Which Schools Have Occupational Therapy Courses in New Jersey?

Are you interested in pursuing a degree in occupational therapy in New Jersey? This article will discuss three universities that offer master's level degree programs and related options in this state.

What You Need to Know

Students must complete a master's degree program in order to work as occupational therapists. In New Jersey, there are at least three four-year schools that offer qualifying programs; two such programs are available through public institutions. These occupational therapy programs are all solely available at the graduate level and range from 2.5-3 years in duration. Master's degree programs are open to students already holding bachelor's degrees, but these programs may have coursework prerequisites. Application requirements may additionally include letters of recommendation, an interview, and a personal statement. Fieldwork experience is a common part of these programs. Upon completion of a master's degree program, graduates are eligible to take the licensing exam for occupational therapists in the state.

Master's Degree Programs in New Jersey

Kean University

Kean University is the third-largest public university in New Jersey. Its Department of Occupational Therapy, a component of the Nathan Weiss Graduate College, offers a 72-credit program for students who hold a bachelor's degree in another area that leads to a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. The curriculum is delivered through classroom instruction, seminars and field experiences. Classes cover topics such as adult and pediatric practice, occupational therapy theory, patient assessment, neuroscience, kinesiology and gross anatomy. The school also offers a 5.5-year, dual-degree program that leads to a bachelor's degree in one of nine areas in addition to a master's degree in occupational therapy.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
• Program Length: Five semesters and one summer session
• Tuition and Fees: $17,133 per year, in-state; $21,998 per year, out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree with minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited school, three letters of recommendation, personal statement, possible departmental interview and completion of eight prerequisite courses in areas such as anatomy and physiology, psychology, sociology and occupational therapy
• School Type: 4-year, public; over 11,500 undergraduate and about 2,100 graduate students

Seton Hall University

Seton Hall University's School of Health and Medical Science offers an M.S. in Occupational Therapy. The program's 83 credits are distributed between six semesters of class work and two semesters of fieldwork. Several other shorter fieldwork sections are spread through the program's 3-year duration. Courses include physiology, functional human anatomy, clinical medicine, adult rehabilitation, pediatric occupational therapy, geriatrics, orthotics and ethics. The university also offers a 6-year, dual-degree program in which you earn a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
• Program Length: 3 years
• Tuition and Fees: $23,422 per year (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree from an accredited school with minimum 3.0 GPA, three letters of recommendation (one from an OTR), 50 volunteer hours with an OTR, prerequisite courses in anatomy and physiology, English, psychology, statistics and sociology
• School Type: 4-year, private; about 6,100 undergraduate and 4,000 graduate students

Stockton University

This program consists of four semesters and a summer session of fieldwork followed by an additional six months of full-time fieldwork. In addition, you're required to complete 60 hours of documented observation of a variety of occupational therapy treatments. Courses in the program include adult and pediatric interventions, geriatric occupational therapy and motor performance. You must also complete a research project prior to graduation.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
• Program Length: 2.5 years and a summer session of field work
• Tuition and Fees: $14,602 per year, in-state: $20,658 per year, out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree from an accredited school, prerequisite courses in anatomy and physiology, anthropology or sociology, psychology, human behavior and statistics
• School Type: 4-year, public; about 8,600 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students

To summarize, in New Jersey, you can obtain a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Kean University, Seton Hall University, and Stockton University.