Thanks for your interest in the Life Sciences, B.S./Occupational Therapy, M.S. program.

The combined program will enable you to achieve B.S./M.S. degrees in six years. It includes a three-year phase of pre-professional courses and a three-year phase of professional courses and fieldwork experiences.

New York Institute of Technology's master's program in occupational therapy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, or at acoteonline.org or by phone at 301.652.2682.

Graduates of the occupational therapy program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Successful completion of the exam will result in certification as an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR).

While most states require licensure in order to practice, 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. For further information, contact the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, 12 South Summit Avenue, Suite 100, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877; phone: 301.990.7979. For additional information about state licensing and other restrictions, contact your local State Board of Occupational Therapy.

New York Tech's master's program in occupational therapy was initially accredited by ACOTE in 2003. On April 10, 2021, the program received ACOTE Accreditation for 10 years: 2020–2021 through 2030–2031.

This program is approved by the New York State Education Department.

First-Year Requirements

• Minimum combined SAT score of 980 (critical reading and math only) or ACT score of 18. Please note that while a combined SAT score of 980 and ACT score of 18 are the minimum scores needed for consideration for admission, it does not guarantee admission. Many students in this program have combined SAT scores over 1060. This program requires standardized test scores. Review our test-optional policy.
• Minimum high school average of 80.
• 100 hours of volunteer or paid experience under the direct supervision of an occupational therapist. Please contact admissions@nyit.edu for more information.
• Preference is given to applicants with a three- to four-year sequence in high school math and science Regents courses.
• Competence in written and spoken English and computer skills (preparation of documents, spreadsheets, graphs, databases, research and presentations).
• Two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from the licensed occupational therapist documenting volunteer hours.
• 300–350 word essay on your desire to work in the field of occupational therapy.

Transfer Student Requirements

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Received no grade in a science or math course below B- and no grade below a C+ in non-science prerequisites. Only one math or science course can be retaken one time to achieve the required grade.
• 100 hours of volunteer or paid experience under the direct supervision of an occupational therapist.
• Two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from the licensed occupational therapist documenting volunteer hours.
• 300–350 word essay on your desire to work in the field of occupational therapy.

Application Materials (First Year and Transfer)

• Completed application.
• $50 nonrefundable application fee.
• Copies of transcripts of all high school work, including college-level courses. Your mid-year and final grades will be required. All final, official transcripts must be received prior to the start of your first semester.
• Official SAT (critical reading and math only) or ACT test scores. You have the option of submitting results from the previous or redesigned SAT.
  NYIT SAT Code: 2561; NYIT ACT Code 2832

Additional International Student Requirements

Deadlines

• First-Year Priority Deadline: Dec. 1
• Regular Admission: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling admission basis, as long as space is available.
• International Student Deadlines: Dec. 1 for the spring semester and July 1 for the fall semester.

Apply Now

Applicants who are not offered admission to this highly selective program but present a compelling application may be offered admission to an alternative program of study.

Admitted Student Profile

IPEDS Admissions Component, U.S. News & World Report

Requirements to Transition to the M.S. Program

You are required to meet certain standards for acceptance into the Occupational Therapy, M.S. program:

• Submit an application through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS).
• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0
• Complete all prerequisites courses
• Received no grade in a science or math course below B- and no grade below a C+ in non-science prerequisites
• Only one math or science course can be retaken one time to achieve the required grade
• Proof of 100 hours of volunteer work under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist
• Essay detailing the desire to pursue occupational therapy as a career
• Three professional letters of recommendation on letterhead, including one from a licensed occupational therapist. Recommendations must be dated within the past six months. References should be sent in sealed envelopes with the referee's signature over the seal. Signed recommendation letters can also be submitted through OTCAS.
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended. Only two prerequisites can be pending (e.g., in progress) at the time of application. Acceptance (if granted) will be conditional to receiving the required grade in the admission criteria.
• Personal interview (for those applicants who qualify)

The B.S. in Life Sciences will be conferred upon successful completion of the first professional year of the graduate phase in Occupational Therapy. Students in this track not accepted into the professional phase of the occupational therapy program must complete requirements for another undergraduate major to receive a baccalaureate degree.