Occupational Therapy BS/MS
Obtain the skills needed to maximize health, well-being and quality of life for all people, populations and communities by facilitating participation in everyday living.
Earn Two Degrees in Five Years
UB is the only five-year BS/MS program within the SUNY system where you can complete your entry-level OT degree within five years of high school graduation. Our five-year program in occupational therapy leads to a bachelor’s degree in occupational science and a master’s degree in occupational therapy. This program is flexible enough to meet your individual needs and interests while ensuring that you are prepared to pass the national certification exam and state licensure requirements to enter the profession.
Affordable Tuition
The State University of New York remains committed to providing students with the best education possible at an affordable cost.
Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 Rates Per Semester
Academic Program Years | Tuition NYS Resident | Tuition Non NYS Resident | University Fees | Average Program Fees per Semester Years 3-5 | Total NYS Resident | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Undergraduate | $3,535.00 | $12,495.00 | $1,855.75 | $125.00 | $5,515.75 | $14,475.75 |
Undergraduate Excelsior | $3,535.00 |
| $1,855.75 | $125.00 | $5,515.75 |
|
Graduate | $5,655.00 | $11,550.00 | $1,539.00 | $150.00 | $7,344.00 | $13,239.00 |
Summer 2022 Rates Per Credit Hour
Academic Program Years | Tuition NYS Resident | Tuition Non NYS Resident | University Fees | Average Fees per Semester years 3-5 | Total NYS Resident | Total Non NYS Resident |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Undergraduate summer 3 & 4 | $295.00 | $1,041.00 | $120.75 | $40.00 | $455.75 | $1,201.75 |
Approximate Total Cost of Attendance (5-year BS/MS Tuition + Fees)
NYS Resident/Excelsior | Non NYS Resident |
$68,395.25 | $155,433.25 |
Career Opportunities
Occupational therapy uses everyday activities as the means of helping people to achieve or regain independence. Occupational therapists work in all types of private, nonprofit and public settings, including schools, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and community health agencies. Learn more about this growing and in-demand field from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Fully Accredited
The BS/MS program in occupational therapy at UB is accredited through the 2026-2027 academic year by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA. Visit ACOTE at acoteonline.org.
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Pass Rates
Data related to pass rates for new graduates from 2015 onward can be found at the NBCOT website. By definition, candidates are labeled NG from their date of graduation through the next 365 days.
The total number of graduates from the University at Buffalo Occupational Therapy BS/MS program during the three-year period of 2018 to 2020 was 182, representing an overall graduation rate of 93%.
| Year | Students Entering | Students Graduating | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 46 | 43 | 93% |
| 2021 | 53 | 48 | 91% |
| 2022 | 51 | 43 | 84.3% |
| Total | 150 | 134 | 89.3% |
Why Choose UB?
- UB’s OT program has enjoyed continuous accreditation since its inception in 1954.
- UB is the only five-year BS/MS program within the SUNY system where you can complete your entry-level OT degree within five years of high school graduation at an affordable rate.
- Since UB is a research-intensive university, our students work with faculty who are actively engaged in research and other scholarly work.
- Our students work as a team to develop and complete a full research project including research proposal, human subjects approval, data collection, data analysis and presentation.
- As part of the School of Public Health and Health Professions, our students complete team projects addressing the needs of underserved populations and creating new avenues for occupational therapy interventions.
- Our students complete unique courses that lay a solid foundation for OT practice, including full courses in gross anatomy, neuroscience, orthotics and assistive technology.
- Interprofessional education (IPE) is a cornerstone of our curriculum. Our students engage in IPE simulation experiences with standardized patients at the Behling Simulation Center, university-wide IPE forums with over 700 students across 12 disciplines, participation in a digital badge and micro-credential program in IPE, and opportunities for IPE enrichment activities on fieldwork.
- Our NBCOT exam pass rate and graduation rate are excellent (see above) as is our employment rate.
- UB is a flagship institution in the State University of New York system, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the 64-campus system, and a member of the Association of American Universities.