Department of Occupational Therapy

Welcome to the Occupational Therapy Department

MSOT Applicants:  If you are awaiting an admission decision letter, final letters will go out from the Admissions Department the week of December 2nd via email followed up 48 hours later with a letter via email from the Department of Occupational Therapy.

FOUNDATIONS OF OT AND MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY WORKSHOPS NOW OPEN FOR SPRING 2025 ENROLLMENT! Go to the Curriculum tab on the left.

The Occupational Therapy (OT) Program at CSUDH started off with a degree in Bachelor of Science (BS), which was awarded accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) in 1998. The BSOT transitioned to an entirely new entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) in 2004 with accreditation awarded by ACOTE in 2006. Since then, the MSOT Program has grown from the first graduating class of 23 in 2007 to more recent graduating cohorts of approximately 66-69 per year. Overall, the continued growth of the OT Program displays how the department is valued by the University as well as supported by our community and clinical affiliates. In 2019, the passing of AB 829 into law allowed our department to further expand and make accessible advanced education in occupational therapy at the doctoral level.

We are very proud of our program curriculum and confident that it will provide a great foundation for occupational therapy professional competence and success. Through a team effort, the occupational therapy department faculty, students, and staff strive for the highest level of achievement. Together, we are quite enthusiastic about being a part of our student's journey toward becoming occupational therapy practitioners and leaders aligned with the following department mission, core values, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

                         

Terry Peralta-Catipon

   

       

     Terry Peralta-Catipon, PhD, OTR/L

     Chair, Occupational Therapy Department

What is OT?

MSOT Information Printable Sheets 

Important Links

How much does it cost to attend the OT Programs at CSUDH?  Link to MSOT and OTD Program/Tuition Costs

(Please note:  Fees are subject to change.)

What are the OT Program outcomes at CSUDH? Graduation Rate & NBCOT Pass Rate

Is there a link directly to NBCOT where I can get school performance data for CSUDH and other programs?  NBCOT School Pass Rate Link

Learn more about our programs!  Information Sessions

If you are interested in becoming an OT but have not made your decision, this is the Information Session for you. Come and learn about the CSUDH Occupational Therapy program and what it means to be an Occupational Therapist. RSVP is required.  Go to the "MSOT and OTD Information Sessions" link on the menu to the left or email otprogram@csudh.edu to learn more.

Do you want to give to the Department of Occupational Therapy?

Your gift helps us provide the resources we need to ensure the finest quality of education for our students. Thank you for supporting our mission! To make a gift online, please visit our donation page by clicking here

Do you want to give to the Department of Occupational Therapy?

Your gift helps us provide the resources we need to ensure the finest quality of education for our students. Thank you for supporting our mission! To make a gift online, please visit our donation page by clicking here

donate

Accreditation Information:

The CSUDH MSOT program is accredited 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.

The CSUDH OTD program is a candidate for accreditation 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.  

Link to ACOTE website: www.acoteonline.org

Eligible program graduates may apply for certification through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

Mission

We educate and prepare students on best practices, scholarship, research, advocacy, and innovation to address the complex human needs of health, wellness, restoration, and adaptation for optimal life engagement throughout the lifespan. We prioritize building collaborative communities, diversifying the profession, and facilitating a culture of service to all populations.

Core Values

Advocacy We emphasize educating students in advocating on behalf of all whom we serve to receive the highest quality service relative to the needs of individuals, populations, and policies.

Altruism We invest in the welfare of others to improve the lived experience of those we serve.

Collaboration We seek partnerships across the university, within the occupational therapy profession, in our local communities, and globally to expand opportunities for our students, staff, and faculty.

Compassion We respond to the actions and context around us with an understanding that we can support others and learn from a moment in time for the long-term well-being of all.

Confidence & Competence We value balanced self-reflection to leverage our strengths in service to others and in developing our existing practice and potential.

Courage We value informed risk-taking for the evolution of our practice in service to society.

Ethics We are accountable to uphold the ethical principles of the profession.

Inclusion We welcome all individuals and perspectives to inform our understanding of human occupation.

Justice We believe in fair and equitable opportunities to live healthy and satisfying lives. We provide fair and just opportunities for all students.

Leadership We develop leaders who will advocate on behalf of individuals and populations.

Mutual Respect We choose to act in a manner that supports the best interests and well-being of all in our department, our university, and the communities we serve.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The University is committed to equity, diversity, and social justice. The Department of Occupational Therapy seeks to promote health equity and resist systemic and medical racism by preparing students from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to provide equitable services at all levels: individual, organizational, community, and societal. The curriculum aspires to promote population health and anti-racist education and practices. This includes topics, materials, activities, and clinical case methods that embrace diversity in all forms, such as: race, ethnicity, culture, age, gender, sexuality, education, occupation, socioeconomic status, personality, physical appearance, body function, diagnosis, intellect, or mental health status.

Again, on behalf of the university administration, occupational therapy faculty, students, and staff, welcome to California State University Dominguez Hills!

With warmest regards from the entire Toro Nation,  

Accreditations

The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited 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; accred@aota.org. The AOTA telephone number is: (301) 652-6611. Effective January 1, 2007, Occupational Therapy educational programs are only accredited at the post-baccalaureate degree level.

AOTA - The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
CBOT - California Board of Occupational Therapy

NBCOT Exam Results

Licensure

Graduates wishing to practice in the state of California must apply for a state license to practice. State licensure is based on successful completion of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Certification

Graduates of the MSOT Program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapists administered by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this examination, the graduate will be an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR).

Felony conviction and the National Board Examination

A student having record of a felony conviction is advised to submit necessary documents to the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) for a background review prior to application. This is recommended because a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) or to attain state licensure. NBCOT’s certification examination application contains character review questions that must be answered by all exam candidates applying for the certification examination. Applicants who answer “yes” to any of these questions must submit an explanation and official documentation regarding their background to NBCOT’s Regulatory Affairs Department at the time of application to take the examination. This information will be reviewed by the NBCOT on an individual basis prior to determining exam eligibility.

An individual who is considering entering an Occupational Therapy educational program or has already entered an educational program can have his or her background reviewed prior to actually applying for the exam by requesting an early determination review. If you have additional questions or would like additional information, you may contact the Credentialing Services at NBCOT, located at One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878;(301) 990-7979; info@nbcot.org. Contact professional.conduct@nbcot.org

Graduation and NBCOT Pass Rates

The NBCOT Exam Results - MSOT Program

Data on this webpage meets requirement for the new 2018 ACOTE standard A.4.2 related to publication of program outcome

NBCOT School Pass Rate Link

Year

Number of test takers within one year of graduation 

Number of test takers who passed the exam within 12-months after graduation 

Percentage of test takers who passed the exam within 12-months after graduation

20216868100%
2022656397%
2023706999%

Total: 3 Years

20320099%

 

Graduation Rate - MSOT Program

Graduation YearNumber of Admitted Students from graduating classNumber of Students Graduating within 150% of published program lengthGraduation Rate
2021696899%
2022706999%
2023686697%
Total: 3 years20720398%
  • IMPORTANT UPDATE: Both the MSOT and OTD Program application process is now completely online. Please refer to the new Steps to Complete the MSOT or OTD Application: https://www.csudh.edu/ot/admission/application/

    Admission requirements stay the same. Information sessions are offered online through Zoom and in person. RSVP is needed to attend for both formats.
  • Applicants to the CSUDH Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Program apply directly through Cal State Apply.  Cal State Apply is required, OTCAS is optional.  (If applications for MSOT are completed through OTCAS, an application in Cal State Apply is still necessary.)
  • Applicants to the CSUDH Occupational Therapy Doctorate program apply online through Cal State Apply.

Link to ToroPay Admissions