Gwynedd Mercy University and West Chester University Forge Partnership to Develop Occupational Therapists
Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) has partnered with West Chester University (WCU) to offer WCU undergraduate students a direct pathway to GMercyU’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program. Through this partnership, students can complete their bachelor’s degree at WCU and then pursue an MSOT degree at GMercyU in an additional two years.
As part of the agreement, GMercyU will reserve three spots in its MSOT program for WCU students who have earned a bachelor's degree, meet the admissions criteria, and apply by the February 1 application deadline. Additional spots may be available depending on the overall applicant pool, and any updates will be communicated to WCU.
“We are thrilled to establish this partnership to offer West Chester graduates a free application process and a smoother path to our Occupational Therapy program,” said Dr. Thomas Mernar, PhD, OTR/L, Program Director of GMercyU’s Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Programs. “This initiative not only helps students continue their education but also prepares them to be competent, reflective, ethical, and compassionate occupational therapy professionals.”
This partnership formalizes a long-standing relationship between the two universities, as many past graduates of GMercyU’s MSOT program have come from WCU. One example is Chris Wallace, a 2018 WCU graduate who went on to enroll in GMercyU’s MSOT program. During his time at GMercyU, he was a member of the Pi Theta Epsilon National Occupational Therapy Honor Society and served as Chapter Vice President. Currently, he is the Assistant Center Manager at NovaCare Rehabilitation and is pursuing a certification in hand therapy.
Chris shared his reasons for choosing GMercyU’s MSOT program: “I chose GMercyU because it was really clear how passionate the professors were for the OT profession and wanted to see their students succeed. I came to GMercyU from West Chester University, which is a bigger school and I really liked how GMercyU kept their cohorts smaller, which allows for more one-on-one training with your professors.”
Students from any major can apply to GMercyU’s MSOT program as long as they meet the admission requirements. Unlike external applicants, WCU students do not need to apply through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS), which can save them the initial $164 application fee. Additionally, all WCU students and alumni who meet the admission criteria are guaranteed an interview.
The employment outlook for occupational therapists is strong, with a projected growth of 11 percent from 2023 to 2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In 2023, the BLS reported that the median annual wage for occupational therapists was $96,370, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $65,210 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $129,620.
To learn more about GMercyU’s accredited two-year MSOT program and its partnership with WCU, click here.