BS/MS Occupational Therapy | Long Island University (2024)

About the Program

The Department of Occupational Therapy at the Brooklyn Campus offers a 122-credit B.S./M.S. degree in Occupational Therapy, that is approved by the New York State Education Department and the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Prior to entering the professional phase of the program, students must complete the liberal arts and sciences core curriculum (64 credits), which offers a comprehensive base of sciences, humanities and social sciences. The professional phase of the program spans three years of full-time professional academic courses and clinical work that is integrated with several community-service learning experiences.

Graduation Rates

Our combined B.S. /M.S program is completed in three full years, inclusive of Level II Fieldwork. Students enter the program in September and graduate at the end of their 3rd year, in September.

The below chart outlines the percentage of students who have completed the program in the intended three years. These figures take into account students who may have withdrawn from the program for personal reasons.

** 48 out of 49 students in the Class of 2021 completed their Level II Fieldwork on time and without a delay in graduation

* 44 out of 45 students in the Class of 2020 completed their Level II Fieldwork on time and without a delay in graduation

Course Sequence

FIRST YEAR

SECOND YEAR

THIRD YEAR

Prerequisites

All accepted students begin the program in the fall semester. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to entering the programs. The following are the pre-requisite courses for all internal and transfer students WITHOUT A DEGREE:

Beginning for our Fall 2022 incoming class: all science courses need to be taken within the past five years.

The following are the pre-requisite courses for all internal and transfer students WITH A DEGREE.

To transfer into the program with a two-year associates or a four-year bachelor’s degree, a student must have completed a minimum of 60 acceptable liberal arts and sciences credits including:

Mission

LIU OT Mission 2021

Our mission is to educate students from diverse backgrounds to become clinicians who promote occupation, health and wellness through the lifespan for individuals, communities and populations.

• We engage in reflective practice
• We facilitate experiential learning, leadership & advocacy skills
• We promote evidence based practice and research
• We utilize current technology for student learning and client engagement

We are LIU OT!

Accreditation and Student Outcomes

For further information regarding accreditation, please refer directly to ACOTE in the following address:

ACOTE
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Accreditation.aspx

Accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Accreditation Information

Our program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), American Occupational Therapy Association. The corresponding Web address ishttps://acoteonline.org/. They can also be contacted at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, telephone 301-652-6611.

Our Department received initial accreditation in 2001 and was recently reaccredited for 10 years until 2032. As the Department is fully accredited, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) (www.nbcot.org). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate becomes an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the successful completion of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Students seeking the entrance into health and human service professions should be aware that the presence of a criminal record can result in the refusal of licensing/certification/registration agencies to issue the credential needed to practice in the field of study. Prospective students are urged to contact the pertinent state and/or federal licensing board to inquire whether a criminal record will have an impact on your eligibility to obtain licensure or certification. Students are also advised to seek further information at: National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, telephone 301-990-7979.

Any formal complaints against Long Island University Occupational Therapy Program may be submitted in writing directly to the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) Chairperson, c/o the AOTA Accreditation Department, at the following address: 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929

NBCOT pass rate

Consistent with the Centennial Vision of our Profession (www.aota.org), our Department has developed an enrichment program to facilitate successful professional development for students from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. The total number of graduates who passed the National Board for Certification Exam (more information atwww.NBCOT.org)within one year of graduationis presented on the following table.

For program performance data please visithttps://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance

NBCOT Pass rate chart

Application Process (LIU Students)

Application Deadline: January 19, 2024

• You can apply directly to the Department of OT at Long Island University. Admission application and reference letter forms can be obtained from the OT Department (2nd floor of the Pratt Building, 718-780-4510) please email michael.gawronski@liu.edufor an application ONLY IF you are a current LIU student.
• 3 letters of recommendation on the designated reference forms of the Department (these forms can be obtained from the Department of OT.)
  - These are the only forms that we will accept.
• Your application will not be considered for an interview until all three reference letters are received and written on our specific forms. Evaluators may choose to provide a written letter however this letter is only in addition to the information on the back of the recommendation form.
• We request that letters of recommendation be completed by people who know you well—for example, college professors, academic counselors, and/or employers, and by at least one occupational therapist.
• The person completing the recommendation form MUST return it to you in a sealed envelope with his or her signature across the flap of the envelope.
• You should collect all sealed envelopes and submit them together along with your application to the Department of Occupational Therapy.

- Personal statement

• In your personal statement explain your career goals, your interest in occupational therapy, past work/volunteer experience that is relevant, and if there is a specialized area of occupational therapy that interests you most. You may also wish to describe your experience with illness and disability—whether the experience is your own or that of a family member or close friend.

-Verification of a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer work with a licensed occupational therapist. . 50 hours is the minimum requirement and should be completed by the application deadline. It is recommended that candidates engage in more than the minimum hours and in more than one setting. We are requiring that verification of these hours are provided. Candidates need to submit a letter from the occupational therapist or the facility confirming their volunteer work.

• In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, volunteer hours with an OT are NOT required for the 2020-2021 application cycle. However, we will consider Non-OT volunteer experiences and community service in non-clinical venues.

-Curriculum Vitae

We recommend you mail in or bring in all items of your application together.

Interview

Due the competitive nature of the program unfortunately only eligible students will be invited for an interview. The following criteria will be considered to determine eligibility for an interview:

• Meeting application deadline
• Cumulative GPA as well as Science GPA
• Volunteer experience and extracurricular activities
• Writing competency (personal statement, curriculum vitae)
• Letters of recommendation
• Leadership Positions
• Research Populations
• Curriculum Vitae
• Note: Long Island University OT Program does not grant occupational therapy course credit for previous work experience under any circ*mstance.

For more information regarding the LIU Occupational Therapy Program please email michael.gawronski@liu.edu

Application Process (Transfer Student)

All applicants can submit their application for admissions while they are in the final stage of the completion of their prerequisite courses. All prerequisites must be completed prior to entering the professional phase of the program.

Where to Send Your Application:

OTCAS must receive the application, references, and transcripts well before the deadline listed abovein order to be VERIFIEDin time for consideration. Once your application is complete, OTCAS will verify your documents before releasing them to Long Island University. Please note that Long Island University cannot access unverified applications. Applicants should confirm their status as verified with OTCAS.

• For any questions about the receipt, processing, and verification of your application, please contact OTCAS Customer Service at 617-612-2860, otcasinfo@otcas.org.
• For other questions, please contact the Long Island University OT Program Director at michael.gawronski@liu.eduor 718-780-4508.

3 letters of recommendation

• Your application will not be considered complete until all three reference letters are on file with OTCAS by the deadline.
• We REQUEST that letters of recommendation be completed by people who know you well—for example, college professors, academic counselors, and/or employers and by at least one occupational therapist.

Personal statement

• In your personal statement explain your career goals, your interest in occupational therapy, past work/volunteer experience that is relevant, and if there is a specialized area of occupational therapy that interests you most. You may also wish to describe your experience with illness and disability—whether the experience is your own or that of a family member or close friend.

Verification of a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer work with a licensed occupational therapist (uploaded to OTCAS)

• 50 hours is the minimum requirement and should be completed by the application deadline for full consideration.
• It is recommended that candidates engage in more than the minimum hours and in more than one setting.
• We require that verification of these hours are provided. Please make sure documentation is submitted to OTCAS for all hours for consideration. A letter or a log of hours signed by the OTR is fine.
• In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, volunteer hours with an OT are NOT required for the 2020-2021 application cycle. However, we will consider non-OT volunteer experiences and community service in non-clinical venues.

Curriculum Vitae (uploaded to OTCAS)

INTERVIEW Due the competitive nature of the program unfortunately only eligible students will be invited for an interview. The following criteria will be considered to determine eligibility for an interview:
·Meeting application deadline with a Verified Application
·Cumulative GPA as well as Science GPA
·Volunteer experience and extracurricular activities
·Writing competency (personal statement, curriculum vitae)
·Letters of recommendation
· Leadership positions
· Research Participation
· Curriculum Vitae

Tuition & Fees

Cost of Attendance

Tuition and fees in years 2 and 3 include an estimated 2% increase; final rates are subject to change

According to the US Department of Education, a student’s cost of attendance is defined as the total cost of attending the program, which includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, and transportation costs, as well as loan fees and costs associated with distance education.

Background Check and Drug Testing

A criminal conviction and/or the use of illegal drugs may impede or bar your entry into the field of occupational therapy. Students desiring entrance into the LIU OT Program should be aware that the presence of a criminal record can result in the refusal of licensing/certification/registration agencies to issue the credential needed to practice in the field of study. Prospective students are urged to contact the pertinent state and/or federal licensing board to inquire whether a criminal record will have an impact on their eligibility to obtain licensure or certification. A criminal conviction and/or the use of illegal drugs may impede licensure in New York State. Students who have had a prior conviction are advised to contact NBCOT (www.nbcot.org) for clearance before beginning an academic program. For a fee, NBCOT will review the circ*mstances which led to a conviction and the individual’s personal record and render a decision concerning whether or not the individual would qualify to work as an occupational therapist

In addition, many of our clinical/field experience affiliates now require the completion of criminal background checks and/or drug testing for employees, volunteers and students affiliated with the site. LIU OT students are required to participate in multiple clinical/field experiences and may be asked to undergo a criminal background check and/or drug screen by the site. A criminal conviction and/or the use of illegal drugs may impede or bar your ability to participate in a clinical/field experience, delay graduation and/or prevent you from completing the program. Our clinical/field affiliates can reject or remove a student from the site if a criminal record is discovered or if a drug test is positive. In the event that a student is rejected from a clinical/field site due to information contained in the criminal background check, or drug screen, you may be unable to complete a required clinical/field experience. If you are unable to complete program requirements, you may be advised to withdraw from the program.