Master of Occupational Therapy Overview
Are you passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities? If so, pursuing a master of occupational therapy (MOT) degree will equip you with the skills and knowledge required to help individuals improve activities of daily living and their overall function and well-being.
The dynamic and comprehensive master of occupational therapy program (MOT) prepares students for successful careers as occupational therapists. Students are trained to become culturally conscious practitioners through an occupation-centered model that equips them to better serve their clients and communities. Graduates leave with the knowledge and skills to be competent, innovative health professionals who meet the occupational needs of diverse individuals and support a variety of physical conditions through service and transformative healthcare.
Program Highlights
Hybrid format
The hybrid format delivers rigorous academic coursework that combines online learning with weekly, on-campus classes and labs to deliver an integrated learning experience. Participating in fieldwork placements every trimester is a crucial component of the MOT program, allowing students to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.
Client-centered model
Students prioritize and adapt to individuals’ unique needs and goals, encouraging their active involvement in the therapy process. By emphasizing collaboration, this approach means moving away from treating patients toward client-centered therapy that values the person and their personal development and considerations.
Creative treatment options
The arrival of the School of Nursing and Health Science called for the expansion and renovation of our Scripps Ranch campus which the university has called home since 1973. The goal is to create a modern, client-centered setting that caters to all ages and blends science with creativity. This meant designing a modern facility that includes unique features such as a pediatric lab with a rock-climbing wall and ball pit.
Competitive Tuition
The MOT program offers a competitive tuition without sacrificing a quality, comprehensive education to help you achieve your professional goals.
Cohort 1: September 2025 Start Date
| Current Cost | Trimester 1 Fall 2025 | Trimester 2 Spring 2026 | Trimester 3 Summer 2026 | Trimester 4 Fall 2026 | Trimester 5 Spring 2027 | Trimester 6 Summer 2027 | Total Cost of Program (2-year program 2025-2027) |
| Tuition | 18,368 | 17,220 | 17,220 | 18,368 | 10,332 | 10,332 | 91,840 |
| Student Fee | 666 | 355 | 355 | 391 | 355 | 805 | 2,927 |
| Books & Supplies | 1,150 | 520 | 765 | 650 | - | - | 3,085 |
| Loan Fees | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Distance Education Fees | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 20,184 | 18,095 | 18,340 | 19,409 | 10,687 | 11,137 | 97,852 |
Cohort 2: January 2026 Start Date
| Current Cost | Trimester 1 Spring 2026 (January) | Trimester 2 Summer 2026 | Trimester 3 Fall 2026 | Trimester 4 Spring 2027 | Trimester 5 Summer 2027 | Trimester 6 Fall 2027 | Total Cost of Program (2-year program 2025-2027) |
| Tuition | 18,368 | 17,220 | 17,220 | 18,368 | 10,332 | 10,332 | 91,840 |
| Student Fee | 666 | 355 | 355 | 391 | 355 | 805 | 2,927 |
| Books & Supplies | 1,150 | 520 | 765 | 650 | - | - | 3,085 |
| Loan Fees | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Distance Education Fees | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 20,184 | 18,095 | 18,340 | 19,409 | 10,687 | 11,137 | 97,852 |
Tuition rates are set by the Board of Trustees. Students should anticipate increases in tuition and fees, just as they anticipate that their living expenses will increase over the period in which they are enrolled at Alliant; therefore, the actual cost of the program may be higher than the amounts listed. The actual cost of tuition may vary, based on schedule, full-time or part-time enrollment status, transfer credit, failure of courses, or if a student chooses to take courses beyond the basic program curriculum, and/or similar circumstances.
Admissions
Learn about admissions requirements
Admissions Criteria
Admission Criteria
- Complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university that is recognized by a regional accreditation agency.
- Applicants must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 for all required prerequisite courses.
- Prerequisite courses may be repeated only once; the second-course grade will be used to calculate the average GPA.
- Prerequisite courses must be completed within seven (7) years of the submitted application.
- Prerequisite courses may be taken at any regionally accredited community college, public or private college or university.
- All applicants must meet the program’s health requirements.
All applicants must show proof of application or up-to-date clearances (drug screening, background screening, criminal check, and child abuse clearance), immunizations, and health screenings 30 days before the program starts.
Prerequisite Courses
Seven (7) prerequisite courses are required before beginning the MOT curriculum:
- Statistics (3 credits): ex. Elementary statistics, business statistics, social sciences statistics
- Social Science course (3 credits): ex: Sociology, cultural anthropology, public health
- Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
- Human Growth and Development of the Lifespan (3 credits)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab (4 credits)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (4 credits)
- Medical Terminology (1 credit)
Advanced Placement (AP) courses used for prerequisites may be accepted with a score of “4” or “5” if completed within seven (7) years of the submitted application.
The Master of Occupational Therapy program follows Alliant International University’s Transfer Credit Policy found in the Student Handbook. For more information see: http://catalog.54zhangmi.com/content.php?catoid=43&navoid=1625&hl=transfer+credits&returnto=search#transfer-credit
Experimental learning credits will not be accepted as a prerequisite toward fulfilling the prerequisite requirements.
GRE scores are not required.
Observation Hours
- All applicants must participate in 20 hours of observation shadowing an occupational therapist. This requirement may be completed in one of two ways:
- Observation hours may be completed at multiple locations where the applicant may observe an occupational therapist. This requirement is for applicants to demonstrate that they understand the role of occupational therapy in healthcare. Applicants must upload proof of observation hours to the OTCAS. For more information regarding sites allowing students to observe occupational therapy, contact the Program Director, adele.breenfranklin@54zhangmi.com.
- Applicants may view the video from ClinEdWeb (Clinedweb.com) Intro to OT: 20 observation hours ($55.00). Upload your completion certificate in OTCAS.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must submit two (2) letters of recommendation.
- One academic letter of recommendation
- One letter of recommendation may be from a volunteer organization or professional supervisor, manager, or occupational therapist or additional academic reference. A reference from an occupational therapist is preferred.
- Letters from family and/or friends are not accepted.
Personal Essay
Applicants are required to submit a personal essay to the OTCAS. Essays should be no more than 500 words and answer the following questions:
- Explain why you selected occupational therapy as your career and how occupational therapy relates to your short-term and long-term professional goals.
- How has your academic and personal journey influenced your professional goals, and how it may influence your skills as a practitioner?
Resume
Applicants must submit their resume through OTCAS.
International Students
See the Alliant International Student Admissions Policy for international students http://y6p.54zhangmi.com/admissions/international.
Faculty
Adele Breen-Franklin, OTD, JD, OTR/L
Professor and Program Director
adele.breenfranklin@54zhangmi.com
Courtney Bale, OTR/L, CSCS
Instructor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
courtney.bale@54zhangmi.com
Degree Information
The two-year, immersion-based program adheres to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) philosophy of education in which students are viewed as occupational beings who are in a dynamic transaction with the learning context and the teaching-learning process. The interaction of the student’s knowledge, critical inquiry, and unique experiences with the learning environment results in a competent healthcare professional.
In addition to the robust academic curriculum and hands-on practice, students will apply the skills they’ve learned in a current course to fieldwork placements every trimester, which is more frequent than other schools. Certification courses are part of the curriculum to help students enter the field with confidence, critical training, and preparation for licensing requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of the MOT program, you’ll be trained to:
- Utilize theoretical models of practice, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based decisions to guide client-centered care and occupation-based outcomes.
- Implement occupational therapy assessments and interventions with populations across the lifespan in traditional and emerging practice areas, demonstrating professional behaviors in all interactions.
- Practice ethical, equitable, and inclusive quality health care with all populations, respecting cultural factors, context, and occupational justice needs.
- Explain the processes of scientific inquiry that contribute to disseminating knowledge to support education, practice, and research in the field.
- Integrate leadership, management, and professional reasoning principles to facilitate individual, group, and organizational success, collaborating with the interprofessional healthcare team across the continuum of care.
- Formulate a professional development plan that includes role development, advocacy, and service.
Curriculum Plan
Academic Year 1 – Trimester 1 (16 units)
- OTG60000 - Foundational Concepts of Occupational Therapy (2units)
- OTG60010 - Applied Anatomy for Occupational Therapy with lab (4 units)
- OTG60020 - Clinical Reasoning and Inquiry (2 units)
- OTG60030 - Domain and Theories of Occupational Therapy with lab (4 units) *
- OTG60040 - Fieldwork 1: Occupation (1 unit) * - Includes problem-based learning activity
- OTG60050 - Lifespan Conditions (3 units)
Academic Year 1 – Trimester 2 (15 units)
- OTG60060 - Contemporary Practice (2 units)
- OTG60070 - Neuroscience and Behavior (4 units)
- OTG60080- Dynamics of Psychosocial & Community Practice (5 units) *
- OTG60090 - Fieldwork 1: Psychosocial Integration (1 unit) * - Includes problem-based learning activity
- OTG60100 - Scholarly Inquiry: Research Design (3 units)
Academic Year 1 – Trimester 3 (15 units)
- OTG60110 - Scholarly Inquiry: Research Mentorship (3 units)
- OTG60120 - Occupational Therapy Process in Pediatric Practice (5 units) *
- OTG60130 - Fieldwork 1: Pediatrics (1) * - Includes problem-based learning activity
- OTG60140 - Management and Systems in Healthcare (2 units)
- OTG60150 - Technology & Adaptations (4 units)
Academic Year 2 – Trimester 3 1 (16 units)
- OTG70000 - Advanced Clinical Skills (3 units)
- OTG70010 - Scholarly Inquiry: Research Dissemination (2)
- OTG70020 - Occupational Therapy Process for Productive Aging (2 units)
- OTG70030 - Occupational Therapy Process in Adult Process (5 units) *
- OTG70040 -Fieldwork 1: Adults (1) * - Includes problem-based learning activity
- OTG70050 - Leadership. Policy, and Advocacy (3 units)
Academic Year 2 – Trimester 3 (9 units)
- OTG70060 - Fieldwork Level 2A (8 units)
- OTG70080 -Professional Seminar (1 unit)
Academic Year 2 – Trimester 4 (9 units)
- OTG70070 - Fieldwork Level 2B (8 units)
- OTG70090 - Professional Seminar 1(unit)
*Designates that the course and the fieldwork level I experience are linked to provide an integrated, hands-on experience for students
Graduation Requirements
Criteria for successful completion and graduation of the educational program:
- Successful completion of all didactic educational requirements.
- Successful completion of two, 12-week, Level II Fieldwork experiences.
- A completed application for degree candidacy conveyed to the Office of Record.
- Payment in full of tuition, fees, and other financial obligations owed to the University, including processing fee
- Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 12 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) Exam Pass Rate
The Alliant International University Master of Occupational Therapy program will publish its National Certification Exam (NBCOT®) pass rates when this information becomes available. For more information about NBCOT see http://www.nbcot.org/
MOT Program Graduation Rates
The Alliant International University Master in Occupational Therapy program will publish its graduation rates when this information becomes available.
Accreditation
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program has applied for accreditation 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. The program must be granted Candidacy Status, have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. In addition to the above statements, the program must have a documented and published policy to ensure that students complete all graduation and fieldwork requirements in a timely manner.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 12 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.
Links and Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
What scholarship and financial aid options are available?
Private and public scholarships can help you meet the cost of your education, and Alliant offers institutional scholarships for many of our students. Learn more about these scholarship opportunities here. Additional financial aid is available for those who qualify in the form of loans, grants, federal work-study, and military aid. Learn more in our Financial Options Guide.
When does the degree program start?
The inaugural program begins in fall 2025; Beginning 2026, there will be two cohorts: spring and fall (January and September).
How long does it take to complete the program?
The master of occupational therapy program requires 80 credits over six trimesters or two years.
What is the modality of this program?
The program is delivered in a hybrid format that combines online learning with weekly on-campus face-to-face classes and labs at our San Diego campus.
Why Alliant
At Alliant, our mission is to prepare students for professional careers of service and leadership and to promote the discovery and application of knowledge to improve lives. We offer an education that is accredited, focused on practical knowledge and skills, connected with diverse faculty and alumni, and aimed at the student experience.
Why SNHS
The School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SNHS) helps prepare students to enter the field of healthcare with a state-of-the-art simulation center and lab, small class sizes, textbooks and other resources on an electronic tablet, and an AACN-aligned curriculum.
