Master of Occupational Therapy Samuel Merritt University

Occupational therapists make a significant and positive impact on the quality of life of their clients. In this gratifying career, you will assess and treat people of all ages with sensory, cognitive, psychological, and physical difficulties, helping them develop or re-gain important life skills. This might mean helping individuals learn to live and thrive independently or assisting someone to return to their daily routine after an injury or surgery.

SMU’s entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Master of Occupational Therapy programs (MOT) focus on treating the whole person. Our rigorous education combines basic science and occupation-based practice. You’ll have plenty of hands-on experience starting in your first year, including participating in simulation labs and working with clients in the community participant labs. As an occupational therapist, you’ll need to communicate and partner with other health professionals. To prepare you for this collaboration, you’ll share courses with physical therapy students and experience other cross-disciplinary learning opportunities.