Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) is a 2-year professional postgraduate degree program. The program is designed to make students familiar with the theory, evidence, and practicality of the practice of occupational therapy. Students who wish to pursue a master’s in occupational therapy must have a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from a recognized college or university with a minimum score of 50%.
Admission to a master’s in occupational therapy is offered either on the basis of an entrance test or on a merit basis. In the case of an entrance test, a cumulative score is formed out of the candidate's test score, academic profile, and performance in the interview round conducted by any college or university. In the case of merit-based admission, the score obtained by the candidate in their bachelor's degree program is considered for the admission process.
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Key Points of Master in Occupational Therapy
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Some of the top colleges in India offering master in occupational therapy are ADN medical college and paramedical science, Jaipur occupational therapy college, Manipal University, School of allied sciences, Dr. Tamil Nadu MGR University.
Table of Content
2.1 Why Study?
3.1 Eligibility
3.2 Entrance Exams
- Master in Occupational Therapy Distance Education
- Master in Occupational Therapy: Syllabus
- Course comparison
- Master in Occupational Therapy: Job Prospects
8.1 Future Scope
The table given below mentions some of the top colleges offering a Master in Occupational Therapy degree program in India.
| Name of the institute | Location | Admission process | Average course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manipal university | Karnataka | MET | INR 5.14 Lakhs |
| Dr. Tamil Nadu MGR University | Chennai | CET | INR 20,000 |
| SRM university | Chennai | SRMJEEH | INR 1.85 Lakhs |
| Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik | Maharashtra | Merit basis | INR 24,500 |
| Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University | Delhi | IPU CET | INR 82,500 |
The average tuition fee charged by colleges or universities for this course in India lies anywhere in between INR 1 and 9 Lakhs. The fee is different for private and government institutes. The fees vary from institution to institution.
Fresh graduates of the course can easily expect compensation of INR 2 to INR 10 Lakhs per year. The compensation is proportional to the experience earned in the field. The salary offered increases with an increase in the experience of the candidate. Major job profiles available for such graduates are occupational therapy assistant, counselor, researcher, teacher, occupational therapist, professor, community health expert, mental health expert, etc.
Master in Occupational Therapy: Course Highlights
| Course level | Postgraduate |
| Duration of the course | 2 years |
| Eligibility | The student must have a Bachelor in Occupational Therapy (BOT) degree. |
| Admission Process | Entrance based or Merit-based |
| The average course fee | INR 1 and 9 Lacs |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 2 to INR 10 Lacs per annum |
| Examination type | Semester wise/year wise |
| Job profile | Osteopath, Occupational therapists (OTs), Researcher, Therapy Manager, Assistant Physiotherapist, Sports Physio Rehabilitator |
| Job sectors | Public and private hospitals, Country or community health centers, Rehabilitation centers, Regular and special schools, Consultation services, Special centers providing training for persons with a social, intellectual or physical disability, Nursing homes, Psychiatric clinics. |
| Top recruiting companies | Help Age India, Medybiz Pvt Ltd, Hosmat Hospital, Apollo Hospital, Fortis Hospital, etc. |
Master in Occupational Therapy: What is it about?
Occupational Therapy is also known as Physical Therapy, and is the science of cure and rehabilitation of the physically, emotionally, mentally, and neurological disabled and challenged people. Occupational therapy focuses on modifying the task, environmental adaptation, education, and subsequent treatment of the client.
- Occupational therapy is a branch of medical science which deals with healing patients suffering from physical, mental, or emotionally challenged people.
- An occupational therapist makes use of daily activities and tasks to help patients deal with different emotional physical or any mental needs. He basically modifies the daily routine, focuses on some particular tasks, changes environmental adaptation to treat the patients.
- Master in Occupational Therapy course trains students to incorporate medically prescribed and professionally guided methods to help a patient recover from disease or injury. The course teaches them the extensive use of therapy in dealing with certain human ailments. Healing patients with the therapeutic method and environmental modification form the main idea of the course.
- The course comes with several specializations, namely MOT Developmental Disabilities, MOT Hand and Musculoskeletal Conditions, MOT Neuro-rehabilitation, MOT Mental Health, and Psychosocial Rehabilitation.
- An occupational therapist works in vast domains of settings like Cardio- Pulmonary Disorders, Neurological Disorder, Cumulative Trauma Disorders, Physical Dysfunctions, Pediatrics/Developmental Disorders, Mental Health, etc.
Why study Master in Occupational Therapy course?
Over the past years, a lot of students have found a Master in Occupational Therapy as one of the most sought after courses in India. The course comes with some special benefits and perks.
Some of the benefits of pursuing Master in Occupational Therapy are given below:
- The course is all about providing therapeutic treatment for various physical, mental, or emotional problems. It involves dealing with one's psyche, hence the course is a boon for students who are interested in the domains of psychology.
- The course imparts in-depth knowledge about occupational therapy. It involves using different methods like modifying the daily routine, changing environmental adaptation, to heal patients.
- After pursuing a Master’s in Occupational Therapy students can practice as an Osteopath, Occupational therapists (OTs), Researcher, Therapy Manager, Assistant Physiotherapist, Sports Physio Rehabilitator.
- The course comes with various exciting career opportunities. Postgraduates in Occupational therapy are hired in Public and private hospitals, Country or community health centers, Rehabilitation centers, Nursing homes, Psychiatric clinics and hostels, Research institutions, Educational Institutions, etc.
- Apart from seeking jobs, students can also choose to pursue much higher education in any relevant field. Either way, their knowledge of the subject builds up.
Master in Occupational therapy: Admission Process
Admission to the course is offered either on the basis of an entrance test or on a merit basis. Manipal University, Karnataka, Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi are some of the universities which conduct their own entrance examination in order to shortlist students for admission into the course. Given below is a brief description of the admission process.
- Candidates are required to submit the application to the colleges or universities they are interested in.
- Usually, the admission process commences in the month of February or March. While some colleges shortlist students on the basis of a common entrance test, several other rely on the marks obtained by the student in the qualifying examination.
- In case of an entrance test, students must score above the minimum qualifying score set by the respective college or university.
- The colleges or universities then declare the result and release a merit list of finally shortlisted candidates.
- Further, some colleges or universities conduct personal interview rounds to extend the final offer letter of admission to the students.
- After the admission process, the final allotment of seats to the candidates takes place and the candidate is required to deposit the course fee and register for the respective academic year.
- In the case of merit-based admission, the score obtained by the candidate in the qualifying examination is considered for the purpose of granting admission.
Master in Occupational Therapy: Eligibility
Students seeking admission to the course must meet up with the following eligibility criteria.
- One must have obtained a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy or physiotherapy from a recognized college or university with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks.
- Any candidate must have pursued an internship in any relevant field (preferably occupational therapy) for a minimum duration of 6 months.
- Candidate needs to appear for national and university level entrance exams too for securing admissions.
- Apart from the above-mentioned criteria, one must clear the personal interview round conducted by any college or university.
Master in Occupational Therapy: Entrance Exams
Several colleges and universities rely on the scores of self-conducted entrance exams to shortlist students for admission into the course. However, the number of such colleges is less. Most of the colleges shortlist students on the basis of the score obtained by them in their undergraduate qualifying examination. Below mentioned are some of the entrance exams conducted for shortlisting candidates for admission into a master’s in occupational therapy course.
Manipal Entrance Test (MET): MET is conducted by Manipal University, Karnataka for shortlisting students for various undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs. The details about the exam have been tabulated below.
IPU CET: IPU CET is conducted by Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University in order to shortlist students for various undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs. Various details about the same have been tabulated below.
NEET: NEET is conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency) to shortlist students for MBBS and BDS courses. However, the score is accepted by some colleges for offering admission to a Master in Occupational Therapy and other related postgraduate courses.
SRMJEEH: SRMJEEH is a university level exam which is conducted by SRM University for admission into various engineering and medical degree programs.
| Entrance exam | Entrance mode | Application period | Exam date |
|---|---|---|---|
| MET | Computer-based test(online) |
October 13, 2022 – March 31, 2023 (1st Attempt) October 13, 2022 – To be updated (2nd Attempt) |
April 28 – 30, 2023 (1st Attempt) May 27 – 28, 2023 (2nd Attempt) |
| IPU CET | Computer-based test(online) | March 2023 – April 2023 |
April 2023 |
| NEET | Offline Exam | Second week of January 2023 - Last week of February 2023 | May 7, 2023 |
| SRMJEEH | Computer-based test(online) | November 22, 2022 – April 16, 2023(Phase 1) November 22, 2022 – June 5, 2023 (Phase 2) November 22, 2022 – July 17, 2023 (Phase 3) |
April 21 – 23, 2023 (Phase 1) June 10 – 11, 2023 (Phase 2) July 22 – 23, 2023 (Phase 3) |
How to prepare for a Master in Occupational Therapy Entrance Exams?
Performing well in an entrance exam can be easy if one is well aware of the latest exam pattern. Hence one should do thorough research about it in order to develop a clear idea about the exam pattern. Apart from this, one should know the full syllabus of the entrance exam. Mainly there are four sections in almost all the entrance exams conducted for admission into the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree program.
- General English
- Chemistry
- Biology
- General Aptitude and Logical Reasoning
One can refer to the tips given below while preparing for the Master of Occupational Therapy Entrance Exams:
- Generally, the entrance exam paper consists of multiple-choice questions. Most exams refrain themselves from negative marking but there are several exams which offer negative marking for every wrong answer.
- Since the entrance exam is the postgraduate level, one must be thorough with the undergraduate syllabus along with the very basic fundamentals of the subject.
- English section generally includes reading comprehension, verbal ability, sentence correction, sentence completion, fill in the blanks, etc. The best way to get acquainted with the language is to do as much reading as possible. Apart from this, one must look out for such sectional questions from previous year papers and sample papers.
- Chemistry and Biology sections usually consist of questions of the undergraduate level. Hence one must do a thorough revision of the topics studied during the bachelor degree program.
- The Aptitude and Reasoning section includes questions based on common mental logic. To begin with, one can start by solving simple puzzles. After gaining some knowledge, one can look out for questions given in sample papers.
- Once done with the syllabus, one can start solving previous year papers. This helps one to get a taste of the type of questions that are usually asked in the exam.
- On the exam day, avoid reading any new topic. Just stay calm and composed and don’t think anything negative before entering the exam hall. Be confident about whatever you have learned.
How to get admission in a good Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) college?
- Admission to the course is offered either on the basis of an entrance test or on a merit basis. In the case of merit-based selection, the marks obtained by the students in the qualifying examination are considered for the purpose of granting admission to the course. Hence students must focus on performing wellin their qualifying undergraduate exams.
- In the case of an entrance test, it is very important to score above the minimum required marks set by the respective college or university.
- One must keep track of all the important dates of the entrance so that one can register before the deadline for the exam.
- One must be well prepared with the syllabus of the entrance exam. One must solve the previous year papers to get acquainted with the exam pattern.
- Start preparing for the entrance exam a year before as this gives ample time for learning and revision. Do keep your target institute in mind.
Master in Occupational Therapy: Specializations
There are various specializations offered to the students, through the course. Students can choose any of the specializations as per their interest. Some of the popular specializations offered through the course are:
Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) Developmental Disabilities: This specialization primarily deals with the ailments pertaining to growing children. Treatment of children suffering from Developmental Disabilities forms the core of this specialization.
| Average Annual Fee | Average Salary Offered |
|---|---|
| INR 20,000 and INR 8 Lakhs | INR 2 to INR 10 Lakhs |
Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) Hand and Musculoskeletal Conditions: This specialization deals with painful disorders of muscles, tendons, and nerves. It teaches the implementation of occupational therapy in treating such disorders. MOT in Musculoskeletal courses studies the function of skeletal, muscular, and supporting systems.
| Average Annual Fee | Average Salary Offered |
|---|---|
| INR 18,000 - INR 15 Lakhs | INR 2 to INR 20 Lakhs |
Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) Neuro-rehabilitation: This specialization deals with nervous system injuries and disorders caused by such injuries. To pursue this course you need to pursue 6 months internship after completing your graduation in the respective field. MOT Neuro-rehabilitation course deals with the nervous system of the body.
| Average Annual Fee | Average Salary Offered |
|---|---|
| INR 10,000 - INR 9 Lakhs | INR 3 to INR 12 Lacs |
Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) Mental Health and Psychosocial Rehabilitation: This specialization deals with mental health issues and it's treatment. It includes treatment of various problems like depression, anxiety, stress through occupational therapy.
| Average Annual Fee | Average Salary Offered |
|---|---|
| INR 1 and INR 9 Lacs | INR 1 to INR 12 Lakhs |
Master in Occupational Therapy: Top colleges
There is an ample number of colleges across the country which offer a Master in Occupational Therapy degree program. The admission to the course is offered either on the basis of the score obtained in an entrance examination or on the basis of the marks obtained by the candidate in the qualifying exam.
Some of the top colleges offering the course are given below.
| Name of the institute | Location | Admission process | Average course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manipal university | Karnataka | MET | INR 5.14 Lakhs |
| Dr. Tamil Nadu MGR University | Chennai | CET | INR 20,000 |
| SRM university | Chennai | SRMJEEH | INR 1.85 Lakhs |
| Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik | Maharashtra | Merit basis | INR 24,500 |
| Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University | Delhi | IPU CET | INR 82,500 |
| All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation ( AIIPMR) | Maharashtra | NEET | INR 29,700 |
College comparison
Given below is the comparison of the top Master in Occupational Therapy colleges and universities. The key differences mentioned below are keeping in mind several parameters like ranking, overview, courses offered, average fee, average salary, and others.
| University Name | Manipal university | SRM University | Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Karnataka | Chennai | Delhi |
| NIRF Rank | 9 | 32 | 66 |
| College overview | Manipal University was established in 1953. The university offers various UG, PG and Research degree programs. Apart from the main campus in Manipal, the university has campuses in Jaipur, Sikkim, Antigua, Mangalore, and other locations. | SRM University is one of the top universities in the county. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in various disciplines, namely, Engineering, Management, Medicine, Health Sciences, Science, and Humanities. | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University was established in 1998. It offers UG, PG, Ph.D., and Diploma programs in various disciplines. The university conducts its own entrance exams for shortlisting students for admission into various courses. |
| Courses offered | B.Tech, MCA, MD, B.Arch, BOT, MOT, MBA, BCA | B.Tech, M. Tech, BBA, MBA, MBBS, BDS, B. Sc, BOT, BPH, MOT | B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Pharm and BHMCT, B.sc., BOT, MOT, BCA, MCA, MBA, etc |
| Average Annual Fee | INR 5.14 Lakhs | INR 1.85 Lakhs | INR 82,500 |
| Average Salary Offered | INR 5 Lakhs per annum | INR 6.5 Lakhs per annum | INR 4.2 Lakhs per annum |
| Admission process | MET | SRMJEEH | IPU CET |
Source: Universities Official Websites
Master in Occupational Therapy Distance Education
Master in Occupational Therapy program is offered in full-time mode. The course requires extensive training and practical experience. Hence pursuing it in distance mode is not possible. However, students who can not pursue the course in full-time mode can opt for some diploma programs related to occupational therapy. They can also look for some short duration courses in the domains of occupational therapy.
Master in Occupational Therapy: Syllabus
Master in Occupational Therapy is a two-year-long professional course. The course study involves subjects related to Mental Health, Rehabilitation, Biostatistics, Ethical Issues, and other related topics. Syllabus for each year of the course is tabulated below:
| Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|
| Research Methodology and Biostatistics | Pedagogy in Occupational Therapy Education |
| Application of Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation | Administration, Management & Ethical Issues |
| Role of Occupational Therapy in Physical Dysfunctions | Occupational Therapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders – II |
| Role of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health | Assessment & Management-II |
| Assessment & Management-I | O.T Clinics-II |
| O.T Clinics-I | Dissertation |
Course comparison
Master in Occupational Therapy Vs M.Sc. in Occupational therapy
MOT (Master in Occupational Therapy) and MSc (Occupational Therapy) are almost similar courses that have their own benefits of being pursued. It totally depends on your qualification background and area of interest to get into the course. Some of the key differences are mentioned below:
| Parameters | Master in Occupational Therapy | M.Sc. in Occupational therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) | Master of Science in Occupational therapy |
| Course overview | This two-year duration course is a professional course designed to make students familiar with the theory, evidence, and practicality of the practice of occupational therapy. An occupational therapist makes use of daily activities and tasks to help patients deal with different emotional physical or any mental needs. | The science program covers various dimensions of Medical science. The course educates students about the effectiveness and implementation of occupational therapy in healing physical, mental, and emotional disorders. The approach followed involves making changes in the basic lifestyle of individuals. |
| Objective | Students are taught about the basics and implementation of occupational therapy in real life. | Students are introduced to Occupational therapy. The major focus is given to the theory part of the course. |
| Average course fee | INR 1 to INR 9 Lakhs | INR 6,000 to INR 2.40 lakhs |
| Average salary offered | INR 2 to INR 10 Lakhs per annum | INR 1 to INR 8 lakhs per annum |
| Job profiles | Osteopath, Occupational therapists (OTs), Researcher, Therapy Manager, Assistant Physiotherapist, Sports Physio Rehabilitator. | Medical Record Technician, Occupational Therapist, OT in-charge, Service Delivery Manager, Teacher, Critical Care Nursing In-charge. |
| Job sectors | Public and private hospitals, Country or community health centers, Rehabilitation centers, Regular and special schools, Consultation services, Special centers providing training for persons with a social | Defense Services, Hospitals, Clinics, Health Care, Schools, Nursing Homes, Psychiatric clinics, etc. |
| Colleges | Manipal University, Karnataka, Dr. Tamil Nadu MGR University, Chennai, NIMS University, Jaipur, SRM University, Chennai | ARC Education Para Medical Institute, Haryana, government medical college, Nagpur, Himalayan University, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipal University, Karnataka. |
Source: Official Surveys and Payscale
Master in Occupational Therapy: Job Prospects
Master in Occupational Therapy course comes with various job and career opportunities. Fresh graduates of the course can easily expect compensation of INR 2 and INR 10 Lakhs per year. The compensation is proportional to the experience earned in the field. The salary offered increases with an increase in experience in that particular field.
Some of the major job profiles offered to such graduates are tabulated below:
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Salary Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Osteopath | These health professionals treat patients who find difficulty in performing their daily living and work activities. They help them overcome mental, physical, developmental, or emotional disabilities. | INR 4 Lakhs |
| Occupational therapists (OTs) | An occupational therapist makes use of daily activities and tasks to help patients deal with different emotional physical or mental needs. He suggests simple exercises and tasks heal the patients. | INR 8 Lakhs |
| Researcher | A researcher performs extensive research about the implementation of occupational therapy in healing patients with extreme trauma. | INR 6 Lakhs |
| Therapy Manager | Therapy Manager is responsible for looking after the staff and day to day operations at their workplace. If needed a therapy manager can also interact with customers to provide them a satisfactory experience. | INR 6 Lakhs |
| Assistant Physiotherapist | These healthcare workers deal with clients and teach them, how to effectively cope with limitations in movement, daily functioning, and activity. Such individuals usually work under the supervision of a licensed Physiotherapist. | INR 4 Lakhs |
Source: Payscale
Master in Occupational Therapy: Future scope
Over the past years, a Master in Occupational Therapy as a course has gained immense popularity among students. Students pursuing the course are taught about implementing various exercises, physical and mental activities meant to challenge and hence further improve and develop motor and sensory perception.
Master in Occupational Therapy graduates can find employment in public and private hospitals, Country or community health centers, Rehabilitation centers, Regular and special schools, Consultation services, Special centers providing training for persons with a social, intellectual or physical disability, Nursing homes, Psychiatric clinics and hostels, Research institutions, Industrial Medical Facilities, etc. The course focuses on theoretical knowledge along with enough practical experience. This alone accounts for the ever-increasing scope of the course.
Apart from the above-mentioned options, successful postgraduates of the course can also pursue higher studies in any relevant discipline. One may choose to pursue M.Phil. or Ph.D. in any of the relevant subject.
Master in Occupational Therapy: FAQs
Ques. What are the eligibility criteria one must fulfill in order to pursue a Master’s in Occupational Therapy?
Ans. Students who wish to pursue a Master in Occupational Therapy must have a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from a recognized college or university with a minimum score of 50%.
Ques. How much does it cost to pursue the Master in Occupational Therapy degree program?
Ans. The average tuition fee charged by colleges or universities for this course in India lies anywhere in between INR 1 and 9 Lakhs. The fee is different for private and government institutes.
Ques. Which are some of the most popular colleges offering Master in Occupational Therapy?
Ans. Some of the most popular colleges offering Master in Occupational Therapy are ADN medical college and paramedical science, Jaipur occupational therapy college, Manipal university, school of allied sciences, Dr. Tamil Nadu MGR University.
Ques. What are the various job positions available to a fresh MOT(Master in Occupational Therapy) graduate?
Ans. Some job positions available to Master in Occupational Therapy graduates are Osteopath, Occupational therapists (OTs), Researcher, Therapy Manager, Assistant Physiotherapist, Sports Physio Rehabilitator, etc.
Ques. Can I pursue the Master in Occupational Therapy degree program through distance learning mode?
Ans. No, Master in Occupational Therapy program is offered in full-time mode. The course requires extensive training and practical experience. Hence pursuing it in distance mode is not possible. However, students who can not pursue the course in full-time mode can opt for some diploma programs related to occupational therapy. They can also look for some short duration courses in the domains of occupational therapy.
Ques. What are some of the universities which conduct entrance tests in order to shortlist candidates for admission into the Master in Occupational Therapy degree program?
Ans. Manipal University, Karnataka, Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi are some of the universities which conduct their own entrance examination in order to shortlist students for admission into an MOT degree program.
Ques. Are the entrance exams for the Master in Occupational Therapy course being postponed due to COVID19?
Ans. Yes, most of the entrance exams have been postponed due to the ongoing pandemic. The new dates and other updates of the exams can be found by visiting their respective official websites.
Ques. What are the various specializations available to students in the Master in Occupational Therapy degree program?
Ans. The various specializations available to students are Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) Developmental Disabilities, MOT Hand and Musculoskeletal Conditions, MOT Neuro-rehabilitation, MOT Mental Health, and Psychosocial Rehabilitation.
Ques. What salary can a fresh Master in Occupational Therapy graduate expect?
Ans. Fresh graduates of the course can easily expect compensation of INR 2 to INR 10 Lakhs per year.
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