Campus signs agreement with OT program

A new articulation agreement between the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and St. Bonaventure University creates a new pathway for outstanding Exercise Science or health-related science students from Pitt-Bradford to pursue SBU’s Occupational Therapy program.

Pitt-Bradford students earning a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and health-related sciences are given preferential consideration for admission to St. Bonaventure’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program.

St. Bonaventure will annually guarantee admission to at least five students from Pitt-Bradford who meet admission criteria. Pitt-Bradford students must apply to the MSOT program at SBU by Nov. 15 of their senior year. Students utilizing the articulation agreement will have their admission interviews waived.

“We are thrilled to announce this articulation agreement, which strengthens the pathway for Pitt-Bradford undergraduate students to transition into our Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program,” said Dr. Suzanne Marasco, chair of the OT Department at St. Bonaventure.

She said the partnership not only enhances educational opportunities, but also plays a crucial role in addressing the growing need for health care professionals in our rural communities. 

“By collaborating with Pitt-Bradford, we are preparing a new generation of occupational therapists who are equipped to bring essential services to underserved areas, ensuring that individuals have access to the quality care they deserve,” Marasco said.

St. Bonaventure’s Occupational Therapy program is full time and 23 months in length (five semesters). It is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

“I am very excited to work with St. Bonaventure University on this articulation into their Master of Occupational Therapy program. It is an outstanding program with great faculty,” said Dr. Mark Kelley, director of Pitt-Bradford’s Exercise Science program. “This articulation allows Pitt-Bradford students a guaranteed seat in the program after meeting all of the prerequisites needed for admission. Occupational Therapy is a growing health care field, which has an 11% (projected) job growth in the next 10 years.”

Pitt-Bradford students who would like more information should contact Dr. Mark Kelley, Exercise Science program director, at markkelley@pitt.edu.

For more information about the MSOT program, visit www.sbu.edu/MSOT.