Founding Program Director
Associate Professor
Occupational Therapy, MS
By enrolling in Pace University's occupational therapy master's program, you will learn the skills to become a competent and ethical occupational therapy (OT) practitioner who maximizes clients’ quality of life through technology, evidence-based, client-centered, and interprofessional practice.
Location
Westchester
Duration
76 Credits
28 Months, Full-Time
Modality
Hybrid
Start Date
Fall
F1 Visa
Yes
STEM Designated Program
No
Maximize Quality of Life of All Clients
Occupational Therapy is a growing field due to increased awareness of mental health, aging populations, and the demand for rehabilitation services. Through our OT master’s degree offered by Pace’s College of Health Professions, you’ll learn the skills essential to helping people improve their quality of life by assisting them in overcoming challenges in daily activities and become equipped to work in diverse environments including hospitals, schools, mental health centers, rehabilitation facilities, and even home healthcare.
#4
Best Health Care Job
(Source: U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
$96,370
Median Salary for Occupational Therapist
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
11%
Job growth from 2023–2033
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Curriculum
Our curriculum emphasizes four major themes: evidence-based practice and scholarship, occupation-centered and client-centered approach, ethics and interprofessional practice, and innovation and technology. You can complete the didactic coursework and clinical fieldwork education within 28 months.
Take Courses Like…
- OTH 525 Professionalism 1: Communication Skills and Inter-professional Practice
- OTH 610 Environmental Adaptation, Home Modifications, and Ergonomics
- OTH 620 Assistive/Telehealth Technology and Virtual Environments
Learn the skills to be a successful occupational therapist
- Orthopedic and Neurorehabilitation techniques
- Mental-health focused interventions
- Pediatric and development-related treatment planning
- Creating and managing orthoses
- Analyzing health care literature
- Activity analysis
- Business planning
- Virtual Reality, Adaptive Equipment and Assistive Technology Applications
- …and much more
MS in Occupational Therapy Program Features
- Smarter, More Streamlined Curriculum
Our OT program has undergone an extensive curriculum revision for students entering Fall 2026, aligning with the latest professional standards to better prepare graduates for the NBCOT licensure exam and clinical practice. Present OTKE practice exam scores suggest Pace OT students are performing above the national average. - Graduate Sooner, Start Impacting Lives Faster
We’re actively reducing the program length from to 24 months and lowering the total credit requirement—giving students entering in Fall 2026 a faster, more efficient path to graduation without compromising quality. - 2-Day Per Week Schedule
Our flexible two-day-per-week, in-person class schedule is designed to support work-life balance and optimize your time, allowing space for fieldwork, studying, or personal obligations. - State-of-the-Art Experiential Learning
Gain hands-on experience through our advanced simulation labs with simulated patients, real-world case scenarios, and immersive learning environments that bridge classroom theory with clinical reality. - Future-Forward Learning Environment
From interactive classroom strategies to faculty mentorship and clinical reasoning development, our program delivers a learning experience that’s as dynamic and forward-thinking as the profession itself. - Career-Ready in Every Way
Whether in the classroom, lab, or field, every part of the revised program is built to equip you with the confidence, competence, and compassion to thrive in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.
Interdisciplinary Opportunities and Hands-On Experiences
Our program offers students opportunities to collaborate with other disciplines to learn inter-professionally and develop innovative projects. State-of-the-art laboratories, including a model OT apartment, provide students hands-on simulated living and valuable learning experiences.
There are opportunities for service learning within the local community and engaging in local and inter-professional clinical fieldwork, and as well collaboration with a faculty advisor for research projects. Additionally, students in this program have the opportunity to participate in a non-profit student-run association: Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), to increase awareness of the Pace OT program and the profession as well as enhance professional development.
Accreditation
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)
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone number: (301) 652-AOTA
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) Website
NBCOT Certification and Exam Pass Rates
In 2023, 100% of students in the Pace OT program successfully completed the program. For reported details on NBCOT exam pass rates, visit our Accreditation page on the MSOT website.
Careers
Our graduates practice in a variety of settings, including long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, schools, community mental health, home health, private practices, outpatient clinics, and early intervention programs.
Our graduates are prepared for jobs like:
Salaries below sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and ZipRecruiter.
- Occupational Therapist (Average Salary: $65,000–$130,000)
- School-Based Occupational Therapist (Average Salary: $65,000–$124,000)
Student Quote
Pace taught me to accept new challenges, be an evidence-based practitioner, and that learning never stops as a healthcare provider.
—Elias Fraija ’21
International Career Success Program
The INSPIRE Program (International Student Professional Readiness Program) is a badged internship and career success program exclusive to Pace. Year after year, this one-of-a-kind program empowers international students to achieve results in obtaining internships, jobs, and salary outcomes. Domestic students, we have an equivalent program for you called ASPIRE.
Where Pace Graduates are Employed
- Andrus
- HealthPRO Pediatrics
- United Therapy Solutions
- A. Harry Moore School
- United Therapy Solutions
- Therodynamics
- Fox Rehabilitation
Your Learning Pathway
If your career goal is to become an occupational therapist, Pace University offers pathways for you. Whether you’re just beginning your educational journey, or ready to begin your graduate studies, Pace provides you the pathway.
Explore our programs to see which may be the best fit for your career goals.
Featured Faculty
Clinical Assistant Professor
Clinical Associate Professor
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Admission and Financial Aid
You're ready for a new level of success—whether it's advancing in your current field or launching a new career. Pace is with you every step of the way, providing a world-class education and the skills your industry will be looking for far into the future.
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- Applications must be submitted through the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application System (OTCAS) website.
- A personal statement explaining to the Graduate Admission Committee why you would like to pursue the program of graduate study you have chosen. Additional information regarding your academic performance, as well as professional experience, may also be included in the supplement.
- A resume or outline describing at least the past five years of your employment history and any significant community, professional, or college extracurricular activities.
- Applicants need 2 letters of recommendation. Letters should be from academic or professional references that can knowledgeably comment on your ability to successfully complete graduate study. Include recognitions and achievements (e.g. licenses, publications, and awards).
- All Official Transcripts: Transcripts from every accredited college or university attended (not just the degree granting institution) must be sent either to OTCAS directly from the academic institution electronically or by mail, or forwarded by the applicant in sealed envelopes from the academic institution.
- Completion of all prerequisite requirements and observation hours.
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Total cost of program: $100,000
*Tuition based on current year and subject to change. -
Open in July, close in May
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Make an appointment to meet with you admission counselor.
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Pace has many internal scholarships and awards to help its students meet their college expenses. Some Pace assistance is meant specifically for College of Health Professions undergraduate and graduate students.
Learn more about CHP-specific scholarships and how to apply.
Contact Us
Admission Contact
Mickael Pollard
Graduate Admission Counselor
Phone: (914) 773-3096
Email: mpollard2@pace.edu