Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Take your first step into one of the most in-demand professions in America.
*Wage and job growth based on Statistics from Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Cox College’s OT Program Closure
Recently, The Alliance for Healthcare Education was announced. This innovative collaboration between CoxHealth, Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC), Missouri State University (MSU), and Springfield Public Schools (SPS) is dedicated to serving the health care education needs of the Southwest Missouri region.
Cox College and CoxHealth remain fully invested and committed to maintaining the standard of excellence that is the legacy of Cox College during this teach out time for our enrolled students. Faculty continuity, existing resources, fieldwork/fieldtrip experiences, and student services will be completely maintained throughout the Cox College teach out process, ensuring a seamless experience for all Cox College students.
With the formation of the Alliance, Cox College will no longer be accepting occupational therapy students and will close after these students have progressed according to their intended plan of study/degree program with anticipated graduation of May, 2027.
About Our MSOT Program:
When development or injury has negatively affected someone’s world, occupational therapists help people return to meaningful activities that support the highest quality of life.
Our Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program uses a multimodal approach to curriculum delivery, equipping you to succeed in diverse healthcare environments. We also encourage reflective practice to promote critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
The best occupational therapists often have excellent interpersonal skills and strong interests or backgrounds in psychology/social sciences, athletic performance/movement, anatomy, and neuroscience. That’s why our program emphasizes these proficiencies to help train you as a leader in your field.
Cox College's MSOT program is unique because we only require 72 undergraduate credit hours to start the program! This will save you almost an entire year's worth of time and money. If you are looking for an accelerated path to health care, our MSOT program is a great option!
Vision
Department of Occupational Therapy at Cox College: To be the best for those who need us.
Mission
The mission of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Cox College is to create evidenced-based practitioners who are client-centered, occupation-driven, and clinically competent. We achieve this mission by:
- Utilizing a multi-modal curriculum that promotes knowledge translation, resulting in therapists equipped to meet the needs of diverse populations. (KNOWING)
- Encouraging professional identity development through hands-on practice and reflection to develop critical thinking and advance clinical reasoning, resulting in effective problem solving skills. (DOING)
- Advancing the profession of occupational therapy through innovation, evidence-based practice, and scholarly contributions. (ADVANCING)
Committing to life-long learning through professional development, service, and inter-disciplinary collaboration in order to improve the health of the communities we serve. (LEADING)
Your MSOT Experience:
Year One
You will be busy your first year, diving into a variety of compelling topics—kinesiology, occupational therapy foundations, human occupation, neuroscience, innovation strategies, research, and more!
Year Two
Take a deep breath, because the second year will build on your first-year foundation of skills to develop you into the well-rounded occupational therapist you’re destined to be. While spending extensive time in the field and clinical placement, you will also learn to critically appraise evidence to determine the best course of treatment for your patient.
Real-Life Experience
Part of your training will include participating in simulations OTs face every day, preparing you to be a highly trained professional who can adapt to multiple contexts. By blending book work with real-life experience, you will be ready to graduate and ace your licensure exam.
"I’m so grateful for the Cox College MSOT faculty. They truly went above and beyond to support me throughout the program and at the start of my career."
Katie Colford Greenwood, MSOT ‘18
Admission Requirements
The application deadline for Fall admission is July 1. The application process, prerequisite courses, and other admission requirements are listed in the MSOT checklist.
MSOT applicants must complete two different online applications:
Cost Breakdown of MSOT program
A detailed breakdown of the MSOT program costs can be found here.
The Occupational Therapy skills kits and fees breakdown can be found here.
Tuition and fees are evaluated each year and based on operating costs of providing quality programs. Costs are subject to change at the discretion of Cox College.
Graduation Rates for the Cox College MSOT Program
|
CCMSOT Cohort |
Graduation Year |
Students Entering/ Graduating |
Graduation Percentage |
|
1 |
2017 |
22/20 |
91% |
|
2 |
2018 |
26/26 |
100% |
|
3 |
2019 |
26/25 |
96% |
|
4 |
2020 |
28/28 |
100% |
|
5 |
2021 |
30/30 |
100% |
|
6 |
2022 |
29/26 |
90% |
|
7 |
2023 |
24/22 |
92% |
|
8 |
2024 |
20/TBA |
TBA |
|
9 |
2025 |
22/TBA |
TBA |
|
Total Program Rates |
185/ 177 |
96% |
Amy Stark, OTD, OTR/L, BCP
Department Chair, Professor
Amy Stark, OTD, OTR/L, BCP is a Professor and the Occupational Therapy Department Chair at Cox College. Dr. Stark began practicing occupational therapy in 1998. She joined the Cox College faculty as a professor in 2015 and became Department Chair in 2017. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas occupational therapy program and of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions occupational therapy post-professional doctoral program. Her doctoral emphasis focused on occupational therapy education delivery as well as community programming that promotes physical engagement and social participation for children with autism and sensory processing difficulties. She became Board Certified in Pediatrics through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in 2009. She has helped develop multi-disciplinary teams in hospital-based and out-patient community settings as well as school-based settings. Dr. Stark has been recognized by the Springfield Business Journal for both their 40 Under 40 Award and their 20 Most Influential Women in Southwest Missouri Award. She served as the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association State President (2018-2022). She is passionate about excellence in service delivery and client-centered care and seeks to foster positivity, leadership, and professional identity development in the students, faculty, and OT practitioners she serves.
April Swanson, OTD, OTR/L
OTD Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Professor
April Swanson, OTD, OTR/L is the OTD Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Professor for the Occupational Therapy Department at Cox College. She is instrumental in the administrative duties of the program and community outreach. Dr. Swanson began practicing occupational therapy in 2001. She joined the Cox College faculty in 2014. She serves as the faculty advisor to the active Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) at Cox College. Dr. Swanson is a graduate of the University of Missouri- Columbia occupational therapy program and of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions occupational therapy doctoral program. Her doctoral capstone “Creating Walking Environments for the Aging Population” combined two of her skilled practice areas: how the built environment influences occupation and aging in place. Dr. Swanson continues to stay clinically connected through consultation services and acute care fieldwork experiences. Among her many roles, Dr. Swanson serves as the President for the Fieldwork Alliance of the Ozarks, member of the board of directors for Empower: Abilities, and member of the Community Partnership of the Ozarks Community Collaborative HOME team focusing on universal design and inclusive housing. Dr. Swanson leads students in community service activities, campus events, and strives to foster self-reflection, creativity, and professionalism in the students she serves.
Jamie Bergner, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, COMT
OTD Capstone Coordinator, Professor
Jamie Bergner, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, COMT is the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator and Professor for the Occupational Therapy Department at Cox College (since 2019).
Dr. Bergner is passionate about the future of OT and has a long-established career of pushing boundaries of clinical practice patterns, education, mentorship, clinician-led research, and student capstone projects. She obtained her post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy with an elective track in academic education from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2016. Dr. Bergner has practiced as an OT in many different practice areas, but currently specializes in complex traumatic injuries of the upper extremity. She is a certified hand therapist, certified orthopedic manual therapist, and clinically practices at Vanderbilt University Medical Center near her home in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Dr. Bergner is involved with OT education and research on multiple levels. She co-directs the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine – US Hand and Upper Extremity Track, serves as the AOTA consultant, and teaches live continuing education courses nationally. She is an instructor with MedBridge developing continuing education courses published online. As a hand specialist consultant for EndoEvolve, a company that is developing adaptive surgical equipment, Dr. Bergner is working to improve inclusivity and ergonomics for endoscopists and gastroenterologists to prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Since 2019, Dr. Bergner has had the pleasure of serving as an NBCOT volunteer invited to serve on three different development teams. She serves as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Hand Therapy and the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy. Dr. Bergner has presented at numerous conferences and was the recipient of the 2021 Best Scientific Paper Award for the American Society of Hand Therapists Annual Meeting.
Elizabeth Newport, OTD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor
Elizabeth.Newport@coxcollege.edu
Elizabeth Newport, OTD, OTR/L is a faculty member for the Occupational Therapy Department at Cox College. Dr. Newport earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from College of the Ozarks. She was a 2017 graduate of the inaugural Master of Science in Occupational Therapy class at Cox College. She went on to earn her Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Baylor University. Her doctoral capstone focused on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on occupational therapy practitioners who work in acute care. Dr. Newport’s clinical experience includes working with clients across the lifespan in the acute care setting, specifically in the areas of orthopedic trauma and cardiovascular intensive care. Dr. Newport’s research interests include functional cognition, advocacy, interdisciplinary education, and occupational burnout.
Carrie Miller, OTR/L
Assistant Professor & Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Carrie Miller, OTR/L is the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Assistant Professor for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at Cox College. In addition to fieldwork coordination and teaching responsibilities, she serves as faculty sponsor for the Student Occupational Therapy Association at Cox College. As a 2019 graduate of the Cox College OT program, professor Miller has strong connectedness to the Cox College department of Occupational Therapy and is the first graduate to join faculty full time. Professor Miller has a variety of clinical experience with both adults and children. In the inpatient rehabilitation setting she has treated individuals impacted by neurological events such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and spinal cord injuries as well as cardiac and pulmonary related diseases. Her work as a pediatric occupational therapist has primarily been school based providing individual and group treatment to school aged children. Professor Miller is actively involved in the community, specifically with organizations that work to promote health and wellness for the children and youth of the Ozarks.
Libbianna Jones, OTR/L, ASDCS
Assistant Professor
Libbianna.Jones2@coxcollege.edu
Libbianna Jones OTR/L, ASDCS is a native of Ozark, MO and still resides there today with her two boys and her husband, Matt. Libbi is a graduate of Ozark’s Technical Community College in their Occupational Therapy Assistant program in 2015. After she graduated she began her clinical practice in Harrison, Arkansas working in skilled nursing facilities and independent contract in pediatric practice. She then transitioned to school based practice and decided to pursue her Master’s degree at Cox College. She graduated with her Masters in Science of Occupational Therapy in 2019. Since then she has practiced in the acute care hospital setting and has focused on an emerging practice in pediatric primary care here locally. Her research interest are pediatrics, emerging practices, and autism. Libbi is an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist and is currently going back to school to receive her post professional doctorate and a graduate certificate in healthcare ethics from the University of Missouri. She is so excited to back teaching for Cox College and is looking forward to the innovation and collaboration with the community and students.
Anna B. Harris, OTD, OTR/L
Professor
Anna B. Harris, OTD, OTR/L is a Professor for the Occupational Therapy Department at Cox College for the MSOT and OTD programs.
Dr. Harris began practicing occupational therapy in 2005 and has experience in various settings including home health, in-patient rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and community outreach. She is a graduate of the Rockhurst University Master of Occupational Therapy Program and the University of Kansas Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program. Her career in academia began in 2019 as an Assistant Professor with the University of Arkansas|University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program which she assisted in developing.
Dr. Harris has extensive experience in neurorehabilitation and geriatrics. She has aided in the development and provision of clinical education courses in neurorehabilitation for healthcare providers on a national level and is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS). Dr. Harris has published and presented on various aspects of dementia care and partners with the Alzheimer’s Association to conduct a monthly support group for caregivers of individuals with dementia. She is currently practicing as an occupational therapist with PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Elderly Care) of the Ozarks. Dr. Harris is passionate about occupational therapy and thrilled to have a role in educating future clinicians.
Meagan Cummins, OTL/R
Assistant Professor
Meagan Cummins (formally Meagan Green) joined the faculty at Cox College as an adjunct professor in 2019 and recently transitioned to an assistant professor. Before Cox College, she completed an AA degree at Ozarks Technical Community College, then transferred to Missouri State University where she completed a BS degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Meagan is a 2018 graduate of the Cox College MSOT program and is currently seeking her post professional doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy and a graduate certificate in College Education at The University of Missouri. Meagan has worked for Cox Health going on 9 years, in various positions from a secretary at a walk-in clinic, an acute care therapy tech, an occupational therapist at the rural hospital and to currently an occupational therapist at Cox South. Her interest include geriatrics, upper extremity rehab, and pathology.
Bailey Forster, OTD, OTL/R
Associate Professor
Bailey Baucum, OTD, OTR/L is an associate professor for the Occupational Therapy Department at Cox College. Dr. Baucum began practicing in occupational therapy in 2019. She joined Cox College faculty in the summer of 2024. Dr. Baucum is a three-time graduate from the University of Missouri—Columbia. She first earned her bachelor's in health sciences in 2017 and her master's in occupational therapy in 2019. Dr. Baucum then became the first graduate of the University of Missouri’s post-professional doctoral program. During her post-professional career, she earned a graduate certificate in organizational change and conflict management. Dr. Baucum’s doctoral capstone focused on fieldwork educators’ perspectives on Level II occupational therapy students in acute care. Her primary areas of practice and teaching include acute care, oncology, and documentation.
Jacque Sample, OTD, MEd, OTL/R
Associate Professor
Jacque Sample, DrOT, M.Ed., OTR/L, has been practicing in occupational therapy since graduating from the University of Missouri in 1998. She advanced her education by earning a Masters of Special Education with an Emphasis in Autism from the University of Missouri in 2009, followed by a post-professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) from Nova Southeastern University in 2016. Dr. Sample's doctoral work focused on the role of occupational therapy in post-secondary transition services for students with autism. Dr. Sample has practiced in forensic mental health, long-term adult rehabilitation, and acute orthopedics but has specialized in pediatrics for most of her career. Dr. Sample has held multiple leadership roles within the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA) and will complete her final term as President in 2026. Dr. Sample is passionate about policy and advocacy, founding MOTA's Annual Hill Day event that will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025. Dr. Sample has partnered with legislators to develop policy, advocated for and assisted in passing private insurance expansion to include children with developmental delays, and worked with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to re-write the OT/PT Guidelines for School-Based Practice in Missouri. Dr. Sample resides in Columbia, MO, with her husband, two boys, and two dogs.
Anderston St. Germain, OTD, MS, OTR/L
Associate Professor
Anderston.StGermain@coxcollege.edu
Dr. St. Germain received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Biology from Concordia College, MN USA. From 1999 to 2005, he worked in an inpatient pediatric psychiatric mental health facility. Dr. St. Germain attained his MS, OT degree from Florida International University in 2005. He has clinical experience working in multiple settings including mental healthcare, physical dysfunction, skilled nursing care, and outpatient care.
Dr. St. Germain has been teaching full time at the university level since 2014 facilitating several courses such as Kinesiology, physical dysfunction, neurology, and mental health. Dr. St. Germain later earned his OTD from Chatham University in 2017. For his thesis, he developed an on-grounds preparatory course to improve certification exam pass rates for graduates of an OTA program.
Currently, Dr. St. Germain lives in Plantation, FL with his wife and two sons.
Accreditation
The Cox College Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s web address is AcoteOnline.org.
Professional Licensure
Successful completion of the program will confer a degree of Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. Graduates of the Cox College MSOT Program will meet all of the educational requirements to be eligible to sit for the national certification examination, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). The NBCOT Program data results can be found here. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination and/ or attain state licensure. Professional licensing varies by state/ territory and it is the program applicant’s/student’s/ graduate’s responsibility to thoroughly research specific licensing requirements in the state they wish to practice. To review state licensure eligibility requirements, go here.
The state professional licensing boards make the ultimate decision as to whether or not an individual will be eligible to sit for licensure based on the rules and regulations in place at the time the individual submits their application for licensure. The Missouri Occupational Therapy Practice Act can be found here.
Cox College occupational therapy graduates are encouraged to register nationally and also apply for state licensure in their home state of practice.
Accreditation
The Cox College Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s web address is AcoteOnline.org. ACOTE’S telephone number, C/O AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA.
Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.