Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy

The Iona University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program integrates fieldwork experiences throughout the curriculum to ensure students develop strong clinical reasoning skills and professional competence across diverse practice settings.

Students complete four Level I Fieldwork experiences, each requiring 40 hours of on-site participation. Three of these experiences are embedded within semester-long service-learning courses:

• Service Learning I (Semester 2): Mental health setting (Adult or Pediatrics)
• Service Learning II (Semester 4): Older adult practice setting
• Service Learning III (Semester 5): Pediatrics- School-based setting
• Level I Fieldwork – Adult Healthcare (Semester 4): Adult Outpatient or Inpatient settings

For Level II Fieldwork, students complete a minimum of 24 weeks of full-time clinical education, supervised by a licensed and registered occupational therapist. These placements occur after completion of didactic coursework and provide in-depth, hands-on experience in real-world practice environments.

The Iona University MSOT program is housed within the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, and many students complete fieldwork placements within the nationally recognized NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital system. In addition, the program maintains strong partnerships with numerous school districts, private outpatient clinics, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, community-based programs, and healthcare organizations throughout the Hudson Valley and greater New York metropolitan area.

Recognizing that our students come from across the United States, the program also supports placements in out-of-state locations when appropriate.  

The Iona University MSOT program provides individualized, faculty-led support for fieldwork placement through a dedicated, full-time Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC). Because we are a small program, students benefit from a collaborative placement process.

The AFWC meets individually with each student to discuss their strengths, academic performance, prior Level I and service-learning experiences, professional interests, and long-term career goals. Students have access to detailed information about all affiliated clinical partners through our fieldwork management platform, Exxat, allowing them to explore potential practice settings and express areas of interest.

Placement decisions are made collaboratively, taking into account student readiness, performance, comfort level, and learning needs. We offer a wide range of practice settings and levels of intensity — from fast-paced, high-acuity environments such as NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals to community-based, school, outpatient, and rehabilitation settings. Our goal is to match students with placements that will challenge and support their growth while ensuring an appropriate fit. 

The MSOT program does not require a traditional capstone or thesis. However, all students complete a year-long Community Development Project during their second academic year.

In this required project, students work in small teams under faculty and community mentorship to address an occupation-based need of a group, population, or community. Projects are developed in collaboration with community partners and integrate evidence-based practice, qualitative and quantitative research methods, design thinking, and service implementation.

Students conduct stakeholder interviews, complete an extensive literature review, develop and implement a service or program plan, and participate in supervised community engagement activities. The project culminates in a formal scholarly presentation (such as at Iona Scholars Day).

Students also maintain a structured project portfolio to document their work, reflections, and professional growth throughout the year.

This Community Development Project fulfills the program’s commitment to community engagement, scholarship, and evidence-based occupational therapy practice. 

As an entry-level MS program, Iona’s Occupational Therapy program prepares students as generalists, which means that graduates are qualified to work across the full range of occupational therapy practice settings. While formal specialization occurs after graduation, the Iona OT Program curriculum provides strong preparation and meaningful depth across the lifespan and diverse practice areas.

Students gain experience in:

• Adult medical and neurological rehabilitation (e.g., stroke, traumatic brain injury, acute care, inpatient rehabilitation)
• Orthopedic and upper extremity rehabilitation, Health, wellness, prevention, and ergonomics
• Mental and behavioral health
• Pediatrics, including early intervention, clinic-based, and school-based practice
• Older adult and geriatric practice
• Intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan
• Assistive technology

Iona’s OT program also integrates Interprofessional Education (IPE) and Entrepreneurship and Innovation modules and activities throughout the curriculum. These experiences encourage students to collaborate across disciplines and apply their developing knowledge and skills in creative, solution-focused ways.

Graduates leave prepared to practice confidently across settings and populations, equipped with the collaborative and innovative skills needed to thrive in today’s evolving healthcare and educational environments.  

The Iona University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program prepares you for the next important step in your professional journey: becoming a licensed occupational therapist.

The Iona OT  program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), which means graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. Successful completion of this exam earns you the credential Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR)— the nationally recognized certification required to practice.

Following certification, graduates apply for state licensure. In New York State (and in all other states), licensure is typically based on passing the NBCOT exam and meeting additional state requirements such as age, character, and licensure fees.

From classroom learning to fieldwork experiences, the Iona OT program is designed to support you every step of the way as you prepare for certification, licensure, and a meaningful career helping individuals, families, and communities participate fully in daily life.

Please note: A felony conviction may affect an individual’s ability to sit for the NBCOT exam or obtain state licensure.  

Yes. Earning an MS in OT opens pathways to advanced clinical specialization, leadership roles, academic careers, and research opportunities through doctoral education, certifications, and ongoing professional development. 

Doctoral Degree Options

• Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD or DrOT):
  Designed for licensed occupational therapists who already hold a master’s degree, the post-professional OTD focuses on advanced clinical practice, leadership, program development, and knowledge translation. These programs typically include a capstone or practice-focused doctoral project.
• PhD in Occupational Therapy, Occupational Science, Rehabilitation Science, or Related Fields:
  A PhD prepares occupational therapists for careers in research, academia, policy development, and scholarship. These research-intensive programs focus on generating new knowledge and advancing evidence for occupational therapy practice.

Post-Professional Certificates and Specialized Study

Graduates may also pursue post-professional certificates or advanced study in specialized areas such as pediatrics, sensory integration, assistive technology, rehabilitation science, or healthcare leadership.

Board Certification and Specialty Credentials

Through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), licensed OTs may pursue Board Certification (e.g., Gerontology, Mental Health, Pediatrics, Physical Rehabilitation) or Specialty Certifications in focused areas such as driving and community mobility, environmental modification, feeding and swallowing, low vision, or school systems practice.

Occupational therapists may also pursue additional interdisciplinary certifications such as:

• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
• Assistive Technology Professional (ATP)
• Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)
• Certified Autism Specialist (CAS)
• And other credentials aligned with specific practice interests.

Research Fellowships and Doctoral Funding

For those interested in research careers, the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) offers scholarships, dissertation funding, and post-doctoral research support.