The 11-month Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Occupational Therapy Track is the ideal undergraduate pathway for pursuing a graduate degree and career in Occupational Therapy. By incorporating 36-39 seminary credits at no additional cost, this degree can be completed in just one year and the student will be well prepared to apply for a graduate program in occupational therapy.
The degree, a traditional BA in Psychology, also incorporates all OT prerequisites required for application into Sara Schenirer’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program.
This degree is offered through The University of Mount St. Vincent (UMSV) and St. Peter’s University (SPU).
Your ideal college choice depends on a number of factors including location, financial aid eligibility, and your preference for online or in-person classes.
- New York Residents: UMSV is the ideal option as potential financial aid benefits for NYS residents are greatest when attending a NYS college.
- New Jersey Residents: SPU is the ideal option as potential financial aid and scholarship benefits for NJ residents are very substantial and can significantly reduce the cost of the program.
- Students who reside outside of NY/NJ and/or require an online program must choose UMSV, as this program is available fully online only through UMSV. The SPU program requires in-class attendance in Lakewood on Sundays.
Partner college(s):
Program Location(s):
- Live Online
- Boro Park
- Crown Heights
- Five Towns
- Lakewood
- Monsey
- Passaic
FAQ
The 11-month Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Occupational Therapy Track is the ideal undergraduate pathway for pursuing a graduate degree and career in Occupational Therapy. By incorporating 36-39 seminary credits at no additional cost, this degree can be completed in just one year and the student will be well prepared to apply for a graduate program in occupational therapy.
The degree, a traditional BA in Psychology, also incorporates all OT prerequisites required for application into Sara Schenirer’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program.
We are proud to have partnered with two exceptional colleges to offer this degree:
- The University of Mount Saint Vincent (UMSV) is a highly ranked university in NYS, featuring an outstanding undergraduate Psychology department. Among the five oldest universities in New York City, UMSV offers more than 70 nationally recognized programs, including a full array of majors and minors in the sciences and mathematics, the humanities, arts, and social sciences, and professional preparation in accounting, business, communication, education, and nursing.
This program is for NYS residents and online students.
- St. Peter’s University (SPU) is a highly ranked university in NJ, featuring an outstanding Psychology department under the leadership of Maryellen Hamilton, Professor and Chair of Psychology. Founded in 1872, the university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 2,600 undergraduate and 800 graduate students. US News and World Report ranked St. Peter’s among the Top 100 “Best Regional Universities in the North,” and Money Magazine ranked St. Peter’s and the “Most Transformative School” in the state of New Jersey.
This program is for NJ residents only.
Both institutions are regionally accredited, which means that their degrees are accepted by graduate programs nationwide. Students have used the bachelor’s degree earned at UMSV and SPU for admittance into master’s programs in a wide variety of colleges. For specific information about UMSV’s accreditation, please see here; for SPU’s, please see here.
All common occupational therapy prerequisite courses are included in this degree at no additional cost.
The degree, a BA in Psychology, is extremely versatile and can be used to apply for a wide range of graduate degrees. By satisfying all OT prerequisites within the program, graduates are prepared to apply for the Occupational Therapy program upon graduation but are not limited to that program. Students have successfully used this degree to gain entry into graduate programs in Education and Special Education, Social Work, Law, ABA, Mental Health Counseling, and more.
Assuming you don’t have a clear preference, this is an ideal program to help a student determine her ideal graduate pathway. Through the course of the program, students are exposed to professionals in the OT field and have the opportunity to observe and speak with them and learn more about the profession. This enables students to make a clear-headed decision when the time comes for application to graduate school.
UMSV and SPU pride themselves on offering superior education along with outstanding student support in a culturally sensitive environment. They are understanding of the unique requirements and religious sensitivities of the students recruited by Sara Schenirer and have worked diligently to accommodate our requests to ensure an environment suitable for Bais Yaakov graduates.
For students and parents alike, the world of college and degrees can be confusing, costly, and difficult to navigate. We pride ourselves on the high-quality educational institutions we partner with, all of whom offer an accredited degree, uncompromised environment, and first-rate faculty. Most of all, we provide exceptional warmth and support to every single UMSV and SPU student at Sara Schenirer. We work diligently to offer personal guidance to each student and help ensure their success and timely graduation.
Although the program is rigorous, students are encouraged to obtain employment during the course of their undergraduate studies, and the schedule is tailored to allow for that. Students seeking to pursue a career in the field of medicine are strongly encouraged to seek employment in a social work setting so they can gain firsthand experience and learn about the field in an authentic manner. This will greatly enhance their resume as they apply to graduate programs in their chosen field as well.
- High School Transcript (minimum 3.0 GPA)
- A 3-credit Psychology prerequisite and Biology/ Introduction to Life Processes are required for acceptance into the program, which must be completed prior to the start of the semester. Your coordinator will notify you about how to earn these credits at your interview (if applicable).
The Office of the Registrar at UMSV and SPU grant transfer credits to students who have completed courses at accredited institutions and have provided their official transcripts for evaluation. The Registrar evaluates and accepts only credits that apply to the student’s program of study and reflect a final grade of ‘C’ or above. Accepted credits are applied to the student’s record, reflected on their academic planner, but not calculated into their college GPA. A transfer credit planner will also be shared with the student’s advisor to assist with schedule creation and developing a graduation plan.
We have locations in Boro Park, Crown Heights, Five Towns, Lakewood, Monsey, and Passaic. Students can also take this degree through our entirely online program, Sara Schenirer Anywhere.
- Live-Online – Two classes on Sunday and one/ two weeknights each week (EST)
- NY/ NJ – Two classes in person on Sunday and one/ two Live-Online weeknight classes
Absolutely. However, St. Peter’s University is a NJ-based institution. Therefore, NJ residents who are eligible for financial assistance will receive significantly larger scholarships through SPU than UMSV, which is a NY-based institution. NJ residents who are not eligible for financial aid will also automatically receive a special tuition discount through SPU that is unavailable through UMSV.
• An affordable degree program
• In-class learning with an online component
• Highly personalized student mentoring
• Generous transfer credit program
• Student-friendly Bais Yaakov environment
• Exemplary education with outstanding instructors
The full cost of the degree is between $17,000-21,000. This covers the cost of college courses ($15,000-$19,000) and required exams ($2,000). Students who are eligible for financial aid (FAFSA) may receive scholarships to cover the full cost of the college courses. Your final cost will depend on whether the degree is taken through The University of Mount St. Vincent (UMSV) or St. Peter’s University (SPU).
Eligible students can receive financial aid for the portion of the degree taken through UMSV or SPU.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be completed online at this link. SPU students must submit the FAFSA, and UMSV students are strongly encouraged to do so as well. Be sure to complete the correct year’s application.
University of Mount St. Vincent
UMSV’s FAFSA school code is 002703.
For New York State residents only:
The TAP application is available approximately one week after the FAFSA is submitted at this link.
UMSV’s TAP code is 0130.
St. Peter’s University
SPU’s FAFSA school code is 002638.
Students should write “Title IV Code 002638 Saint Peter’s University, 2641 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ” in the appropriate section of the FAFSA.
For New Jersey State residents only:
Your FAFSA information will be sent to HESAA to determine TAG eligibility. HESAA (NJFAMS) will send an email prompting you to create an account to access the TAG information.
Please note: The listed tuition costs are accurate as of the time of writing, but are not guaranteed. Please ask our advisor for updated pricing.
In most cases, students can continue their education through our online program. Relocating to Eretz Yisroel requires separate arrangements which will need to be coordinated on an individual basis. Additionally, since UMSV and SPU are fully accredited colleges, credits can be transferred to colleges and universities worldwide enabling students to complete their degrees elsewhere should they choose.
To request an application, please submit this form.
When completing the application, you will also be requested to supply:
- High School Transcript (minimum 3.0 GPA)
- Personal Statement
- Two References
- Personal Photograph
- Non-refundable Application Fee
Even if you do not have these available at the time of application, we recommend submitting your application immediately and submitting the requested documents as they become available.
Once your application is submitted with all the required documents, an interview will be scheduled to continue the admissions process.
Please note: A 3-credit Psychology prerequisite and Biology/ Introduction to Life Processes are required for acceptance into the program, which must be completed prior to the start of the semester. Your coordinator will notify you about how to earn these credits at your interview (if applicable).
Course Listing
Abnormal Psychology*
Anatomy & Physiology I*
Anatomy & Physiology II*
Chemistry (w/ Lab)
Cognitive Psychology
General Biology I (w/ Lab)*
Interviewing and Counseling
Introduction to Psychology II
Microbiology
Psychological Statistics*
Psychology Capstone
Research Methods I
Social Psychology
Writing in Context I
Writing in Context II
*O.T. prerequisite
