Welcome to Occupational Therapy
Learn About Us
Learn about the exciting changes coming to the Department of Occupational Therapy, including the addition of a new Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Click on the block below to see details of our cost of attendance and history of graduation and pass rates.
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Admissions Information Sessions
2025 Information Sessions are concluded. 2026 Information sessions for the 2026-2027 Admissions cycle will begin April 2026.
Application Availability
The Department of Occupational Therapy will accept MSOT applications beginning in summer 2025 for the cohort that will be entering in fall 2026. Visit the MSOT Admissions page for more details.
Potential Impact of Criminal Charges
Criminal charge and/or convictions may limit a student’s ability to participate in required off-site activities for academic courses and research process, and fieldwork placements. In addition, criminal charges and convictions may prevent a graduate from taking the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam and/or obtaining state licensure.
NBCOT Outcomes
View program data results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy on their site, NBCOT®.
The results identified are pass rates of graduates within one year of graduation. They are organized by state, program type, and by calendar year.
Excellent Exam Scores
From 2016-2024, 6 of the 7 years resulted in 100% first-time pass rates for MSOT graduates in the Department of Occupational Therapy on the certification exam through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
Cost Estimate and
Summary of Graduation and Pass Rates (PDF)
Celebrating a 10-Year Accreditation Award for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy ProgramThe entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program received full 10-year accreditation in 2024-2025 with the following strengths without any suggestions, areas of concern, or areas of noncompliance indicated by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE):
- The program is commended for infusing a holistic approach to occupational therapy education, emphasizing professionalism, hands-on activities, “soft skills,” and flexibility from admissions through clinical coursework. Their innovative interview process acknowledges the multiple intelligences of successful occupational therapy practitioners. Faculty use reflective advisement to develop student strengths, producing well-rounded graduates with strong clinical competence and exceptional interpersonal skills.
- The program is recognized for providing students with opportunities to develop organizational skills, communication, and professional skills in an authentic setting. Students build confidence and professionalism through experiences in the student-run clinic. These student attributes earn high praise from clinical and community partners.
- The program is applauded for its emphasis on affective learning which is modeled throughout the curriculum. As a result, occupational therapy students view the therapeutic use of self as a critical component of the intervention process and are enabled to build meaningful therapeutic relationships that facilitate client engagement and positive outcomes.
The faculty, staff, and students in the Department of Occupational Therapy appreciate the partners of the ECU Occupational Therapy program who have helped us develop and maintain a strong occupational therapy program.
Accreditation
The entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, Phone: (301) 652-6611. The MSOT program received full 10-year accreditation in 2024-2025 indicating that it is compliant with the Accreditation Standards for a Masters Degree-Level Educational Program for the Occupational Therapist. Visit the MSOT Accreditation page for more details.
The entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Preaccreditation Status by the ACOTE of the American Occupational Therapy Association, located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, Phone: (301) 652-6611. Visit the OTD Accreditation page for more details.
Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students
Completion of the requirements of the ECU MSOT Program and ECU OTD Program (once accredited) satisfies the professional licensure requirements in North Carolina as well as the states, districts, and territories of the United States, and allows our graduates to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) Examination. Passing the certification exam is required to be licensed in all states, districts, and territories of the United States.
MSOT Program Outcomes
| Graduation Year | Students Graduating/Entering | ECU Graduation Rate | ECU First Time Pass Rate (Jan-Apr) | National First Time Pass Rate* | ECU New Graduate Pass Rate (within 1 Year) | National New Graduate Pass Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 25/26 | 96% | 92% | 77% | 100% | 96% |
| 2023 | 23/26 | 88% | 100% | 73% | 100% | 95% |
| 2024 | 23/22 | 105% | 96% | 68% | 100% | 91% |
| TOTAL | 71/74 | 96% | 96% | - | 100% | - |
| Note. Graduation is in December with pass rates for National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) posted through April of the following year. *NBCOT rates taken from nbcot.org/certification-activities |
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OTD Program Outcomes
| Graduation Year | Students Graduating/Entering | ECU Graduation Rate | ECU First Time Pass Rate (Jan-Apr) | National First Time Pass Rate* | ECU New Graduate Pass Rate (within 1 Year) | National New Graduate Pass Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD May 2026/5 | TBD May 2026 | TBD 2026 | - | TBD 2026 | - |
| 2027 | TBD May 2027/ TBD May 2025 | TBD May 2027 | TBD 2027 | - | TBD 2027 | - |
| 2028 | TBD May 2028/ TBD May 2026 | TBD May 2028 | TBD 2028 | - | TBD 2028 | - |
| TOTAL | TBD | TBD | TBD | - | TBD | - |
| Note. ECU Pass Rates calculated the same year as graduation. *NBCOT rates taken from nbcot.org/certification-activities |
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