• UNM Catalog 2019-2020
• >Colleges
• >School of Medicine
• >Occupational Therapy
• >Graduate Program

Graduate Program

Degree Offered

• Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.)

Admission Requirements

Prospective applicants must have:

• Bachelor's degree.
• 3.0 cumulative GPA on the last 50 graded credit hours taken.
• Prerequisite courses completed within the past 5 years with a grade of "B" or better.
• GRE Writing score.

Students may apply while enrolled in undergraduate courses to complete a baccalaureate degree, or prerequisite courses if all prerequisite courses will be completed by the end of the Fall semester of the application period. The application deadline for Fall admission is November 1. Up to 30 students are admitted each year, with classes beginning in the Fall semester.

Selection is based on:

• Transcript evaluation.
• Personal Statement (OTCAS form).
• Written materials, 3 letters of reference (one from a health professional) and application – (including life experiences, volunteer/work experience, community involvement, and regional bilingual skills).
• Personal interview observation.

Applicants must complete the following steps to apply to the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program.

• Submit departmental application to the UNM Occupational Therapy Graduate Program.
• Submit application through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). The UNM Occupational Therapy Graduate Program will review the applications after they have been verified by OTCAS.

The top candidates are invited to the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program at the University of New Mexico for an interview and an extemporaneous sample of their writing ability in late January. Submission of an online application and official transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions is required at this time for acceptance into Graduate Studies. Final selection is made from this group of candidates.

The selection process does not discriminate against any student on the basis of gender, marital or parental status, race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. Additional admission information is located on the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program Web site. 

Residency Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, applicants must fulfill one of the following requirements:

• be a resident of New Mexico for at least one year at the time of application;
• be a resident of a member WICHE PSEP state (Alaska, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada and Wyoming); or
• have strong ties to New Mexico and file a Residency Appeal Form that has been approved by the admission committee.

Scheduling

The Occupational Therapy Graduate Program offers a traditional 2.5-year schedule which involves an intensive, full-time load taken in a designated sequence. It is not recommended that students work while in the traditional program. Students who choose to work part-time need to understand that work schedules cannot conflict with required courses or fieldwork assignments.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. Tuition is determined by the Board of Regents each April for the following school year beginning in Fall. To verify current tuition, visit the Bursar's Office Web site. Additional expenses, including course fees, health insurance, books, and supplies, recur annually. Contact the Financial Aid Department at (505) 272-8008 for information.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation requires successful completion of a minimum of 84 credit hours including required didactic coursework, assessments, and Master's Examination (OTSPA). Students must complete all Graduate Studies requirements, including the Master's Project, with a minimum 3.00 GPA.

• 53 credit hours didactic coursework.
• 4 credit hours minimum OCTH 594.
• 3 credit hours graduate-level elective.
• 24 credit hours OCTH 675 (Fieldwork Level II, two 12-week sessions).
• Master's Examination: Occupational Therapy Student Performance Assessment (OTSPA).

Additional Fieldwork Information

Fieldwork is an important part of occupational therapy education. Short term fieldwork (FW I) is arranged in coordination with specific academic courses. Full-time fieldwork (FW II) follows successful completion of academic coursework and the OTSPA.

• Students are responsible for tuition, transportation to and from fieldwork sites, and living expenses while on fieldwork. Fieldwork opportunities are usually available in New Mexico; however, students may be assigned to fieldwork in other states.
• All required FW II must be completed within 24 months of completion of the academic courses.
• Each FW II placement is usually 12 weeks in length (total of six months).

Pre-Professional Curriculum

Prerequisites provide a general foundation in behavioral sciences and are essential for success in the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program. Applicants must complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum 3.0 grade in each course by the end of the Fall semester of the application period. All prerequisites must have been successfully completed within the past five years. 

Courses other than the specific courses listed below must be approved by the admissions committee prior to the application deadline. Applicants must submit a Course Waiver Form to the admissions committee for each course being considered.

Professional Curriculum

The Occupational Therapy graduate program offers the Master of Occupational Therapy degree. The student must complete the academic and fieldwork components of the program and successfully complete the Occupational Therapy Student Performance Assessment (OTSPA). Occupational therapy coursework is taken in a designated sequence.

Requirements

• Must complete Core Professional Curriculum including Fieldwork II (full-time track) for 77 credit hours.
• Must complete OCTH 594 for a minimum for 4 credit hours.
• Must complete elective coursework for a minimum of 3 credit hours.