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M.S. in Occupational Therapy Admissions

McDaniel College's Occupational Therapy graduate program is accepting OTCAS applications for our first cohort to begin in May 2026. The program is a two-year (six semester), hybrid program for aspiring occupational therapists. 

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About the M.S. in Occupational Therapy Program

McDaniel College's Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program has received Candidacy Status from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). We are currently accepting OTCAS applications for our first cohort to begin in May 2026; Final application deadline is May 1, 2026, pending cohort seat availability.

McDaniel's Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program is designed to be completed in six consecutive semesters, or two years — four semesters of didactic coursework followed by two semesters of full-time internship.

  • The first summer of the program is a hybrid semester, where students come to campus in late May for a four-day orientation but will learn online throughout the remainder of the summer. Students will return to campus in mid-August to complete the final week of the first summer semester.
  • Fall semester begins in late August and students will be required to be on campus to participate in class three to four days per week throughout the fall and spring semesters. Some online and hybrid courses are also offered for flexibility. During the January term between fall and spring, students will complete one course that is either fully online or includes a study abroad option.
  • The second summer term is a hybrid semester, where students learn online but must attend three mandatory on-campus residency sessions during the summer, each lasting four days.
  • In the final two semesters (fall and spring of the second year), students will be placed in full-time community-based internships — which may be local, regional, or nationwide, with international placements considered on a case-by-case basis — and will be required to return to campus once per semester for a mandatory three to four day residency.

Location Expectations

Students in Year 1 should plan to live near or on campus beginning mid-August due to regular attendance requirements, while Year 2 internship placements are typically located within 90 miles of campus unless a student requests an out-of-region site.

Program Director

Cathy Felmlee Shanholtz

cathy.shanholtz@mcdaniel.edu

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Take your first steps on the Hill! Visiting campus is one of the best ways to determine if McDaniel is right for you. Designed to work with your schedule — join us for an in-person or virtual visit. 

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Who should apply for McDaniel's OT program?

We invite individuals on traditional and non-traditional pathways to attend McDaniel. Ideal candidates include: 

  • Recent bachelor's degree graduate in Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Psychology, or other related major
  • Someone who has worked with OTs (teachers, parents, etc.) and would like to join the career
  • Career-changer interested in OT
  • Certified occupational therapy assistant interested in becoming a registered occupational therapist

The McDaniel Advantage Comprehensive Tuition Model

McDaniel has adopted a comprehensive tuition model for the MS in Occupational Therapy program, combining tuition, required fees, technology access, student support services, and other miscellaneous expenses, helping students and families plan with confidence. As an added benefit, the tuition rate is locked in for the full two-year program—ensuring no tuition increases for students within the same cohort.

Estimated Cost of Attendance

Admissions Pathways

Traditional Master's Entry

For students who have received their bachelor’s degree or who are in their final year of undergraduate study. McDaniel alumni and current McDaniel students who meet admission criteria are offered guaranteed interview.

Five-Year Accelerated B.A. to M.S. Program

For first-time or current McDaniel undergraduate students who are confident they want to become occupational therapists. Students admitted to the pathway can earn both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from McDaniel College in only five years.

Accreditation Candidacy Status

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program 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 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. 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 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.

Professional Licensure

McDaniel's M.S. in O.T. program is designed to meet educational requirements for licensure as an occupational therapist in the state of Maryland and requirements in most states.

Professional Licensure Determinations

Program Director

Cathy Felmlee Shanholtz

cathy.shanholtz@mcdaniel.edu

Request More Info

See Yourself Here

Take your first steps on the Hill! Visiting campus is one of the best ways to determine if McDaniel is right for you. Designed to work with your schedule — join us for an in-person or virtual visit. 

Schedule your visit
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Westminster, MD, 21157
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