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The Faculty of Medicine
The Faculty of Medicine
עברית

​Master's degree (MScOT)

Key points

The Hebrew University graduate (Master's) program in occupational therapy, the first to be offered in Israel, was opened in 1990 under the Department of Medical Sciences and aims to train professional leadership in this discipline. Students of the graduate program will gain depth and breadth of knowledge in occupational therapy theory and occupational science, including their ability of evidence-based clinical reasoning. To gain a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy, students may choose one of two tracks, the research track or the non-research track (applied). In both tracks students commit to two years of intensive studies of occupational therapy and occupational science. However, it is possible to study on day a week each year.
Students in the research track are also required to conduct research and write a thesis. The track is also available to students with an undergraduate degree in related disciplines. The non-research track is only available to students with an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy. In the non-research track, students are encouraged undertake an applied project which is relevant to their clinical work. Both tracks allow students to explore areas such as neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as physical, mental and cognitive rehabilitation. Graduate degree students also learn to translate research into clinical practice and to evaluate research-based evidence as a basis for occupational therapy interventions.
The School of Occupational Therapy graduate program offers specializations in Neuro-developmental disorders and in Disability studies; a joint program with the Faculty of Social Work.

About the program

The thesis track

The research track aims to develop research skills and expertise in occupational therapy interventions in different areas, by providing knowledge and skills in asking research questions, as well as planning and to conducting research. This track prepares its graduates to conduct research in clinical settings. Moreover, it is a basic requirement for Doctoral studies that may lead to an academic career. The research track is open to candidates with a bachelor's degree in the health or education fields (additional completions courses may be required). However, for these candidates, the Master's degree in occupational therapy does not allow them to work as occupational therapists. This track is an intensive two-year program in the areas of occupational therapy and occupational science. Students in this track complete 40 credits, of which 32 credits are courses and 8 credits are the Master thesis. And are required to conduct research and write a thesis and pass an oral final examination.

​The non-thesis track

The non- research (practical) track aims to train occupational therapists for professional leadership as well as management and supervisory roles. Additionally, it aims to development evidence-based clinical reasoning and intervention. Many graduated of this track are currently holding management positions. This tack is open only to candidates who have a B.O.T degree in occupational therapy. This track is an intensive two-year program in the areas of occupational therapy and occupational science. Additionally, students are invited to develop a clinical project. Students in this program complete 40 credits and are required to pass an oral final examination.

Specialization in Neuro-developmental disorders – new

As part of the two master's degree tracks (research and non-research), we are opening a new specialization in neuro-developmental disorders. This specialization aims to train occupational therapists to conduct research and lead teams in clinical work with individuals with neuro-developmental disorders. The specialization will provide students with theoretical, research and practical knowledge concerning this population (Learning disorders, attention deficit disorder, SPD, ASD and DCD). It is important to note that this program does not include clinical training hours, but will expand the clinical evidence-based practice of its graduates through case-based learning and will enhance the knowledge about evaluation and intervention tools.

Specialization Program Goals

The goal of the specialization program is to educate occupational therapists in the evaluation and treatment of individuals with neuro-developmental disorders (NDD), as well as to provide the trainees with the tools to perform research and to lead clinical teams caring for these individuals. The program will provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge about the common NDDs (Learning disorders, attention deficit disorder, SPD, ASD and DCD). It is important to note that this program does not include clinical training, but will expand the evidence-based clinical thinking skills of the students through discussions and practice of case-based learning of individuals with varied NDD.

Eligibility

The specialization is intended for occupational therapists with a Bachelor’s degree, who are interested in pursuing a Master’s degree with a focus of NDD, in either a Research track or a Non-research track.

Specialization program structure and duration

The specialization program in NDD is part of the existing Master’s degree program in occupational therapy, Faculty of Medicine, the Hebrew University. Students in this program will be required to meet the requirements of the Master’s degree (according to their track). Additionally, they will be required to take two compulsory courses (2 credits each) as well as 10 additional credits of designated courses of the specialization (see list below). The study duration of the Master's program is two years (usually one day a week).
An example of designated courses in the program
  • Introduction to NDD
  • Introduction to language (LD) and motor (DCD) disorders throughout life
  • Evaluation and intervention among population with writing and typing difficulties
  • Autism
  • Sensory regulation Impairments: theory, diagnosis and evaluation in occupational therapy
  • Cognitive functional intervention - CogFun in occupational therapy for children with ADHD
  • Advanced seminar about cognitive mechanisms
  • Health promotion
  • Remote rehabilitation
  • Study-cases of NDD

Promoting Functioning and Health for Older Adults - A new specialization program

A new specialization program will open in the upcoming academic year 2022-23, as part of the Occupational Therapy MScOT research track. The goal of the specialization program is to train excellent occupational therapists in research, clinical practice and leadership in promoting functioning and health for older adults. The specialization will provide its graduates with theoretical foundations, research and implementation tools for clinical practice, as well as tools for engaging in entrepreneurship and innovation in the area of health and aging.

Specialization Program Goals

The overarching goal of this specialization is to train excellent occupational therapists for research, clinical practice and promotion of functioning and health for older adults. The vision is that graduates will be change agents and activists with a significant impact on functioning and health of older adults. The specialization will facilitate their role as leaders in health and social services, in supervising and training health professionals, family and formal caregivers, as well as in health, social and technological innovation projects for promoting functioning and health in older adults.

Eligibility

The program is offered to occupational therapists with a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy who are interested in the Research track (with an average 89 and above in the BOT) or Non-research track (with an average 85 and above in the BOT), who are interested and committed to the agenda of the program and can invest at least two days a week.
Students in the Research track will receive a scholarship to support their studies, and will be exempt from tuition.

Specialization program structure and duration

The specialty program is part of the existing Master’s program in occupational therapy. The students in the specialty track will be required to meet the general prerequisites for the master’s program (according to their track), as well as unique courses for the specialization (16 credits in sum). Students are required to attend their studies on campus 2 days a week for the duration of 2 years.
Core courses of the specialization
Course Course name Lecturer Credits
99881 Bio-psycho-social aspects of functioning and health in older adults Prof Adina Maeir 4
99882 Occupation and health in older adults: Case based learning Dr. Aviva Beit-Yossef 4
99883 Geriatric case management Dr. Yifaa Arbel 2
99884 Social and technological entrepreneurship and innovation to promote functioning and health in older adults Prof. Mor Nahum 6
In addition
Students in the Research track are required to write a research thesis related to the older population.
Students in the Non-research track are required to take 10 additional elective credits to fulfill the 40-credits requirement for completing the Masters in Occupational Therapy.

Disability, rehabilitation, and mental health

The specialization in disability, rehabilitation, and mental health is an interdisciplinary program offered by the Faculty of Social Work and Social Welfare and the schools of occupational therapy and medicine (Faculty of Medicine). This specialization applies an integrative approach, which emphasizes the theoretical and practical link that binds welfare policy, social, medical, and functional considerations, and teaches how these considerations can be applied in intervention, therapy, and rehabilitation of people with disabilities and their families. This interdisciplinary collaboration allows us to develop a broad multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation the needs of people with disabilities and to the development of appropriate solutions to their needs. This specialization is offered to graduate students of the Faculty of Social Work and Social Welfare and of the School of Occupational Therapy.
It is offered to students in both the thesis track and the non-thesis track. The study hours circumference for students who choose a specialization is the same as that of the track in which they study.

​Course catalog

​Program courses are listed in the Hebrew University Course Catalog

​Terms of admission

​Terms of admission to the School of Occupational Therapy's graduate program in the thesis track:
  1. Bachelor degree from the Hebrew University or another recognized university in occupational therapy or a related discipline.
  2. Final average grade of at least 89 in your bachelor degree.
  3. Interview
​Terms of admission to the School of Occupational Therapy's postgraduate program in the non-thesis track:
  1. Bachelor degree in occupational therapy from the Hebrew University or another university
  2. Final average grade of at least 85 in your bachelor degree
  3. Interview

​Scholarship information

​Information about scholarships is available on the Hebrew University scholarship website

​Registration

​After registration on the Hebrew University's website, there is an additional registration procedure on the website of the School of Occupational Therapy. Please write to nitzans@savion.huji.ac.il to confirm that your registration information has been received.

​Faculty and administration

​Prof. Naomi Weintraub, Head of the School of Occupational Therapy and Chair of the Graduate Program
Ms. Keren Ivgi, Administrative Director
​Ms. Nitzan Steinberg, Office of Student Affairs and Administration
​Ms. Revital Weinbard, Office of Teaching Affairs

​Contact

​Ms. Keren Ivgi
​ kereniv@savion.huji.ac.il
​tel.: 02-5881008
​Ms. Nitzan Steinberg
​ nitzans@savion.huji.ac.il
​tel.: 02-5880294
​Ms. Revital Weinbard
​ revitalw@savion.huji.ac.il
​tel.: 02-5880286
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