4 Year Part Time program?

[jciu15]

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Hey everyone! New to the boards here and really happy that I found it, it's nice to see so many tips and discussions about OT!

I've been trying to get into OT school for a while now, and this year I was finally accepted into a new direct entry masters program at Salem State University in Salem, MA! I'm taking some more classes this summer and starting the program in the fall.

I'm really excited about it, but the only setback is that it's a part time MOT program, and will take 4 years to complete There's no way around it and no curriculum in place to finish faster than 4 years because it's a new program (until now they've only had a BS/MS option). So I'm torn because I'd rather get my degree and enter the field sooner, 4 years seems like such a long time just to get a masters. But on the other hand, I don't want to lose this opportunity and go through another year of applying to schools and hoping to get in! Has anyone gone through a part time program? What's the general consensus on a 4 year masters degree? Just looking for opinions and advice on if I'm making the right choice here!

Thanks in advance
Jennelle

 

[mgeagle]

Hey everyone! New to the boards here and really happy that I found it, it's nice to see so many tips and discussions about OT!

I've been trying to get into OT school for a while now, and this year I was finally accepted into a new direct entry masters program at Salem State University in Salem, MA! I'm taking some more classes this summer and starting the program in the fall.

I'm really excited about it, but the only setback is that it's a part time MOT program, and will take 4 years to complete There's no way around it and no curriculum in place to finish faster than 4 years because it's a new program (until now they've only had a BS/MS option). So I'm torn because I'd rather get my degree and enter the field sooner, 4 years seems like such a long time just to get a masters. But on the other hand, I don't want to lose this opportunity and go through another year of applying to schools and hoping to get in! Has anyone gone through a part time program? What's the general consensus on a 4 year masters degree? Just looking for opinions and advice on if I'm making the right choice here!

Thanks in advance
Jennelle

Just a disclaimer I have not been to the type of program you are talking about so I have no idea what it is like. I would say if it is the only school you got into go for it! OT is extremely competitive and it only going to get more competitive in the upcoming years so there is the possibility that next year you might not get accepted to any of the places you apply (and by no means am I saying you are not a good candidate for next year cause obviously you are seeing as you got in one, sometimes I think it's how the admission committee is feeling that day lol) which could set you back even more. I would say the pace is probably a major upside seeing as it is four years, the pace is probably more relaxed than most OT schools cause you are not cramming everything into 2 years lol. This may even allow for you to pick some work if you want to make a little money if you so choose whereas that is difficult to do due to your vigorous schedule in most 2 year programs. whether 2 years or 4 years from now you will still be able to get a job and you will be in high demand either way lol.

 

[ExceptionalSea]

i think if you decide to forgo this opportunity and try to apply to OT programs again you'll still end up with the same result...getting your OT degree in about 4 years. as you and me and we all know, it's really difficult to get into programs and there's no guarantee that if you'd apply for this next cycle you'd get in! (doing that, anyway, would have you finish in the next 3 years instead of 4....i think the 1 extra year on the job market will be negligible in the grand scheme of things.) i'd say work with what you got and start your part-time program!

there are many pros to doing it part-time. as mgeagle said above, you will have time to really focus on the classes you have and not cram for everything. you could work part or even full time and support yourself so you are not taking out loans for living expenses. you can network heavily for the 4 years and really explore what kind of OT setting you'd like to go into. i think you've got a great option and you should run with it. 🙂

 

[jciu15]

Thanks so much guys! You both made some great points that I hadn't considered! I definitely have a better outlook on this program and am so excited to start my path to being an OT 🙂