The occupational therapy program at the University of New Mexico is an entry-level professional program leading to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree. Designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree in a field other than occupational therapy, our full-time program consists of 24 months of professional academic preparation plus six months (two semesters) of full-time fieldwork in the community. A part-time option is available for the academic portion of the curriculum. Students must complete 84 hours to meet graduation requirements:
· Core professional curriculum: 69 credit hours
· Elective coursework: minimum 3 credit hours
· Fieldwork: 12 credit hours
Graduation Requirements
To graduate and receive the MOT degree, students must:
· Satisfactorily complete all academic coursework, including Fieldwork I
· The equivalent of six months of Fieldwork II
· Successfully complete both Master's Examinations (OTSKA and OTSPA)
· Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Certification and Licensing
Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapists administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®). After successful completion of the exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, most states—including New Mexico—require professional licensure to practice. State licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.
Note: A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s eligibility to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. We suggest that applicants contact the NBCOT with questions regarding eligibility for professional credentialing.
