Master in Occupational Therapy/Therapist (Master's)

Tuition is Tuition for the 77 credit-hour program is $83,160 with a no-fee tuition policy and a locked-in rate of $1,080 per credit hour for the 2026-2027 academic year..

Graduates are qualified to sit for the NBCOT certification exam and become licensed occupational therapists. The program is a full-time, in-person 24-month course with a focus on community service, leadership, and cultural relevance. Students complete 24 weeks of supervised Level II fieldwork within 18 months of finishing didactic coursework. The curriculum uses a spiraling, developmental model that builds from foundational knowledge to advanced critical thinking.

Focus areas include Pediatrics, Adult practice, Psychosocial practice, Research, Community service, Leadership development.

The program requires 77 credits distributed across coursework, a 24-week Level II fieldwork experience, and a progression through foundational, application, and mastery phases. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to progress.

Graduates work as licensed occupational therapists in clinical, community, and educational settings across the United States.

Applicants must complete prerequisite courses in anatomy and physiology, psychology, statistics, and medical terminology with a grade of C or better. A bachelor’s degree is required, and applicants must submit transcripts, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. The program is competitive and requires pre-screening for enrollment partnerships.

The programme totals about 77 credit hours. Full-time, in-person, 24-month duration. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 78% of applicants.

Messiah University’s identity is rooted in Christian community and the conviction that faith should shape academic and student life. Its motto, “Christ Preeminent,” guides the university’s approach to education, with values that include sharpening intellect, deepening Christian faith and inspiring action. The institution has grown into a private university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, serving 3,454 undergraduate and graduate students.

Academic options span more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs, with over 150 undergraduate and pre-professional degree options and more than 20 graduate degree and certificate programs. Areas of study are organized across interests and career fields. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program connects classroom learning, clinical expertise, scholarship and professional development. Faculty research and continuing education also extend into international clinical communities, including advanced manual therapy teaching in Rome.

The university’s 375-acre campus is in Mechanicsburg, in central Pennsylvania, and provides an active residential setting shaped by Christian community. Average class size is 20, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. International students should expect faith to be integrated into academic programs and daily experience, alongside opportunities for service, athletics and campus involvement. Students come from 33 states and 23 countries, adding an international dimension to campus life.