Post-Professional Masters Degree Program

Spring 2010

Frequently Asked Questions (click here)

OT Students The Post-Professional Masters in Occupational Therapy is designed as a 30 credit graduate program with two tracks, an interdisciplinary and pediatric concentration. Students in all tracks of the program will complete a total of 30 graduate credits. These credits will be distributed among the following categories:

Theory and Core: 9 credits
Research: 9 credits

Concentration: 12 credits

This program is offered primarily in distance and intensive on-campus (5 day experiences) formats.

The concentration courses can be taken in a pediatric or interdisciplinary track. The pediatric track includes courses currently being offered in the Post-Professional Pediatric Certificate Program. This allows for students who are interested in later applying for the Masters Degree to transfer their graduate credits from the certificate program into the Post Professional Masters Degree program. The interdisciplinary track includes courses from a variety of departments including education, nursing, and organizational management.

Post Professional MS Program
30 Credit Program

An applicant who holds a baccalaureate degree in Occupational Therapy from a regionally accredited college or university must have Statistics as a prerequisite.

Spring 2010

OT 520 RESEARCH DESIGN IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Course Description: The course presents the principles and processes involved in research. Qualitative and quantitative approaches are reviewed and analyzed relative to their strengths, limitations, and practical uses. The application of appropriate research methods to problems worthy of study is stressed. The student will complete a research proposal as part of this course.

Class meets on campus Sundays, January 17, February 28 and April 25, 2010 from 8am -12 noon.

OT 690 RESEARCH PROJECT I
Course Description: Students will begin a research project that contributes to the knowledge-base of occupational therapy; the outcome will include a paper acceptable for publication in a professional journal. Prerequisites: MTH 115

Class meets on campus Sundays, January 17, February 28 and April 25, 2010 from 1-5PM

Two (2) Year Completion

Fall	Spring	Summer
Year 1	Year 1	Year 1
Specialization Class (3 cr)	OT 520 Research Methods (3 cr)	OT 620 Issues & Trends (3 cr) OR HP 600 Adv. Practice Pediatric Issues & Trends Completed
	OT 690 Research Project I (3 cr)	OT 570 Management (3 cr)
Year 2	Year 2	Year 2
OT 695 Research Project II (3 cr)	HP 670 Grant Writing (3 cr)	Specialization Class (3 cr)
Specialization Class (3 cr)	Specialization Class (3 cr)

Specialization classes are offered each semester. A total of 4 specialization classes are required.

Admissions Requirements:
The Post-Professional Masters degree program requires submission of the following information for admissions consideration:

GRE required only if GPA in prior studies is below 3.3.
For students in the Pediatric Certificate Program, this requirement will be waived if they have completed at least 9 credits of the program with a 3.5 or higher GPA.
NBCOT initial certification as an occupational therapist
College transcripts from all prior academic work
Basic Statistics course
Undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or higher
Statement of professional goals and how matriculation in the Post Professional Masters degree Program can contribute to those goals.
2 letters of reference

Students taking courses in the Pediatric Certificate Program who wish to move into the Post Professional Masters Degree Program should apply by the final semester of their 12 credit certificate, if they have not completed formal application prior to that point.

If students are not enrolled in the Pediatric Certificate Program, and they are interested in pursuing the Masters degree, they must formally apply to the Post Professional Masters Degree program after 6 credits of coursework.

Transferring in Courses:
Students in the Post Professional Masters Degree Program must take 30 graduate credits to receive the Masters of Science Degree. Credits transferable to this degree must be within the following guidelines:

All courses transferred in must be formally evaluated by the Registrar’s Office for transferability.
Students who have received an Entry Level Masters from Misericordia University will automatically receive credit for OT520, OT 620 and OT 630. These students must take HP 670 Grant Writing and OT 615 Evidence Based Practice as their remaining research requirements.
For students who have not graduated from the Entry Level Masters at Misericordia University, a maximum of 6 transfer credits will be accepted towards the 30 required for the Masters of Science degree.

Coordinator of the Post-Professional

Ellen McLaughlin, EdD, OTR/L
Associate Professor and Chair
570-674-6399
E-mail

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I take to complete the Degree? The 30 credit Degree may be completed in as few as 2 years (5 semesters –completing 2 classes per semester) or up to a maximum of 3 years.
Can I take more than 1 class per semester? Yes, you may complete up to 4 classes per semester.
When can I start? Students may begin any semester.
What kind of computer access do I need?
Processor: For Intel based systems, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo, or Core Solo processor. for AMD based systems, Athlon64, Athlon 64 X-2, Turion64, or Turion64 X-2 processor.
Memory: 2 GB of memory
Hard Disk: 250 GB (desktop), 120 GB (laptop)
Network: 10/100 Ethernet Card (this is the typical network card)
Removable Storage Drives: CED-RW/DVD+RW or CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo
Operating System: Windows Vista, XP or 2000. Also MACs are supported.
Productivity Software: Microsoft Office Professional 2007 or OpenOffice
Internet Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape 7.1/8.0, or Mozilla Firefox
Antivirus: Antivirus software will be provided by the Misericordia University Networking Department, free of charge for all residential students.
Can these courses be applied towards the 36 Professional Development Units required by NBCOT for Certification renewal? Many of the courses in the Master’s degree can be applied to the PDU’s required by NBCOT. According to NBCOT, all content being offered for PDU credit must be relevant to the practice of occupational therapy. All courses in the Master’s degree program designated either OT or HP meet this requirement. A 3 credit graduate level course earns 30 Professional Development Units (PDU).
Can I take individual classes or must I complete the entire degree? You may take individual classes, but space may be limited to practitioners intending to complete the degree. Strong preference is given to those who register early and commit to the Degree.
What type of credits am I earning? All courses are graduate level courses.
What can I expect in class size? Class size is between 15-20 students.
What types of Financial Aid are available to me? In order to be considered for financial assistance, a student must be enrolled for a minimum of six (6) credits per semester. Students with a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for federal or state grant money. An alumni discount is available to Misericordia University degree or certificate holders. However, federal loan money is available. Tuition is $525 per credit.
How does employer reimbursement or payment work? A tuition reimbursement letter stating the terms of the benefit, from the employer must be on file prior to registration. This payment plan permits tuition and fees to be paid up to thirty (30) days after the issuance of grades instead of at the time of registration. It is the responsibility of the student, not the employer to ensure that payment is made. Students receiving only partial tuition benefits must make arrangements to pay the costs that are not covered by the employer at the time of registration.
Who can help me if I have questions? For information on the Post-Professional Masters of Occupational Therapy, please contact: Dr. Ellen McLaughlin, 570-674-6399 or E-mail.
What areas of specialization are offered? Students may choose to apply 12 elective credits to Pediatric, Geriatric or an Interdisciplinary concentration.