Seton Hall’s School of Health and Medical Sciences has relaunched its Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program in a facilitated two-year format.
SHU will offer the new two-year, 64-credit M.S. in occupational therapy beginning in July 2025. The school also offers a five-year dual degree program leading to a B.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences (SOBT) and the MSOT.
There is a difference between the master’s and bachelor’s degrees, as the latter relates to behavioral sciences and understanding how different types of interactions help humans evolve and change, while the former teaches the complexities of humans and the experiences they go through, whether social, cultural, physical, or mental.
The program allows for two different understandings between the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. For a bachelor’s degree, it explains human behavior and how it develops with experience. There is a deeper study of human beings. The master’s degree delves into helping people regain lost mobility, helping those with disabilities, and assisting individuals with mental health challenges.
To better understand this relaunch, Dr. LaMar Bolden, professor of occupational therapy, explained how the change has many benefits.
“In order to maintain the rigor and quality of what is known as Seton Hall’s occupational therapy degree, we have added experiential learning to our new design,” Dr. Bolden said. “This will help students connect with the material faster.”
Dr. Bolden also discussed how the O.T. department has a simulation center that allows students to acquire the clinical skills they need through exposure to the material. Students will also have a chance to perform tasks and receive critiques on what they did right or wrong.
When asked about what makes SHU’s O.T. program unique, Dr. Bolden said that it is one of the first occupational therapy programs established in New Jersey. Another factor that distinguishes the O.T. program is its connection with the Catholic mission, as it provides opportunities for community service and the aforementioned experiential learning.
The new program allows students to graduate with a master’s degree in five years, instead of six.
Dr. Ramona Guthrie also provided information on the relaunching of the O.T. program. She explained that one of the advantages of the two-year curriculum is that it is focused on preparing students to meet the demands of the 21st-century healthcare system.
Dr. Guthrie also said that the O.T. program’s “simulations” made the program stand out.
“We are located on a campus that really has state-of-the-art teaching technology,” Dr. Guthrie said. “Learning spaces are conducive for students to be successful. We have a daily living lab; there is a kitchen, bed, [and] couch, so students can practice the skills they need before they go out to the clinic.”
One important factor that Dr. Guthrie made a note of was when students enter into the dual program, they immediately have a seat saved for them if they choose to transition into the master’s program, as long as students ensure that their GPA is up to standard and they have taken all of the necessary classes.
Hannah Kulesa, a second-year graduate student who is part of the MSOT program and serves as the professional development chair for the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), discussed her feelings about this change that will be implemented after she graduates.
“I was a little upset because my program was longer, but I think it’s going to be a good change for newer students,” Kulesa said. “It will make the program more challenging, and because it’s shorter, it will allow students to get in the field faster.”
Kulesa also gave insight into how she learned about the relaunched program, saying that students received an email informing them of the new change. The professors mentioned the new change during class as well.
Aubrey Tucker, a second-year graduate student in the MSOT program and a member of SOTA, said that she is very excited to see how the relaunch develops. Although she will not experience the change, she said her education at Seton Hall has been “great so far.”
“I think students will be able to flourish even more,” Tucker said. “I came into the program knowing it will be three years. I’m not frustrated, I’m excited about the professors and new students coming in.”
Victory Odundoyin is a writer for The Setonian’s News section. She can be reached at victory.odundoyin@student.shu.edu.
