Dual degree BS/OTD and BS/MS programs

You have options!

Unsure of which graduate degree is right for you? You now have options at IC! Earn your Bachelor of Science in Occupational Science in 4 years, and stay for an extra 1 or 2 years to earn your Masters or Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy! Our experienced faculty will help you determine the best path to meet your goals.

Highlights of the Dual Degree BS/MS and BS/OTD Occupational Therapy Programs

Direct admission to the graduate program - no separate application process
Strong sense of community and mutual support among students
Occupational therapy coursework begins in your first year
Hands on learning opportunities in every year of study
Exciting on and off campus clinical experiences under the supervision of licensed OT faculty members
Flexibility for a robust campus experience, including full semester and short-term study abroad experiences, completing a minor, participating in athletics, or holding a job
Exploration of research interests through a mentored individual or group graduate research project
A dedicated Academic Fieldwork Coordinator to secure placements and ensure you get the most out of your fieldwork experiences
An accelerated timeframe where you officially graduate with your masters in your fifth year or doctorate in your sixth year (provided that all coursework and program requirements are completed satisfactorily).
Graduate eligible and ready to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) competency exam to become a registered occupational therapist.

Two students are practicing transfers from a wheelchair.

OT Coursework Your First Year

See all of the courses that you will take during your six years in the BS/OTD program.

See the Courses

Trans-Supportive College/University

With a 5 out of 5 rating on the Campus Pride Index, IC is deeply committed to inclusive programs, policies, and services for LGBTQ+ students — and started National Pronoun Day.

#16

Best Value

U.S. News & World Report also ranked IC highly in the value category. The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal!

#15

Best University in the North

U.S. News & World Report thinks quite highly of us. We’ve been in the top 15 of their regional university rankings for more than 30 years straight.

Graduation Rates

The total number of graduates from the Ithaca College combined BS/MS program in occupational therapy during the 3-year period of 2022-2024 was 146, with an overall graduation rate of 98.0%. (While the program is transitioning to a BS/OTD it will take several years until that data can be reported as students begin/complete the program.)

Graduation Year	Students Entering/Graduating	Graduation Rate
2024	49/48	98%
2023	46/45	97.8%
2022	54/53	98.1%
Total	149/146	98.0%

Tuition and Fees

: Our Student Financial Services Office provides information on our tuition and fees, as well as opportunities for financial aid. The OT-specific billing policies for the graduate portion of the program are available on this webpage.

Visiting and Applying

: Our Office of Undergraduate Admissions arranges campus visits for the occupational therapy program. We offer both campus visits and virtual experiences. Visit our undergraduate admissions campus visit and virtual experiences webpage for more information on upcoming opportunities. You can also email ot@ithaca.edu with questions!
: Our Office of Undergraduate Admissions processes all applications for our occupational therapy programs. Visit our undergraduate admissions webpage here to walk through the application process to apply today!

More Program Information

Ithaca College's occupational therapy program is focused on five threads of curricular design. These include:

Occupation
Human and Environmental Systems
Theory-Based Practice
Evidence
Participation and Engagement

You can read more details about the semester-by-semester curriculum here and each of these threads here.

Fieldwork offers hands-on practice outside of the classroom where you can integrate academic knowledge into real life and treatment situations. The occupational therapy fieldwork that you complete in our program will enrich your coursework and shape you into entry-level clinicians. Fieldwork is similar to a residency program for physicians or student teaching for classroom teachers. It is required to be awarded your doctorate degree and to be eligible to sit for the NBCOT examination.

As you move through the two levels of fieldwork (Level I and Level II), you will have increasingly complex experiences. Early experiences start with guided observation and hands-on practice of concepts intended to reinforce course content that you are learning in a particular semester. Later experiences will require that you take full responsibility for assessment and intervention of your supervising therapist's caseload and all the multitude of responsibilities related to being an entry-level occupational therapist.

Learn more details about the fieldwork experience.

When you enter the OT program, you will be assigned an occupational therapy faculty member who will serve as your advisor for all of your years of study. This allows you to get to know your advisor well, and makes it easier to problem solve if an issue arises and to get the personal and professional support you need to ensure success.

Students must achieve a minimum 3.0 semester and cumulative GPA to remain in good academic standing. Additionally, students must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 by the conclusion of the junior fall semester in order to continue in the program.

In addition to academic standards, students must meet the department's Technical Standards while enrolled in the program.

Questions?

OT Department Office
321 Smiddy Hall
Ithaca College • 953 Danby Road • Ithaca, NY 14850

ot@ithaca.edu

(607) 274-1975