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Graduate program in Mérida, Mexico

Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy with a clinical focus

Would you like to keep studying and help other people regain their skills? Study in a hybrid format at the only institution in southeastern Mexico offering occupational therapy at the graduate level.

Request information Download the curriculum (Spanish)
  • Federal RVOE 20263623
  • 6 terms
  • Hybrid format
Master’s graduates show their diplomas in INTSA’s sensory integration room
Excellence in education,excellence in practice

What makes INTSA different

Preparing the future masters of occupational therapy

Our educators hold master’s and doctoral degrees related to the programs we offer.

Professionals

Professors and clinicians from Mexico and the United States.

Facilities

Equipped classrooms; pediatric, geriatric, adult and daily living labs; a library and a computer room.

Fieldwork

Hands-on experience in mental health, pediatrics, adults and geriatrics.

International outlook

National and international standards so you can aim for the NBCOT exam.

An occupational therapy class in an INTSA classroom
Students practice fine motor activities with an adult patient

The program at a glance

The essentials before you enroll

Length, format, platforms and faculty: what people ask most when they want to study occupational therapy in Mérida.

Length

6 four-month terms

Format

Hybrid

Live online classes + 6 on-site labs.

Platforms

Moodle, Canvas, Simucase, EBSCO, Medbridge

Faculty

Master’s and doctoral degrees

Faculty from Mexico and the United States.

A student attends a live online class from home, with an anatomical hand model next to his notebook

Hybrid format

Study online, practice in Mérida

Classes are live online sessions with your professors; on-site labs give you hands-on practice with patients, materials and supervision.

  • Live online classes with faculty from Mexico and the United States.
  • 6 on-site labs in Mérida, Yucatán.
  • Moodle, Canvas, Simucase, EBSCO and Medbridge platforms.
  • If you live outside Mérida, the online format lets you continue your studies.

Objective and curriculum design

Excellence in education, excellence in practice

We train therapists who can design and implement rehabilitation projects and generate new knowledge through research.

Objective

To train occupational therapy professionals with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to design, organize and implement rehabilitation, compensation and adaptation projects, and to venture into research to generate new knowledge.

Curriculum design

The program was designed under the standards of Mexico’s Interinstitutional Commission for the Training of Human Resources for Health (CIFRHS) and national and international educational standards. This allows our graduates to aspire to take the U.S. national certification exam in Occupational Therapy, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Curriculum

Six terms, from the foundations to clinical practice

Choose a term to see its courses. From the third term on you add fieldwork in mental health, pediatrics, adults and geriatrics.

01of 6 terms

  • Theory and clinical practiceOccupational therapy and occupational sciences
  • Theory and clinical practiceTherapeutic use of occupations and group dynamics
  • Theory and clinical practiceClinical neuroscience
Download the curriculum (Spanish)

Applicant profile

What you need to get started

Beyond a solid foundation in health sciences, we look for applicants with a calling to serve and a willingness to work closely and compassionately with patients.

Knowledge

  • Basic health sciences (anatomy, physiology, neuroscience)
  • Foundations of psychology and human development
  • Research methodology and basic biostatistics
  • English (reading comprehension of scientific literature)
  • Basic information technology skills

Applicants without a background in health sciences must take and pass a preparatory course.

Values

  • Deep respect for the life and dignity of every human being
  • A calling to serve and generosity
  • Honesty, respect and responsibility
  • Ethical commitment and confidentiality
  • Intercultural sensitivity and respect for diversity

Attitudes

  • Willingness for direct, therapeutic physical contact with patients
  • Sensitivity toward physical, psychosocial and cognitive disability
  • Interest in the community, initiative and a spirit of service
  • Full-time availability for clinical training
  • Openness to lifelong learning and feedback
  • Resilience and stress management in clinical settings

Skills

  • Self-learning, critical thinking and evidence-based practice
  • Group, collaborative and interprofessional work
  • Interpersonal relationships that require therapeutic physical contact
  • Clear, professional oral and written communication
  • Clinical reasoning and problem solving
  • Observation and analysis of occupational performance

Graduate profile

Skills, knowledge and attitudes at graduation

When you finish, you will be ready to promote the independence and quality of life of your clients, their families and your community.

When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.

Eleanor Brown

  1. Theory and philosophy

    Graduates master and apply theoretical and philosophical concepts about the occupational nature of human beings.

  2. Occupation as the cornerstone

    Their knowledge of the biological and social sciences, together with the use of occupation, allows them to promote the independence and quality of life of their clients and families, their community and society.

  3. Leadership and inclusion

    They use their skills, values, flexibility and leadership to promote health, foster inclusion and advance occupational justice.

  4. Research

    They generate new knowledge, grounded in research and evidence-based practice, to advance the profession.

Admissions

Steps to enroll in the master’s program

To be accepted, you complete a series of steps that show your strengths and your commitment to the profession. The steps depend on your academic background.

Background in health sciences

  1. Fill out the application form
  2. Write a letter of intent (free format)
  3. Send your scanned documents
  4. Take and pass the entrance exam

Background in other fields

  1. Fill out the application form
  2. Write a letter of intent (free format)
  3. Send your scanned documents
  4. Take and pass the preparatory course
  5. Take and pass the entrance exam

Important

Your path to practicing in the United States

If you want to practice in the U.S., there are additional requirements you must meet. We’ll guide you through them.

  1. Finish the master’s

    Complete INTSA’s academic program.

  2. Six months of clinical practice

    Complete and pass Level II Fieldwork: six months of practice supervised by a U.S.-licensed OT.

    Note: during this period you remain an INTSA student, with all the corresponding obligations.

  3. NBCOT exam

    Request authorization to take the national occupational therapy certification exam.

  4. State license

    If you pass the exam, you can apply for a license in the state where you want to practice.

Note: Instituto Interamericano de la Salud does not guarantee that your application will be accepted or that you will pass the national occupational therapy exam.

Our graduates

Graduates already adding life to days

Real photos of our classes: graduations, diploma ceremonies and fieldwork. Tap one to enlarge it.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about the program

If you don’t find your answer here, message us on WhatsApp.

What is the format of the Master’s in Occupational Therapy?

It’s hybrid: live (synchronous) online classes plus 6 on-site labs in Mérida. We work with platforms such as Moodle, Canvas, Simucase, EBSCO and Medbridge.

How long is the program?

Six four-month terms. They combine evaluation and treatment courses, evidence-based practice, clinical research and, from the third term on, fieldwork.

What do I need to be admitted?

If your background is in health sciences: fill out the application, write a free-format letter of intent, send your scanned documents and take and pass the entrance exam. If your background is in another field, you also take and pass a preparatory course before the exam.

Do I need to know English?

Yes. You need to be able to read scientific literature in English, and you need a background in health sciences.

Is the degree officially recognized?

Yes. It holds federal official recognition of studies (RVOE), number 20263623.

Can I practice as an occupational therapist in the United States?

If you meet the NBCOT’s additional mandatory requirements, you will be able to practice in the U.S.

Do you also offer a bachelor’s degree?

Yes, the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychopedagogy: eight four-month terms plus a thesis seminar, taught on campus.

Where are you located?

At Calle 61 No. 442 x 50 & 52, Centro, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. Call or message us on WhatsApp at +52 (999) 368 2814.

It’s time to begin your journey

Message us on WhatsApp See all contact details

Opening soon

INTSA opens its doors on January 11, 2027

We invite you to join the second cohort of our Master’s in Occupational Therapy. Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll send you information.

Request information