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.