Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Those applying for the Post-Baccalaureate – January 2021 cohort, we are temporarily suspending the job shadowing requirement for admission to the OT program due to the COVID-19 situation.

Those applying for the Post-Baccalaureate – January 2021 cohort, we will temporarily be accepting a COVID Pass/Fail for pre-requisite coursework (A&P and Statistics) from the Spring or Summer 2020 term only. We prefer that applicants take a letter grade if they are able to do so. The rigor of our graduate program lends itself to the need for a high success rate in those pre-requisite courses.

There are three ways to earn the entry-level Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Degree at Concordia University:

Accelerated format

The Accelerated program is designed for high school students looking to pursue a bachelor’s AND master’s degree in 4½ years. Students who begin their undergraduate career as a freshman in Concordia’s Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) program may apply to the MOT program - Accelerated format during the fall of their sophomore year. A student accepted into the MOT program will begin taking graduate courses toward a degree in Occupational Therapy the summer after their sophomore year. Students will have the option to choose the entry-level doctorate path at the end of their second year in the OT program for additional 10 credits. Please contact our graduate admissions staff for more information.

Post-baccalaureate format

The Post-baccalaureate format is designed for applicants with a bachelor’s degree* looking to pursue a master's degree in 2 ½ years and have the option to choose the entry-level doctorate path at the end of their second year for additional 10 credits. CUW participates in the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service, known as OTCAS, for the Post-baccalaureate format. Applicants apply online using the OTCAS application and submit all application items directly to OTCAS. Concordia does not require students to submit GRE scores, a supplemental application, or supplemental application fee. Please contact our graduate admissions staff for more information.

Bridge format

The Bridge format is designed for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants with at least one year of experience. Applicants with an associate degree* can earn a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) and Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) in 4 years. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree can earn an MOT in approximately 3 years and have the option to choose the entry-level doctorate path at the end of their second year for additional 10 credits. Students interested in applying to the Bridge MOT Program should visit the Concordia University Wisconsin application page. Create an account to fillout the application. Once your account is established, click on the “Undergraduate Section” to complete all necessary pre-requisite information. Please contact our graduate admissions staff for help or for more information.

*Degrees must be from a regionally accredited institution

The Post-Baccalaureate format is designed for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree, blending the traditional classroom with a more progressive online environment.

This program allows a student who wishes to become an occupational therapist to complete their degree in 2 ½ years. The 24 students accepted into the program will begin taking graduate courses in January each year. Students may apply to the program before their bachelor’s degree is awarded, but must have completed the pre-requisite courses before the application deadline. A bachelor’s degree must be awarded prior to starting the MOT program. No specific major is required or preferred for entry into the program, provided the prerequisite classes have been met.

We emphasize learning through hands-on application. Your learning will take place in our state-of-the-art facilities. You may choose to enhance your education through global trips to Nepal and Nicaragua. Whether in the states and abroad, you will put your learning into practice. At CUW, you may benefit from fieldwork experiences that are paired with courses, active community partnerships, student and professional organizations, the Pi Theta OT honor society, and faculty-mentored research opportunities. CUW’s Interprofessional Education (IPE) events encourage students to work through real-world scenarios with a team of future health professionals.

COVID-19 admissions update

Those applying for the Post-Baccalaureate – January 2021 cohort, we are temporarily suspending the job shadowing requirement for admission to the OT program due to the COVID-19 situation.

Those applying for the Post-Baccalaureate – January 2021 cohort, we will temporarily be accepting a COVID Pass/Fail for pre-requisite coursework (A&P and Statistics) from the Spring or Summer 2020 term only. We prefer that applicants take a letter grade if they are able to do so. The rigor of our graduate program lends itself to the need for a high success rate in those pre-requisite courses.

Curriculum

Concordia’s MOT/OTDe curriculum covers everything from orthopedic, neurologic, and pediatric rehabilitation to the psychosocial aspects of wellness. Extensive fieldwork experience quickly translates classroom theory into practical application.

Requirements for application - post-baccalaureate

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Eight credits of Human A&P with a lab component in every course from a Biology, Anatomy, or Physiology department with a B or better in each course
• Three semester credits of Statistics with a B or better
• Three letters of recommendation; letters of recommendation should address potential for success both academically and as an occupational therapist, giving specific details about the applicant.
• Documentation of 40 hours of OT job shadowing
• Program-specific essays
  • Describe your understanding of occupational therapy
  • Describe your personal compatibility with the mission of Concordia University Wisconsin
  • Describe your plan for success in the Post-Baccalaureate program including time management, self-directed learning, and learning in a blended environment
• Completion of OTCAS application
• Applicants must have the ability to perform essential functions of an occupational therapy graduate student
• International applicants who would attend on a student visa and whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (iBT TOEFL) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Contact the OT Program Director for MOT program minimum scores and further information.
• Pre-requisite coursework must have been completed at a regionally accredited institution.

How to apply

The Occupational Therapy Department CUW participates in the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). Applicants must apply online using the OTCAS application. To learn more about the OTCAS application process, please visit www.otcas.org.

Dates for January admission:

Please be aware that the OTCAS verification process usually takes 3-4 weeks. Therefore plan accordingly when submitting your application to be sure that CUW's admissions deadlines are met.

The Bridge format is designed for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants with at least one year of experience. Applicants with an associate degree* can earn a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) and Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degrees in 4 years. Then have the option to remain in teh program for 10 additional credits to earn the entry-level doctorate. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree can earn an MOT degree in approximately 3 years. ( *Degrees must be from a regionally accredited institution.)

Our Bridge format is primarily offered online with on-campus time one weekend a month. We emphasize learning through hands-on application. Your learning will take place in our state-of-the-art facilities. You may choose to enhance your education through global trips to Nepal and Nicaragua. Whether in the states and abroad, you will put your learning into practice. At CUW, you may benefit from fieldwork experiences that are paired with courses, active community partnerships, student and professional organizations, the Pi Theta OT honor society, and faculty-mentored research opportunities. CUW’s Interprofessional Education (IPE) events encourage students to work through real-world scenarios with a team of future health professionals.

Curriculum

Concordia’s MOT curriculum covers everything from orthopedic, neurologic, and pediatric rehabilitation to the psychosocial aspects of wellness. Extensive fieldwork experience quickly translates classroom theory into practical application.

Requirements for application - blended format

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• 8 semester credits of Human A&P with a lab component in every course from a Biology, Anatomy, or Physiology department with a B or better in each*
  • CUW may offer a 4-credit online A&P course that meets part of the prerequisite requirement if there is a need among applicants
• One semester credit of Medical Terminology with a B or better before beginning MOT courses*
• Applicants holding an Associate degree must meet the Concordia transfer core requirements as well as additional MOT program transfer course requirements
• Applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree must meet the MOT program transfer course requirements.
• Applicants must have the ability to perform essential functions of an occupational therapy graduate student
• Three letters of recommendation; letters of recommendation should address potential for success both academically and as an occupational therapist, giving specific details about the applicant
• Documentation of at least one year of practice as an OTA
• Program-specific essays:
  • Describe your rationale for transitioning from OTA to OTR degree
  • Describe how your clinical reasoning and other skills will change with a transition to the OTR role
  • Describe your personal compatibility with the mission of Concordia University Wisconsin
  • What are the unique qualities of a successful online graduate student, and what is your personal plan to manage time, manage stress, manage financial responsibilities, and be a successful online learner?
• International applicants who would attend on a student visa and whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (iBT TOEFL) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Contact the OT Program Director for MOT program minimum scores and further information.

*Pre-requisite coursework must have been completed at a regionally accredited institution.

How to apply

• Apply online
• Non-refundable $60 application fee
• All official college transcripts

Dates for Fall BSRS admission:

*Deadline for the Bridge format program may be extended depending on the number of well-qualified applicants.

Applicants with a bachelor’s degree start MOT coursework in May and may be eligible to join the cohort in the year of application based on available space. Priority will be given to applicants who have (1) a completed bachelor’s degree, (2) a cumulative GPA of 3.40 or better, and (3) all pre-requisites completed. Typically applicants start the program the year following application.

The Accelerated format is designed for high school graduates who are prepared to pursue both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in 4½ years. Students who begin their undergraduate career as a freshman in Concordia’s Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) program may apply to the MOT program - Accelerated format during the fall of their sophomore year. A student accepted into the MOT program will begin taking graduate courses toward a degree in Occupational Therapy the summer after their sophomore year.

First time freshman in the BSRS program must have a high school GPA of 3.2 and an ACT score of 21. Those who apply and submit the tuition deposit prior to December 1st during their senior year in high school will be reviewed and ranked according to GPA and ACT scores. The top 30 applicants will be guaranteed admission to the MOT Program - Accelerate format after their second year at CUW as long as they maintain a 3.0 GPA and receive at least a “B” grade in the anatomy, physiology and medical terminologycourses.

Students transferring into Concordia’s BSRS program will not be guaranteed placement into the MOT program - Accelerated format. Transfer students must complete at least 36 credits at Concordia to be given priority in the Accelerated MOT admission process and must include the following courses taken at Concordia:

• BIO 191 Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIO 192 Anatomy and Physiology II
• BIO 301 Advanced Functional Anatomy and Physiology

We emphasize learning through hands-on application. Your learning will take place in our state-of-the-art facilities. You may choose to enhance your education through global trips to Nepal and Nicaragua. Whether in the states and abroad, you will put your learning into practice. At CUW, you may benefit from fieldwork experiences that are paired with courses, active community partnerships, student and professional organizations, the Pi Theta OT honor society, and faculty-mentored research opportunities. CUW’s Interprofessional Education (IPE) events encourage students to work through real-world scenarios with a team of future health professionals.

Curriculum

Concordia’s MOT curriculum covers everything from orthopedic, neurological, and pediatric rehabilitation to the psychosocial aspects of wellness. Extensive fieldwork experience quickly translates classroom theory into practical application.

Requirements for application - accelerated format

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Grade of B or higher in BIO 191 & 192 at CUW
• Grade of B or higher in BIO 301 at CUW (must be completed in fall semester)
• One semester credit of Medical Terminology with a B or better
• Three letters of recommendation; letters of recommendation should address potential for success both academically and as an occupational therapist, giving specific details about the applicant
• Documentation of 40 hours of OT job shadowing
• Program-specific essays:
  • Describe your reasons for selecting occupational therapy as a career
  • Describe your understanding of occupational therapy
  • Describe your personal compatibility with the mission of Concordia University Wisconsin
  • What are the unique qualities of a successful graduate student, and what is your personal plan to manage time, manage stress, and communicate professionally?
• Applicants must have the ability to perform essential functions of an occupational therapy graduate student
• International applicants who would attend on a student visa and whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (iBT TOEFL) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Contact the OT Program Director for MOT program minimum scores and further information
• Pre-requisite coursework must have been completed at a regionally accredited institution

• How to apply

  • Apply online
  • Application deadline for CUW students is December 15th of their sophomore year
  • All official college transcripts

  Dates for Summer admission:

  December 15	Application deadline
  January - February	Applications reviewed
  Late February	Decision letters mailed
  Late March	Deposits due
  May	Classes begin

Concordia University Wisconsin’s Occupational Therapy Program Student Essential Functions are the aptitudes and abilities required to participate in the program. These essential functions are consistent with occupational therapy practice as outlined by the AOTA’s Guide to Occupational Therapy Practice. Essential Functions apply in the classroom, tutorial, laboratory, and clinical settings including fieldwork.

OT Program Essential Functions:

• learn independently from written materials for 30-40 hours a week
• actively attend to classroom activities (lecture, labs, etc.) for 8 hours a day
• remember and process multiple pieces of information simultaneously to make clinical judgements
• manage and prioritize multiple competing demands on one's time and effort in both the short and long term
• identify and solve complex problems independently using multiple sources of information
• analyze and evaluate abstract concepts to make judgements and reach conclusions
• remember and accurately follow multi-step written and/or verbal directions
• attend to task completion
• exercise good judgment and adhere to all safety precautions during lecture, lab, and clinical experiences
• maintain confidentiality of client/patient information
• apply academic learning to clinical situations
• acknowledge limitations and obtain appropriate assistance to provide safe client care
• interpret, integrate, and analyze complex information, perform clinical problem-solving, and synthesize and apply information from the discipline of occupational therapy and related disciplines to formulate accurate diagnostic and treatment judgments.
• reliably and critically self-evaluate professional, technical, and personal skills that contribute to positive patient/client outcomes.
• accept constructive criticism and respond by appropriate modification of behavior
• manage one’s own time and others’ effectively and efficiently
• determine when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, and then be able to act before there is a negative consequence
• accurately describe changes in other’s facial expression, mood, activity, and posture
• ensure client safety during all therapeutic interactions
• monitor patient/client vital signs (e.g. BP, HR, respiration, pulse O2 monitors)

• maintain and assume a variety of positions including sitting and standing for up to 3 hours continuously, frequent walking, bending, squatting, kneeling, stair climbing, reaching forward, reaching overhead, turning and movement of the trunk and neck in all directions
• perform manual material handling and manipulation of various sizes and weights including lifting and transferring patients, guarding patients during functional mobility training on level surfaces/uneven surfaces/ramps/stairs, pushing and pulling to provide resistance and to assist in maneuvering patients; specific requirements include:
  • safely lift up to 50 lbs. independently when transferring and or performing manual patient handling
  • safely lift up to 50 lbs. independently when handling materials
  • safely push and pull with up to 100 lbs of force
  • safely carry items of at least 50 pounds with both hands for 25 feet
• manually palpate various body structures during examination and intervention procedures
• balance self and provide support and balance to patients on a variety of surfaces including level and uneven ground, ramps, curbs, and stairs
• perform a variety of exceptional activities for up to 10 hours with occasional rest breaks
• respond quickly to emergency situations by lifting/pushing/pulling patients, applying force to perform CPR, assist with transporting patients
• manipulate objects/equipment of various sizes, shapes, temperatures, smells, and textures (e.g. dials, knobs, testing instruments, therapy balls, scissors, clamps, kitchen equipment, bathroom equipment, raw foods, etc.)
• use appropriate manual pressure when touching clients
• perceive touch information adequately (palpation, MMT, sensory testing, mobilization, facilitation, orthoses, tone, temperature, depth, etc.)
• perceive gradients of temperature for safe application of client applications with orthoses, bathing, and cooking activities.

• hear and react to alarms, emergency signals, timers, cries for help, phones, pagers, overhead page
• engage in conversation.
• hear heart rate and BP

• monitor one’s own position in space to maintain balance and posture
• tolerate changes in head position during intervention
• tolerate changes in elevation such elevators, escalators

• maintain composure and emotional stability during periods of high stress and emergency situations
• demonstrate affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality client/patient care
• demonstrate the flexibility to perform in stressful or rapidly changing, unpredictable, or emergency situations, such as an intensive academic program and a variety of clinical situations, which may involve pain, grief, death, stress, communicable diseases, blood and body fluids, and or toxic substances
• tolerate physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing workloads, proactively making use of available resources to help maintain both physical and mental health
• function effectively under time constraints while remaining calm and composed
• manage stress associated with completing timed written, oral, and laboratory practical exams
• display professionalism through appropriate presentation of oneself
• interact effectively with individuals, families, and groups from diverse social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds in a variety of settings
• demonstrate attributes that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, honesty, caring, fairness, responsibility, concern for others, accountability, interest, tolerance and motivation
• maintain general good health, self-care, and hygiene in order not to jeopardize the health and safety of self and individuals with which one interacts
• recognize and promptly respond to emotional communications such as sadness, worry, agitation, pain and lack of comprehension of therapist communication
• demonstrate honesty, integrity, professionalism, and ethical behavior according to the standards set forth by the American Occupational Therapy Association

• use computers to obtain professional literature, and complete classroom and clinical documentation
• communicate in English effectively and sensitively with peers, faculty, clinical supervisors, clients, and client families
• produce and interpret written communication
• use therapeutic communication, such as attending, clarifying, coaching, facilitating, and touching in appropriate ways
• advocate for one’s role and delegate responsibilities when appropriate and collaborate within an interprofessional team
• listen attentively and actively in order to receive and interpret oral communication
• recognize when others (i.e., students, faculty clients, family members) do or do not understand his/her written and/or oral communication
• modify her/his communication style to meet diverse communicative needs
• Thank you to the Sacred Heart University Occupational Therapy program, and the East Carolina University Occupational Therapy program.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination and assured services and accommodations that provide equal access to the activities and programs of the university. Students with a documented disability may request disability accommodations by contacting Disability Support Services: Mequon campus.