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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about the Master of Occupational Therapy Bridge Program

Please click the arrows below to expand the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

How much time can I expect to devote to school work each week?

All courses are based on the federal credit hour. This means for a 3 credit course there is on average 9 hours of work a week which includes reading, lectures, labs, and homework/assignments. Some students will take less time with material while others may take more time with material. Semesters range in course load from 6 - 12 credits meaning.

Can I continue to work full time while in the program?

This is individual to each student. Some students are able to manage their time and assignments while working full-time while some students feel more comfortable reducing their work schedule in order to be successful with the academics of the program.
While students might be able to complete the academic portion and continue to work, Level II fieldwork is full time (anywhere from 33 - 40+ hours/week) for 24 weeks and will follow the schedule of the clinical instructor. Students should plan ahead financially.

How long is the program?

All MOT programs at Bay Path are accelerated. The MOT Bridge program has two entries.

Track 1, or MOT 3, is a 4 year program (start to finish) for those with an Associate’s Degree. This includes 2 traditional spring and fall semesters in the first year of coursework with all courses delivered online. Once students enter 500 level MOT coursework they will follow trimesters (Spring, Summer, and Fall). Spring and Fall semesters will be hybrid with onsite weekends while summers will be fully online. Under this format students have 7 semesters of 500 level OT coursework leading up to 6-months (24 weeks) of full-time level II fieldwork in 2 different clinical settings.
Track 2, or MOT 2, is a 3 year program (start to finish) for students entering with a Bachelor’s Degree in any field. MOT coursework will follow trimesters (Spring, Summer, and Fall). Spring and Fall semesters will be hybrid with onsite weekends while summers will be fully online. Under this format students have 7 semesters of 500 level OT coursework leading up to 6-months (24 weeks) of full-time level II fieldwork in 2 different clinical settings.

How big are the classes?

The first MOT 3 year classes are around 25 students.
The first MOT 2 year (2nd MOT 3 year) students are split into two sections. This means each class is around 20 students with a total graduating cohort of around 40 students.

How do I know if my prerequisite courses will be accepted?

All completed application files are reviewed. Prerequisite courses should have been completed within the past 5 years, have a grade of B- or higher, and have been taken from an accredited college or university.
If students feel their courses meet the requirements they may ask for a second review and provide rationale for why the course should be accepted.

Besides having baseline knowledge in prerequisite areas, what can I do to prepare for my success in the program?

Students entering with a Bachelor’s degree are expected to be able to write professionally.
All coursework and assignments require American Psychological Association (APA) formatting. If students are not comfortable with APA they should brush up ahead of time.
Students will be required to purchase the APA manual (textbook) and may use this as a resource ahead of time if desired.
Students should be aware of Bay Path’s Academic Standards and what is or is not plagiarism.

Is Level II Fieldwork required to be full time?

All Level II Fieldwork is completed at the end of successful completion of all academic coursework.
Students need to plan ahead financially and personally to be a full time Level II FW student as they will work the full time schedule of their supervisor. This could mean 4-10 hour days or 5 - 8 hour days (or anything in between based on the clinical instructor’s schedule, as long as it is full time based on the setting).

How is fieldwork managed at Bay Path?

The Fieldwork Office manages all aspects of the fieldwork process and makes all contact to sites on behalf of the student. Students will have the opportunity to meet individually with a member of the fieldwork office to discuss Level II fieldwork.

Is the MOT graduate program coed?

While the undergraduate programs at Bay Path are female only, all graduate programs are offered to both men and women.

Are there academic standards that a student must meet within the program?

Students are required to meet academic standards throughout the course of the MOT program. Standards include completion of each course with a grade of B (83) or higher. If a student earns a B- (80 - 82) in a course they must retake the course the following year (this will delay graduation by a year). Earning a grade below a B- (79 and below) will result in program dismissal.
Program standards were established to ensure students are meeting the academic rigor necessary for success on fieldwork and in preparation for sitting for and passing the NBCOT board exam.

Can I focus my academics within the MOT program to specialize in an area of OT practice?

Consistent with ACOTE accreditation guidelines, the MOT programs at Bay Path University prepare entry-level occupational therapists to be generalist practitioners. Students will gain knowledge in all general areas of practice including mental health, physical disabilities, and pediatrics settings. This knowledge will prepare students for fieldwork experiences and the NBCOT board exam.

What can I expect for the weekend on-site course requirements?

Attending weekend on-site requirements is a mandatory portion of the program. Typically students can expect to be on campus 8 weekends a semester.
MOT 2 (Track 2) and MOT 3 (Track 1) students moving into their second program year can expect to be on campus both Saturdays and Sundays anywhere between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Students should plan ahead if they are traveling and may want to budget for staying overnight in the area during on-site weekends. Students should also consider flight times and availability as the local airport may have limited flights on Sunday afternoons/evenings.

How far do students commute from while attending the program?

The MOT bridge program has many students enrolled that live in various states all across the U.S.
Many students drive between 1-3 hours to attend weekend on-sites and a handful of students fly from further locations in the U.S.
Bradley International Airport, located in Windsor Locks Connecticut, is the nearest (around 30 minutes away) airport. Logan Airport, located in Boston, is about a 2 hour drive from the Bay Path University OT campus.

Where will my classes on campus be held?

All OT classes are held in the Phillip H. Ryan Health Science Center located at 1 Denslow Rd. East Longmeadow, MA 01028.
This building houses classrooms, lab spaces, study rooms, and instructor offices and provides conveniences of vending machines, printers, computers, and a kitchenette (refrigerator and microwave).
Students also have access to Bay Path’s main campus in Longmeadow, a 4-mile drive from the Ryan Center, for use of all campus resources and conveniences.

What if I need accommodations to support learning?

Students who feel they may need accommodations for disability-related reasons should contact Bay Path University’s Student Accessibility Services Office at accessibility@baypath.edu

Does the program offer tutoring services?

OT bridge students have access to OT content tutors available both onsite and virtually.
The University also offers writing tutors and smarthinking for student writing needs.

What is the structure of Bay Path’s hybrid OT bridge program?

Each week students will have access to new learning material for each course within the Canvas learning management system. This may include recorded lectures, readings, videos, online discussion forums, and homework assignments.
Instructors offer weekend on-ground office hours and weekday virtual office hours via phone or video chat using platforms such as Zoom.
Weekend on-sites focus on hands-on lab like experiences guided by your instructors.