Everything You Need to Know About Widener University's Occupational Therapy Program

An Overview of Widener University's Occupational Therapy Program

Occupational therapy is a client-centered health profession that helps individuals participate in meaningful daily activities, known as occupations. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who have physical, cognitive, developmental, social, or emotional impairments. The goal is to help clients gain or regain the skills necessary for participation in the activities of daily living that are important to them.

Widener University offers a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program at its Chester, Pennsylvania campus. This is an entry-level program for students who hold a bachelor's degree in another field and wish to become occupational therapists. The program places a strong emphasis on developing clinically skilled and fieldwork ready occupational therapy practitioners.

About Widener University

Widener University is a private institution located in Chester, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1821, Widener enrolls over 6,500 students across its four campuses. The university offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and 60 graduate programs in fields like business, engineering, nursing, social work, and human service professions.

Widener's School of Human Service Professions aims to educate students for service, leadership, and scholarship in a diverse and changing world. The school offers a wide array of programs focused on helping others, including social work, human sexuality, criminal justice, and occupational therapy.

Widener's Occupational Therapy Program Overview

Widener University's entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is a 74-credit program that can be completed full-time in just 2.5 years. Courses are taught by faculty who are experts in their respective fields and also work as practitioners.

The curriculum provides a strong foundation in occupational therapy theories, models, and frameworks. Students gain hands-on experience through interactive labs, simulations, and over 1,040 hours of fieldwork education. Fieldwork takes place in diverse settings like hospitals, clinics, schools, and community-based programs.

In addition to outstanding instruction, the program emphasizes leadership, advocacy, research, and entrepreneurship. Students can take electives to advance their interests in areas like low vision rehabilitation, hand therapy, and community-based interventions.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to Widener's MSOT program is highly competitive, with only 36 students admitted each year. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Prerequisite courses include human anatomy, human physiology, statistics, psychology, and medical terminology.

Other requirements are:

• GRE scores (optional for Widener graduates)
• 100 hours of documented volunteer or work experience under an occupational therapist
• Essay describing interest in occupational therapy
• Three letters of recommendation

Ideal applicants demonstrate excellent communication skills, commitment to helping others, capacity for graduate-level study, and knowledge of the occupational therapy field.

Curriculum and Coursework

Widener's intensive MSOT curriculum blends rigorous coursework and fieldwork experience. The program consists of 74 graduate credits taken over 7 semesters.

The first 4 semesters focus on foundational knowledge and skills in areas like:

• Human anatomy, kinesiology, and neuroscience
• Occupational therapy theories, models, and frameworks
• Assessment and evaluation
• Intervention methods and strategies
• Conditions commonly seen in OT practice
• Research and evidence-based practice
• Leadership, advocacy, and policy

Students also complete Level I fieldwork rotations in settings like hospitals, clinics, and schools to apply classroom learning. In the final 2 semesters, students take part in 24 weeks of full-time Level II fieldwork.

Fieldwork Experience

A key component of Widener's MSOT program is the fieldwork experience. Students complete fieldwork rotations at facilities across the U.S. to gain hands-on clinical experience under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists.

Level I fieldwork consists of 2 one-week rotations, giving students exposure to different settings and populations. Level II fieldwork involves 2 12-week full-time clinical rotations, allowing students to develop entry-level skills.

Widener has fieldwork agreements with over 300 sites, including renowned facilities like:

• Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• Magee Rehabilitation Hospital
• MossRehab

Through fieldwork, students gain experience assessing patients, developing treatment plans, documenting interventions, modifying activities, and collaborating as part of a healthcare team.

Program Outcomes

Widener University designed its MSOT curriculum to:

• Provide students with a comprehensive foundation in occupational therapy
• Develop skilled and fieldwork-ready practitioners
• Instill professionalism, leadership, and commitment to lifelong learning
• Prepare students for the NBCOT certification exam
• Enable students to meet state licensure requirements

Outcomes show the program is succeeding in these goals. Widener MSOT graduates have an excellent NBCOT exam pass rate of 98% over the past 3 years, exceeding the national average.

Within 6 months of graduation, 100% of Widener MSOT alumni are employed as occupational therapists. Alumni work in all practice areas, demonstrating the program's ability to produce versatile and skilled practitioners.

Accreditation

Widener University's entry-level occupational therapy master's program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), a division of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Accreditation signifies that the program meets rigorous standards for instructional quality and supports graduates in achieving core competencies needed for occupational therapy practice.

Careers in Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists work with individuals facing health conditions, disabilities, injuries, or developmental delays that impair their ability to do everyday tasks. OTs take a holistic approach to enable participation in meaningful activities or "occupations."

Occupations refer to all the activities people do each day like self-care, work, leisure, and social participation. OTs work with clients and families to identify problem areas and establish interventions that allow engagement in desired occupations.

Work Settings

Occupational therapists work in diverse settings such as:

• Hospitals - Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Schools - Support students with disabilities
• Mental health facilities
• Community health centers
• Private therapy clinics and practices
• Home health agencies
• Corporate wellness programs
• Government agencies

Most OTs work full-time hours, which may include weekends and evenings depending on the setting. School-based OTs often have summers off.

Common Practice Areas

Occupational therapists have specialized skills to work with diverse populations, including:

• Pediatrics - Help children develop skills needed for school and socializing
• Rehabilitation - Restore abilities after injury, illness, or disability
• Mental health - Treat mental illness and develop coping strategies
• Geriatrics - Enable elderly adults to age in place safely
• Hand therapy - Treat injuries and conditions affecting the hand

OTs also address sensory processing disorders, neurological conditions like stroke, cognitive disorders like dementia, chronic conditions, and much more.

Job Outlook

Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 16% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than average for all occupations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Several factors contribute to the high demand for OTs:

• Aging baby boomers will need OT services to remain independent
• Increased access to OT services through insurance coverage
• Greater recognition of OT's role in rehabilitation and habilitation

Occupational therapists can expect excellent job prospects and career stability due to rising demand and strong projected growth.

Becoming an Occupational Therapist

Individuals wishing to become occupational therapists must follow these steps:

1. Earn a bachelor's degree - A bachelor's in any major is required, common ones being psychology, biology, kinesiology, and health sciences.
2. Complete prerequisite courses - Prerequisites like anatomy, physiology, and statistics are required.
3. Earn a master's degree - Most programs now award an MS or MOT, completed in 2-3 years.
4. Complete 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork - Hands-on clinical training is required.
5. Obtain state licensure - All states require licensure to practice as an OT.
6. Take the NBCOT certification exam - Certification demonstrates competence to practice.

The MSOT program from Widener University prepares graduates to meet all educational and fieldwork requirements for becoming a licensed, certified occupational therapist.

Why Pursue OT at Widener University?

There are many benefits to attending Widener University for your Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, including:

• Expert faculty - Learn from professors who are top clinicians, researchers, and leaders.
• Hands-on training - Develop skills through interactive labs, simulations, and fieldwork.
• Established program - Widener's OT program has been accredited since 1959.
• Ideal location - Chester campus is near Philadelphia's top hospitals and clinics.
• Strong reputation - Widener OT graduates are highly recruited nationwide.
• Competitive tuition - Very affordable compared to other private OTA programs.

Widener's MSOT program provides an exceptional education experience focused on developing skilled and compassionate occupational therapists.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete Widener's MSOT program?

Widener's entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is 74 credits over 7 semesters, including summers. Most students complete the program in just 2.5 years of full-time study.

What is fieldwork and when does it occur?

Fieldwork provides hands-on clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed OT. Students complete Level I fieldwork in their first year and Level II fieldwork in their final semesters.

What is the tuition cost for Widener's MSOT program?

Tuition for Widener's MSOT program for the 2022-2023 academic year is $43,920 total. Widener also estimates students will incur around $3,000 in additional fees over the course of the program.

What undergraduate major is best to prepare for an MSOT?

Widener accepts students from all undergraduate majors. Common ones are health sciences, biology, kinesiology, psychology, sociology, or anthropology. As long as prerequisite courses are completed, your major does not matter.

Does Widener's program have prerequisite course requirements?

Yes, Widener requires prerequisite undergraduate courses in human anatomy, human physiology, statistics, psychology, abnormal psychology, lifespan development, sociology, and medical terminology.

What is Widener's OT program pass rate on the NBCOT exam?

Over the past 3 years, Widener MSOT graduates have achieved a 98% first-time pass rate on the NBCOT certification exam, exceeding national averages.

Does Widener offer an OT doctorate program?

No, Widener currently only offers an entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. Many schools are transitioning their OT programs to the doctoral level.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.