An Occupational Therapy (OT) degree provides education and training for individuals who want to become an occupational therapy practitioner (OTP).

OTPs provide services centered around rehabilitation and overall health and wellness. They work with people who have or are at risk for developing an illness, injury, impairment, or disability, but their specific roles vary depending on their practice setting (OTPF-4).

There are a number of different types of OT, or Occupational Therapy degrees, available, at every level. We have sources and multiple data points from around the web, focused on the United States.

The basis of our database is from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, which is the programmatic accreditation organization for OT programs, recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. ACOTE ensures the curriculum and graduate outcomes satisfy the state educational requirements.

Top types of occupational therapy degrees:

• Bachelors in Occupational Therapy Assistant degrees (available online)
• Masters in Occupational Therapy degrees (available online)
• DPT/ Doctor of Occupational Therapy degrees (available online)

Related occupational therapy programs:

• Physical therapy degree programs
• Rehabilitation degrees
• Kineseiology degrees
• Speech therapy degrees
• Health Promotion programs
• Exercise Science degrees

Are there online OT programs?

Yes, there are online occupational therapy degrees. Unlike other program areas, there are not 100's of online occupational therapy programs available. But, there are multiple online Master of Occupational Therapy degree programs, with more colleges bringing their OT graduate programs online. Note that many OT programs understandably may require clinical, hands-on work, or campus visits to complete your clinical studies.

Currently, there are no accredited online Bachelors or entry-level occupational therapy / occupational therapy assistant educational programs that are offered in a 100% online format. Some universities may offer both in-person and online classes (hybrid programs), however practicals and fieldwork experience are commonly held on-site. There are no entry-level Occupational Therapy programs offered entirely remote.

What are ACOTE-accredited OT programs?

ACOTE-accredited OT programs are occupational therapy programs that have met the educational standards established by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The purpose of ACOTE is to ensure the quality of OT and OTA programs across the United States and its territories by developing policies, rules, and procedures for accreditation reviews and decisions. They work to verify the implementation of the program curriculum, ensuring that it produces competent occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.

Graduates from these programs may be eligible to take the NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) certification exam and apply for licensure in the United States and its territories as well as programs in the United Kingdom.

Popular Occupational Therapy Programs

• Online Occupational Therapy Degrees
• Online Bachelors in Occupational Therapy
• Online Masters in Occupational Therapy
• OTD: Doctorate in Occupational Therapy
• Clinical Occupational Therapy Programs
• School Occupational Therapy Programs

Top types of occupational therapy degrees

There are six types of occupational therapy degrees: Associate, Bachelor (BS), Masters (MOT or MSOT), Doctorate (OTD), Accelerated BS/MSOT, and Post-Professional Doctorate (PPOTD).

Occupational Therapy Assistant - Associate's Degree

An occupational therapy assistant (OTA) associate degree is a two-year program that prepares individuals to implement a treatment plan under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist. OTA associate degree programs commonly teach coursework in anatomy, physiology, psychology, and occupational therapy practice. They also include clinical fieldwork opportunities to provide hands-on experience with real-world clients.

Graduates of an ACOTE-accredited OTA program are eligible to take the national certification exam administered by the NBCOT. Once they pass the exam, they will be able to use the title Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), which is a prerequisite for being able to practice as an OTA anywhere in the United States.

Here are the common job functions of a COTA:
- Implement the treatment plan approved by an OTR.
- Document daily progress notes detailing treatment activities and patient responses.
- Notify the OTR of any changes in the patient's condition.

OTA programs require a high school diploma or GED certificate and prerequisite coursework for admission. A Bachelor’s degree is not required to enroll in an OTA program but can offer an advantage. A typical OTA program takes two years or about 62 credit hours to complete.

OTA to OT bridge programs are offered by some universities for Associate’s degree holders who want to pursue an MSOT or OTD, even for those who do not have a Bachelor’s degree. These programs generally require a minimum of one year of work experience as a COTA. Click here for the full list of schools that offer these bridge programs.

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (BSOT)

Many seasoned occupational therapists obtained their Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy before the shift of moving toward the requirement of MOT/MSOT. Those who acquired their Bachelor of Science degree in OT before 2007 are eligible to maintain their license and continue their practice.

Master (of Science) in Occupational Therapy (MOT/MSOT)

A Master of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy is the minimum level of education required to practice as a licensed OT for students who enrolled on and after January 1, 2007. You need to have completed a Bachelor’s degree to apply for a Master’s degree at any university. It doesn't matter what undergraduate major you have. You can apply to an MSOT program as long as you satisfy the prerequisite courses and minimum observation hours required by the university you are applying to.

A MOT/MSOT candidate is expected to complete about 2.5 years of coursework. The exact amount of time will vary from program to program. In addition to didactic coursework, it usually includes two semesters of fieldwork or supervised clinical experience.

Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Completing an entry-level doctorate OT program is also becoming a more common route to take to practice occupational therapy. To be an eligible candidate for an entry-level OTD program, you do not need to have completed a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy or a related field. Anyone with a Bachelor's degree can apply to an OTD program, as long as they satisfy the pre-requisite courses and minimum observation hours set by the university they are applying to.

OTD students must complete a 14-week doctoral capstone project in addition to their fieldwork experience.

In 2014, the American Occupational Therapy Association Board of Directors published a position statement in support of moving all entry-level OT programs to the clinical doctorate level by 2025. There has been no formal announcement regarding this shift in the level of entry-to-practice education as of writing. It takes about 3 years to complete an entry-level doctorate including supervised fieldwork and capstone project.

Note: Choosing whether to pursue an MSOT or OTD depends on your personal career goals. Having an OTD in their credentials may be an advantage for occupational therapists interested in academia and leadership roles. Regardless of which program you choose, both will prepare you for the NBCOT licensure exam, qualifying you to work as a clinician.

Fast-track OT Programs

There is only a handful of fast-track or accelerated OT programs that will allow you to earn both a bachelor’s degree and an OT graduate degree in less time than it would take you to complete two degrees separately. The traditional path to being an occupational therapist takes anywhere from seven to eight years whereas fast-track programs usually take around five to six years for you to earn two degrees.

Post-Professional OT Doctorate Degree (PPOTD)

Clinicians with a bachelor's or master's degree in occupational therapy also have the option to enroll in a post-professional graduate program to advance their clinical knowledge and practice. OTs who pursue a PPOTD are usually interested in a career in teaching, research, leadership, and program development.

Find occupational therapy schools in your state

Related OT degree programs

Dual degree programs offer an integrated approach to education, allowing students to earn two degrees simultaneously. Here are some of the best dual-degree programs for occupational therapy (OT):

1. OTD/MBA (Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Master of Business Administration)
Focus: Combines clinical expertise with business principles.
Benefits: Prepares graduates for leadership roles, private practice ownership, or administrative positions in healthcare settings.
Example Programs: Boston University, Washington University in St. Louis.

2.OTD/MPH (Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Master of Public Health)
Focus: Merges occupational therapy with public health principles.
Benefits: Equips graduates to address community health issues, develop public health programs, and influence health policies.
Example Programs: University of Southern California, Tufts University.

3.OTD/PhD (Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Philosophy)
Focus: Integrates advanced clinical practice with research and academic expertise.
Benefits: Ideal for those interested in teaching at the university level, conducting research, or contributing to the development of OT as a discipline.
Example Programs: New York University, University of Illinois at Chicago.

4.OTD/MPA (Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Master of Public Administration)
Focus: Combines occupational therapy with public administration.
Benefits: Prepares graduates for roles in healthcare administration, policy development, and program management in public and non-profit sectors.
Example Programs: University of Southern California.

5.OTD/MSW (Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Master of Social Work)
Focus: Blends OT with social work to address both the physical and psychosocial needs of clients.
Benefits: Enables graduates to provide holistic care, particularly in community-based and mental health settings.
Example Programs: University of Southern California, Boston University.

Typical coursework you might take in an OT degree

Common Courses in Occupational Therapy Programs:

• Occupational Therapy Theory – focuses on reviewing various theoretical perspectives and models of practice.
• Occupational Therapy Process – covers the OT process across settings (musculoskeletal, pediatric, geriatric, neurology, mental health) from screening to discharge.
• Applied Practice – provides a detailed understanding of treatment approaches for different age groups, including practicum experience.
• Ethics – covers ethical practices, professional responsibilities, and values expected in aspiring OTRs and COTAs.
• Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology – explores the structure, function, and movement of the human body. Covers topics like the different body systems, joint movements, posture, and injuries.
• Lifespan Development – discusses the changes the human body experiences from birth to advanced adulthood as it relates to their ability to engage in occupations.
• Occupational Therapy Research – trains students on how to read and appraise research articles, apply findings from evidence-based literature to clinical practice, and conduct their scientific research.
• Fieldwork Experience – OT students will gain hands-on experience in different settings such as clinics, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation, and community centers. They will learn how to conduct evaluations, write documentation, plan treatments, and provide other services to actual clients while working under supervision.