Occupational Therapy Degrees and Programs
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Occupational therapy (OT) helps people of all ages with the challenges of developmental and physical disabilities, illnesses, injuries, and aging. OT offers evidence-based therapeutic practices to improve everyday living and activities. Career paths include OT aides, OT assistants (OTAs), and occupational therapists (OTs). Learn about online occupational therapy programs that can help you attain your career goals.
Popular Online Occupational Therapy Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Occupational Therapy Degrees and Certificates
Occupational Therapy Aide Certificate
Occupational therapy aides perform entry-level jobs providing administrative and support services for OTs and OT assistants. Job duties include preparing and cleaning treatment areas and transporting patients to and from treatment.
Aides receive on-the-job training under the supervision of experienced OTs and OT assistants. OT aides are not required to obtain certification or licensure.
Certificate and diploma programs are available online and in person at community colleges and vocational schools. Courses include activities of daily living, medical terminology, and therapy and safety skills. Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Associate Degrees for Occupational Therapy
Two-year OT associate degrees can qualify graduates for OT assistant positions. Distance learners can complete their degrees online or via a hybrid format and receive in-person field training to work with patients under the direction of an OT.
OTA degrees prepare students to pass national certification exams and obtain state licensure. Areas of practice include children and youth, health and wellness, mental health, productive aging, rehabilitation and disability, and work and industry. Learners gain knowledge and skills in general anatomy, medical terminology, psychology, and rehabilitation practice. Minimum admission requirements typically include graduation from high school or a passing score on the GED exam and a 2.5 GPA.
Bachelor’s Degrees in Occupational Therapy
Online bachelor’s degrees in occupational therapy typically take four years to complete and prepare graduates for OTA roles or graduate study to become OTs. Aspiring OTAs can qualify by completing core courses and fieldwork. Students interested in becoming OTs can major in pre-occupational therapy or other fields, including biology, kinesiology and exercise science, and psychology. Courses in biomechanics, human physiology, and neuroscience provide the foundations for OT master’s programs, along with in-person fieldwork experience.
Admission to a bachelor’s degree program generally requires completion of a college preparatory high school curriculum, a personal essay, and, for some programs, ACT or SAT scores.
Occupational Therapist Bachelor’s/Master’s Combined Degrees
Combined or dual admission bachelor’s and master’s OT programs allow incoming first-year students to pursue both degrees in an accelerated format, usually spanning five years. Students can earn a bachelor’s in an applied health science/pre-OT concentration, psychology, or a related field and a master’s in occupational therapy.
Combined programs include fieldwork in aging adults, mental health, and pediatrics. Graduates qualify to take their national OT board certification exams for licensure. Fully online master’s programs in occupational therapy are rare, but programs may offer some online coursework.
Admission typically requires a minimum GPA, a faculty interview, and evidence of leadership, community-focused activities, and honors or AP coursework.
Occupational Therapy Master’s Degrees
Partially online and hybrid OT master’s degree programs prepare students for their OT licensure with course topics in advanced professional skills, clinical foundations, and leadership and research. The curriculum includes fieldwork at care facilities, clinics, and health organizations working with adults and children. Courses cover foundations of neuroscience, integrated anatomy, occupation and technology, and professional reasoning and clinical skills. Students can graduate in 2-3 years.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA and often list prerequisite coursework in anatomy and physiology, developmental psychology, statistics, and sociology or anthropology. Applicants typically submit personal essays and 2-3 recommendations and may be required to interview.
Occupational Therapy Doctorate Degrees
Doctoral programs in occupational therapy award Ph.D.s, doctor of occupational therapy (DrOT) degrees, and occupational therapy doctorates (OTDs). Programs may be offered fully or partially online and take 3-4 years to finish.
Ph.D. courses include the health professional as an academic educator, research design, and scholarly writing. DrOT and OTD curricula include clinical skills, evaluation and assessment, movement analysis, scientific inquiry coursework, and practice area fieldwork and capstone projects. Pre-professional program graduates gain eligibility to pursue state OT licensure and national certification.
Admission criteria vary by the type of degree pursued.
Occupational Therapy Career Paths
The goal of occupational therapy is to provide rehabilitative and support services to clients who have lost certain abilities (i.e., through an injury) and help clients with a developmental disability or condition (i.e., cerebral palsy or Down syndrome) learn or re-learn how to perform daily tasks. Different roles in the profession come with varying levels of qualifications and responsibilities, as shown here.
| Key Consideration | Occupational Therapists | Occupational Therapy Assistants | Occupational Therapy Aides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Master’s degree or doctoral degree in occupational therapy | Associate of applied science in occupational therapy | High school diploma, with optional career certificate or diploma |
| Certification/Exams | Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) Exam | Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Exam | None required |
| Median Annual Salary (2023) | $96,370 | $65,450 | $36,970 |
| Role | Lead therapist and supervisor | Assist with occupational therapy | Aid with pre and post-treatment tasks |
| Duties | Observe clients to discover their functioning level, develop treatment plans and goals, demonstrate exercises, advise family members, and evaluate progress. | Help clients perform therapeutic activities such as stretching and bending and teach them how to operate special equipment. | Set up therapy equipment and transport patients to and from treatment. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Occupational Therapy
Students enter OT graduate programs with bachelor’s degrees in pre-occupational therapy or fields that include biology, kinesiology and exercise science, and psychology.
Page last reviewed on July 5, 2024
