COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at University of New Hampshire is an entry-level graduate program created for students who already possess a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and wish to pursue a professional career in occupational therapy. The program focuses on helping individuals of all ages improve independence, health, participation, and quality of life through therapeutic activities and evidence-based interventions. Students receive a blend of classroom learning, laboratory training, research exposure, community engagement, and extensive supervised clinical education that prepares them for practice in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, mental health agencies, outpatient clinics, and community organizations. The degree requires completion of 62–63 graduate credits, including 19 credits of fieldwork experiences. Core courses include occupational therapy practice, assistive technology, human occupation, administration and management, psychosocial evaluation and intervention, neurological rehabilitation, pediatric occupational therapy, adult intervention, movement science, research methods, and community participation. Several courses include labs and recitation sections that strengthen practical clinical skills and competency-based learning. Students must complete Level I fieldwork along with two full-time 12-week Level II fieldwork placements that provide immersive professional experience under clinical supervision. To graduate, students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, earn at least a B- in all required occupational therapy courses, pass all competency examinations, and successfully complete all clinical fieldwork evaluations. Elective coursework allows students to explore specialized topics such as assistive technology design, mobility and transportation systems, communication technologies, sensory integration, upper extremity rehabilitation, and orthotic fabrication. The program also supports involvement in faculty-led research, scholarly activities, and the Student Occupational Therapy Association, helping students build leadership and professional networking skills. Through rigorous academics, experiential learning, and clinical immersion, the UNH Occupational Therapy program prepares graduates for national certification, state licensure, and rewarding careers in the expanding healthcare and rehabilitation field.The Occupational Therapy Advanced Standing Master of Science program at University of New Hampshire requires students to complete a minimum of 32 graduate credits designed to expand advanced clinical knowledge, leadership abilities, and professional practice skills in occupational therapy. The curriculum combines advanced coursework, clinical fieldwork, laboratory instruction, and elective specialization opportunities that allow practicing occupational therapists to deepen expertise in rehabilitation, assistive technology, community participation, and evidence-based practice. Required courses include OT 845 Administration and Management for Occupational Therapy Practice, which develops leadership and healthcare management skills, and OT 830 with OT 830L Assistive Technology for Enhancing Occupational Performance and Lab, focusing on adaptive technologies and practical applications that support participation and independence. Students also complete OT 846 Fieldwork and Professionalism-Level II along with two major supervised clinical experiences, OT 854 Level II Fieldwork I and OT 856 Level II Fieldwork II, each worth 8 credits, providing immersive hands-on professional practice. OT 855 Level II Fieldwork Discussion supports reflective learning and professional development during clinical placements. The curriculum also includes OT 871 and OT 871L Enabling Participation in Community Groups and Lab, emphasizing community-based practice, inclusion, and group intervention strategies. In addition to required coursework, students complete at least 3 credits of graduate-level electives chosen according to individual professional interests and career goals. Elective options include Upper Extremity Rehabilitation and Orthotic Fabrication, Occupational Therapy and Sensory Integration, assistive technology design and mobility systems, communication and cognition technologies, vision and hearing supports, iPad applications for children with disabilities, special topics courses, and individualized readings and research opportunities. The program emphasizes advanced clinical reasoning, leadership development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and application of evidence-based interventions in real-world healthcare settings. Through intensive fieldwork, specialized coursework, and faculty mentorship, the UNH Occupational Therapy Advanced Standing program prepares experienced occupational therapists for expanded professional roles in clinical practice, administration, research, education, assistive technology, and community rehabilitation services.