Online Master's in Occupational Therapy: Finding the OT School for You
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
Healthcare Nursing Healthcare Admin Nursing Nursing Ed.
Occupational Therapy Neurorehabilitation Stroke CareOccupational therapists (OTs) help patients develop or improve everyday motor skills. So how do training programs work online? How much do online OT programs cost and do they prepare you for solid careers after certification? Let EduMed guide you through the process from start to finish, from learning about and vetting programs to selecting a school and discovering your salary potential.
Finding the Right Occupational Therapy Program: Guidance from Experienced Professionals
Occupational therapy programs are competitive to enter and demanding to complete, and the programs in this guide are all strong options. Still, the right program depends on your specialty interests, how the program approaches evidence-based practice, and whether its clinical placements will connect you to the type of work you want to do. Our healthcare professionals share what to look for.
Ask How Grads Fare Competitively
OT is one of the few areas of healthcare where a master’s degree is an entry-level requirement, which means you’re putting in a significant financial investment before you work even one day. Even so, I’ve heard from many OTs that the doctoral-level degree is becoming the preferred credential at major medical centers. It’s worth asking programs directly how their graduates fare in competitive hiring markets and how they support you after graduation.
Many Programs Now Require Doctorate
Don’t be surprised if you find fewer master’s programs than expected when you start searching. Many programs started moving toward the doctorate to better prepare graduates for the growing complexity of the field and to put OT on the same level as other doctoral healthcare professions like physical therapy. Also, be sure you understand the logistics about clinicals (whether the school arranges placement or you have to do that yourself) to help you decide and prepare.
Inside the OT Master’s: How It Works
The master’s degree is the minimum required to become a licensed occupational therapist. Most programs last between two and three years, and a growing number of programs provide a bulk of their curriculums online.
There are currently no fully online master’s degrees in occupational therapy, thanks to the mandate that graduates have a certain amount of hands-on experience.
However, outside of these fieldwork curriculum requirements, many online OT programs offer instruction through virtual means.
In Detail: the OT Master’s Curriculum
Each occupational therapist curriculum is unique; however, there are certain points that each one hits to ensure students are fully prepared for the expectations of the career. Broad subjects include:
- Anatomy
- Neuroscience
- Health and wellness
- Assistive technology
This covers a wide range of theory and practice in patient care, all of which will come in quite handy when it’s time to use those knowledge and skills in the clinical setting.
Let’s take a look at some courses you’re likely to encounter while pursuing your master’s degree.
Patient Care Management
The basics of patient care, beneficial communication, and professional communication skills are addressed in this class.
Evidence-Informed Practice
Students learn how to apply what they know to patient care through the use of problem solving, as well as logical and critical thinking.
Anatomy for Occupational Therapy
The basics of human anatomy are taught within the occupational therapy context. Special attention will be given to understanding how physical problems relate to physical performance.
Occupational Therapy with Children
Effective means of providing occupational therapy to children are explained in this course. Subject matter will focus on individuals from birth to adolescence and include theory, practice methods, research data and regulatory considerations.
Occupational Therapy with Older Adults
As patients get older, their therapy needs change. Students will learn how illnesses, injuries and disabilities change with age and how current occupational therapies can be applied to meet the special needs of older patients.
Professional Development
Provides an overview of the occupational therapy profession, including a discussion of professional organizations, ethical considerations, professional roles and how societal views can affect treatment.
Leadership and Management
With the use of self-assessment tools and interactions with others, students discover how to effectively lead in a professional environment, including learning about marketing, budgeting and program evaluation.
Community-Based Fieldwork and Seminar
This class teaches students the basic theory and practical skills to safely and effectively manage and lead when treating a broader community.
Neurological Conditions and Occupational Performance
This course aims to teach students about neurological conditions, including how to evaluate and treat neurological issues patients may face.
Capstone Project
Students will choose a topic to research, then collect and analyze data and learn how to apply their finding to the practice of occupational therapy.
How Long Does It Take to Graduate?
Most students in an online occupational therapy master’s program can expect to take about three years to graduate. But the amount of time it takes to finish depends on several factors, including:
- Number of credits required to graduate
- Course load (full-time versus part-time)
- Program format
The timeline below provides a rough outline to help visualize the process of earning an online master’s degree in occupational therapy.
Year 1, Fall Semester
Introductory topics relating to occupational therapy will be covered during the first semester. Courses will cover topics such as an overview of the profession and basic theories of practice.
Year 1, Spring Semester
More advanced occupational therapy professional topics are addressed now, including foundational concepts relating to the human body, research methodologies and providing patient care.
First Summer
Students will take only one or two courses during the summer period.
Year 2, Fall Semester
Now courses get into the more substantial subject matter that will actually apply to occupational therapy practice. Introductions to research methods and techniques are usually used extensively during the final year.
Year 2, Spring Semester
The shift to advanced coursework continues and will include other related, advanced subjects such as clinical research, advanced treatment and evaluation techniques.
Second
Summer
Students will continue their academic training through hands-on and real world instruction.
Year 3, Fall Semester
The third year consists of advanced level courses and hands-on instruction. There is a strong emphasis on fieldwork and clinical experience.
Year 3, Spring Semester
Depending on the program, there may not be a second semester during the third year. If there is, students can expect to continue their hands-on training and may have to complete a capstone project.
Advantages of Earning Your OT Master’s Online
Earning an occupational therapy degree online can have numerous advantages over the traditional on-campus program. While online learning isn’t perfect for everyone, it has benefits that are pretty hard to beat for some.
Convenience
The ability to take OT courses on your own schedule is a major benefit of attending an online program. Here are a few other ways online programs are convenient for many occupational therapy students:
- Blended programs that have in-person curriculum requirements make obtaining a master’s degree in occupational therapy so much easier when the bulk of the curriculum is available online.
- When completing these in-person requirements, many online programs still keep things convenient by allowing you to find a nearby location where you can complete the field requirements.
- Since hands-on training takes place near the end of the program, you’ll already have the knowledge and skills to hit the ground running.
Cost
Online OT programs can often be less expensive than their on-campus counterparts, even at the same university. And even if the tuition isn’t cheaper, you may not have to pay certain fees as an online student, lowering your total out-of-pocket costs.
Keep these considerations in mind:
- As an online student, you’re eligible for the same type of financial aid as traditional students aside from a few scholarship opportunities that may only be offered to students attending classes on campus.
- The key to securing financial aid is to start early. You’ll want to make sure you understand all of the costs involved and have a plan to finance your OT program before you enroll.
You can learn more about financial aid opportunities that can help pay for your online OT degree by reading our comprehensive guide to financial aid and browsing our list of scholarships for OT students.
Developing Persistence
When you’re working as an occupational therapist, persistence is the name of the game. First off, completing an online degree requires persistence. The self-directed nature of the program means you must have firm self-discipline to complete assignments on your own, often by creating a personal schedule that requires you to stick to the program.
With regards to patients, having the discipline to remain persistent in helping a patient or finding alternative treatments is essential as an OT.
Additional reasons why persistence is crucial:
- Many patients will need guidance for quite some time and their progress might seem so incremental that it becomes frustrating for everyone involved.
- Some patients might not be willing or ready to receive your help, which means you must be even more persistent when convincing them, from one session to another, to stick with what they need to do.
Honing Your Multitasking Skills
Online programs provide maximum flexibility, which is why they typically attract those with other obligations, such as work or family. As a result, online students quickly become masters of multi-tasking. Those multi-tasking skills can carry over to practice as an occupational therapist.
It’s common for occupational therapists to juggle several things at once, such as:
- Keeping track of how many times a patient does a particular action
- Anticipating what activity the patient will choose to do next
- Documenting patient notes following the treatment
- Planning activities for the next session
Core OT Master’s Knowledge & Skills
The specific skills and knowledge an occupational therapist must know to treat patients will be conveyed through a reputable program. The level of familiarity with certain skills and information will grow as you get more advanced training. Regardless of which degree you’re earning, you can expect to learn the following skills, all of which will be useful in the occupational therapy setting.
Critical thinking
Critical thinking is a bit of a buzzword these days, but that doesn’t diminish its importance. Occupational therapists should expect to deeply review research data, medical files and other relevant patient records to not only establish treatment models, but identify any unknown issues that must be also be addressed.
Empathy
The ability to understand and feel what the patient is going through helps create a rapport. This is important not just to establish good communication, but also to build credibility, respect and trust with the patient. An occupational therapist will be far less effective when a patient is constantly second guessing the value or motivation of the assistance offered.
Patience
Patience is another must for occupational therapists. It might be nice to quickly treat and assist a patient, but often injuries, illnesses and certain medical conditions are simply so severe or complex that they cannot be easily treated. Therefore, occupational therapists must ensure they take the necessary time to deliver quality treatment while keeping the patient comfortable and at ease.
Salary & Career Outlook for Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapists
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $71,690 | $100,330 | $131,950 |
| Alabama | $76,670 | $94,050 | $123,870 |
| Alaska | $82,320 | $103,680 | $133,860 |
| Arizona | $78,160 | $103,660 | $131,950 |
| Arkansas | $65,160 | $106,360 | $144,250 |
| California | $85,550 | $124,510 | $158,560 |
| Colorado | $81,390 | $106,720 | $157,820 |
| Connecticut | $76,360 | $102,440 | $127,630 |
| Delaware | $71,280 | $102,130 | $138,640 |
| District of Columbia | $81,760 | $109,170 | $129,810 |
| Florida | $66,230 | $99,360 | $117,950 |
| Georgia | $75,290 | $104,010 | $128,610 |
| Hawaii | $78,670 | $102,870 | $118,240 |
| Idaho | $69,440 | $97,760 | $152,880 |
| Illinois | $73,360 | $99,700 | $132,180 |
| Indiana | $69,550 | $97,020 | $119,950 |
| Iowa | $64,610 | $89,910 | $109,200 |
| Kansas | $66,720 | $99,170 | $120,950 |
| Kentucky | $71,030 | $97,650 | $119,250 |
| Louisiana | $61,070 | $98,490 | $126,630 |
| Maine | $63,750 | $84,310 | $114,100 |
| Maryland | $76,650 | $106,980 | $132,300 |
| Massachusetts | $73,140 | $100,930 | $127,380 |
| Michigan | $66,580 | $89,910 | $105,720 |
| Minnesota | $71,770 | $93,050 | $108,790 |
| Mississippi | $73,200 | $94,930 | $113,950 |
| Missouri | $71,880 | $97,290 | $120,130 |
| Montana | $76,110 | $88,990 | $110,910 |
| Nebraska | $70,370 | $93,740 | $107,780 |
| Nevada | $85,720 | $110,520 | $139,260 |
| New Hampshire | $64,150 | $83,900 | $115,050 |
| New Jersey | $78,690 | $103,410 | $159,230 |
| New Mexico | $69,230 | $99,170 | $133,050 |
| New York | $64,770 | $96,390 | $133,700 |
| North Carolina | $62,230 | $92,940 | $118,300 |
| North Dakota | $66,890 | $83,200 | $106,300 |
| Ohio | $70,080 | $99,390 | $123,800 |
| Oklahoma | $68,530 | $104,300 | $134,420 |
| Oregon | $78,500 | $112,310 | $131,340 |
| Pennsylvania | $69,120 | $98,440 | $128,790 |
| Rhode Island | $75,760 | $100,040 | $126,630 |
| South Carolina | $75,370 | $101,130 | $123,110 |
| South Dakota | $65,820 | $85,050 | $106,520 |
| Tennessee | $68,520 | $97,700 | $119,070 |
| Texas | $76,350 | $106,140 | $135,200 |
| Utah | $75,570 | $97,150 | $126,970 |
| Vermont | $69,120 | $93,340 | $118,110 |
| Virginia | $70,200 | $100,710 | $134,570 |
| Washington | $83,110 | $107,670 | $135,290 |
| West Virginia | $60,870 | $96,190 | $129,460 |
| Wisconsin | $73,610 | $92,390 | $110,950 |
| Wyoming | $57,740 | $86,170 | $127,790 |
Source: Occupational Therapists, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Showing 1 – 10 of 52 entries | Data does not reflect school-specific information.
OT Accreditation and Licensing
The occupational therapy profession is highly regulated, and part of that regulation requires that students graduate from an accredited program. This accreditation allows students to:
- Receive financial aid
- Become licensed by the relevant statute licensing authorities
The accrediting authority for occupational therapy programs is the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
Things to know about the ACOTE:
- Is the accrediting body of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) (the AOTA is the leading professional association representing occupational therapists and occupational therapy students in training)
- Recognized by both the US Department of Education as well as the Council for Higher Education (CHEA)
- Accredits more than 400 programs in the United States and its territories
- Ensures that graduates of accredited programs have the necessary level of knowledge and training to treat patients as effectively, safely and ethically as possible
When accrediting a program, ACOTE will look for a variety of factors at the school, such as:
- Possession of effective interpersonal skills to communicate with patients and colleagues
- Inclusion of both classroom and fieldwork training
- Acquisition of foundational knowledge in scientific subjects and principles
- Familiarity with diversity issues
- Awareness of various forms of treatment models
- Ability to develop treatment models to address many different types of patient issues
Do Occupational Therapists Need a License?
Getting a master’s degree in occupational therapy is not quite enough to become registered and start treating patients: all 50 states require occupational therapists to become licensed before they start practicing.
To be eligible for licensure, candidates must:
- Graduate from an accredited occupational therapy program
- Finish all fieldwork requirements
- Take and pass the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination
- Complete and submit a state-specific license application
- Pay an application fee
To learn more about what is required in your state, check with your state licensing board.
Admissions & Required Materials
Most occupational therapy programs evaluate prospective students based on their prior academic performance and what they can offer to the school in terms of student body enrichment. This means good grades are very important, although their overall importance will depend on the prestige and rigor of the program.
Some programs look for certain types of students and thus may have additional admissions requirements, such as a certain amount of experience working as an occupational therapist aide or assistant.
Let’s take a closer look at the core admissions and application requirements for master’s OT programs.
Degree and GPA
Prospective OT students must prove academic readiness when applying to master’s degree programs by meeting minimum degree and GPA requirements. These include:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA, often a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
Prerequisite Coursework
Applicants must prove they have the foundational knowledge to begin an OT program. This may be achieved by submitting a transcript indicating completion of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade (C+ or B-, depending on the school and course):
- Human anatomy and physiology I (with lab)
- Human anatomy and physiology II (with lab)
- Statistics
- Introduction to psychology
- Introduction to sociology or introduction to anthropology
Some schools may require completion of additional prerequisites with a minimum grade (C+ or B, depending on the school and course) in:
- Abnormal psychology
- Scientific writing
- Communication
- Human growth and development
Additional Requirements
To further prove readiness for a master’s OT program, students must meet these additional requirements:
- Two or more letters of recommendation, with at least one coming from a licensed occupational therapist
- Personal essay
- Admissions interview: Learn how you can ace your occupational therapy program admissions interview.
Some schools may require at least one year of experience working as a full-time and fully credential occupational therapist aide or assistant.
