Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Start Your Occupational Therapy Mission at PNWU
At PNWU, our mission is to prepare occupational therapists as leaders, scholars, and change agents who deliver occupation-based services that promote the health and wellbeing of rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Northwest and beyond.
Occupational therapy is one of the fastest-growing health professions, with a projected 17% increase from 2020-2030. Salaries for occupational therapists also remain strong. In 2019, the average salary nationally for occupational therapists was $89,470, and it was $92,650 in Washington state.
Want to learn more?
Use the link below to request more information and our admission experts will be in touch with you to answer any questions and help you get started.
Inside PNWU’s School of Occupational Therapy
- Complete your degree in two years (3-6 months earlier than many OT master’s programs)
- Hands-on, real world learning every semester
- Work with community members to address real-world problems
- Low student-to-teacher ratios mean personalized attention
- A curriculum focused on revolutionizing the health of rural and medically underserved communities
You will learn from professors with decades of experience in occupational therapy. The SOT curriculum includes didactics, labs, simulated experiential learning, and full-time clinical experiences.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Our School of Occupational Therapy offers access to cutting edge facilities, equipment, and technology. Your training will use the latest techniques in a modern, advanced learning environment.
Expert Faculty
Our faculty consists of experienced occupational therapists dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. You’ll learn from diverse professionals who bring different perspectives and approaches to the field.
Hands-On Training
Our curriculum provides extensive hands-on training and practical experience in various clinical settings. You’ll have opportunities to work with actual patients and healthcare professionals to develop your skills and confidence.
Interprofessional Education
We believe in the importance of interprofessional education. You’ll have opportunities to collaborate with students from other healthcare programs, including osteopathic medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, and dentistry, to learn how to work effectively in a team.
Community Engagement
Our SOT program strongly focuses on community engagement, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas. You’ll have the chance to work with diverse populations and develop skills to meet the needs of underserved communities.
Inclusive Admission Requirements
We recognize that students come from different backgrounds, have different life experiences, and have had different access to educational and other developmental opportunities. We welcome the benefits that a diverse student body brings to the SOT, our campus, and the occupational therapy profession.
The admissions process at the SOT includes a holistic evaluation of all application materials unique to each potential student.
- No GRE or other standardized tests
- No prerequisite courses
- No minimum undergraduate GPA requirements
- No OT shadowing hours
- Virtual interviews
- Vision and mission-driven selection criteria
COTA to OTR Pathway
The SOT supports a pathway for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) to earn their credentials as a registered Occupational Therapist (OTR). COTAs with a minimum of 3 years of full-time clinical practice experience are eligible to apply to the MSOT program if they have completed an associate degree. The PNWU pathway is not a bridge program. COTA applicants, if accepted to the program, take the same classes at the same time, and in the same delivery format as a non-COTA student.
Application Process
Verify that you meet the admission requirements above.
Apply through OTCAS and designate your intention to apply to PNWU School of Occupational Therapy.
If invited, schedule an interview with PNWU.
Virtual Interviews are available.
Applicants are notified via email and the Self-Service Portal if accepted.
Ready to get started?
Start your application today! Designate Pacific Northwest University School of Occupational Therapy on your application.
About Pacific Northwest University
of Health Sciences
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences is a grassroots, non-profit health sciences university established in 2005 by a group of visionary community leaders in Washington’s fertile Yakima Valley.
At PNWU, our mission guides everything we do. We exist to train health care professionals who will serve underserved patients in rural areas.
Our goal is to revolutionize community health. We’re looking for trailblazers like you to join us.
Overwhelmed? We’re Here to Help
Fill out the form using the button below and our admission experts will be in touch with you to answer any questions and help you get started.
Learn more about PNWU’s MSOT program
Program Accreditation Information
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Preaccreditation Status on December 12, 2024, by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-6611, their email is accred@aota.org and the web address is www.acoteonline.org.
The program must 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 to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
