Best Occupational Therapy/Therapist colleges in the U.S. 2024

The educational path to becoming a licensed occupational therapist starts with suitable undergraduate coursework to lay the proper foundation. This generally involves completing a bachelor’s with a major in health sciences, sometimes with a concentration in pre-occupational therapy. 

There are also community college pre-occupational therapy associate programs that prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions. In some cases, after obtaining an associate degree, students may apply for occupational therapy aide or assistant jobs to gain hands-on experience before pressing on with their bachelor’s or Master of Occupational Therapy. 

Typical coursework covers topics such as biology, physiology, and health education. Sample graduate courses may include: 

• Skills and Techniques for Client Care Management

• Occupational Engagement and Theories of Practice

• Clinical Neuroscience

• Human Movement for Occupational Performance

• Wellness and Health Promotion

• Clinical Applications of OT (in various areas of specialization, such as Pediatrics/Adolescence, Adulthood, or Geriatrics)

• Orthotics, Prosthetics and Modalities

An undergraduate Occupational Therapy-related degree should qualify graduates to take the NBCOT’s Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam. A Master of Occupational Therapy degree allows graduates to take the Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) exam. Degrees must be from programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. 

Exam candidates must also pass a brief character review. Once a candidate passes their NBCOT exam and meets any state-specific requirements, they can apply for licensure!

We often associate the word “occupation” with jobs, but occupational therapy refers to restoring patients’ abilities to perform activities which occupy their daily life. Occupational Therapists must hold at least a master’s degree in the field along with state licensure. 

Many start with a Bachelor’s in Healthcare or a related major before starting their Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT). 

After ~24 weeks of supervised fieldwork and graduation from an accredited MOT program, candidates must pass an exam from the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) prior to applying for a license to work. They may advance their knowledge and skills through board/specialty certifications from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Some go on to complete a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) or PhD program.

If you plan to complete a bachelor’s, then an associate degree isn’t needed. However, this degree can get you qualified to start working as an aide or assistant, if that’s your goal. These entry-level positions are useful for gaining practical experience while earning an income. 

An associate degree requires ~60 semester credit hours and may take two years to complete, if going full-time. Part-time attendance may take twice as long. As noted by Linn-Benton Community College, “Successful graduates will be eligible and prepared to sit for the national certification examination and to be employed as entry-level occupational therapy assistants in a variety of practice settings.”

There are different OT-related bachelor’s degree options:

• Pre-professional Bachelor of Pre-Occupational Therapy

• Bachelor of Health Sciences

• Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science

Some students even major in biology or psychology, though they may have to complete a few prerequisite courses before applying for a master’s (if that is their end goal). 

Most bachelor’s degrees typically require ~120 semester credit hours. Full-time students usually complete these degrees in four years though it can take longer depending on circumstances. Part-time students might take seven years or so, but it is important to note if the program has a maximum length of time allowed to finish.  

Note, a bachelor’s will not qualify you to be an occupational therapist; that requires a master’s. However, this degree, along with passing the NBCOT’s Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant exam and obtaining state licensure, may qualify you for better occupational therapist assistant jobs.

The MOT is commonly the last step on the path to becoming an occupational therapist. This degree may take two or three years to finish, if going to school full-time. 

Depending on the school and program, an MOT curriculum will require roughly 21 courses, give or take. These will include fieldwork so students can acquire hands-on practice. Some programs may desire candidates to have already completed a certain number of supervised work or volunteer hours in an OT setting. 

Many schools offer a convenient dual degree path that streamlines the process to allow students to work on their bachelor’s and master’s in an expedited manner, saving time and money!

Although it is possible to work as an OT with a master’s, many people continue their studies to obtain a doctorate. 

That said, there has recently been debate on whether or not a doctoral degree should be the minimum degree for entry. In 2014, the AOTA stated that “the profession should take action to transition toward a doctoral-level single point of entry for occupational therapists, with a target date of 2025.” They later reversed that position. However, it is not impossible that occupational therapy jobs may eventually go the way of physical therapy (which no longer allows for a master’s-level entry into the field). 

A Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree may not be required but it can certainly pave the way for landing jobs with more responsibility and higher salary potential. Per the MGH Institute of Health Professions, “Preparation at the doctoral entry-level goes well beyond that of the entry-level master’s degree. OTD students complete additional preparation in leadership, policy analysis, advocacy, theory, and research, as well as an additional mentored advanced doctoral experience.” 

OTD programs can take almost three years to complete, or longer if seeking advanced specialization certifications. Sample coursework may include: 

• Abnormal Psychology 
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Bioethics 
• General Biology
• Medical Terminology
• Sociocultural Anthropology
• Sociology 
• Statistics 

It’s important to remember that all programs must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Per BLS, all states require occupational therapists and occupational therapist assistants to obtain a license to practice. Apart from educational requirements, the main criteria for licensure is achieving a passing score on the NBCOT’s Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) or Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam, as applicable. Passing this test leads to certification. 

To apply to take the test, candidates send in college transcripts and pay the exam fee, after which NBCOT will send an Authorization to Test letter which allows candidates to schedule their test at a local Prometric test center. The exam takes about 4 hours, not counting time for administrative requirements. 

Within six weeks after the exam, NBCOT mails out scores along with a certificate for those who pass. As noted on their website, “Passing the NBCOT certification exam is different from applying for state licensure. Sending a score report to a state regulatory board does not automatically initiate the process to obtain a license or permit to work in that state.”

Test takers must get in touch with their respective state regulatory board to learn about the next steps for obtaining a license to work. Licensure requirements commonly include the following:

• Proof of suitable academic degree completion (to include proper accreditation of the degree)
• Sufficient completed fieldwork
• Proof of a passing NBCOT exam score

In addition, there should be no evidence of unprofessional conduct, including felony convictions that might have a bearing on the candidate’s ability to be entrusted to serve the public in an OT/OTA role.

Additional Certifications

Many occupational therapists choose to specialize in areas that require additional board certification. AOTA offers three areas of advanced certification: 

• Gerontology (working with older adults)
• Pediatrics (working with children)
• Physical Rehabilitation

The minimum eligibility criteria to apply for any of these are as follows: 

• “Certified or licensed by and in good standing with an AOTA-recognized credentialing or regulatory body;
• “A minimum of three years as an occupational therapist;
• “A minimum of 3,000 hours of experience in the certification area within the last 5 years;
• “A minimum of 500 hours of experience delivering occupational therapy services to clients in the certification area within the last 5 years.” 

Other than the advanced certs offered by AOTA, there are other organizations that also grant certifications in these areas:

• Aquatic Therapy
• Assistive Technology
• Autism
• Brain Injuries
• Diabetes
• Driving and Community Mobility
• Environmental Modification
• Feeding, Eating and Swallowing
• Hand Therapy
• Hippotherapy
• …and many more!

There are several exciting career options for students who complete a degree in occupational therapy. Below are a few of the obvious ones, as well as a few creative options you might not have considered, with Occupational Therapy salary estimates:

Occupational Therapist Aide

In this role, workers may escort patients between and around rooms, clean and tidy areas, assemble and prep equipment, and perform various administrative tasks including scheduling, fielding calls, and managing supplies. Aide jobs may not require a degree, but a related associate can help you get hired. CPR and Basic Life Support certifications are also commonly needed. 

• Median annual salary: $31,047
• Top 10% of earners salary: $38,291+

Occupational Therapist Assistant

Assistants work closely with OTs and patients to ensure individualized treatment plans are demonstrated and maintained. They help patients understand ways to redevelop lost skills or learn new ones using special equipment. OTAs also track and report patient progress. These positions require at least an accredited associate degree and a state license (after first passing the NBCOT exam). CPR and Basic Life Support certifications are needed. 

• Median annual salary: $62,218, plus benefits
• Top 10% of earners salary: $73,931+

Occupational Therapist 

OTs perform a range of duties, such as reviewing patient histories, conducting evaluations, creating customized treatment plans, helping patients learn or relearn skills, demonstrating proper exercise techniques, making equipment recommendations, and assessing progress. This role requires a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, along with certification and state licensure. 

• Median annual salary: $92,829, plus benefits valued at $30K+ (such as healthcare, pension, paid time off, 401K, etc.)
• Top 10% of earners salary: $108,672+

In addition to the usual career options, a few creative ideas are to work as an independent contractor or a consultant in areas such as: 

• Assistive Technology
• Ergonomics
• Home or Workplace Modifications
• Driver Rehabilitation
• Product Development
• Educational Institutions

Some OTs capitalize on their knowledge, monetizing what they’ve learned to earn good incomes through websites, videos, writing, app design, or by teaching at colleges.

Many courses related to Occupational Therapy degrees can be completed online, but due to the nature of Occupational Therapy work, hands-on practice is necessary. 

Per AOTA, “There are no accredited entry-level occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant educational programs that are offered in the online format. Some educational programs may offer some courses or parts of courses online, but there are no educational programs offered entirely online.” That is why students who attend online programs will see that some OT classes must often be done in-person or that there is supervised clinical work needed. 

Thus, occupational therapy programs are either hybrid (partially online, with an in-person component) or entirely on-campus/in-person. Of course, many undergraduate students don’t major in OT during their associate or bachelor’s degree, so everything depends on the major and the program itself. Undergrads who don’t have sufficient clinical experience or hands-on coursework may have to complete those prior to being accepted into an MOT or ODT program. 

For those who need the flexibility and convenience of online programs, it’s important to remember that there are still plenty of hybrid programs out there that can pave the way toward an OT-related degree. The key is to ensure your program is properly accredited (if it is a program specifically in Occupational Therapy, it must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

Having the ability to take at least some courses online can make a big difference for students with work and family obligations. Just pay close attention to how much practical experience you’ll need for the job you want to qualify for. Per BLS, “Both master’s and doctoral programs require at least 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork, in which prospective occupational therapists gain clinical work experience. In addition, doctoral programs require a 16-week capstone experience.”

If a program requires observation or volunteer experience, AOTA suggests contacting “local facilities that employ occupational therapists and/or occupational therapy assistants (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, or school systems).”

• Is Occupational Therapy the same as Physical Therapy?
  • No, there are similarities between the two fields but the main difference is that occupational therapy relates to how patients perform specific daily activities, while physical therapy deals with body part range of motion and decreasing pain.
• Do I need a doctoral degree to become an occupational therapist?
  • No, there are two paths to entering the field —  a master’s or a doctorate. A Master of Occupational Therapy is enough to get certified and licensed, but some OTs pursue a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD). The Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education previously stated an OTD would be necessary in the future, but then changed that stance.
• What is the future of occupational therapy?
  • As a career field, Occupational Therapy is projected to grow 17% through 2030, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The field is changing as new technologies emerge, but the demand for qualified OTs and OTAs will remain high.