Department of Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy (Bridge), M.O.T.

The purpose of the Bridge Program is to enable certified Occupational Therapy Assistants the opportunity to advance their degree (Associate's or Bachelor's degree) to become Occupational Therapists (Master's degree).

The entry-level occupational therapy master's degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE's telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Occupational Therapy, M.O.T.

The Master's in Occupational Therapy (MOT) is a two year program including two summer terms. All courses in the program are required and sequential. The program requires completion of 82 credit hours through courses offered online, traditional and blended, as well as two 12-week Level II Fieldwork Experiences*.

*MOT students have three attempts to pass two Level II Fieldwork Experiences. If they are not successful after three attempts, they are permanently dismissed from the program.

The entry-level Occupational Therapy Master's degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE's telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate, O.T.D.

This is an entry level clinical Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD). Students who graduate with an OTD are able to sit for the boards and enter into practice settings, similar to the MOT program. However, the education at the doctoral level program is not only for competency in treatment, but also a greater emphasis on leadership skills and scholarly research in the field. This emphasis is seen in additional coursework in these areas and a significant research capstone requirement. Unlike the MOT and OTD program, the Post-Professional OTD does not lead to licensure and is intended to expand the knowledge and skills of an already-licensed OT. With these three programs, North Central will provide Occupational Therapy degree programs to meet a variety of student professional needs.

 The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE's telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. 

The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 14-week capstone experience within 30 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3. 

Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at: www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance

Post Professional Occupational Therapy, O.T.D.

The mission of this unique, fully online, post-professional OTD program is to create exceptionally qualified academic leaders in the occupational therapy education space. The program will provide occupational therapists with the necessary clinical expertise, who are interested in pursuing a career in academia, the knowledge and the skills to be a highly skilled academic leader or faculty member. This degree will provide them a professional edge and to contribute to the occupational therapy profession in a unique way. The OT program director qualifications include a terminal degree and eight years of experience as an OT. However, the position responsibilities, as per the ACOTE Standards (A.2.1) are: "The program director must be responsible for the management and administration of the program, including planning, evaluation, budgeting, selection of faculty and staff, maintenance of accreditation, and commitment to strategies for professional development." Post-professional OTD programs are generally designed for an advanced degree with emphasis in clinical expertise or research, not academic leadership. The development of a post professional OTD at North Central College would provide the education necessary to obtain the focused skills and knowledge necessary to work in an academic setting. The program has been developed to address two areas of academic responsibility: curriculum design and assessment and academic administration, culminating in an integrated capstone project. The program is designed to be completed in five full time continuous semesters, but can be completed part time by one class a semester by first completing the administrative responsibilities of a program director courses and followed by the courses that focus on curriculum development and assessment. Attending part time would require eight semesters of only seven weeks per semester and the second fall semester being full time along with the final semester being the capstone semester which is a full semester.