Occupational Therapy FAQs
Can I get a master's in OT if my bachelor's degree is in another major?
Yes, the entry-level master's degree program is designed for students with a wide variety of backgrounds. With all the prerequisite courses completed before enrolling, full-time students can earn a master of science in OT in two and a half years (actually 28 months). This includes five semesters of academic coursework (including one summer) and six months of full-time fieldwork.
Is there an alternative to the full-time curriculum?
Yes. Although most students complete the program following the 28-month course plan, some students prefer to stretch their program to three, four, or even five years because of work and/or family responsibilities. Classes meet only on weekdays, but we block our schedule so that you would come to campus fewer days each week on an extended plan. Our goal is to help you meet your career goals in the way that works best for you, so please call us if you would like more information about extended course plans.
What if I haven't finished my prerequisite courses?
The prerequisite courses consist of a set of undergraduate-level courses chosen to prepare you for the graduate-level courses within the OT program. These courses are used as a predictor of performance in subsequent graduate-level courses when your application is reviewed. In order for your application to be considered for admission, you need to have completed at least half of the prerequisite courses by the application deadline, and you should indicate your planned schedule for completing the rest of the prerequisite courses on the prerequisite worksheet. Any acceptance offered is contingent upon successfully completing those remaining courses (grade of B or better) by the time you begin classes within the fall.
Where can I complete my fieldwork?
Springfield College currently has affiliation agreements with more than 300 fieldwork sites across the country. The full-time academic fieldwork coordinator will work closely with you to arrange field placements that help you meet your professional goals.
What is the job market in OT like?
Great! The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics continues to list OT as a growth area for employment. An informal survey of the most recent Springfield College OT graduates found that nearly all of them have found exciting and fulfilling positions within the field, some of them within just weeks of completing their programs. The best source for information on the types of jobs OTs hold is our national professional organization, the American Occupational Therapy Association. You can also look at some of the job listings on AOTA’s website.
A recent survey of Springfield College Occupational Therapy Program graduates revealed that 97 percent of those who responded are working either full or part-time, with just 3 percent currently not working by choice. One-third had secured a position by the time they completed the program, and 40 percent found a position in less than two months.
Springfield College OT Program graduates work in the following settings:
- 28 percent in schools
- 21 percent in acute care hospitals
- 21 percent in rehab hospitals or units
- 21 percent in skilled nursing facilities
- 16 percent in pediatric outpatient services
- 12 percent in adult outpatient therapy
- 9 percent in mental health facilities
- 9 percent in early intervention programs
- 7 percent in private group practices
...and a variety of other settings, including home care, colleges, and hand therapy clinics (the total is more than 100 percent because many graduates work in more than one setting)
Springfield College OT Program graduates work with people in the following age ranges:
- 58 percent with older adults
- 50 percent with adolescents or young adults
- 49 percent with middle adults
- 43 percent with children
- 21 percent with infants/toddlers
(again, the total is more than 100 percent because many graduates work with people of various ages)
I still have some questions...
You can contact the Department of Occupational Therapy at (413) 748-3581 or ot@springfieldcollege.edu if you have other questions or would like to visit the campus.
For general questions about the profession and OT education, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association website.
