The New Seminary

MS in Occupational Therapy

This degree leads to a career in Occupational Therapy, one of the fastest growing healthcare fields.

 

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Location:

Orangeburg, NY

1 day a week on campus for all hands on labs. Other classes: synchronous and asynchronous online.

Separate cohort for:

Women

Offered by:

Dominican University of New York

Program Length:

3 years

FAQ

69 Credits reflect coursework and fieldwork.
In addition, once students are accepted to the graduate OT program, they need to take these courses from Dominican University:

  • Introduction to OT
  • Kinesiology in OT
Candidates must first apply to Dominican University, and submit transcripts from all post-secondary institutions. Upon meeting admissions requirements, a prerequisite evaluation is assigned to Pre-OT advisement, who will advise you on completing prerequisites, as well as a timeline for the OTCAS application.
  • Introduction to OT***
  • Kinesiology in OT***
  • 3.0 GPA overall and a preferred 3.0 or better in the sciences
  • B.A. from a regionally accredited university.
  • Strong grades in all prerequisite courses Prerequisite Courses:
    • Introduction to Statistics
    • Dynamics of Oral Communication (aka Public Speaking)
    • General Psychology
    • Lifespan Human Development
    • Abnormal Psychology
    • Introduction to Sociology
    • Anatomy & Physiology I (within the past 5 years)
    • Anatomy & Physiology II (within the past 5 years)
    • Neuroscience
    • Topics in Physics / General Physics I (preferred)
    • Science: Grade of B- or higher required for transfer credit
*Courses with a grade of “P” are not accepted
***Must be taken at Dominican University
First year: 27 credits
  • 1st Trimester – Fall: 9 credits OT 534 Tools of Practice: 6 credits OT 536 Foundation of OT: 3 credits
  • 2nd Trimester – Spring: 9 credits OT 545 Professional Practice Skills I: 6 credits OT 544 Clinical Conditions: 3 credits
  • 3rd Trimester – Summer: 9 credits OT 542 Childhood & OT Practice: 6 credits OT 664 Research in OT: 3 credits
Second year: 27 credits
  • 1st Trimester – Fall: 9 credits OT 643 Adolescence and OT Practice: 6 credits OT 662 Fieldwork Level I Seminar**: 3 credits
  • 2nd Trimester – Spring: 9 credits OT 653 Adulthood I: 6 credits OT 657 Research Symposium: 3 credits
  • 3rd Trimester – Summer: 9 credits OT 654 Adulthood II: 6 credits OT 649 Leadership & OT Practice: 3 credits
Third year: 15 credits
  • 1st Trimester – Fall: 9 credits OT 753 Maturity in OT Practice: 6 credits OT 754 Advanced Practice: 3 credits
  • 2nd/3rd Trimester – Spring/Summer: 6 credits Fieldwork Level II A*: 3 credits Fieldwork Level II B*: 3 credits
Plus 3 months for the required preporatory courses once accepted.
Dominican University of New York discounts per credit charge for The New Seminary cohort. A range of  student loans, subsidized and unsubsidized are available.
Financial aid advice  is provided by the Seminary and Dominican University.
Apply early for maximum financial assistance
The OT Masters Degree program of Dominican University of New York (following completion of the BA with all prerequisites) consists of 2 years and 10 months including fieldwork, plus 2 months for the required introductory courses once accepted.
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Dominican University’s mission statement declares its dedication to the principle that its educational programs and services must be both challenging and supportive, distinguished both by high standards and by attention to the needs and potential of the individual student. Affirmed and engaged by these standards and values, graduates are prepared for purposeful lives, and for the careers and professions they chose to pursue. The aim of Dominican University is to promote educational excellence, leadership, and service in an environment characterized by respect for the individual and concern for the community and its needs. Interested in pursuing on of the best jobs in healthcare? Occupational Therapy is one of today’s hottest fields, and Dominican University graduates are uniquely prepared to succeed. A full 100% of our graduates who seek employment upon graduation are employed! The program is designed to allow you to pursue your degree while maintaining family and life responsibilities. One day a week on campus classes for all hands-on labs. Other classes synchronous. Learn from expert practicing OTs, many of whom have been recognized with awards for advancement, excellence, and innovation. Over 200 clinical placement sites.

Occupational therapy is a vital health care and rehabilitation profession that employs practitioners who help clients to develop or to restore and sustain the highest quality of productive life while recovering from illness or injury.

Occupational therapists work with individuals across the lifespan to promote health, wellness and recovery from illness that can impact sensory, motor, cognitive and psychosocial functions.

It is a field that provides many opportunities for the candidate who has the intelligence, the empathy, the personal integrity, and the skills to provide a wide range of services to various populations and age groups. Please refer to the American Occupational Therapy Association’s website for more information about the profession- Aota.org

The field of Occupational Therapy and how it fits the lifestyle and values of a Jewish woman.

When choosing a profession, the Jewish woman thinks about how that profession will fit into her life — how will it impact her family — and how much will it enable her to contribute to the family parnassah.

Occupational Therapy is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice for individuals interested in helping others lead meaningful and independent lives. There are numerous benefits of becoming an Occupational Therapist, including the potential for personal growth, career opportunities, job satisfaction, and the positive impact on individuals’ lives.

  1. Fulfilling Work:
    Occupational Therapy offers professionals the opportunity to make a profound and lasting difference in the lives of individuals facing physical, mental, or emotional challenges. The sense of fulfillment derived from assisting clients in regaining or improving their functional abilities, independence, and participation in daily activities cannot be overstated.
  2. Divers and Rewarding Career Opportunities:
    Occupational Therapy provides a broad range of career prospects, with opportunities to specialize in various fields such as pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, orthopedics, and neurorehabilitation. This diversity allows individuals to pursue areas that align with their personal interests and passion, ensuring a long-term, fulfilling career path. If you are a woman who likes working within a school setting, OT is for you. If you are someone who enjoys working in a medical facility or hospital setting, OT is for you. I you are looking to open a private practice, OT is for you, too.
  3. Job Stability and Demand:
    The demand for Occupational Therapists is rapidly increasing. Due to advancements in medical technology, and increased awareness of mental health issues, the need for skilled occupational therapists has grown substantially. The OT’s role extends across the lifespan from early intervention through rehabilitation and geriatrics.
  4. Competitive Earning Potential:
    Occupational Therapy offers a promising earning potential, with attractive salaries for professionals in the field. While specific salaries may vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and specialization, Occupational Therapists generally enjoy a competitive compensation package.
    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Occupational Therapists was $93,180 in May 2022. The highest 10% of earners made more than $127,000 per year. With experience and expertise, Occupational Therapists may also have opportunities for promotions and increased earning potential.
  5. Job Security and Growth:
    The field of Occupational Therapy consistently demonstrates strong job security and growth opportunities. As mentioned earlier, the demand for occupational therapists is on the rise, resulting in a low unemployment rate in the profession. This stability provides Occupational Therapists with reassurance about future job prospects and financial security.
    Additionally, the field of Occupational Therapy is continuously evolving and expanding. As new research and technologies emerge, Occupational Therapists will have the chance to develop specialized skills, further enhancing their marketability and potential for career advancement.
  6. Flexibility and Work-Life Balance:
    Occupational Therapy offers flexibility in terms of work settings, including hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, private clinics, and home health agencies.

Why Dominican University New York’s Occupational Therapy (OT) Program

  1. Long History of Training Competent Entry-Level Occupational Therapists
    Dominican University New York (DUNY) graduated its first group of Occupational Therapists in 1986, over 37 years ago. There are many newer programs in this region with flashy new facilities, but DUNY has a proven record of creating Occupational Therapists recognized for being self-directed, adaptable, critical thinkers, from diverse backgrounds.
  2. Master’s Degree is All You Need
    Contrary to misinformation that continues to circulate, the minimum degree to become an Occupational Therapist in the United States is a master’s degree. A doctoral degree is not required, and there is no current plan for this to change. Doctoral-level programs require additional time and cost with no appreciable difference in salary. Additionally, those who graduate from either a Master’s or Doctoral program take the exact same national certification examination that permits one to obtain a state license to practice OT.
  3. Dedicated to Creating Opportunities for a Diverse Community
    The DUNY OT program has always served those for whom a traditional weekday format (4 or 5 weekdays per week for 14-16 weeks each semester) is a barrier to attaining their educational and professional goals. Dominican opened one of the first weekend programs in the country for OT. This met the needs of a wide population, including OTA’s who wanted to become OTRs. When The New Seminary approached the DUNY OT program about a partnership, the idea of a different sort of non-traditional format was already on the minds of the OT faculty, a one-weekday-per-week on campus schedule with self-directed and independent learning assignments between each week just like the weekend format.
  4. Highly Experienced Faculty Still Practicing Clinically
    Every full-time DUNY OT faculty member is still engaged in clinical practice at least part-time. Altogether, the core faculty has over 150 years of combined clinical OT practice. Additionally, all full-time faculty hold clinical or academic doctoral degrees earned years after starting their clinical practice. Our adjunct faculty also are Occupational Therapists with an extensive number of years of practice. Additionally, many of our adjunct faculty graduated from the DUNY OT program, continuing the Dominican mission of Excellence, Leadership, and Service.
  5. Faculty and Program Director Know Who You Are
    DUNT OT students are not just another number. Every student has an academic advisor with whom they meet at least once per trimester. The full-time faculty all teach courses in the curriculum, so students know all the faculty, and the faculty all know the students.
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