major degree requirements, as well as the required MOT prerequisite courses.
4. APPLY* to the MOT program the year prior to the fall you expect to start.
5. If accepted, MOT 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.
6. If not accepted, the student will be expected to complete the necessary electives within their undergraduate program in order to obtain bachelor’s degree.
7. Continue with MOT graduate school coursework (if accepted into the program) and earn your Master of Occupational Therapy degree upon completion of all MOT academic and fieldwork requirements.

*APPLICATION TO THE MOT 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 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.