Founding Program Director
Associate Professor
Occupational Therapy, MS
Pace University’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program prepares you to become a competent, ethical practitioner dedicated to improving your clients’ quality of life. With a flexible, two-day-per-week schedule, you’ll learn to apply evidence-based, client-centered, and interprofessional approaches to care.
Location
Westchester
Duration
76 Credits
28 Months, Full-Time
Modality
Hybrid
Start Date
Fall
F1 Visa
No
STEM Designated Program
No
Empower Clients to Thrive with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy
Join one of today’s fastest-growing healthcare professions with Pace University’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, offered through the College of Health Professions.
You’ll have access to state-of-the-art resources, including simulated patients, real-world case scenarios, and immersive learning environments. Working directly with expert faculty, you’ll build real-world experiences through local and interprofessional clinical fieldwork to develop the knowledge and skills to help people of all ages improve their quality of life and functional independence.
You’ll gain experience across diverse settings, including schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and community programs, preparing you to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. Based on Pace’s Westchester Campus, the program provides unique access to a wide range of populations and professional networks.
#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 for Occupational Therapy, MS
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 I: Communication Skills and Interprofessional 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
- 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 interprofessionally 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 interprofessional clinical fieldwork, as well as 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.
Occupational Therapy 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 required badged internship and career success program for all international students for employment eligibility, 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, there is an equivalent program for you called ASPIRE.
Where Pace Graduates are Employed
- Andrus
- HealthPRO Pediatrics
- United Therapy Solutions
- A. Harry Moore School
- 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 Assistant Professor
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