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Kean University

What You Learn

Kean’s world-class, 72-credit master’s degree program provides the necessary training to work in the field of occupational therapy. We give students a rich array of hands-on clinical experiences and fieldwork that starts in the first semester:

  • Develop skills to work with children and adults, including senior citizens

  • Study gross anatomy, kinesiology, neuroscience, research methods and more

  • Complete at least six months of supervised fieldwork

Students who successfully complete the program and graduate are eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT). All graduates must pass the NBCOT exam and be credentialed as a Occupational Therapist Registered OTR. More information on NBCOT credentials can be found at https://www.nbcot.org/certification.

All states require a OT license (credential) to practice occupational therapy. The issue of state license requires graduation from an accredited OT program and passing the NBCOT Certification Exam.* State License requirements can be found here.

*Note that a felony conviction may affect a student's ability to graduate, sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain a state OT license.

Admission Requirements

Tuition and Fees

If you have admissions questions, contact Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@kean.edu or (908) 737-4723.

Every day that I'm here, I feel more and more that I made the right choice. Working here I get an inside view; it's nice to know the faculty is so involved and concerned about the education of the students."

Maureen Grainger
M.S. in Occupational Therapy

3-Year Graduation Rate

Graduation Year 

Incoming year 

Admitted 

Graduated 

Graduation Rate

2021

2018

35

33

94%

2022

2019

30

30

100%

2023

2020

25

24

96%

Total

 

90

87

97%

 

 

Cost of Attendance

Beginning Fall 2024 newly established tuition rates will apply to out-of-state students. The program costs provided are calculated using the AY 2023-2024 tuition and fees. Rates for AY2024-2025 will be determined during the June meeting of the Board of Trustees. It is expected that these rates will be structured on a per-credit basis rather than flat rates.


Master of Science in Occupational Therapy


MS OT In-State Tuition 

Semester #  Semester  Credits taken Cost  Fees  Total 
1 Fall 1 16  $                  997.14  $                  84.43 $ 17,305.12
2 Winter  3  $                  997.14  $                  84.43  $ 3,244.71
3 Spring 1  16  $                  997.14  $                  84.43  $ 17,305.12
4 Summer I  1 4  $                  997.14  $                  84.43  $ 4,326.28
5 Summer II 1  6  $                  997.14  $                  84.43  $ 6,489.42
6 Fall 2  15  $                  997.14  $                  84.43  $ 16,223.55
7 Winter 2  3  $                  997.14  $                  84.43  $ 3,244.71
8 Spring 2  4.5  $                  997.14  $                  84.43  $ 4,867.65
9 Summer I 2  4.5  $                  997.14  $                  84.43  $ 4,867.65
10 Summer II 2  -      
Tution and Fees total          $ 77,874.21
Books - estimated cost      $                  900.00    $ 900.00
Total Estimated program cost    72      $ 78,374.21

 

MS OT Out-of-State Tuition 

Semester #  Semester  Credits taken Cost  Fees  Total 
1 Fall 1 16  $              1,375.69  $                  84.43  $ 23,361.92
2 Winter  3  $              1,375.69  $                  84.43  $ 4,380.36
3 Spring 1  16  $              1,375.69  $                  84.43  $ 23,361.92
4 Summer I  1 4  $              1,375.69  $                  84.43  $ 5,840.48
5 Summer II 1  6  $              1,375.69  $                  84.43  $ 8,760.72
6 Fall 2  15  $              1,375.69  $                  84.43  $ 21,901.80
7 Winter 2  3  $              1,375.69  $                  84.43  $ 4,380.36
8 Spring 2  4.5  $              1,375.69  $                  84.43  $ 6,570.54
9 Summer I 2  4.5  $              1,375.69  $                  84.43  $ 6,570.54
10 Summer II 2  -      
Tution and Fees total          $ 105,128.64
Books - estimated cost      $                  900.00    $ 900.00
Total Estimated program cost    72      $ 106,028.64

 

 

NBCOT Pass Rate

Upon successful completion of academic preparation and level II fieldwork experiences, students are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT) exam. For more information on NBCOT visit https://www.nbcot.org/

To explore NBCOT Pass Rate for OT programs click NBCOT Performance Rate

Year 

# Taking Test 

Passed Test 

Failed Test 

NBCOT Pass Rate

2023

23

20

3

87%

2022

29

29

0

100%

2021

33

33

0

100%

Total

85 

82

3

96%

 

 

Cougars Climb Higher

At Kean, we believe learning and professional growth extend far beyond the walls of our classrooms. That's why we encourage you to take advantage of a variety of research opportunities, internships and more that we offer to advance your career and set the stage for continued success.

Fieldwork

Students complete at least six months of fieldwork in an approved clinical setting.

Occupational therapy students working with clients
Fieldwork

Research

Opportunities for research are an important part of an education at Kean.

OT students take part in fieldwork and research.
Research

Community

Beginning in their first semester, students gain clinical experience in community settings such as schools, senior centers, hospitals, nursing homes and camps.

Occupational therapy placement settings include schools
Community

Careers

Occupational Therapy graduates have found rewarding positions in a wide range of settings:

  • Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
  • JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute
  • FOX Rehabilitation
  • Encore Rehabilitation Services
  • Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital
  • HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital
  • University Hospital
  • Intensive Therapeutics
  • Abilities In Action
  • Children's Specialized Hospital
  • Woodbridge Township School District
  • P.G. Chambers School

12% estimated increase in employment from 2022-2032.*
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, September 6). Occupational outlook handbook.

$106,900 average salary of occupational therapists in New Jersey.*
*Salary.com. (2023). Occupational therapist salary in New Jersey.

Accreditation

ACOTE logo

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree 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 and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program 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. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.   

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