An online occupational therapy degree is an academic certification which may be earned partially or entirely online. For occupational therapy degrees, online OT programs are available nationwide at multiple degree levels.
When it comes to online OT degrees, it should be noted: occupational therapy is a hands-on healthcare profession that involves working one-on-one with real patients, and as a result most OT programs require some in-person attendance. This healthy mix between online courses and in-person training is called a hybrid program.
Most online OT programs have clinical requirements
Depending on the degree a student is pursuing and the specific college program, graduation may be achieved after a traditional amount of academic hours or after completing an accelerated program. This allows for busy students to complete their degrees remotely rather than feel pressured to attend full-time, in-person classes on a college campus. Online degrees can be earned across undergraduate and graduate levels including: associates, bachelors, masters, graduate, and post-professional/doctorate.
Consider a sponsored online program currently accepting applicants.
| School | Program | Admissions |
|---|---|---|
| Russell Sage College | Online Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
The online MS in occupational therapy program from Russell Sage College prepares you to become a highly skilled occupational therapist. Earn your degree in as few as 32 months full time. |
|
| East Central University | Online Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Prepare to achieve your career goals in the health, well-being, special population and fitness fields. Finish in 2 to 4 Years. |
|
| Concordia University Saint Paul | Online Bachelors in Exercise Science
Cover anatomy, sport business, health psychology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, including structural mechanics of bone construction, muscle contraction, and more. |
Why consider ACOTE accredited OT programs?
An Occupational Therapy program that has received ACOTE accreditation (Accreditation Council For Occupational Therapy Education) went through rigorous efforts to establish a nationally recognized reputation, which helps during the interview process with future employers. Accredited programs also have to meet course requirements that ensure a high NBCOT passing rate. Additionally, accredited courses are more likely to be transferable to other OT programs in the United States in event that plans change.
What degree do most occupational therapists need to practice?
In the United States, occupational therapists need one of at least two degrees to practice in a clinical setting: an associates in occupational therapy (OTA) or a masters in OT (MOT). An OTA degree allows for graduates to practice as occupational therapy assistants under the supervision of an OT. A MOT degree provides graduates with the tools to function as the OT supervisors. While both degrees include similar clinical training, the MOT degree lets practitioners oversee intervention plans, patient care, and certain rehabilitation staff including assistants and therapy aides.
While a doctorate is not legally necessary to practice in the United States, some students choose to earn a post-professional degree to further their education, participate in research, and to qualify for paid academic positions. A student may apply for a doctorate program upon completing a Bachelors degree and any program perquisites. However, a MOT student who graduated and worked professionally for a number years may also return to school to earn their doctorate in OT. Additionally, other healthcare professionals who have completed similar coursework and come highly recommended by academic peers may also qualify to enter a doctoral program for OT.
Top online occupational therapy degrees by degree level
Online Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs
Universities across the United States offer Bachelor programs in pre-occupational therapy. Since this degree encompasses prerequisites for masters/doctorate degrees and can not be used to legally pursue a state practice license, the majority of bachelors programs are referred to as "pre-occupational therapy" to imply a gateway opportunity into clinical practice.
Most graduate OT programs require at least a finished bachelors degree with accompanying perquisites for admissions consideration, so some colleges refer to it as a bachelors degree with a "pre-OT concentration". Exponentially-growing technology provides schools with the opportunity to present online and hybrid curricula for these programs. Here are three active and accredited online Bachelors programs in pre-occupational therapy.
Online Master of Occupational Therapy Programs MOT
Many reputable colleges and universities across the nation provider online masters in OT programs; however, prospective students should expect to participate in various in-person labs and rotations given the hands-on nature of an OT career. Here are examples of three accredited online masters in OT programs.
Online Doctor of Occupational Therapy Programs
Online or hybrid doctorate OT programs are available for entry-level graduate students and post-professional students. Entry-level students traditionally apply for doctorate programs after earning at least their bachelors degree. Post-professional doctorate degrees are well-suited for practitioners have worked in a clinical setting for a certain amount of time and choose to expand their academic careers. For the sake of confusion, we will be focusing on entry-level requirements for online doctorate in OT programs.
What is ACOTE and why is it important for online OT degree programs?
The AOTA Accreditation Council For Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) was established roughly 100 years ago. The United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) both recognize ACOTE as the accrediting agency for OT education in the nation. ACOTE approves and administered educational standards to assess OT programs.
In simple terms, ACOTE takes the reins in accrediting OT programs for recognition nationwide as high-quality education that is transferable across institutions and positively acknowledged by future employers.
Occupational therapy licensure and certification requirements
Upon completion of an accredited OT program, graduates must sit for national examinations and meet their state licensure requirements to practice in clinical settings.
NBCOT, COTA exams
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) provides two examination formats: the COTA examination for prospective OTA graduates and the OTR examination for MOT and/or doctoral students. Students typically apply to NBCOT close to graduation and pay a fee to sit for the examination. NBCOT reserves the right to rescind an application acceptance if a student does not qualify for graduation.
Certification for OTR
Official certification from the NBCOT converts an OTA graduate to a COTA (certified OTA) and an OT graduate to an OTR (OT registered). Once a student passes their NBCOT examination, they can start the process to obtain their state license to practice. The prospective clinician submits an application, background check information, and an annual licensure fee to their state DOPL (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing).
Continuing education for Occupational Therapists
Every year, clinicians are required to accumulate a specific number of continuing education credit hours to renew their state license annually and to renew NBCOT certification once every 3 years.
AOTA changes for state licensure in 2025
While for the last several decades, OT practitioners were only able to work with patients/clients in just the state they were licensed in, changes are coming to allow for working across multiple states at once. Legislators have been closely collaborating with state OT associations and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) to pass an interstate practice operation called the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. All involved parties, including all volunteering states and an overseeing Compact Commission, are hoping to pass the OT Compact in 2025.
Is it worth getting an occupational therapy degree?
Like any academic degree or certification, the tuition, time, and dedication is worth it all depending on where students expect the degree to take them. Each potential applicants should weigh to pros and cons of the OT programs they are interested in as well, think about the sacrifices they are willing to make, and assess what they are looking for in a future career. For example, prioritize the following:
- Tuition costs and associated fees
- Prerequisites and number of hours
- OT program and number of hours
- Career expectations: assistant, supervisor, professor, researcher, etc.
- Salary outlook: recession proof markets per position, regular raises, climbing the corporate ladder, etc.
Once an applicant has thought through the tedious details, revisit the reasons why you considered OT in the first place and see if any of the following reflects your desires and career goals:
- Working with teams from a variety of disciplines
- Creating meaningful interventions for patients across the age span
- Having an interest in the human body and its overall functions
- Developing long-lasting, meaningful relationships
- Having flexibility to switch positions and settings
- Job security
- Having the ability to educationally and financially grow
What can you do with an online OT degree?
Each occupational therapy degree offers a pathway to the clinical world, working directly with patients, clients, and/or residents on a regular basis.
The most obvious profession is the OT, or Occupational Therapist. Those clinical opportunities can include evaluating and providing intervention for children, young adults, and aging seniors across cultures and settings.
However, an OT degree can also lead practitioners into other qualifying roles, including:
- Assistive technology representatives
- Rehabilitation and regional management
- Business owners
- Professors and researchers
- Consultants
Pursuing an accredited OT degree can also lead into other post-professional education opportunities such as doctorate degrees outside of, but closely associated with, occupational therapy including: Neuroscience, Psychology, Physical Sciences, Medicine, Orthopedics, Nursing, Hand Therapy, and the list goes on.
Online degree programs provide students with the flexibility that traditional college programs otherwise could not, which includes accredited online OT programs. If an online OT degree fits your lifestyle, research your options and top colleges to see with OT program is right for you.
