Program Description
Established in 1944, the Puget Sound Occupational Therapy Program was the first of its kind in the region and embodies the liberal arts emphasis of the university. A collaborative yet academically rigorous environment nurtures MSOT and OTD students together in a combined cohort model as they learn to think critically and analytically, develop professional values and goals, and become intellectually autonomous. Students benefit from high impact educational practices, innovative project opportunities, frequent experiential learning opportunities, and a curriculum that develops the professional reasoning skills essential for success across practice settings.
Why Puget Sound OT?
- On site clinic: Puget Sound teaching clinics offer students three unique opportunities to work under the supervision of practicing occupational therapists who guide students in performing every part of the OT process with participants from the local community offered free of charge.
- Two tracks offered in a single-cohort model entering once a year in the Fall:
- MSOT is a full-time cohort-based program that includes two academic years on campus followed by two 12-week, full-time Level II fieldwork rotations (the entire program requires 2-1/2 years to complete). Follow this link to find out more about the Entry-level Master’s Program (MSOT).
- OTD is a full-time cohort-based program that requires three years to complete. It includes two 12-week full-time Level II fieldwork rotations and a 14-week Capstone experience. Follow this link to find out more about the Entry-level Doctorate Program (OTD).
- All students have the option to switch tracks at the end of their second semester of study.
- NBCOT pass rate: Puget Sound occupational therapy graduates have consistently demonstrated strong educational outcomes. To view or pass rate data by year, please use the direct link to the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) program data results.
- Fully in-person on-campus learning with all courses taught by OT’s: Students engage, connect and learn with professors and their cohort in classes on the Puget Sound campus. The Puget Sound campus has been voted in the top three Most Beautiful Campuses by College Rover!
Find out more about the OT Program
- Course sequence and curriculum: Students move through a set sequence of foundational, practice, and fieldwork courses designed to build skills progressively.
- Weekly schedule and time commitment: During the on-campus academic terms, students can expect classes, labs, and teamwork Monday through Friday (a typical graduate-level load). Fieldwork and capstone semesters are full-time, 40 hours/week in clinical settings.
- Learning format: The program is primarily in-person and is cohort-based. Some courses or components may incorporate small hybrid elements, but the core of the MSOT and OTD programs at Puget Sound is in-person. Technology is integrated throughout the program, requiring access to online services. Technology guidance can be found here: Technology Services
- Fieldwork placements: Full-time internships are required for both tracks and the program has contracts with various organizations providing OT services throughout the country.
- Doctoral capstones: OTD students complete capstone projects and experiences in their third year and present scholarly work in the annual evidence symposium.
