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Occupational Therapy

The Department of Occupational Therapy (also known as the historic Boston School of Occupational Therapy – founded in 1918) is one of the country's top-ranked programs. Through our education, research, and practice, we promote participation in meaningful activity of individuals, communities and populations with diverse needs and experiences.

  • Degree Offerings
  • Faculty
  • Application Requirements
  • Contact the Department

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Contact us:

Office of Graduate Admissions
Bendetson Hall
Medford, MA 02155
(617) 627-3395
gradadmissions@tufts.edu

M.S. in Occupational Therapy: Entry-level Masters

The entry-level master's degree is designed for applicants who do not have a degree in occupational therapy and want to become occupational therapists. The entry-level master’s program is a two-and-a-half year program and requires full-time residency.

M.S. in Occupational Therapy: Post-professional Masters

The post-professional program (PPM) is designed for registered occupational therapists with a bachelor's degree in OT. This degree can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. This program offers fall or spring start options. International students completing the PPM program must complete the program with full-time residency and have the option of starting in the fall only.

O.T.D.: Occupational Therapy Doctorate

For registered occupational therapists with a master's degree, we offer a post-professional doctoral degree program that can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. This program offers fall or spring start options.

Certificate in Occupational Therapy

The Department of Occupational Therapy also offers certificate programs for students of all levels. The certificate programs can be completed on a full- or part-time basis, and offers fall or spring start options.

Concentrations include:

  • Advanced Professional Study
  • Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation
  • Advanced Study in Pain
  • School-Based Practice

Summary of Consumer Information for Certificate Students

Visit the Department of Occupational Therapy for more information, including ACOTE accreditation

Faculty

Gary Bedell
Associate Professor and Chair
Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA , New York University
Occupational Therapy, Activity Participation of Children and Youth with Disabilities; Measurement and Intervention Development
Janet Curran Brooks
Senior Lecturer, Entry Level Master’s Degree Program Coordinator
Ed.D., OTR/L , UMASS Lowell
Neurological dysfunction, upper extremity rehabilitation, and educational methodology
Jill Rocca
Admissions and Recruitment
OTR/L, OTD , Tufts University
Community-based practice
Jessica Harney
Lecturer
DPT, PT, OTR/L , MGH-Institute of Health Professions
Rehabilitation Management, Evaluation and Treatment of physical dysfunctions, Evaluation and Treatment of Orthopedic Dysfunctions in the Athlete, Concussion Management and Education, and Adaptive Sports as a Rehabilitation Tool
Susan Higgins
Susan Higgins
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Lecturer
B.S., M.A., OTD , Tufts University
Group and Psychosocial Practice, Cognitive Disabilities Model, Occupational Therapy Fieldwork, Animal-Assisted Therapy
Keren Ladin
Assistant Professor
Ph.D. , Harvard University
Health policy, ethics, medical decision-making, health disparities, social networks, aging, and transplantation
Paul Leavis
Lecturer
Ph.D. , Tufts University
Biochemistry of muscle contraction and its regulation
Elizabeth Marfeo
Elizabeth Marfeo
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., MPH, OTR/L , Boston University
Measurement development, work disability, and healthy aging
Jean Lyons Martens
Lecturer
M.S., OTR/L , Boston University
Kinesiology, Early Intervention
Teresa May-Benson
Teresa A. May-Benson
Lecturer
Sc.D., OTR/L, FAOTA , Boston University
Sensory Integration and Praxis, Evidence-based practice, Measurement development and Neuroanatomy
Margaret (Peggy) Morris
Lecturer
OTD, OTR/L, BCP , Tufts University
Pediatrics: Evaluation and Intervention with Children and Adolescents, School-based Occupational Therapy Services, and Educational Technology
Monica Pessina
Lecturer
Ph.D., OTR , Boston University
Design and analysis of outcome based studies in acute care medicine, quantitative analysis of hand function after injury
Stephen N. Sarikas
Lecturer
Ph.D. , Boston University School of Medicine
Anatomy and physiology, HIV/AIDS awareness
Sharan L. Schwartzberg
Professor, Coordinator Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program
Ed.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, CGP, FAGPA , Boston University
Group dynamics and leadership, interprofessional teams in pain service delivery, therapeutic models of group therapy and leader training
Sarah Everhart Skeels
Lecturer
M.P.H. , George Washington University School of Public Health
Adaptation to disability, community re-integration, peer mentoring and outcome assessment
Linda Tickle-Degnen
Professor
Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA , Harvard University
Social psychological aspects of facial expression in disability and intervention, culture and health care stigma, health quality of life, social participation, Parkinson’s disease and conditions across lifespan that affect nonverbal and verbal communication, and evidence-based practice
Scott A. Trudeau
Senior Lecturer
Ph.D., OTR/L , Tufts University
Aging, and issues of adaptation for elders with chronic illnesses
Elizabeth Ratcliff Whitney
Lecturer
Ph.D., MSPT , Boston University School of Medicine
Neuropathology in autism, and cerebral cortical organization

Application deadlines (M.S., O.T.D.):

Fall: January 15 (all applicants)

Spring: October 15 (domestic post-professional M.S. and O.T.D. applicants only)

GRE General Test scores required. Exceptions: Not required for current Tufts undergraduates.

TOEFL score of 600 (100 iBT) required for international applicants.

An additional writing sample is required for M.S. applicants. Personal statement and witing sample guidelines are available on the Occupational Therapy website.

Application deadlines (certificate):

Domestic applicants must apply by December 31 for Spring admission, and August 1 for Fall admission.

International applicants must apply by September 15 for Spring admission, and June 1 for Fall admission.

A Bachelor's degree is required to apply.
GRE General Test scores are not required.

For more information about our program, including Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) information, or to sign up for an information session, visit the Department of Occupational Therapy.

For questions about this program, including scholarships and assistantships, please contact Jill Rocca, OTD, OTR/L, Occupational Therapy Admissions and Recruitment.

Department of Occupational Therapy

574 Boston Ave.

Medford, MA 02155

Tel: 617.627.6259

Fax: 617.627.3722