The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) is a longtime innovator in preparing the next generation of occupational therapists. Our new hybrid occupational therapy program, Hybrid Immersion Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), includes online and in-person learning opportunities to prepare you to become an occupational therapist (OT).
The flexibility of the Hybrid Immersion MOT program makes it an excellent option for students who prefer the flexibility of living almost anywhere they choose. They will instead travel to campus for a few days each trimester. Read on to learn more about the Hybrid Immersion MOT program and discover if it’s the right path for you.
What Is a Hybrid Occupational Therapy Program?
A hybrid occupational therapy program blends online and in-person instruction and prepares aspiring occupational therapists to work with patients.
A hybrid occupational therapy program includes two different types of online learning:
- Synchronous classes require everyone, from the professor to students, to log in to the course at the same time through video conferencing software or webinars.1
- Asynchronous classes do not require anyone to log in at a certain time.1 Students log in to an online management system like Blackboard to watch video lessons and complete work.
In addition to synchronous and asynchronous online learning, a hybrid occupational therapy program will include some element of in-person learning—usually hands-on lab opportunities—so students can practice the skills they’ll need to be successful.
Hybrid occupational therapy programs provide students with the flexibility and accessibility of online learning and the ability to engage in hands-on learning and connect with their instructors and classmates.2 Determining whether a school offers a hybrid occupational therapy program may help you choose the right OT school.
USAHS’ Hybrid Immersion MOT program blends synchronous and asynchronous online courses with periodic campus visits so students can participate in labs and other hands-on experiences.
Twice a trimester, students in the Hybrid Immersion program travel to the Dallas campus for 3–5 days of lab immersions at our Center for Innovative Clinical Practice (CICP). Students engage in realistic occupational therapy scenarios in simulated home and hospital environments.
Students can complete courses from most states (provided USAHS is authorized to conduct activities in that state) as long as they can attend lab immersions, making the Hybrid Immersion program an excellent option for those with jobs or family responsibilities that prevent them from relocating while they earn their degree.
Hybrid Immersion MOT Program Curriculum
The Hybrid Immersion MOT program curriculum is six trimesters, and generally takes two years to complete.Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors. During that time, students will complete 93 credit hours of coursework, including:
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- Virtual didactic coursework
- Hands-on clinical labs
- Level I fieldwork
- Level II fieldwork
| Trimester | Courses in the MOT Program (Dallas, TX, only) |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 (17 credit hours) |
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| Trimester 2 (16 credit hours) |
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| Trimester 3 (18 credit hours) |
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| Trimester 4 (18 credit hours) |
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| Trimester 5 (12 credit hours) |
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| Trimester 6 (12 credit hours) |
|
Source: USAHS
How Much Does a Hybrid OT Program Cost?
The cost of a hybrid OT program varies by school and program. In some institutions, a hybrid program is cheaper than a traditional one, but in others, it may be more expensive due to different tuition or fees.
The total program direct expenses for the Hybrid Immersion MOT program at USAHS are approximately $96,257. This estimate assumes students complete the program straight through without repeating coursework or taking a break and includes program fees, tuition (93 credit hours), books and other associated school expenses. (Students with a California address must pay an additional Student Tuition Recovery Fund fee.)
Financial aid and scholarships can lower tuition.
Hybrid MOT Program Admission Requirements
USAHS Hybrid MOT program applicants must meet the same admission requirements as applicants for our other MOT formats. There is no GRE requirement for this program.
The admission requirements for the MOT program at USAHS are as follows:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- Your undergraduate degree should be in a field related to occupational therapy, such as kinesiology, biology or health sciences.
- If you are applying while still enrolled in your undergraduate program, include a plan of study that identifies the courses you will complete before enrolling at USAHS.
- Résumé: Your résumé should be accurate and up to date.
- Statement of purpose: A short essay explaining why you want to work in occupational therapy and attend USAHS.
- OT supplemental questions: Answer the following questions so we can learn more about you:
- An occupational therapist helps people engage in occupations they want, need or are expected to do. What occupation do you enjoy engaging in, and what positive impact does this have on you? (200 words max)
- Occupational therapists assist people in doing what they want to do. Explain how you have enabled others through occupation. (200 words max)
- Please share how you have participated in volunteerism to be a force for good in your community. (200 words max)
- List two attributes you consider crucial to being an effective occupational therapist. (200 words max)
- How would your former professors describe you? (200 words max)
- Letters of recommendation: At least two recommendation letters are required. While both letters can be from your college or university instructors, we recommend including one from an OT clinician.
- Observation hours: We do not require any observation hours, but we highly recommend you observe at least two areas of OT practice before applying for the Hybrid Immersion MOT program.
- Prerequisite courses: We prefer that you complete coursework within the last five years, but this is not required. You’ll need to provide an official transcript to verify the completion of the prerequisite courses.
| Required Prerequisites | Semester Hours | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology with Lab | 8 | 12 |
| Sociology or Anthropology | 3 | 4.5 |
| Developmental Psychology | 3 | 4.5 |
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 | 4.5 |
| Statistics | 3 | 4.5 |
| Medical terminology | * | * |
Source: USAHS
*Applicants may complete the requirement through continuing education unit (CEU) credits with certificate of completion or transcript, standard credit bearing course with transcript, CLEP with official score report or coursework completed through USAHS and provide evidence of completion.
- A comprehensive background check requiring fingerprints and drug screen will be administered after acceptance into the program and at the applicant’s expense. A felony charge and or conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or to attain state licensure.
- Technology requirements:
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- Access to a computer with Internet access
- Basic technical skills
- Creating new documents
- Using a word processing program
- Navigating the Internet
- Downloading software
Explore Graduate OT Programs at USAHS
The good news is there’s no wrong choice for how to earn your MOT. The different pathways at USAHS, including the Hybrid Immersion MOT program, cater to groups of aspiring occupational therapists. If you aren’t sure if the program is right for you, request more information.
Learn more about USAHS’ occupational therapy programs, including the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD). When you’re ready to take the next step toward the career of your dreams, apply now to start your journey with USAHS.
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program at the Dallas, Texas, campus has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.
Sources:
- Caroline Lawless, “Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Learning: Which One Is Right for Your Learners?,” LearnUpon Blog, last modified August 29, 2013, https://www.learnupon.com/blog/synchronous-learning-asynchronous-learning/.
- Sarah Wood, “Hybrid Classes in College: What To Know,” US News, last modified December 13, 2021, https://www.usnews.com/education/articles/hybrid-classes-in-college-what-to-know.
