Occupational Therapy

Restore quality of life with compassion.

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Engage in client-centered therapy. Enhance the lives of others.

Become a part of Worcester State University’s Occupational Therapy program–where the love of working with people intersects with healthcare and community.

As a student in the program, you will become a capable practitioner ready to help people build or regain the skills they need to live independently. Through captivating classroom curriculum, as well as fieldwork and partnerships with community organizations, you will emerge as a vital catalyst in the lives of people who require individualized care.

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Occupational Therapy Programs

MAJOR

Occupational Studies

GRADUATE

Masters in Occupational Therapy (MOT)

Facilities

The only accredited BSOS/MOT program in MA–and one of the few in the country–where you get OT classes starting on Day 1.

Media Lab

Activities of Daily Living Lab

OT Observation Lab

Why study at Worcester State?

Find out why Worcester State's OT program is one of the best in the country for a unique combination of hands-on and academic experiences.

Anatomy & Physiology
Psychology
Wellness & Disability Groups
OT Theories
Neuroscience
Therapeutic Approaches for Children & Adolescents
Community Health

Kinesiology Lab
Psych of Aging
Psychosocial Therapeutic Approaches
Therapeutic Approaches for Elders
Global Health Issues
Assistive Technology
Clinical Reasoning

Where can your Worcester State degree take you?

Map your path to a rewarding career.

Portrait of Occupational Therapy student, Sara Toomey

I'm so excited about my future as an OT because I will advocate for the necessity of our profession, for the rights of my clients, and for more awareness of and accessibility to mental health services.

— Sara Toomey, Occupational Therapy Graduate Student (MOT)

Portrait of Occupational Therapy student, Jessica Potenza

I chose Worcester State because of the amazing OT department. The accelerated graduate program is awesome, and the professors really care about you and want you to succeed.

— Jessica Potenza, Occupational Studies

The OT program at Worcester State is unique, because as an undergrad you get hands-on experience, seeing what an occupational therapist does, with real case studies and fieldwork.

— Brittany Marchetti, Occupational Therapy Graduate Student (MOT)

Meet Your Faculty

Tanya Trudell, Ed.D., OTR/L, C/NDT

Assistant Professor and Department Chair

Dr. Trudell possesses over ten years of experience as a registered occupational therapist in an acute rehabilitation hospital setting with a passion for working with clients with neurological conditions. Dr. Trudell specializes in teaching both [...]

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Jamie Wronka

Visiting Instructor, Occupational Therapy

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Sarah E. DiMeo

Assistant Professor

Dr. DiMeo’s research interests include school-based occupational therapy services and applying occupational therapy theory to practice. Prior to teaching, she practiced for 20 years in pediatrics including private and public schools and private [...]

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Joanne Gallagher Worthley

Professor

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Ellyn Schmalzer

Visiting Assistant Professor

Occupational therapist with experience in diverse populations including pediatrics, student teaching, group leadership, mental health, [...]

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Meet All Faculty

News

Occupational Therapy Students Continue Keeping Nursing Home Patients Happy

When Emma Caneira ‘20 started her job as a part-time activities assistant at Christopher House Skilled Nursing Center in the fall, she never expected to be working in the middle of a global health crisis come spring. The senior occupational therapy major assists in developing and leading group activities with residents at Christopher House, including bowling, trivia games, Bingo (their favorite), and arts and crafts.

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Accreditation Information

The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’S telephone number, c/o AOTA, is 301-652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

Graduates of Worcester State’s MOT program are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination, for which this program boasts a consistently high pass rate.

A passing score on this examination allows the graduate to apply for a license to practice that is required by most states within the United States, including Massachusetts. For further information regarding certification contact: NBCOT, One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20878; (301) 990-7979.

Estimated Cost of Attendance - Traditional Students

MA Residents

	# of Credits	Tuition	Fees¹	OT Books² or FW Fees	EXXAT³
First-Year – Fall	16 UG	$485.00	$5,408.00	$250.00	$0.00
First-Year – Spring	16 UG	$485.00	$5,408.00	$250.00	$0.00
Sophomore Year – Fall	16 UG	$485.00	$5,408.00	$150.00	$0.00
Sophomore Year – Spring	13 UG	$485.00	$5,408.00	$200.00	$0.00
Junior Year – Fall	16 UG	$485.00	$5,408.00	$500.00	$200.00
Junior Year – Spring	16 UG	$485.00	$5,408.00	$300.00	$0.00
Senior Year – Fall	16 UG	$485.00	$5,408.00	$800.00	$0.00
Senior Year – Spring	13 UG	$485.00	$5,408.00	$500.00	$0.00
Grad Year -Summer	9 Grad	$1,701.00	$1,705.50	$500.00	$0.00
Grad Year – Fall	9 Grad	$1,701.00	$1,705.50	$500.00	$0.00
Grad Year – Spring	9 Grad	$1,701.00	$1,705.50	$500.00	$0.00
Grad Year – Summer/Fall	6 Grad	$1,134.00	$1,137.00	$90.00	$0.00
TOTAL COST		$10,117.00	$49,517.50	$4,540.00	$200.00

New England Regional Residents

	# of Credits	Tuition	Fees¹	OT Books² or FW Fees	EXXAT³
First-Year – Fall	16 UG	$727.00	$5,408.00	$250.00	$0.00
First-Year – Spring	16 UG	$727.00	$5,408.00	$250.00	$0.00
Sophomore Year – Fall	16 UG	$727.00	$5,408.00	$150.00	$0.00
Sophomore Year – Spring	13 UG	$727.00	$5,408.00	$200.00	$0.00
Junior Year – Fall	16 UG	$727.00	$5,408.00	$500.00	$200.00
Junior Year – Spring	16 UG	$727.00	$5,408.00	$300.00	$0.00
Senior Year – Fall	16 UG	$727.00	$5,408.00	$800.00	$0.00
Senior Year – Spring	13 UG	$727.00	$5,408.00	$500.00	$0.00
Grad Year -Summer	9 Grad	$1,701.00	$1,705.50	$500.00	$0.00
Grad Year – Fall	9 Grad	$1,701.00	$1,705.50	$500.00	$0.00
Grad Year – Spring	9 Grad	$1,701.00	$1,705.50	$500.00	$0.00
Grad Year – Summer/Fall	6 Grad	$1,134.00	$1,137.00	$90.00	$0.00
TOTAL COST		$12,053.00	$49,517.50	$4,540.00	$200.00

Out-of-State Residents

	# of Credits	Tuition	Fees¹	OT Books² or FW Fees	EXXAT³
First-Year – Fall	16 UG	$3,525.00	$5,408.00	$250.00	$0.00
First-Year – Spring	16 UG	$3,525.00	$5,408.00	$250.00	$0.00
Sophomore Year – Fall	16 UG	$3,525.00	$5,408.00	$150.00	$0.00
Sophomore Year – Spring	13 UG	$3,525.00	$5,408.00	$200.00	$0.00
Junior Year – Fall	16 UG	$3,525.00	$5,408.00	$500.00	$200.00
Junior Year – Spring	16 UG	$3,525.00	$5,408.00	$300.00	$0.00
Senior Year – Fall	16 UG	$3,525.00	$5,408.00	$800.00	$0.00
Senior Year – Spring	13 UG	$3,525.00	$5,408.00	$500.00	$0.00
Grad Year -Summer	9 Grad	$1,701.00	$1,705.50	$500.00	$0.00
Grad Year – Fall	9 Grad	$1,701.00	$1,705.50	$500.00	$0.00
Grad Year – Spring	9 Grad	$1,701.00	$1,705.50	$500.00	$0.00
Grad Year – Summer/Fall	6 Grad	$1,134.00	$1,137.00	$90.00	$0.00
TOTAL COST		$34,437.00	$49,517.50	$4,540.00	$200.00

¹ Subject to change, based on 24-25 University Catalog
² Approximate cost to purchase
³ After initial, one-time subscription fee, cost would depend on FW requirements (as needed)
Does not include living expenses (room and board), meal plans, health insurance or FW-related costs (transportation)

Estimated Cost of Attendance - Post-Baccalaureate Students

MA Residents

	# of Credits	Tuition	Fees¹
Grad Year 1 – Summer	13 UG	$1,924.00	$2,437.50
Grad Year 1 – Fall	13 UG	$485.00	$5,408.00
Grad Year 1 – Spring	7 UG	$283.00	$3,154.62
Grad Year 2 – Summer	0	$0.00	$0.00
Grad 2 – Fall	13 UG	$485.00	$5,408.00
Grad Year 2 – Spring	13 UG and 3 Grad	$485.00 and $567.00	$5,408 and $568.50
Grad Year 3 – Summer	12 Grad	$2,268.00	$2,274.00
Grad Year 3 – Fall	12 Grad	$2,268.00	$2,274.00
Grad Year 3 – Spring (FW)	6 Grad	$1,134.00	$1,137.00
TOTAL COST		$9,899.00	$28,069.62

Out-of-State Residents

	# of Credits	Tuition	Fees¹
Grad Year 1 – Summer	13 UG	$1,924.00	$2,437.50
Grad Year 1 – Fall	13 UG	$3,525.00	$5,408.00
Grad Year 1 – Spring	7 UG	$2,056.25	$3,154.69
Grad Year 2 – Summer	0	$0.00	$0.00
Grad 2 – Fall	13 UG	$3,525.00	$5,408.00
Grad Year 2 – Spring	13 UG and 3 Grad	$3525.00 and $567.00	$5,408.00 and $568.50
Grad Year 3 – Summer	12 Grad	$2,268.00	$2,274.00
Grad Year 3 – Fall	12 Grad	$2,268.00	$2,274.00
Grad Year 3 – Spring (FW)	6 Grad	$1,134.00	$1,137.00
TOTAL COST		$20,792.25	$28,069.69

¹ Subject to change, based on 24-25 University Catalog
Does not include living expenses (room and board), meal plans, health insurance or FW-related costs (transportation)

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Occupational Therapy

Engage in client-centered therapy. Enhance the lives of others.

Become a part of Worcester State University’s Occupational Therapy program–where the love of working with people intersects with healthcare and community.

Occupational Therapy Programs

Explore Occupational Therapy at Worcester State.

Why study at Worcester State?

Where can your Worcester State degree take you?

Meet Your Faculty

Tanya Trudell, Ed.D., OTR/L, C/NDT

Jamie Wronka

Sarah E. DiMeo

Joanne Gallagher Worthley

Ellyn Schmalzer

News

Occupational Therapy Students Continue Keeping Nursing Home Patients Happy

More Program Information

Accreditation Information

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

Related Links

Take the Next Step