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Occupational Therapy

    Master of Science
    Erie, Pennsylvania

ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ is happy to announce that the current Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program, on the Erie campus, is transitioning to an Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program (ELOTD). Our first cohort of ELOTD began in fall of 2024. Therefore, the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program admitted its last cohort of freshmen into the 5-year accelerated master’s program in the fall of 2023.

Prepare for a Rewarding Career with an Occupational Therapy Degree from ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ

Occupational therapists help others achieve optimal participation in life’s occupations after experiencing disruption due to illness, injury or disability. Occupational therapists adapt to ever-changing environments, work collaboratively with our global community, serve as leaders in society, and contribute to the knowledge base of the profession. ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ’s occupational therapy program will engage you in learning aspects of the evaluation, intervention and entire therapy process to secure your own purposeful career in occupational therapy.

  • Study abroad for a semester in Rome or travel to Ecuador on a faculty-led fieldwork trip.
  • ACOTE Logo Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
  • Join graduates who have attained a 100% pass rate on their national certification exam in 2022.

Learn to Lead the Way in Occupational Therapy

  • Develop, teach and implement interventions and rehabilitation programs for a variety of people who have physical and mental challenges.
  • Learn to help people across the lifespan, individuals who have experienced injuries, illnesses and disabilities, experience independence in performing daily activities.
  • Earn an annual median wage of $85,350, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Experience an Exceptional Learning Environment

  • Enjoy several interprofessional and academic opportunities that prepare you to collaborate with health care professionals upon graduation.
  • Access several software programs to enhance learning, such as the ICE Learning Library, Visible Body Software and ClinEdWeb.
  • Present your research to the community at our annual Occupational Therapy Scholarship Celebration in your final semester. 

Occupational Therapy Students at Wellsville

Inspire Your Academic Success

Gain real-world knowledge through key courses including: 

Introduction to Occupational Therapy Process: Explore the development of occupational therapy as a profession and learn the foundational concepts of the field. 

Occupational Therapy Intervention: Psychosocial I: Examine occupational therapy models for psychosocial treatment approaches based on current research through an integration of theory and practice. 

Community-Based Intervention: Explore therapeutic intervention within community-based practice and populations. Emphasis is on elderly needs, wellness programs, community centers, homeless populations and home health.

ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ Occupational Therapy Student Helping Child

Achieve your Possibilities

ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ’s occupational therapy programs provide an array of opportunities to prepare you for a purposeful career as an occupational therapist. You can: 

  • Complete two 12-week fieldwork courses that provide opportunities for clinical placements with major rehabilitation centers or smaller community health agencies.
  • Participate in service-learning experiences that include: Functional Performance Adapted Crossfit, Purposeful Movement and Wellness program for those with Parkinson’s disease, Wellsville USA, and the Little Knights Pediatric Pro-Bono Clinic.
  • Secure student-worker positions to assist faculty in teaching and managing labs and lecture courses.

Occupational Therapy Students at Pro-Bono Clinic

Student Retention, Graduation and Pass Rate

Year Student Enrolled/Graduated* Graduation Rate NBCOT Pass Rate
2019 40/36 90% 100%
2020 53/51 96% 100%
2021 49/48 98% 98%
2022 57/56 98% 100%
2023 51/48 94% 88%
2024 46/43 93% TBD
Total (last 3 years) 154/147 95%  

NBCOT is responsible for the initial certification of occupational therapy practitioners. Graduates of accredited occupational therapy programs (including ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ’s) are eligible to take the NBCOT Exam. Information concerning the pass rates for the NBCOT Exam by ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ graduates may be obtained directly from NBCOT at .

Program Offerings

ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ's entry-level Occupational Therapy Program offers the following options for master's level entry into the profession:

  • a five-year combined bachelor's/master's with acceptance and entry in traditional freshman, sophomore, and junior year
  • a post-baccalaureate sequence of three academic years including six months full-time field work for students who have already earned a bachelor's degree
  • a three or four year program of study which allows OT assistants to become Registered Occupational Therapists (OTRs) 

On April 4, 2019, the AOTA Representative Assembly voted to support dual entry-level degrees for Occupational Therapists (master's or doctoral).  This decision allows our master's program to continue to offer an efficient 5-year path into the occupational therapy profession for undergraduate students; post-baccalaureate and OTA students can complete the program in 3 years.

Occupational Therapy Tuition for 5-Year Accelerated Program (Based on AY 24-25)*

  Undergraduate Tuition Graduate Tuition Program Fees Books** University Fees/Loan Fees***  
Year 1 Per semester Flat Rate 12-18 Credits: $20,215   $0 $500 $400/$0 $41,330 
Year 2 Per semester Flat Rate 12-18 Credits: $20,215   $46 $500 $400/$0 $41,376
Year 3 Per semester Flat Rate 12-18 Credits: $20,215   $139  $500 $400/$0 $41,469
Year 4 Per semester Flat Rate 12-18 Credits: $20,215   $183  $500 $400/$0 $41,469
Year 5   $1,435/credit x 31 credits = $44,485 $362  $100 $400/$0 $45,347
Total           $211,035

*tuition and fees are subject to change
**The ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ Library has a copy of every OT textbook for students to use at no cost while in the library. This book amount is an estimate and is subject to change depending on Liberal Studies and Pre-requisite course instructor book recommendations.
***ÌÇÐÄVLOGÍøÒ³°æ does not charge additional loan fees however loan originators may assess a % fee to borrowers.
For more information on tuition and fees please visit the tuition web page.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Adapt to ever-changing professional environments
  2. Provide leadership in the profession and society
  3. Acknowledge the importance of holism in their own lives and in the lives of their clients
  4. Work collaboratively, respecting diversity within the global community
  5. Value engagement and involvement within the community
  6. Contribute to the knowledge base of the profession

Our Faculty Experts

Amy Brzuz

Associate Professor
Occupational Therapy Program

Chairperson
Occupational Therapy Program

Lindsay Church

Assistant Professor
Occupational Therapy Program

Academic Fieldwork Crdr
Occupational Therapy Program

Julia Hawkins-Pokabla

Associate Professor
Occupational Therapy Program

Stephanie Kubiak

Assistant Professor
Occupational Therapy Program

Nicole Lavery

Associate Professor
Occupational Therapy Program

David LeVan

Professor
Occupational Therapy Program

Karen Probst

Assistant Professor
Occupational Therapy Program

Emily Berger

Adjunct Lecturer
Occupational Therapy Program

Mary Gavacs

Adjunct Lecturer
Occupational Therapy Program

Christa Hartle

Adjunct Lecturer
Occupational Therapy Program

Ashleigh Holdford

Adjunct Lecturer
Occupational Therapy Program

Mary Iwanenko

Director
Health Center

Adjunct Lecturer
Occupational Therapy Program

Adjunct Lecturer
Col.Humanities,Ed.&SocScience

Jessica Joy

Adjunct Lecturer
Occupational Therapy Program

Christine Linkie

Adjunct Lecturer
Occupational Therapy Program

Dorothy Porcello

Adjunct Lecturer
Occupational Therapy Program

Samantha Trapp

Adjunct Lecturer
Occupational Therapy Program

Erin Wolf

Adjunct Lecturer
Occupational Therapy Program

Kathleen Yancosek

Adjunct Lecturer
Occupational Therapy Program