Occupational Therapy Bachelor’s to Master’s 3+2
An accelerated five-year path: three years of undergraduate study in Health and Occupation, then direct transition into Shawnee State's accredited Master of Occupational Therapy.
Program Overview
The Occupational Therapy 3+2 program at Shawnee State University offers a focused, streamlined pathway to becoming an occupational therapist. Through this accelerated option, students complete a bachelor’s degree in health and occupation in just three years, then transition directly into Shawnee State’s Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program.
Designed for highly motivated students who are ready to pursue a career making a difference, this five-year plan combines rigorous undergraduate coursework with early access to graduate-level learning. While acceptance into the MOT program is competitive and not guaranteed, students in the 3+2 program receive the foundational preparation and advising support needed to be strong candidates.
From your first year on campus, you’ll engage in courses that explore human development, health systems, and occupational science — all while preparing for the clinical and research expectations of graduate study. Whether you’re interested in pediatrics, rehabilitation, or working in school or hospital settings, this program builds toward one goal: helping others live full, independent lives.
Shawnee State, students benefit from a close-knit, student-first campus environment in the heart of Southern Ohio. With small class sizes, accessible faculty, and state-of-the-art labs and learning spaces, you’ll be supported both personally and academically as you work toward your career goals. Our strong partnerships with local healthcare providers ensure your education remains connected to real-world impact.
We’re proud to be recognized as an Opportunity College by the Carnegie Foundation — one of just two public universities in Ohio with this designation. That means more support, more value, and more opportunity for students like you. Combined with our affordable tuition and financial aid options, Shawnee State is where your investment leads to real results.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Review the Admission Requirements
gradadmissions@shawnee.edu
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Schedule an appointment with the Graduatate Admissions office
They will guide you through the process of applying to this selective admissions program.
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Submit your online application & transcripts
We’ll request the transcript from your high school for you.
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Submit the selective admissions application
This must be submitted in addition to the regular application. Submit before the deadline to be considered.
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision & aid
Most decisions in under 7 days.
At A Glance
Occupational Therapy Bachelor’s to Master’s 3+2
Degree
M.O.T.
Length
Five years total (three years undergrad, two years MOT)
Class Size
12:1
Location
Main Campus, Health Sciences Building
Why Study Occupational Therapy Bachelor’s to Master’s 3+2 at Shawnee University
Save a year. The 3+2 pathway gets you from high school to a master's-level OT credential in five years instead of six.
Direct transition into an accredited MOT. Qualified students move into Shawnee State's MOT — accredited by ACOTE — without applying to a separate program from scratch.
Advising is built in. From your first year, an advisor maps your coursework against MOT prerequisites and expectations.
Hands-on from the start. Undergraduate labs, observation hours, and simulation prep you for the clinical fieldwork in the MOT.
Recognized as a Carnegie Foundation Opportunity College — one of two public Ohio universities with this designation — with affordable tuition and OT scholarships available, including Choose Ohio First.
Three years of undergraduate Health and Occupation coursework — focused on human development, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and the social science of health — followed by two years of graduate-level MOT coursework if you're accepted into the MOT.
- Introduction to Occupational Therapy
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II
- Medical Terminology
- Lifespan Development
- Behavioral and Social Science prerequisites for the MOT
- MOT (years 4–5): clinical reasoning, neurological and physical dysfunction, therapeutic intervention, fieldwork, and capstone
During the undergraduate years, you build skills through labs, simulations, and observation experiences. In the MOT years, you complete Level I and Level II fieldwork in clinical settings — typically six to nine months of full-time placements — and a capstone tied to clinical practice.
By the end of the pathway, you'll be able to:
- Apply core principles of occupational therapy and client-centered care
- Demonstrate professional behaviors in clinical and academic settings
- Move from undergraduate study directly into a graduate OT curriculum
- Promote health, independence, and participation across patient populations
Undergraduate coursework is on campus in the Health Sciences Building. MOT coursework is delivered hybrid, with online classes plus three intensive in-person weeks each semester on the Portsmouth campus.
MOT graduates work as licensed occupational therapists in:
- Hospitals and rehabilitation centers
- Outpatient and home health agencies
- Schools and pediatric clinics
- Skilled nursing and long-term care
- Community health and behavioral health settings
Occupational therapy is in strong demand nationally; the MOT degree meets licensure requirements in all 50 U.S. states.
Free Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State's tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
See if you Qualify for Free Tuition
Ohio students can apply to receive a $1,500 scholarship up to full-tuition when you apply and are accepted.
Learn More about Choose Ohio FirstOccupational Therapy Bachelor’s to Master’s 3+2 Frequently Asked Questions
No. Admission to the MOT is competitive, and you must meet academic and professional criteria during the undergraduate years. The 3+2 path puts you in the strongest possible position to apply.
Apply through Shawnee State's undergraduate admissions and indicate your interest in the OT 3+2 pathway. You'll get advising and additional information during orientation.
You can still complete a standalone bachelor's in Health and Occupation and apply to OT graduate programs — including SSU's — later.
Yes. Choose Ohio First offers $1,500 to full tuition for qualifying students in healthcare programs. Contact the Graduate School for more details.
Program handbook
The current Master of Occupational Therapy Student Handbook is available below. For 3+2-specific advising, contact the Graduate School directly.
Accreditation
Qualified students move into Shawnee State's The Master of Occupational Therapy program, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Learn more about the MOT programs accreditation
Shawnee State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
