Master of Science – Occupational Therapy

Brenau University offers the Master of Science Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree program for entry-level professional preparation for occupational therapists. Students already possessing a bachelor’s degree may pursue the MSOT. Additionally it may be possible for highly qualified applicants without a bachelor’s degree who have at least 90 college credit hours plus all completed prerequisite coursework to apply directly to the MSOT program. Factors that would be considered for such students would include GPA, a prior OTA degree, or other relevant work experience.

Printable information sheet

Day Program: Our Day OT program begins once per year in the Fall semester and is located at our Gainesville, GA campus. This program is completed in seven semesters. Classes are typically held on-ground 4-5 days a week between 8am and 6 pm. Students take 16-18 hours per semester and participate in different types of fieldwork through the program.

Weekend Program: Our Weekend OT program begins once per year in the Spring semester. Located at our Norcross, GA campus, this option is ideal for individuals who work or have commitments during the weekdays. This program schedule is every other weekend all day on Fridays and Saturdays. Students will have a significant amount of online coursework between class meeting times along with fieldwork obligations outside regular class hours.

Special Application Procedures

Please complete the following steps to apply for admission:

1. Complete the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS) application located on the OTCAS website: www.otcas.org. Complete the OTCAS application in its entirety. For more information about OTCAS visit the AOTA website: www.aota.org.
2. Brenau requires that applicants submit three professional references, one of which must be from a licensed occupational therapist. References must be submitted to OTCAS using the OTCAS e-form or the OTCAS paper reference form.
3. Brenau also asks that applicants complete shadowing/observation/volunteer hours in at least two different Occupational Therapy settings (no minimum number of shadowing hours required).
4. Applicants should request two copies of their Official Transcripts from all previous institutions. Have one set of transcripts sent to OTCAS at the address provided in the OTCAS application. Have the second set of transcripts sent directly to the Brenau Office of Graduate Admissions.
5. The final application deadline for the weekday program is May 30^th of each year. However, Brenau will begin reviewing applications for the weekday program in January of each year. It is best to complete your weekday program application before January.
6. The final application deadline for the weekend program is November 15^th of each year. However, Brenau will begin reviewing applications for the weekend program in June of each year. It is best to complete your weekend program application before June.
7. If you have any questions about the OTCAS application process, please call 770.718.5337 or email us at graduateadmissions@brenau.edu.
8. Brenau reviews the OTCAS application as soon as it receives the completed and verified application from OTCAS. Interviews are scheduled as necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I learn more?
To find out more information please fill out the contact information form and we will be in contact with you soon.

What are the program pre-requisite courses?

• PY 101 – General Psychology
• PY 202 – Human Growth & Development
• PY 309 – Abnormal Psychology
• SY 101 or AY 101 – Sociology or Anthropology
• BY 209 or BY 210- Anatomy & Physiology I or II
• MS 205 – Statistics
• 4 hour Lab Science course (e.g. CY 103, BY 101)
• PY 301 – Research Methods
• HS 200 – Medical Terminology

All prerequisite courses must be completed before a student may begin work on the OT courses. Applicants may have prerequisite coursework in progress during the application process.

When does the program start?
The Day program (Gainesville campus) begins a new cohort in late August ; the Weekend program (Norcross campus) begins a new cohort in early January.

My pre-reqs are from 15 years ago. Are they still valid?
The university will accept ALL liberal education courses regardless of the date of satisfactory completion unless the liberal education course is also a major course. The university will accept most major courses taken within 15 years. The university will accept major courses taken within 5 years for the specific courses listed below.

• PY202 Human Growth & Development
  PY301 Research Methods
  OT320 Neuroscience
  BY209 Anatomy & Physiology I
  BY210 Anatomy & Physiology II
  BY301 Genetics
  BY302 Ecology
  CY305 Biochemistry
  CS100 Integrated Computer Comp.

How long does it take to complete the program?
The Day program takes 7 semesters or 2 years and three months and the weekend program takes 9 semesters or 3 years. That is assuming that all pre-requisites have been completed prior to entering the program.