Occupational Therapy

Students must have one of the following in order to apply:

• An undergraduate degree, with a cumulative prerequisite grade point average of 3.0. Higher grade point averages (General Prerequisites and Cumulative), will make a stronger application portfolio. 
• At least 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree and completion of the first level of prerequisites, as described in Step 2 below. NOTE: Students must complete their bachelor's degree before beginning the OT Graduate Program. 

There are two levels of prerequisites that must be completed before a student can begin the graduate program.

• General Prerequisites (1st level of prerequisites completed prior to application) – can be taken as part of other undergraduate coursework and can be taken at any institution.  All General Prerequisites must be completed prior to application with a minimum grade of “C” (exception: a “B” or better in Anatomy and Physiology I & II).  These are listed in the General Prerequisite Coursework tab below.
• Mercy-specific Prerequisites (2nd level completed prior to beginning the graduate program, if provisionally accepted). All students admitted to the Program are done so on a conditional basis. Students must complete the Mercy Specific prerequisites within one year of acceptance and pass with a minimum GPA of a 3.0 to begin the Graduate program. Students may choose to begin taking Mercy-specific prerequisites before they actually apply to the program. Students interested in this option must speak with the Occupational Therapy Graduate Advisor, who can be contacted at otprogram@mercy.edu.

Please note: Students must apply to the graduate program one full year before they begin graduate coursework. During that year, all of the Mercy-specific prerequisite courses must be completed. 

Additional information can be obtained from the OT Application Prerequisite Worksheet and OT Program Info Sheet Fall 2022

General Prerequisite Coursework

*There are specific requirements for prerequisite course content. Acceptance of the above courses as meeting prerequisite requirements is determined by the Graduate Occupational Therapy Program only, and may be different than what is accepted for credit as part of a typical admissions process at Mercy. The Office of Admissions can answer questions regarding course content. Please complete the “Request for Information” tab if you have questions, and Admissions Counselor will be able to assist you. 

Submit the application portfolio materials to the Graduate Occupational Therapy Program.  Important: Although applicants must have a 3.0 GPA to apply, a 3.4 GPA or higher in prerequisite coursework is strongly recommended for a more competitive application.

It will be important to follow the directions carefully, and include all of the required materials.  Failure to do so may result in your portfolio not being reviewed.

The following information is required:

• Prerequisite Table completed with the following:

1. General prerequisites: Identify the institution and term each course was completed, along with final grade
2. Mercy-specific prerequisites: Identify dates for completion OR anticipated dates for completion for each course, along with final grades, as applicable.

• A short paper (2 pages) in which the applicant describes and discusses his/her understanding of occupational therapy, and connection to the profession. Cite three current and relevant references. Please use one-inch margins, double spacing, and Times New Roman 12 font. Failure to do so may result in an incomplete review of the applicant’s portfolio.
• Two references (using Mercy Occupational Therapy Recommendation form)
• Official transcripts (unofficial is acceptable only if student has a course in progress)
• Updated résumé
• Incomplete application may not be considered for admission to the program, as all materials must be present in order for an accurate and fair review to occur.

Applications submitted during the application window will be processed and evaluated. Once all portfolios have been evaluated, select students will be invited for an on-campus interview and an onsite writing sample. After interviews are completed, students are either provisionally invited into the program, put on a waitlist , or not invited. Students will be informed of the Admission Committee decisions by the end of August. 

• Application portfolios will be presented to the program’s Admission Committee.  The final admission decision is based on a combination of GPA, references, interview and written essays.
• Candidates will be notified regarding their provisional acceptance into the next year’s occupational therapy class by late August. 
• All acceptances will be provisional, and will not be finalized unless students complete remaining Mercy-specific prerequisites and/or bachelor’s degree courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and a grade of C or better prior to the Fall semester into which they were accepted. 
• Students accepted into the program will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of $250 (for Fall 2023) or $500 (effective Fall 2024) at the time of acceptance, which will be applied to the fall graduate tuition payment. 
• Students must enter the program in the year for which they were accepted.  Any divergence from this policy must be approved through a faculty review.

• After a provisional acceptance into the OT Graduate Program, students must complete Mercy-specific prerequisites listed below in the year prior to beginning the graduate program.
• Students may choose to begin taking Mercy-specific prerequisites before they actually apply to the program to improve the competitiveness of their application. Students interested in this option must speak with the Occupational Therapy Graduate Advisor, who can be contacted at otprogram@mercy.edu.
• Mercy-Specific Prerequisite courses are required to be completed at Mercy College. However, the Program may consider accepting courses deemed equivalent by the Program. Students interested in a review of course or courses for transfer must contact otprogram@mercy.edu for specific information regarding procedure for acceptance of transfer credits.
• Acceptance into the program is competitive.  Achieving the minimum prerequisite grade point average, or completion of the Mercy-specific prerequisites does not guarantee program admission.  

Mercy Graduate OT courses are required to be completed at Mercy College. However, the Program may consider accepting up to 6 credits of graduate coursework, if deemed equivalent by the Program. Students interested in a review of course or courses for acceptance must contact the Program and complete the procedure to request review for the course or courses they are seeking for transfer, prior to starting the Graduate Program.

Additional information can be obtained from the OT Application Prerequisite Worksheet and OT Program Info Sheet spring 2023

Yes. Many of our current students and alumni have volunteered to speak to prospective students about our program. Please contact the Occupational Therapy program at 914-674-7815 or otprogram@mercy.edu for additional information.

Intense. The amount of information covered in one weekend is equivalent to four to five classes in a traditional program. There are lectures, discussions, small group problem solving and active hands on practice.

Your grades in the General Mercy College prerequisite courses (meeting minimum required grades for each course), grade point average, interview, recommendation forms, and written essays. All acceptances are provisional and require successful completion and grade attainment for the Mercy Specific prerequisites with a minimum GPA of 3.0. All Mercy Specific prerequisite courses must be completed prior to entering the program.

The adult learner who is motivated, self-directed and takes charge of his/her own learning.

Occupational therapy is a health, education and rehabilitation profession that helps people maximize potential and build skills that are important for independent functioning, health, well-being and participation in communities. Occupational therapy practitioners work with people of all ages who may need specialized assistance in learning skills to enable them to lead independent, productive and satisfying lives.

Occupational therapy includes: (1) administering and / or interpreting standardized and non-standardized assessments for the purpose of identifying areas of function and/ or dysfunction; (2) evaluation and treatment of motor, cognitive, sensory, psychosocial impairments contributing to difficulty in daily living; (3) customized treatment programs aimed at improving abilities to carry out daily life activities within the home, community, school, or work; (4) comprehensive evaluation of home and job environments and recommendations on necessary adaptations and environmental modifications to prevent injury or enhance independent functioning; (5) design, training and recommendations in the use of specialized tools, adaptive equipment, assistive technology and orthotics; (6) teaching methods that prevent injury or promote and maintain healthy habits and routines; and (7) the provision of consultative, educational or research services.

Occupational therapists work with people experiencing daily living problems that may result from the effects of normal aging, disability or illnesses such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, cancer, autism, cerebral palsy or developmental problems, congenital conditions, and mental illness. Occupational therapists work in a wide range of practice settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing facilities, home health agencies, outpatient rehabilitation programs, psychiatric facilities, private and public schools, community centers and private practices. There are expanding opportunities for occupational therapists in the areas of health promotion and prevention within private practices, industry, social and public or community agencies. 

Professional Courses: 48 Credits

Clinical Education: 12 Credits

Total: 60 Credits

For a full curriculum listing visit our catalog.

The curriculum is organized around the life-span stages of childhood, adolescence, adulthood and geriatrics. Concepts related to health, learning, the impact of illness and occupational therapy practice are integrated within each life-span stage. The program provides an intense learning experience and is especially designed for the motivated adult learner.

The program incorporates a variety of learning methods including a mixture of lecture, discussion, small group problem solving, hands on experiences and problem based learning (PBL).

Each life span module is linked to a PBL course where students meet in small groups with a faculty facilitator to discuss clinical cases. The case context drives learning, requires students’ active participation and involvement in the learning process, and reflects the actual process occupational therapists engage in within practice. The cases require students to call upon previous learned knowledge from prerequisite courses, engage in independent and self-directed learning, and use a variety of learning resources. PBL allows students to learn the content specified for the course by applying clinical reasoning and inquiry skills.

Each life-span module is also linked to a Level I Fieldwork course designed to connect theory to practice. Students are assigned to various clinical and community settings for a minimum of seven weekdays each fall and spring trimester.

The Occupational Therapy Program incorporates three strands of knowledge within courses in the curriculum. The strands are 1) the importance of engagement in occupation in promoting health and participation; 2) client centered occupational therapy evaluation and intervention approaches focused on the interaction of the person, environment and occupation; and 3) exploration and application of available evidence based knowledge and information to support critical thinking and clinical decision making. All three strands contain themes that are reflective of the program’s philosophy and mission.

The program provides students with entry-level proficiency in occupational therapy practice with people of all ages, cultures and disabilities. The program places a strong emphasis on encouraging clinical reasoning and critical thinking and is designed to reinforce the self-directed learning style inherent in the professional role. The Occupational Therapy Program is committed to preparing practitioners who can competently fulfill responsibilities of the professional role within a changing health care world.

The Master of Science Degree Program in Occupational Therapy is a full-time weekend program that takes 7 trimesters to complete. The student is required to take nine - eleven credits per trimester. Classes are completed in 5 trimesters and are followed by twenty-four weeks of full-time clinical fieldwork. During the final two trimesters, while completing the Level II fieldwork, the student registers for 4.5 - 5 credits and is considered a part-time student. The required 24 weeks of fieldwork must be completed within 24 months following the completion of the didactic component of the program unless the program Faculty Review Committee grants and extension for extenuating circumstances.

The total number of graduates from Mercy College Graduate Occupational Therapy Program during the three-year period 2020-2022 was 106, with an overall graduation rate of 97%.

Pass Rates on National Exam
Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at: https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance

Employment
Overall, employer surveys indicated that employers are satisfied with Mercy College graduates. Ninety-five percent of employers rated graduates as average or above average. Eighty-five percent indicated that preparation for the current position was good or excellent, with no ratings of "poor." One hundred percent of employers stated they would hire a Mercy graduate in the future.

Each life-span module is linked to a Level I Fieldwork course designed to connect theory to practice. Students are assigned to various clinical and community settings for a minimum of seven weekdays each fall and spring trimester. Level I Fieldwork in Pediatrics is completed in settings such as children's specialized hospital and rehabilitation centers, private schools, school based practices, special education schools, pediatric units in general hospitals and outpatient clinics. Level I Fieldwork in Adolescence is completed in residential care facilities for children and youth with emotional disabilities or after school programs for impoverished and "at-risk" youth that are located primarily in the counties surrounding the college. Accommodations may be made for students outside of the tri-state area. Level I Fieldwork in Adults is completed with a physically disabled population in hospitals and rehabilitation centers, private practices, outpatient clinics. The final Level I Fieldwork course in Geriatrics is completed in community settings typically in social based adult day programs for individuals with dementia.

Absences of more than one fieldwork day (even if rescheduled) are considered excessive and may result in a non-passing grade for the fieldwork course. Students are expected to attend fieldwork for the entire scheduled day unless they are ill or have extenuating circumstance. Students who are ill should use their judgment when deciding if they should attend fieldwork. Students are required to complete a total of at least seven days of fieldwork each fall and spring term. Students must meet the minimum required hours (forty-two hours) to successfully complete each Fieldwork Level I experience. Students assigned to fieldwork sites that have less than a six hour workday must complete a minimum of 42 hours. Students assigned to sites with six or more hour workdays must complete seven days.

A total of 24 weeks of Level II Fieldwork experiences is required for students to graduate and be eligible for national certification and state licensure. This fieldwork is usually completed at the end of the curriculum sequence as two full-time 12-week unpaid placements. Modifications, such as part-time (i.e., 3 day a week schedule) or placement in three practice sites (e.g., 12 weeks in physical disabilities, 8 weeks in pediatrics and 8 weeks in mental health) may be possible depending on a student's GPA, work schedule and availability of fieldwork sites with contracts with Mercy College. Part-time fieldwork experiences may limit the populations and settings in which the fieldwork can be completed and will lengthen the time needed to complete the program, but for some students offers the opportunity to balance education requirements with work or family responsibilities. Specialty or third affiliations are offered in focused areas such as hand rehabilitation or pediatric early intervention after the student completes the basic fieldwork experiences. All fieldwork placements must be successfully completed within 24 months of didactic course work unless the program Faculty Review committee grants and extension for extenuating circumstances. Participating in a Level II Fieldwork frequently involves a commitment commensurate to a full-time job.

*Illustration based on a 3%  increase annually, however  tuition and fees are subject to change

**College and Program fees are subject to change

***Loan fees are based on the amount borrowed and determined by the loan program the student qualifies for. These fees are paid directly to the lender. 

According to FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), cost of attendance is defined as total amount of attending the program, which includes tuition and fees, book, supplies, transportation, loan fees as well as fees associated with distance education

The Occupational Therapy program leads to a professional license administered by each state. Applicants and potential students should review information available on the College's NC-SARA page. We advise you to contact your state licensing board or appropriate licensing entity to determine whether the program meets requirements for Professional Licensure in the state where you are located or the state in which you intend to pursue licensure. Please contact the OT Program Director if you have further questions.

Download a copy of the sequence map for:

• 2022-2023 M.S. Occupational Therapy

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• 2021-2022 M.S. Occupational Therapy
• 2020 - 2021 M.S. Occupational Therapy
• 2019 - 2020 M.S. Occupational Therapy
• 2018 - 2019 M.S. Occupational Therapy