Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists (OTs) help people improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. They work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling. They also help them to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. Occupational therapists help clients not only to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but also to compensate for permanent loss of function. Their goal is to help clients have independent, productive, and satisfying lives. (From: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos078.htm)

MAJORS
You can major in any one of the majors offered at The College of Saint Rose. In addition to your requirements for your major, you will also take the courses needed in the Occupational Therapy track so you can get into the Masters of Science Program in Occupational Therapy (OT) at Sage Graduate School after your graduation from Saint Rose. We do recommend our science programs (Biology, Biochemistry or Chemistry) as a major that will provide you a strong foundation for your bachelor's degree.

THE 4 + 2 PROGRAM
The 4 + 2 program means that you take four years of classes at The College of Saint Rose to obtain your Bachelor's degree in any major that you choose.  You will then complete the additional two years at Sage Graduate School to obtain your Masters of Science degree in Occupational Therapy.  See the Articulation Agreement below for details on the requirements for guaranteed acceptance into the Sage OT program, see the

The MS in Occupational Therapy at Sage Graduate School is the only accredited master-level Occupational Therapy Program in the Capital District and Upstate Region of New York State.  Full-time students can complete the 82-credit master’s program in 27 months of study that includes 6 months of field experiences.

ADVISEMENT
The College of Saint Rose will provide you with an advisor for your chosen major as well as an advisor for the occupational therapy program track. You will meet with both of your advisors at least once a semester to track your progression in the program. The current advisor for this program is:

Kari L. Murad, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Biology
(518) 454-5184
fax (518) 458-5446
muradk@strose.edu

ARTICULATION AGREEMENT
AND REQUIREMENTS
The College of Saint Rose and The Sage Colleges have developed a collaborative agreement to provide qualified students from Saint Rose who wish to pursue an MS in Occupational Therapy (OT) from Sage Graduate School (SGS) guaranteed admission as indicated below. This collaborative agreement provides for:

• Automatic acceptance into Sage Graduate School for students who have complete occupational therapy program course prerequisites, after initial advisement and interview, and with completed application;
• Waiver of Sage Graduate School application fee;
• Early acceptance;
• Cross-registration through the Consortium in courses during the senior year (no fees in addition to St. Rose College registration);
• Advisement to coordinate undergraduate electives and coursework to reduce or eliminate prerequisites in the graduate program;
• Opportunity to apply early for Graduate Assistantships in Sage Graduate School

Terms of Agreement for Occupational Therapy Admission
Saint Rose students will be guaranteed admission to Sage Graduate School for the
MS in OT degree, who demonstrate the following:

• Earned baccalaureate degree
• Minimum overall 3.0 GPA (including OT prerequisite courses)
• Completion of occupational therapy program prerequisite courses with
  grades of C or better (see prerequisite courses listed below)

To guarantee placement in the OT Program, students agree to submit
the following information:
By June 1 of the year preceding graduation from the College of St. Rose:

• Completed Sage Graduate School application packet (fee waived)
• Official transcripts from all college institutions attended
• Current resume
• One letter of recommendation from a Saint Rose health advisor, psychology
  or sociology faculty, or equivalent faculty representative

By October 15 of the graduation year at The College of Saint Rose:

• Clinical Observation Document: 20 hours of clinical observation
  with an occupational therapist
• OT Admission interview; contact Wendy Krupnick
  at (518) 244-2267 or krupnw@sage.edu
• Enrollment deposit of $50 (non-refundable, though to be applied toward graduate tuition)

Upon graduation from The College of Saint Rose:

• Official transcripts documenting completion of undergraduate degree and
  OT Program prerequisite courses

COURSEWORK
The following Saint Rose courses, totaling 31 credits, meet Sage Graduate School OT Program prerequisites:

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY LICENSURE
The Sage Colleges Occupational Therapy Program is registered with the NYS Education Department and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 4720 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220, 301/652-2682. The most recent reaccredidation was granted in May 2007. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam that is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice occupational therapy; however state licenses are usually based on the results of the national certification exam. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the certification exam or to attain state licensure. 

[From:http://www.sage.edu/academics/schoolofnursingandhealthsciences/ occupationaltherapy/index.php#Accreditation]

MODERATE PRICE AND AGGRESSIVE FINANCIAL AID
The College of Saint Rose has one of the lowest tuitions of all New York state private colleges and we offer a variety of scholarships, including multicultural and academic talent. More than 90% of our students receive several forms of financial aid.

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