Become an Occupational Therapist at a university prioritizing high-quality academic education with a mission-driven Christian purpose of serving those in need. PLNU offers individualized student attention with small faculty-to-student ratios, various student supports, opportunities to engage with other disciplines in the College of Health Sciences, five clinical experiences during didactic learning, and state-of-the-art classroom and lab spaces.

PLNU Program Highlights

Students in the occupational therapy program at PLNU can expect a hands-on, evidence-based master’s curriculum that prepares them to improve the health and wellness of others. Students will connect with fellow healthcare professionals and clients, as well as serve within a variety of academic, clinical, and community settings.

In keeping with the mission of the University, the mission of the PLNU Occupational Therapy program is to produce competent and professional graduates who provide evidence-based and occupation-focused interventions that serve others as an expression of faith.

"My first year studying at Point Loma’s College of Health Sciences has given me the chance to pursue my career dreams. I feel deeply appreciative that I have the opportunity to study in an environment that pushes me to excel both academically and spiritually. I feel the support of staff and professors who invest in students and equip us for the reality of a life in healthcare. While I still have much to learn, I look forward to the knowledge I can gain each day to become a better occupational therapist. I hope to make a difference in the lives of each client that I have the chance to work with. After graduation, I hope to pursue pediatric OT in a hospital setting to be a light in some of the most vulnerable times a family can experience."

Occupational Therapy Labs Provide Hands-on Experiential Learning

The MS-OT Program has three lab spaces, totaling 4,059 square footage, specifically designed for OT students. These lab spaces represent the various types of treatments provided by occupational therapists. Also within the Balboa Regional Center, there are numerous student lounges, study spaces, and a new 8000-square-foot green space for relaxing and playing light sports in between classes.

The Activities of Daily Living Lab 

This lab simulates living in an apartment and contains an office, bedroom, living room, laundry, kitchen, and bathroom. In this space, students learn how to prescribe and use adaptive equipment such as a raised toilet seat, bath benches, and grab bars. 

Orthotics and Modality Lab

In the orthotics and modality lab, students learn how to make splints for patients, use 3-D printing to fabricate adaptive equipment for clients and gain competency in the application of thermal and electrical modalities. 

Movement Lab

The largest space, the movement lab, is designed to teach students how to provide treatment for children with special needs. This lab also includes a hospital environment, and space to learn how to provide rehabilitation for people with physical disabilities.

Clinical Experiences

Students engage in two, community-based clinical experiences with underserved populations; three, level I fieldwork experiences; and two, full-time level II fieldwork experiences at the completion of their learning.

We work with students to provide meaningful and appropriate Level II fieldwork experiences based on the student’s desires, needs, and accreditation requirements.

Program Start Date(s):

• Fall 2025 —  September 2, 2025

Application Deadline(s):

• Priority Application Deadline — April 1, 2025
• Application Deadline — June 6, 2025
• The 2025 OTCAS Cycle opens on July 19th, 2024, and ends on June 26th, 2025. 

OT Centralized Application Service (OTCAS)

• The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program utilizes the portal, the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Services (OTCAS) for submission of all applicant information.
• To learn more about the OTCAS application process and to create your OTCAS account, please visit the OTCAS portal. The deadline for having a complete and verified OTCAS application is indicated on the Occupational Therapy program page.
• All documents related to admission must be uploaded to the OTCAS will be automatically sent to the graduate admissions office.
• For more information about how to navigate OTCAS, please refer to the video below. 

Application Criteria

To view the complete admissions requirements, including required experience, prerequisite courses, graduation requirements, and more click the button below.

Admission and Graduation Requirements

The main responsibilities of occupational therapists include:

• Treating injured, sick, or disabled patients by reteaching and helping them complete everyday activities. 
• Utilizing intervention therapy and adaptive equipment (such as wheelchairs, eating aids, etc.) to teach basic skills (such as managing time, budgeting, etc.) in order to help their patients move and function on their own.
• Working with people of all ages – from infants to seniors.

Common places occupational therapists work include:

• Hospitals
• Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Adult and pediatric outpatient clinics
• School systems
• Early intervention in the home
• Mental health (acute care and community settings)
• Private practice

Graduates of the PLNU Master’s in Occupational Therapy Program will be able to:

• Use critical reasoning to provide evidence-based occupational therapy services across the lifespan, in a variety of service delivery models, health care settings, and community-based systems.
• Develop and utilize a therapeutic use of self during client interactions, which supports the client’s engagement in occupational therapy, and achievement of the clients’ goals.
• Provide services within a client-centered and occupation-based framework, with consideration of contextual factors, that influence a person, and/or populations’ ability to engage in meaningful occupational tasks and roles.
• Demonstrate compliance with legal, ethical, and professional standards when interacting with clients, service providers, and/or systems.
• Exhibit the ability to document, manage, and evaluate outcomes of services provided.
• Develop clinical programs, which meet a need for underserved persons, groups, and/or populations in the community.
• Embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical practice through the delivery of high-quality, accessible, and culturally responsive care within a technological and global environment.
• Advance the awareness and ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary team members to enhance the provision of client-centered, quality occupational therapy services.

Occupational Therapy Scholarship Information

PLNU is committed to helping students finance their education through loans and scholarships. Click here for more information about potential scholarship sources to finance your first and second years of the program.

MS-OT Year One Scholarships

MS-OT Year Two Scholarships

For information about the courses required for the Occupational Therapy, M.S. program, view the PLNU Catalog. 

Course Information

Students can enroll in this online course to meet the anatomy prerequisites requirement.

Anatomy Prerequisite