School Overview
The Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy is named in honor of Dr. S. P. Auerbach and his family in recognition of their outstanding support of the School's entry-level curriculum, which was established in 1995. The Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy (ASOT) entry-level MSOT program facilitates the development of dynamic occupational therapy leaders who exemplify professional accountability across diverse service delivery contexts.

Occupational therapists are essential leaders in service delivery and management roles in a wide range of settings such as community agencies, healthcare centers, home healthcare, hospitals, industry, independent living centers, private practices, psychiatric programs, public and private schools, rehabilitation centers, and skilled nursing facilities. The occupational performance challenges (i.e. activities of daily living, work, play/leisure) of individuals, groups, and populations across the lifespan are addressed by the occupational therapist.

Programs
The Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy (ASOT) offers two entry-level degree options for individuals seeking a career in occupational therapy. Additionally, an advanced master's degree is offered for individuals who already have an occupational therapy bachelor's degree.

Entry-Level Programs

1. A combined BS/MSOT degree can be earned by individuals who have not completed an undergraduate degree in any area of study. Upon completion of ASOT prerequisites and University Studies' requirements, the student can complete the professional phase of the program on a full-time basis in thirty months. Part-time study options are available on an individual basis. Upon successful completion of the BS portion of the program (120 credit hours), the student will be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. After successful completion of the remaining courses (36 credit hours), the student will earn a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree (total of 156 credit hours).
2. Students with a completed bachelor's degree in a field of study other than occupational therapy may directly enter the thirty-month program (90 credit hours) at the graduate level and earn a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy.

ASOT prepares students to become outstanding occupational therapy practitioners in varied health, educational, and community settings. The academic curriculum includes a significant focus on practice and emphasizes reflective learning by actively doing. School faculty work collaboratively with each student to develop strategies which enhance the student's learning and success in the profession. The MSOT provides the practitioner with the entry-level knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for practice, supervision, research, and/or teaching.

Advanced (Post-Professional) Master's Degree Program
This program is designed for individuals who have already completed a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. It is designed to prepare the graduate to assume leadership in the profession by assuming key roles in clinical practice, research, education, or administration. Occupational therapists' responsibilities in these roles are to assure high quality services for client groups and to advance the practice of occupational therapy.

The academic program consists of 36 hours, including elective courses, with a thesis or master's project. Students may specialize by completing at least twelve (12) credit hours in an area of interest of pediatrics/educational practice focus; assistive technology, business management, neuroscience, or psychological health. Elective courses are offered and may be taken within other Spalding University programs including business, communication, education, and psychology. Elective course selection is made by advisement, on an individual basis, to design a program of study that meets the student's unique needs and interests. Program application criteria and procedures are available from the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy.

Program Accreditation and Examination Eligibility
The School's entry-level programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (telephone: 301-652-2682; www.acoteonline.org) of the American Occupational Therapy Association located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, Maryland, 20824-1220. Entry-level MSOT graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. After passing this exam, the graduate is credentialed as an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) and may apply for state licensure.

Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy Admission Policy
ASOT offers a combined BSHS/MSOT Program leading to a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. Students with a completed bachelor's degree in a field of study other than occupational therapy may directly enter the thirty-month entry-level master's program (MSOT) program. All applicants to both programs must complete the process below. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program when at least nine (9) pre-requisite courses are completed with documented grades posted and the applicant has registered for all remaining pre-requisite course(s). Program admission procedures are consistent with university policy. Please refer to the University Catalog for university policies.

The ASOT Admission Committee recommends students for admission to the MSOT program two times each academic year. Successful applicants will enter the program following academic year. Admission to the university is necessary prior to enrollment in the program. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. If an applicant is selected and admitted into the program, yet is unable to begin in the cohort cycle assigned for reasons other than academic standing, the initial acceptance into the ASOT program remains good for two additional admission cycles (cohorts), yet readmission into the university may be required. After the second admission cycle, re-admission will be required. Undergraduate admission into Spalding University as a Pre-OT student does not guarantee admission into the MSOT professional program. Undergraduate BSHS/MSOT students must have all undergraduate program of study courses outside of the professional program completed prior to beginning the program. After completing all components of the MSOT admission process, graduate students' application materials are submitted to Spalding University's Graduate Committee by the ASOT Admissions Committee for Graduate School admission, prior to admission into the MSOT program.

1. APPLICATION PROCEDURES
   1. ASOT Admission Committee is responsible for deciding on all MSOT program candidates and recommending applicants to the Graduate Committee for admission into the Spalding University's Graduate School. ASOT Admissions Committee composition includes all full-time occupational therapy faculty.
   2. Each applicant must submit a completed ASOT MSOT program application prior to being considered for official admission to the program.
   3. Application deadlines for each admission cycle are posted on the university's website under Academics--Occupational Therapy--How to Apply.
   4. Program admission is on a competitive basis based on an applicant's CORE GPA, interview scores, electronic writing sample, recommendation letters, and the MSOT Mission Alignment Enrollment Policy. CORE GPA is calculated based on grades earned in pre-requisite courses.
   5. The completed application will include essential information regarding the student, official transcripts from all previous schools attended, a summary of all the pertinent coursework in preparation for the program, three letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes signed across the seal, and evidence of completion of observation hours, and all other items requested within the application packet and/or posted on the Spalding University's web site.
   6. All materials must be submitted at one time directly by the applicant to the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy Administrative Office (KCC Room 104) with the exception of official academic transcripts which must be sent directly from previously attended college/university to Spalding University's Office of Admissions.
   7. The student must meet the basic entry level standards published in the university catalog and on university web site. These criteria must be successfully met in order for the application to be considered.
   8. Successfully meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the MSOT program. Admission decisions are based on a competitive ranking process.
   9. Applications received after the stated deadline will NOT be considered for the admission cycle.
   10. Selected applicants who withdraw or drop any pre-requisite courses registered for at time of application will lose his/her program seat.
   11. Selected applicants who, after completing all pre-requisites, has a CORE GPA that falls below the 3.0 minimum standard, will lose his/her program seat.
2. APPLICATION REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
   1. Initial Review of Application

      This review will consist of the following items:

      1. Assurance that all the required components of application are included. If there are components missing at the time of the application deadline, such as recommendation letters and application fee, the application will NOT be considered for the MSOT program admission cycle.
      2. Verification of successful completion (meeting GPA minimum standards) of at least nine (9) pre-requisite courses and that registration for the remaining pre-requisite courses is completed.
      3. Calculation of CORE GPA. If an applicant's CORE GPA does not meet the 3.0 minimum standard, the application will NOT be considered for admission. [CORE GPA is an applicants' calculated GPA in all completed program pre-requisite courses at time of application].
   2. Student Interview

      Selected applicants are required to complete an electronic interview. Applicants must have access to a computer with Internet access, a web camera and speakers in order to complete the ASOT Interview. Interviews consist of 5 questions, take approximately 15-20 minutes, and responses are scored on a three (3) point Likert Scale that complies with interviewing best practices.

   3. Electronic Writing Assignment

      Each applicant is required to complete an electronic writing sample that includes the reason for selecting occupational therapy as a career, for selecting Spalding University's MSOT program, and personal qualities. Applicants must have access to a computer with Internet access in order to complete the electronic writing sample. The sample is timed and will not last longer than 15 minutes. The sample is scored based on a standard rubric for content and grammar.

   4. Application Evaluation

      Applicant ranking is based upon the CORE GPA in the required pre-requisite courses completed at the time of application (55%), campus interview with faculty (30%), writing sample (5%), recommendation forms (5%), MSOT Mission Alignment Enrollment Policy (5%). The highest ranking applicants are admitted into the program for each admission cycle. A waiting list based on rankings will be developed for each admission cycle.

3. APPLICATION SELECTION

   Based upon the program's enrollment capability, the most highly ranked applicants will be offered admission to the program.

4. COMMUNICATION TO APPLICANTS

   Each applicant will be notified in writing as to his or her admission status to the University by the University Provost and acceptance into the MSOT program by the MSOT Program Director. Applicants must acknowledge and accept the cohort slot within the timeframes communicated on the acceptance letter. A timely written response and tuition deposit is required from applicants to confirm their acceptance of a program slot. If the applicant does not actively accept conditions of admission within the stated timeframe, the acceptance offer will be removed and the next qualified applicant will be considered.

Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy Masters of Science Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Program Admission Criteria

All candidates making application in the cohort admission window will be ranked according to the above criteria. The top 30 applicants will be asked to accept a seat within the program. Candidates 31 - 35 will be placed on a waiting list.

MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MISSION ALIGNMENT POLICY AND RUBRIC
Spalding University is a diverse community of learners dedicated to meeting the needs of the times in the tradition of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth through quality undergraduate and graduate liberal and professional studies, grounded in spiritual values, with emphasis on service and the promotion of peace and justice. The MSOT entry-level program facilitates the development of dynamic occupational therapy leaders who exemplify professional accountability across diverse service delivery contexts. ASOT students are actively engaged with faculty, peers, and others in their learning and are constantly evolving into skilled practitioners with the ability to lead and promote the development of the community and profession. Program graduates possess the ability to select, adapt, and create the knowledge necessary to:

• Demonstrate leadership skills and attributes
• Demonstrate professional knowledge, skills, and attitudes
• Gather, analyze and synthesize information, ideas, and decisions
• Apply ethical principles including the role of values in the construction of knowledge and making of decision

The MSOT entry-level program seeks to serve diverse communities through the development of diverse learners within each graduating cohort. With this focus in mind, the MSOT entry-level program reserves 5% of the total admission criteria ranking for mission alignment initiatives. The following points are given to program applicants who fall within the following categories:

*See attached chart

The MSOT entry-level program seeks to serve diverse communities through the development of diverse learners within each graduating cohort. With this focus in mind, the MSOT entry-level program reserves 5% of the total admission criteria ranking for mission alignment initiatives. The following points are given to program applicants who fall within the following categories:

*Includes only dependents listed on Federal Income tax forms.
**Adjusted gross income for calendar year 2012

Admission to ASOT's MSOT Program is awarded on a space available bases. Spaces are assigned according to the current year Occupational Therapy Admission Policy. If admitted, students must submit a tuition deposit, an admission acceptance statement, a signed statement of professionalism, and commit to completing healthcare related compliance activities prior to program start in order to reserve their position in the program.

Prerequisite Courses for the Entry-Level Programs
The following CORE courses (or equivalent) must be completed with a Core GPA of 3.0 or higher prior to officially entering the professional phase of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program:

• BIO 261 Human Anatomy (3 credit hours)
• BIO 262 Human Anatomy Lab (1 credit hour)
• BIO 263 Human Physiology (3 credit hours)
• BIO 264 Human Physiology Lab (1 credit hour)
• CHEM 106 Chemistry for the Allied Health Sciences, or any general 100-level or above chemistry course (3 credit hours)
• MATH 113 College Algebra, or a higher math (3 credit hours)
• MATH 231 Statistical Techniques (3 credit hours)
• ANTH 211 Cultural Anthropology OR SOC 201 Introduction to Sociology (3 credit hours)
• PSY 103 Psychological Systems (3 credit hours)
• PSY 202 Life Span Development (3 credit hours)
• PSY 458 Abnormal Psychology (3 credit hours)
• PHIL 154 Ethics (3 credit hours)
• ENG 109 College Writing I (3 credit hours)
• COM 201 Effective Speaking (3 credit hours)
• PHY 204 Physics for Rehabilitation Sciences, or general physics that covers the properties of light, water, temperature, sound, electricity, and force mechanics. (3 credit hours)

Any course substitutions are at the discretion of the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy Chair or MSOT Program Director.

Academic Requirements
A minimum grade of B is required in all professional program courses for both undergraduate and graduate students. Students completing the BS in Health Science must meet the graduate admission GPA requirements (3.0 or higher) prior to entry into the MSOT program. Continuation within the entire professional program follows the policies of the Graduate School.

All Level II fieldwork courses must be completed within 24 months following the completion of all other academic coursework. Students within the professional program who are unable to complete the course curriculum progression as outlined, must join the next available cohort course offerings. Independent study courses to accommodate students who must stop out of the program are not permitted.

Entry-level Programs Assessment
All entry-level evaluation/intervention and fieldwork courses are competency-based and must be successfully completed in a sequential pattern. After successful completion of all ASOT entry-level program requirements and degree conferral, the student is eligible to sit for the national certification exam in occupational therapy administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). This exam establishes the entry-level competency of the occupational therapy practitioner. The MSOT graduate must also make application to state regulatory boards in jurisdictions where they plan to work as an occupational therapist.

Appeals
Students have the right to appeal decisions related to admissions, progression or continuation to the ASOT Admission and Continuation Committee. A written letter of appeal (per University policy) is submitted by the student to the committee.

Program Sheets
Bachelor of Science in Health Science/Occupational Therapy (Entry-Level BS/MSOT Program)
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (Advanced/Post-Professional)
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (Entry-level)