Occupational Therapy | Springfield College

Occupational Therapy

Health Science: Pre-OT: BS, BS to MSOT, or BS to OTD
About This Program
Program Contact

Scott McNeil
Program Director, Chair, and Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Department of Occupational Therapy
(413) 748-3785
smcneil3@springfield.edu

Curriculum and Delivery
  • Courses offered on campus in Springfield, Mass.
  • Engage in a mix of classroom, laboratory, experiential, and fieldwork experiences
  • Become practiced in entry-level occupational therapy theory; evaluation and treatment techniques; clinical reasoning; evidence-based practice; client education skills; management skills; and interprofessional collaboration and teamwork
  • View a sample schedule
  • Download the shadow hours log (PDF)
Career Opportunities
Paying for Your Education
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OT Activities of Daily Living (ADL) labs in the Health Science Center.

Springfield College offers multiple pathways for you to pursue a career in the field of occupational therapy. As a student in the Health Science: Pre-Occupational Therapy program you will have the option to continue on to a graduate level program in occupational therapy. 

During the undergraduate portion of the program, you will engage in courses and practica required for the occupational therapy degree, the health science degree, and the College's general education requirements. Upon successful completion, you will have the option to pursue either Springfield College's entry-level MSOT or OTD program.

  • BS: Graduates will receive a BS in Health Science: Pre-OT
  • BS to MSOT: Graduates will receive a BS in Health Science: Pre-OT and a MS in Occupational Therapy in 5 and a half years 
  • BS to OTD: Graduate will receive a BS in Health Science: Pre-OT and a OTD in 6 years

Students can select which entry-level degree option (MSOT or OTD) they would like to pursue after the first year of graduate study (fourth year of program). Graduates of the MSOT or OTD program will be eligible to take the board exam, become licensed, and work as an occupational therapist. 

Graduate classes, held on campus, are followed by 6 months of full-time fieldwork in at least 2 settings. With hundreds of full-time fieldwork sites across the country, the Springfield College Occupational Therapy programs offer a wide range of experiences working with people with differing disabilities and conditions, using different treatment approaches, in various practice settings.

Our Student Experience

"Being able to rehab an individual back to their daily occupations and doing things by themselves is very important to me," said Natalie Waechter, occupational therapy student. "I am looking to focus on chronic pain management, this is an area in which I have had experience in, and the faculty here at Springfield College have inspired me to follow my passion in this area." 

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The New Health Sciences Center at Springfield College

The new Springfield College Health Sciences Center empowers transformative approaches to education, career enhancement, service, research, and leadership in healthcare. The Center builds on the success of the School of Health Sciences, and ensure its standing as the leading choice for the finest students, faculty, and staff.

An architect's rendering of the health science center at Springfield College
  • Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education

    c/o American Occupational Therapy Association
    6116 Executive Boulevard
    Suite 200
    North Bethesda, MD 20852-4949

  • Website
Accreditation

Springfield College's entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is accredited and the entry-level OTD has been granted candidacy status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

Program Outcomes

To see Springfield College occupational therapy (OT) program performance data, visit the NBCOT school performance page.

And, be sure to check out the occupational therapy program outcomes.

  • National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

    12 South Summit Avenue
    Suite 100
    Gaithersburg, MD 20877

  • (301) 869-8492 (fax)

  • Website
Certification and Licensure

Graduates of the program 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 the exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. 

Incoming first year Springfield College students participate in June Orientation on Alden Street
Core Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed in faithfulness to the Springfield College mission and to further strengthen the Humanics philosophy of educating students in spirit, mind, and body.

Student at the Learning Commons
Career Center

The Career Center’s mission is to educate, inspire, and empower students and alumni to effectively make well-informed career decisions. The staff is committed to student learning and development, and offers a variety of opportunities and programming for students and alumni.

The Academic Success Center offers readily and easily accessible services including support in writing, mathematics, science, subject area tutoring, learning strategies and time management counseling, and assistance for students with documented disabilities.
Academic Success Center

The Academic Success Center offers readily and easily accessible services including support in writing, mathematics, science, subject area tutoring, learning strategies and time management counseling, and assistance for students with documented disabilities.

Studying Occupational Therapy at Springfield College