Masters of Occupational Therapy Degree Programs, Online Included

Last reviewed and updated August 20, 2024 by

Meredith Chandler, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist OTR/L, experience with geriatric patients, skilled nursing, inpatient. Master of Occupational Therapy (University of Utah).

A master of occupational therapy degree is a graduate level degree that allows OT practitioners to clinically work in the United States. Many ACOTE accredited Masters in Occupational Therapy programs require prospective students to complete at least a bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy or a related field, in addition to prerequisite coursework prior to applying for admissions.

With successful completion of a master of OT, graduates qualify to sit for their national boards examination and apply for a state practice license.

Are there Online Master of Occupational Therapy programs?

The short answer is yes, there are online Masters in Occupational Therapy degree programs. The more complicated answer is: usually these online MSOT or MOT programs consist of online coursework, but require campus visits for clinical lab work (hands on experience).

In recent years, hundreds of graduate programs have developed online OT degree programs to allow for a wide variety of students to earn their OT Masters degree. Online master of OT programs allow students with families and with full-time jobs to participate in graduate-level coursework.

Because occupational therapy is a hands-on career and requires in-person clinical work with patients/clients, aspects of online master programs are still conducted in-person. A combination of in-person work, which includes rotations, and online coursework is referred to as a hybrid graduate program.

What do you study in an online Master of OT program?

Typically, a master of OT program includes the following: lecture coursework, labs, internships/rotations, and capstone research projects. Traditionally, students are expected to attend in-person at an accredited institution on a full-time basis. Depending on the program, students should expect to take on approximately 3 years worth of coursework or up to 2 years for accelerated programs.

In depth review of top hybrid or online Masters in Occupational Therapy programs

The following list includes top five online master of OT programs available in the United States. Each program was assessed according to the following:

1. Accessibility to both traditional and non-traditional students
2. Entry requirements
3. Tuition and associated graduate school fees
4. NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) passing rates
5. Accreditation status with ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education)

Russell Sage College Master of OT Hybrid Program

Russell Sage offers students a way to complete the MOT program in 2 years if attended full-time. There is a huge emphasis and great level of care that goes into Level-I and Level-II fieldwork experiences (including mental health awareness). The program also includes an extensive course covering upper extremities, which is not typically included in traditional MOT programs. According to the 2024-2025 projected school year, students can expect to pay up to $73,400 which includes fees, supplies, and books. Entry requirements include a completed bachelor's degree with program prerequisites:

• Anatomy & Physiology I w/Lab
• Anatomy & Physiology II w/Lab
• Physics I w/Lab (recommended)
• Introduction to Psychology
• Human Development
• Abnormal Psychology
• Statistics
• Sociology or Anthropology
• Medical Terminology

Requirements might also include Clinical documentation of 20 hours of clinical observation under the supervision of an occupational therapist and TOEFL/IELTS scores (if applicable).

University of Saint Augustine - Online OT Program

St. Augustine offers three unique tracks for students to earn their MOT, including a brand new bridge program for students to progress from an OTA to a MOT. Additionally, St. Augustine main campus has a 98%A passing rate for first-time NBCOT takers as of 2023.

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. OTA-Entry (Without Bachelor’s Degree): Candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on at least 84 college credit hours which may include those that were a part of their occupational therapy assistant (OTA) degree. Additional requirements include providing a professional resume, Statement of Purpose, and letter of recommendation. Observation hours are not required but highly recommended. No GRE is required for entry to this OT program.

There are three program options: Residential, Flex, and Hybrid Immersion MOT degrees at the following locations:

• San Marcos, California
• Miami, Florida
• Austin, Texas

Prerequisite courses include:

• Anatomy and Physiology with Lab
• General Human Anatomy
• General Human Physiology
• Human Growth and Development (Lifespan)
• Abnormal Psychology
• Statistics
• Medical Terminology

Fast Track in Master of Occupational Therapy

Traditionally, prospective students can expect earning a master of OT in approximately 6-7 years, which includes the timeframe it takes to earn both the master’s degree and the bachelor’s degree required to qualify for graduate school. A fast track, or accelerated master of OT program allows students to earn both degrees in a shorter duration than what it would take to earn each separately. Students complete perquisite work during undergraduate school, are accepted into a master of OT program, and then complete specific graduate courses during their first year to earn their bachelor of OT degree. This allows students to sit for the examination and to enter the workforce quicker than if they completed a traditional master of OT program.

Is it Worth Getting a Master of Occupational Therapy Degree?

Career-driven individuals who are passionate about helping others and facilitating their mental, physical, and emotional well-being will love OT practice. Before pursuing any master’s degree, prospective students should consider the following:

-Financial and time commitments
-Balancing work and family obligations with routine coursework
-Career goals and capacity to climb the job ladder
-Current health/well-being and the impact graduate coursework can have on overall health
-Salary and future standard-of-living goals

Students may like the notion of providing OT services for future patients/clients across a multitude of available hospital and community settings. However, some students may possess different priorities and would like to pursue a less demanding academic route. If this is the case, students can earn an associate in OT which provides them with the tools to sit for their examinations and to license as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA). As a licensed COTA, practitioners can practice the same OT interventions but work under the supervision of an OTR/L or an OT clinician with a master’s and/or doctorate degree.

Why Consider ACOTE-accredited OT programs?

The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) was established by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in 1923. The ACOTE is a body of qualified individuals who “establish, approve, and administer” educational standards to assess OT and OTA educational programs. Any accredited OT program allows students to sit for the NBCOT and to apply for state licensure in ALL states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each ACOTE-accredited OT program goes through routine evaluation to make sure coursework is meeting accreditation standards.

Students should strongly consider participating in an ACOTE-accredited OT program for multiple reasons, including:
-assurance that academic coursework is high-quality and prepares students for the NBCOT and the practical demands of the workforce
-increased chances for employment. Although some states may not require clinicians to maintain their NBCOT status, individual facilities and private companies can require it
-Improved chances of transferring credits across programs and across states in the event circumstances change
-better qualifying for doctoral programs if students want to pursue further academic work and research

What Degree Do Most Occupational Therapists Need to Practice?

Occupational therapists require at least one of the following two degrees to practice clinically in the United States:

Associate of OT Degree

With a completed associate’s degree, graduates may use the practice initials OTA. Once they’ve completed the NBCOT examination and obtain a state practice license, their initials are COTA/L (licensed and certified occupational therapy assistant). COTAs may practice just about any OT intervention that a clinician with a master’s degree can perform. However, COTAs must work under the supervision of an OTR/L and can not interpret evaluation findings or create a plan-of-care for patients/clients. COTAs are welcome to further their education and obtain the qualifications to work as an OTR/L by attending a master of OT program.

Master of OT Degree

At the very minimum, OTs who want to practice at a supervisory level (OTR/L) must earn a master of OT degree, pass the NBCOT, and obtain a state license. As an OTR/L, practitioners are allowed to evaluate patients, interpret assessment results, create therapy goals, write up care plans, and complete progress notes/visits, perform therapy interventions, and complete discharge summaries. OTR/L practitioners can supervise COTAs and therapy aides.

Typical Coursework You Might Take for This Degree

A master of OT degree is rooted in health sciences and typically requires the following coursework for successful completion:

-human anatomy and physiology
-kinesiology
-neuroanatomy
-cognitive rehabilitation
-Foundational OT theories and frameworks
-adult rehabilitation
-pediatric rehabilitation
-psychosocial approaches
-Evaluation and intervention developments
-Environmental modification
-Activity analysis
-Research methods and Capstone
-Level I (part-time) and level II fieldworks (full-time)

Depending on the program, specific electives may be offered including neurodevelopmental treatment, assistive technology certifications, early intervention certifications, grant writing, and business management.

What Can You Do with an Master of OT degree?

While a master of OT degree provides students a pathway to work as a practitioner with patients or clients, a master’s degree can do so much more, including providing:

-qualifications for a PhD or clinical doctoral program
-tools to open an OT business
-qualifications to teach at a collegiate level
-training to climb the administrative ladder (rehabilitation manager, regional management, CEO)
-qualifications to sit for advanced training and certifications (i.e. hand therapy)

What is the Difference Between an OTD and Master of OT?

An OTD (doctorate of OT) shares a couple similarities with a master of OT. First, both are qualifying degrees to practice OT at a supervisory level. Second, undergraduate students typically require only a bachelor’s degree plus perquisite work to apply for a master’s or a doctoral program. Even though students only require a master’s degree to practice as a licensed OTR, a doctoral graduate has a few more post-graduate options:

-pursuing additional post-graduate work and academic research
-qualifying for a full-time college faculty position in a graduate program
-potential increase in salary

Licensure and State Practice Requirements

Once graduates obtain a passing examination score from the NBCOT, they can start the application process for a state practice license from their occupational licensing division (DOPL). Upon passing a background check and paying a routine (usually annual) fee, OTs can start practicing at a clinical level. Depending on the facility, school, hospital, or other community setting, OTs may require additional paperwork and background screening prior to their initial date of employment.

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