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• 51���� MSOT program has a rich history in Occupational Therapy education. The first OT baccalaureate program in the country was established in 1918 on what is now the 51���� campus.
• Our program prepares practitioners to remove barriers and empower people to fully participate in the meaningful activities that shape their lives, guided by the 51����-developed concept of .
• We are the only public OT Program in the Greater Milwaukee area—offering high-quality education at a significantly lower cost than private institutions for in-state residents.
• 51����’s MSOT program is one of the top programs in the nation according to the US News and World Report.
• Our MSOT program features small cohort sizes, allowing faculty advisors to provide personalized support—including guidance through 24 weeks of full-time fieldwork and preparation for the national certification exam after graduation
• The 51���� MSOT program is deeply rooted in Milwaukee’s vibrant urban setting, providing access to over 400 fieldwork sites locally, in Wisconsin, across the country, and internationally. Our strong community connections and Midwest focus ensure students can find placements that align with both their professional goals and geographic preferences.
• Students are required to take at least one elective, with options to tailor their education. Additionally, you can enhance your career prospects by earning certificates in specialized fields like Autism Spectrum Disorders, Applied Gerontology, Assistive Technology and Accessible Design, or Trauma-Informed Care.
• Our MSOT graduates go on to pursue rewarding careers in occupational therapy, with some choosing to continue their studies in 51����’s Post-Professional OTD (PPOTD) program. Students can work closely with advisors to ensure a smooth transition into the PPOTD program after earning their MSOT. The PPOTD is offered both fully online and hybrid. For those working in the field, part-time enrollment offers the flexibility to earn income while advancing their education on a schedule that fits their career.

Employment Outlook

Earnings

The median annual wage for occupational therapists was $84,950 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $56,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $121,490.

In May 2019 the median annual wages for occupational therapists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Expected Growth

Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 16 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, or the loss of a limb.

The need for occupational therapists is expected to increase as the large baby-boom generation ages and people remain active later in life. Occupational therapists can help senior citizens maintain their independence by recommending home modifications and strategies that make daily activities easier. Therapists also play a large role in the treatment of many conditions and ailments commonly associated with aging, such as arthritis and stroke.

Source: .

Professional Certification

The National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) is a not-for-profit credentialing agency that serves the public interest by developing, administering, and continually reviewing the certification process for the occupational therapy profession. You are required to pass the certification exam after completion of your coursework and field experience. 

Related Programs

• Occupational Science & Technology, BS
• Doctor of Occupational Therapy, OTD
• Health Sciences, PhD
• Assistive Technology & Accessible Design, Graduate Certificate

To apply for the MSOT degree program at 51����, you must first meet the admission requirements of the 51���� Graduate School, followed by specific program requirements listed below and. In addition to 51���� Graduate School requirements, followed by specific program requirements listed below an in the .

Academic Requirements

1. An undergraduate degree completed by the end of the Spring semester prior to beginning the OT Program, from an accredited institution, with an overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
2. Six prerequisite courses, required to be completed by end of Fall semester prior to beginning the MSOT Degree Program, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
   1. Human Anatomy with a lab (3-4 cr)*
   2. Human Physiology with a lab (3-4 cr)*
   3. Human Development (3 cr)
   4. Abnormal Psychology (3cr)
   5. Statistics (3cr)
   6. One of the following natural science courses that includes lab-based data analysis
   (3-4 cr.): Physics, Biology, Chemistry or Psychology
   
   Additional Recommended Coursework: While not required as prerequisite courses for our MS OT application, we do recommend that applicants have successfully taken 3 credit courses in a) reliability and validity of assessments such as, “Measurement Theory”, and UW-Milwaukee’s OCCTHPY 542 Evidence for Practice II, b) research methods such as UW-Milwaukee’s OCCTHPY 540 Evidence for Practice I, PSYCH 325 Research Methods in Psychology, or PSYCH 610 Experimental Design, and c) implications of diversity issues in health care practice.
3. Obtain and submit three letters of recommendation.
   7. One from an academic source.
   8. One from a clinical/health-related source.
   9. The third letter can be either from an academic or clinical / health-related source.
4. Reasons Statement or Personal Essay: This is the same as the OTCAS essay. Address why you selected occupational therapy as a career and how an occupational therapy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals.
5. Additional Question: Answer why the Occupational Therapy Program in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a good fit for you. Limit 250 words.

Students from outside UW-Milwaukee

Students who did not complete an undergraduate degree at UW-Milwaukee should apply to the occupational therapy master’s program through the OT Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). OTCAS provides a full-service, web-based application and admissions process for prospective occupational therapy program applicants.

Once recommended for acceptance to the program, you will need to apply to and be accepted by the .

Current 51���� Students

Applications for UW-Milwaukee Pre-OT students to the MS OT are handled annually using the internal Graduate School application system. UW-Milwaukee Undergraduate students should contact MacKenzie Kougl about obtaining a Pre-Occupational Therapy designation, and to learn about more admission opportunities.

Questions about applying to the MS in Occupational Therapy Degree Program can be sent to ot-program@uwm.edu. Additionally, applicants can look through our Frequently Asked Questions.

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51����’s MSOT curriculum prepares prepares students for entry-level practice in a variety of environments and practice settings, including health care delivery systems, educational institutions, public health, and social service organizations.

Since no single theoretical model adequately prepares the generalist occupational therapy practitioner, theories and conceptual practice models from social, natural, and physical sciences, integrate with concepts of occupation, and client-centered care to provide the building blocks of our curriculum.

The curriculum is organized by foundational concepts of occupation, the medical sciences and evidence-based practice. You will have the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in assistive technology, accessible design, professionalism, and leadership through coursework, fieldwork, and service-learning experiences.

Graduates are prepared to assess the quality of information upon which evaluation and intervention decisions are based, evaluate intervention outcomes, and improve practice as scholarly practitioners focused on client-centered care.

For information regarding the curriculum and for course descriptions, see the 

Curriculum for students

Year 1: Summer

Year 1: Fall

Year 1: Spring

Year 2: Summer

Year 2: Fall

Year 2: Spring

There are many great things happening in our Labs.

You may find your mentor or do research…

• Aging and Stroke Rehabilitation Laboratory
• Assistive Technology and Universal Access (ATUA) Laboratory
• Campus Ergonomic Services
• Ergonomics Laboratory for Independent Living Environment & Occupation
• Occupational Ergonomics Laboratory