Master of Occupational Therapy

Admission Criteria

• Complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university that is recognized by a regional accreditation agency.
• Applicants must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 for all required prerequisite courses.
  • Prerequisite courses may be repeated only once; the second-course grade will be used to calculate the average GPA.
  • Prerequisite courses must be completed within seven (7) years of the submitted application.
  • Prerequisite courses may be taken at any regionally accredited community college, public or private college or university.
• All applicants must meet the program’s health requirements.

All applicants must show proof of application or up-to-date clearances (drug screening, background screening, criminal check, and child abuse clearance), immunizations, and health screenings 30 days before the program starts.

Prerequisite Courses

Seven (7) prerequisite courses are required before beginning the MOT curriculum:

• Statistics (3 credits): ex. Elementary statistics, business statistics, social sciences statistics
• Social Science course (3 credits): ex: Sociology, cultural anthropology, public health
• Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
• Human Growth and Development of the Lifespan (3 credits)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab (4 credits) 
• Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (4 credits) 
• Medical Terminology (1 credit)

Advanced Placement (AP) courses used for prerequisites may be accepted with a score of “4” or “5” if completed within seven (7) years of the submitted application. 

The Master of Occupational Therapy program follows Alliant International University’s Transfer Credit Policy found in the Student Handbook. For more information see: https://catalog.alliant.edu/content.php?catoid=43&navoid=1625&hl=transfer+credits&returnto=search#transfer-credit

Experimental learning credits will not be accepted as a prerequisite toward fulfilling the prerequisite requirements. 

GRE scores are not required.

Observation Hours

• All applicants must participate in 20 hours of observation shadowing an occupational therapist. This requirement may be completed in one of two ways:
  • Observation hours may be completed at multiple locations where the applicant may observe an occupational therapist. This requirement is for applicants to demonstrate that they understand the role of occupational therapy in healthcare. Applicants must upload proof of observation hours either to the OTCAS or through the Alliant application platform.  For more information regarding sites allowing students to observe occupational therapy, contact the Program Director, adele.breenfranklin@alliant.edu.
  • Applicants may view the video from ClinEdWeb (Clinedweb.com) Intro to OT: 20 observation hours ($55.00). Upload your completion certificate in OTCAS.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit two (2) letters of recommendation.

• One academic letter of recommendation
• One letter of recommendation may be from a volunteer organization or professional supervisor, manager, or occupational therapist or additional academic reference. A reference from an occupational therapist is preferred.
• Letters from family and/or friends are not accepted.

Personal Essay

Applicants are required to submit a personal essay to the OTCAS or through the Alliant application platform. Essays should be no more than 500 words and answer the following questions:

• Explain why you selected occupational therapy as your career and how occupational therapy relates to your short-term and long-term professional goals.
• How has your academic and personal journey influenced your professional goals, and how it may influence your skills as a practitioner?

Resume

Applicants must submit their resume through the OTCAS or through the Alliant application platform.

Academic Year 1 – Trimester 1 (16 units)

• OTG60000 - Foundational Concepts of Occupational Therapy (2units)
• OTG60010 - Applied Anatomy for Occupational Therapy with lab (4 units)
• OTG60020 - Clinical Reasoning and Inquiry (2 units)
• OTG60030 - Domain and Theories of Occupational Therapy with lab (4 units) *
• OTG60040 - Fieldwork 1: Occupation (1 unit) * - Includes problem-based learning activity
• OTG60050 - Lifespan Conditions (3 units)

Academic Year 1 – Trimester 2 (15 units)

• OTG60060 - Contemporary Practice (2 units)
• OTG60070 - Neuroscience and Behavior (4 units)
• OTG60080- Dynamics of Psychosocial & Community Practice (5 units) *
• OTG60090 - Fieldwork 1: Psychosocial Integration (1 unit) * - Includes problem-based learning activity
• OTG60100 - Scholarly Inquiry: Research Design (3 units)

Academic Year 1 – Trimester 3 (15 units)

• OTG60110 - Scholarly Inquiry: Research Mentorship (3 units)
• OTG60120 - Occupational Therapy Process in Pediatric Practice (5 units) *
• OTG60130 - Fieldwork 1: Pediatrics (1) * - Includes problem-based learning activity
• OTG60140 - Management and Systems in Healthcare (2 units)
• OTG60150 - Technology & Adaptations (4 units)

Academic Year 2 – Trimester 4 (16 units)

• OTG70000 - Advanced Clinical Skills (3 units)
• OTG70010 - Scholarly Inquiry: Research Dissemination (2)
• OTG70020 - Occupational Therapy Process for Productive Aging (2 units)
• OTG70030 - Occupational Therapy Process in Adult Process (5 units) *
• OTG70040 -Fieldwork 1: Adults (1) * - Includes problem-based learning activity
• OTG70050 - Leadership. Policy, and Advocacy (3 units)

Academic Year 2 – Trimester 5 (9 units)

• OTG70060 - Fieldwork Level 2A (8 units)
• OTG70080 -Professional Seminar (1 unit)

Academic Year 2 – Trimester 6 (9 units)

• OTG70070 - Fieldwork Level 2B (8 units)
• OTG70090 - Professional Seminar 1(unit)

*Designates that the course and the fieldwork level I experience are linked to provide an integrated, hands-on experience for students
 

Criteria for successful completion and graduation of the educational program:

1. Successful completion of all didactic educational requirements.
2. Successful completion of two, 12-week, Level II Fieldwork experiences.
3. A completed application for degree candidacy conveyed to the Office of Record.
4. Payment in full of tuition, fees, and other financial obligations owed to the University, including processing fee
5. Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 12 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program

Below is a brief overview of Fieldwork as it relates to the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program. You’ll also find FAQs and helpful resources to support you as you navigate the fieldwork process as a student. 

What is Fieldwork?

Fieldwork education is a crucial part of professional preparation and is best integrated as a component of the curriculum design. The fieldwork experience is designed to promote professional reasoning and reflective practice, transmit the values and beliefs that enable ethical practice, and develop professionalism and competence in career responsibilities. Fieldwork experiences should be implemented and evaluated for their effectiveness by the educational institution. The experience should provide the student with the opportunity to carry out professional responsibilities under the supervision of qualified personnel serving as a role model. The academic fieldwork coordinator is responsible for the program’s compliance with fieldwork education requirements. (ACOTE, 2023, p. 36).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Level I and Level II Fieldwork?
Level I Fieldwork, for both OTA and OT students, is designed to enrich didactic coursework through directed observation and participation in selected aspects of the occupational therapy process. The focus of these experiences is not intended to be independent performance. Each academic program structures these experiences slightly differently. It is best to discuss the learning objectives and activities with the student’s academic fieldwork coordinator. 

The purpose of Level II Fieldwork is to develop competent, entry-level, generalist occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants. Level II Fieldwork shall include an in-depth experience in delivering occupational therapy services to clients, focusing on the application of purposeful and meaningful occupation. For OT students only, not OTA students, Level II Fieldwork may also focus on research, administration and management of occupational therapy services.

Will any of the fieldwork experiences be simulated?
At Alliant International University, we believe that “hands-on” experience is of utmost importance. While we may include simulations, case studies, and standardized patients, they will be in addition to the 4 Level I fieldwork experiences and 2 Level II fieldwork experiences. 

When do students complete Level I and Level II Fieldwork during the Alliant MOT Program?
Students will complete one week of level I Fieldwork experience during each of the first four trimesters of the program, usually during Week 9 or 10. The two Level II Fieldwork experiences will be at the end of the didactic portion of the program during Trimesters 5 and 6. Each experience will be 12 weeks long if participating full-time.

Where can I complete Level II Fieldwork?
There are a variety of practice settings in which students can perform level II fieldwork, including but not limited to acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, outpatient pediatric rehabilitation, mental health facilities, school systems, outpatient adult rehabilitation, home health care, and nontraditional settings. 

What if I have a site I’m interested in for Level II Fieldwork?
If you have a site that you’re interested in completing a Level II Fieldwork, and we do not currently have a contract with them. You can provide the information to your AFWC, and they will contract the site directly. Do not reach out to the site on your own.

Will I be able to complete Level II Fieldwork in San Diego? Will I have to travel?
Most students will need to travel to a clinical site, which may be located anywhere in the United States. Every effort is made to secure sites in the San Diego area and southern CA (we also have clinical sites in neighboring areas such as Orange County, LA, Riverside, Palm Springs, etc.), but due to the high demand for clinical placement sites and multiple programs in the San Diego Area, you may be expected to travel within the U.S. There will be no international travel at this time.

Can a student complete one of their level II fieldwork experiences internationally?
To ensure adequate preparation for the NBCOT exam following graduation from our OT program, at this time, we require that our students complete both level II fieldwork experiences within the United States.

Fieldwork Resources

The following resources have been compiled to support the academic and clinical components of fieldwork within the Master of Occupational Therapy program.

• ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education): ACOTE’s website offers a wealth of information, including fieldwork resources, guidelines, and educational standards. It’s a valuable source for understanding the expectations and requirements for fieldwork.  https://acoteonline.org/
• AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association): The AOTA provides resources, publications, and guidelines related to occupational therapy practice and education. Their website contains information and documents related to fieldwork. https://www.aota.org/education/fieldwork
• Fieldwork Educator: Occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals are essential resources. They offer direct guidance, mentorship, and real-world experience.
• Textbooks and Journals: Consult textbooks and journals related to occupational therapy, especially those that focus on your specific fieldwork area (e.g., pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health). These resources can offer insights and evidence-based practices. Your faculty can provide examples upon request.
• Occupational Therapy Associations and Conferences: Attend occupational therapy conferences (AOTA, OTAC, etc.), workshops, and seminars offered by professional associations. These events can help you network, learn about the latest research and best practices, and connect with experienced practitioners.

Fieldwork Learning Objectives

• Level I Fieldwork Learning Objectives Level I Fieldwork Learning Objectives.pdf
• Level II Site Specific Learning Objectives (for students and fieldwork educators to review) Level II Fieldwork Site Specific Learning Objectives.pdf

Questions?

The academic fieldwork coordinator (AFWC) is the faculty member responsible for the successful implementation of fieldwork education. The AFWC works directly with sites and is the University’s direct contact for fieldwork educators at clinical sites. If you have specific questions regarding fieldwork, don’t hesitate to contact the Alliant Fieldwork Coordinator, Courtney Bale. 

Courtney Bale, OTR/L
Academic Fieldwork Educator
courtney.bale@alliant.edu
(c) (619) 609-8480 or (w) (858) 635-4695

Private and public scholarships can help you meet the cost of your education, and Alliant offers institutional scholarships for many of our students. Learn more about these scholarship opportunities here. Additional financial aid is available for those who qualify in the form of loans, grants, federal work-study, and military aid. Learn more in our Financial Options Guide.

The inaugural program begins in fall 2025. Beginning 2026, there will be two cohorts: spring and fall (January and September).

The master of occupational therapy program requires 80 credits over six trimesters or two years.

The program is delivered in an online format that includes weekly on-campus face-to-face classes and labs at our San Diego campus.

You can apply on the OTCAS or directly using this link.