Please note that the class beginning in Fall 2008 is full. Applications are being accepted for the class beginning in Fall 2009. ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS must be received at CUW BY MARCH 1, 2009 to be considered for Fall 2009 admission.
The mission of Concordia University’s Masters of Occupational Therapy Program is to prepare outstanding entry-level professionals to practice competently and with integrity, while highly valuing service to their clients and community.
What is the Transitional OTA (TOTA) Program?
The transitional program for the OTA operates on a cohort model where a group of students (maximum of 20 students admitted to each BSRS cohort) will enroll on a trimester basis with courses scheduled in seven or eight week schedules to allow for focused attention on course topics. Students are expected to enroll in all scheduled courses each trimester. Classes will be held in a combination of online and weekend on-campus formats to complete class activities. Each course will begin with participation in the online course and meet on-campus near the beginning and end of most courses to complete interactive learning activities. Weekend classes will meet at Concordia on the second weekend of each month on Friday evening (5-9), all day Saturday (8-5) and Sunday morning (8-12). Students will take up to two courses at the same time. There are scheduled breaks from all coursework between sessions. Students can complete the BSRS and the MOT degree in three and one half years. Please note that to sit for the NBCOT Certification exam as an OT, students must complete both the BSRS and the MOT degrees or have an achieved bachelor's degree before starting the MOT degree courses.
Certification and Credentialing Information
MOT graduates (MOT and TOTA Programs) 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, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect our graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
NBCOT Exam Information
The total number of MOT graduates from Concordia University Wisconsin's TOTA program who passed the certification exam as first-time new graduate test takers achieved a 100% first-time pass rate in 2007. This reflects the statistics for our first graduating class (11 students) in the Transitional program for Occupational Therapy Assistants
Who is eligible for this program?
Occupational Therapy Assistants certified by NBCOT with at least 1 year of clinical work experience are eligible to apply for the TOTA program. Students will first complete an undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitative Science, BSRS). Those wishing to become Registered Occupational Therapists will then enroll in the Master of Occupational Therapy Program. Both degrees are a part of the TOTA program and are offered in the online/weekend format. The BSRS degree is intended to offer students an opportunity to receive a broad based education in rehabilitative science while meeting the pre-requisites for the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW). Students who graduate with a BS degree in Rehabilitative Science will be eligible to apply for admission to the MOT degree at CUW.
What is the Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitative Science (BSRS)?
This Bachelor of Science degree is intended to offer students an opportunity to receive a broad based education in rehabilitative science while meeting the pre-requisites for the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW). Students who graduate with a BSRS will be eligible to apply for admission to the MOT degree at CUW.
Students who choose to complete only the BSRS degree have an opportunity to explore a wide range of health care opportunities due to recent changes in the health care environment. A bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitative Science can qualify an individual for positions in community public health, community mental health, wellness programs, managed care organizations, child-care facilities, adult day-care facilities, pharmaceutical sales, medical sales, assistive living/independent living centers, specialty Alzheimer's disease care centers, fitness programs, nursing homes and hospitals.
Will credits earned through my OTA program transfer?
CUW recognizes that occupational therapy assistants are professionals with a solid knowledge base and varied clinical experiences. A thorough review of current occupational therapy assistant curriculums has been completed to determine probable transfer credits. A review of your transcript will be necessary to determine if any pre-requisite courses need to be taken prior to enrollment in the program. We will work closely with each applicant to assure a timely completion of pre-requisite courses, if any are needed.
Below are the courses from the CUW MOT program that may be waived based on a review of transcripts from the student's OTA program. If the equivalent courses are not evident on the OTA transcript you will need to complete them before enrolling in the BSRS program. Students who have not taken the courses listed below may enroll at CUW in the adult education program or another university. The CUW adult education courses may be taken on a one night per week (face–to-face) basis with courses scheduled in 4 and 6 week session or through independent telecourse format. The OT faculty will review transcripts and help in the enrollment process for prerequisite courses, if needed.
Prerequisite Coursework
- 9 credits of Social Science (history, political science, sociology, psychology, geography)
- 3 credits of Humanities and the Arts (literature, art, dance, drama)
- 6 credits of Communications and Math (3 credits must be a writing course)
- 8 credits of Science (Anatomy & Physiology I, and II; must be lab courses)
- 1 credit of computer applications
- 1 credit of Medical Terminology
- 3 credits of Life Span Development or Growth and Development
MOT Program courses waived for OTA Students
The following courses include information that we believe you have integrated during your coursework and clinical experience as an OTA. Therefore you will not be required to take these courses and will receive transfer credit for courses that have been taken through your OTA degree program.
- 2 credits Therapeutic Skills
- 2 credits of Community Practicum I & II
- 2 credits Group Skills
- 1 credit of Foundational Concepts in OT (2 credits of Foundational Skills are required as a part of the MOT program)
What courses do I take to achieve the BSRS degree?
Most occupational therapy assistants will be able to complete their BSRS in the trimester format within 2 years by enrolling in the following courses: click to see course descriptions.
- 3 credits Online Learning Lab
- 3 credits Teaching and Learning in Rehabilitation
- 3 credits Biomechanics
- 3 credits Aging in the Social Environment
- 3 credits The Bible as Literature
- 3 credits Humanities for Health Care Providers
- 3 credits Introduction to Christian Theology
- 3 credits Medical Ethics in Rehabilitative Service
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- 3 credits Culture in Rehabilitation
- 3 credits Psychosocial Practice I
- 3 credits Human Anatomy & Physiology Review
- 3 credits Wellness/Prevention
- 6 credits Human Anatomy with cadaver lab
- 3 credits Clinical Conditions
- 2 credits Foundational Concepts in Occupational Therapy
- 3 credits Occupational Therapy Assessment Skills
- 3 credits Kinesology
- 3 credits Neuroscience
- 4 credits Pediatric Practice I and Practicum
- 3 credits Rehabilitative Science - Orthopedics
- 3 credits Rehabilitative Science - Neurorehab.
- 2 credits Adult Rehab Clinical Practicum
- 3 credits Scientific Inquiry I
- 3 credits Practice Management
- 3 credits Work Practice I
3 credits Scientific Inquiry II
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3 credits Rehabilitative Science - Integrated
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2 credits Elective (Psychosocial Practice II or Rehab. Science - Upper Extrem.)
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86 credits achieved at CUW + 60 transfer credits =
146 credits to complete the BSRS degree
What courses do I take to achieve the MOT degree?
At the end of the fourth trimester of coursework, you will apply to the Master of Occupational Therapy program (MOT). All students who apply to the MOT program from the TOTA BSRS program will be accepted if they meet the GPA requirements. If accepted you will continue taking courses in the same format as the BSRS program and can complete the MOT coursework in one additional year after completing the BSRS degree. The coursework is then followed by the Level II fieldwork for six months (full time*). The Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) requires that all students complete the traditional Level II fieldwork assignments of six months. The total length of the program for completion of the BSRS + MOT will be three and one-half years for most students. To see course descriptions click here.
Courses that will complete the MOT degree are as follows:
3 credits Scientific Inquiry III
2 credits Cognitive Rehabilitation
3 credits Assistive Technology Options
2/3 elective credits (Pediatric Practice II or Work Practice II)
3 credits Advanced Clinical Practice
3 credits Community Practice
12 credits Level II Field Work
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28-29 credits to complete the MOT degree
* Level II Fieldwork can be taken on a part-time basis, which will extend the time-frame for finishing the degree.
