Develop the scientific knowledge, clinical reasoning, and practical skills needed for occupational therapy practice through an integrated curriculum that combines classroom learning, laboratory experiences, research, and fieldwork.
About the Program
Most students complete the standard BS/MS Occupational Therapy curriculum in three years, with a limited four-year part-time option available for approved fall applicants.
Throughout the program, experienced faculty guide students through lectures, discussions, laboratory practice, seminars, and presentations, with competency demonstrated through written, oral, and practical examinations, as well as presentations and projects.
Class schedules vary by enrollment status and semester. Most classes are held in person, with select courses offered synchronously or asynchronously online, and are generally scheduled Monday through Thursday between 9 am and 7 pm and Fridays between 9 am and 2 pm.
Full-time students typically come to campus two to three days per week. Most classes will be on the campus to which you apply and are accepted, but select classes and labs may be held on other Touro University campuses in the New York area.
Program Structure
The timeline below reflects the standard three-year, full-time curriculum. Students approved for the part-time option will complete the same curriculum over four years with a reduced course load each semester. For more information on what that looks like, contact admissions.
First Year
The first year focuses on the foundational knowledge of occupational therapy, anatomy, and the social sciences, while introducing mental health practice. Students begin applying classroom learning during their first fieldwork experience in a mental health setting.
Second Year
Building on that foundation, the second year develops critical thinking and clinical reasoning while expanding occupational therapy practice across pediatrics, geriatrics, and adult physical disabilities. Coursework builds the knowledge and practical skills needed for increasingly complex client care.
Third Year
The final phase of the curriculum emphasizes advanced theory, evidence-based treatment approaches, leadership, administration, and research. Students complete a graduate research project while refining their diagnostic, clinical reasoning, and professional skills in preparation for practice. Fieldwork provides opportunities to integrate classroom learning with supervised clinical practice.
Certification and Licensure
Upon successful completion of the program and a culminating project, you'll earn your Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and become eligible to pursue occupational therapy certification and licensure.
Graduation Requirements
To qualify for graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (BSHS/MSOT), you must:
- Successfully complete all prerequisite coursework (minimum 60 undergraduate credits) and all required BS/MS coursework, including fieldwork (95 program credits)
- Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 during the undergraduate portion of the program (Years 1 and 2) and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 during the graduate year
- Pass all prerequisite courses and required competency examinations
- Complete Level II fieldwork within one year of finishing all didactic coursework, in accordance with ACOTE requirements
Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination.
Continue Your Education
Graduates of the BS/MS Occupational Therapy program are eligible to apply to Touro's post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (ppOTD). Credits earned during the final semester of the BS/MS program may be applied toward the ppOTD, meaning you could complete your doctorate in one year instead of the typical 16 months.
