Occupational Therapy Programs

Earn Your Occupational Therapy Degree

Occupational therapy is growing field Job outlook 2023-33 : +11% (much faster than average) https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm and organizations need practitioners who are ready to take on what is next. Whether you are a recent grad with an undergrad degree or a seasoned OT professional, USAHSs Occupational Therapy (OT) Program has an OT degree program where you’ll learn to be an exceptional OT practitioner prepared to transform lives and communities as well as be a leader in the OT profession. You’ll earn your occupational therapy degree while gaining hands-on experience with diverse clients using the most effective techniques, all in service of helping others live their lives more fully.

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Facts and Figures

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25+

Year Legacy of OT Education

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4,300+

OT Alumni, largest community of practicing OT alumni Based on total MOT and OTD degrees conferred during 2020-2022, as reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS); data is captured through interrelated surveys conducted annually by the Department of Education’s National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES).

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200+

Faculty with Expertise in 30+ OT Specialties

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1-on-1

Faculty Support and Mentorship

Our OT Programs at a Glance

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

Become an occupational therapy practitioner with your master’s in OT. Help people of all ages overcome physical and cognitive barriers and improve their quality of life by earning your occupational therapy degree. We offer the MOT program in three formats: Residential, Flex and Hybrid Immersion.

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Our entry-level doctoral occupational therapy program follows the same curriculum as the MOT, plus two additional trimesters focused on expanded roles in the profession. You will gain research experience by completing a capstone project on a topic of your choice. Available in two formats: Residential and Flex.

Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD)

Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD)

Are you an experienced OT practitioner who wants to advance your credentials to the doctoral level? In our online PPOTD program, you can update your skills within clinical practice, research, and more. The PPOTD is not subject to accreditation by ACOTE.

What Does An OT Do?

What Can I Do With an Occupational Therapy Degree?

A career as an Occupational Therapist can be incredibly rewarding. From helping people with disabilities, to those who may have had a life-changing experience, OT’s help people get back to doing the things they love most and have a better quality of life.

Find out which OT program is right for you.

People choose to attend occupational therapy school for many different reasons, but what we all have in common is a desire to improve the lives of others. At USAHS, our occupational therapy programs are designed to address a wide variety of wants, needs and goals.

Compare Programs

Each of our occupational therapy programs is unique. Use this helpful tool or watch an informative video to compare each program and help you decide which OT program most closely aligns with your goals.

Program Comparison Table

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Residential, Flex or Hybrid Immersion

Whether you want to earn your occupational therapy degree online and come to campus for hands-on labs during the week or combine online study with labs on weekends or concentrated blocks of time on campus, our Residential, Flex, and Hybrid Immersion options have you covered.

Format Comparison Request More Information

MOT
OTD
Work as an OT Clinician
Yes
Yes
Additional Preparation to Work in Expanded Roles
(Leadership, Policy, Advocacy, Research)
No
Yes
# Trimesters
6 Residential / 6 Hybrid Immersion / 9 Flex
8 Residential / 11 Flex
Credit Hours
93
117
Campuses
Residential - San Marcos, CA, St. Augustine, FL, Miami, FL, Austin, TX
Hybrid Immersion - San Marcos, CA, St. Augustine, FL, Miami, FL, Dallas, TX
Flex - San Marcos, CA, St. Augustine, FL, Miami, FL, Austin, TX
Residential - All Campuses
Flex - Dallas
Admission Requirements
A Bachelor's or Masters' Degree from an Accredited Institution
Official Transcripts from Each Degree Conferring Institution
Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae. Two Recommendations from Professional Colleagues
Same as MOT, with an Additional Essay Required
Fieldwork Experiences
2 Trimesters
2 Trimesters

Pick a Path to an Occupational Therapy Degree That Fits Your Lifestyle.

Our occupational therapy programs offer unique format delivery types.* All of our programs are full-time commitments. Choose the one that best fits your needs.

*Depending on program and campus.

Residential

If you want an occupational therapy school with a weekday class schedule and an on-campus student experience, choose the Residential format. Coursework is blended with content delivered both online and in the classroom, and on-campus clinical labs are held on select weekdays.

Learning Methodology

Blended occupational therapy coursework plus face-to-face lab sessions held on campus.

Student Lifestyle

Live near campus and attend on-campus labs on weekdays. Attend school full-time.

Flex

If you work or have family or other obligations, choose the Flex format. The Flex curriculum includes fewer credits per term which means it takes longer to earn an occupational therapy degree, but you’ll have the ability to continue to work and manage other priorities.  You’ll access coursework online and attend face-to-face lab sessions on-campus during select weekends.

Learning Methodology

Online occupational therapy coursework plus face-to-face lab sessions held on campus.

Student Lifestyle

Live anywhere within U.S. approved states and travel to campus on select weekends approximately 4-7 times per trimester.

Hybrid Immersion

If you prefer the flexibility of attending occupational therapy school from almost anywhere, choose the Hybrid Immersion format (MOT only). This option combines interactive, media-rich online learning with immersive, hands-on experiences in our state-of-the art facilities. You’ll access coursework online and attend in-person lab sessions for 3 to 5 days twice per trimester.

Learning Methodology

Online coursework plus two on-campus clinical labs held over 3-5 days each trimester.

Student Lifestyle

Live anywhere within U.S. approved states and to our St. Augustine, San Marcos, Dallas or Miami campus twice a trimester.

Why USAHS Occupational Therapy School?

Leader in OT Graduate Education

USAHS has been dedicated solely to graduate education in health sciences for more than 40 years, delivering high-quality OT education for over the past 25 years. With over 4,300 alumni, USAHS OT has the largest community of OT graduates in the US. Based on total MOT and OTD degrees conferred as reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data is captured through interrelated surveys conducted annually by the Department of Education's National Center for Educational Statistics [NCES]), and from USAHS' internal graduation data. As an OT student at USAHS, you’ll join a community of like-minded faculty and students, focused on delivering exceptional client care, and take on leadership roles.

Leading OT Faculty

At USAHS, we have the largest network of OT faculty in the US with more than 200 OT faculty with real-world experience in more than 30 specialties. Our OT faculty is composed of educators and clinicians who are experts in their fields. Faculty members currently work with clients, publish research or serve on the boards of professional organizations. They draw from their diverse expertise to develop our curricula. Our faculty provide one-on-one support and mentoring and treat students as peers and colleagues.

Leader in Innovation

USAHS is at the forefront of innovative teaching and learning models. Our occupational therapy programs employ a blended learning model that combines the best of interactive, media-rich online learning with immersive, hands-on experiences in labs. Our rehab-focused, state-of-the-art simulation centers provide a safe learning environment where students treat mock clients using therapy equipment and cutting-edge EdTech tools.

Five Destination Campuses

We have campuses in five vibrant, beautiful cities: San Marcos, California; St. Augustine, Florida; Miami, Florida; Austin, Texas; and Dallas, Texas. Our occupational therapy school campuses are close, tight-knit communities of engaged faculty and students who are able to access the largest network of OT faculty and specialties across all of our campuses to facilitate the sharing of ideas and knowledge with our entire community of OTs.

Hands-on Practice With Real Patients

In our in-person and telehealth OT Pro Bono Clinics you’ll have the rewarding and unique opportunity to implement what you’ve learned in your curriculum and simulations to deliver the full range of OT care at no cost to adult and pediatric patients from the community. Collaborate interprofessionally with students and faculty from our PT and SLP programs and receive top-notch guidance, assessment and clinical education training from licensed practicing OT clinician-academics while giving back to patients who otherwise wouldn’t have access to these types of services.

OT Alumni Testimonials

Featured Occupational Therapy Program Faculty

Claribell Bayona, OTD,OTR/L Play Video

Claribell Bayona — OTD, OTR/L

Neurological Rehabilitation

Play Video

Cody Cox — OTD, OTR/L, MED

Geriatrics

Helen Carey, Ph.D, MSc Adv OT, OTR Play Video

Helen Carey — PHD, MSC ADV OT, OTR

Adult Rehabilitation

Keith B. McWilliams, OTD, OTR/L Play Video

Keith B. McWilliams — OTD, OTR/L, DRS

Oncology

Lesley Khan-Farooqi, PhD, OTD, OTR/L Play Video

Lesley Khan-Farooqi — PHD, OTD, OTR/L

Orthopedics

Marcia Hamilton, OTD, MSHS, OTR/L, BCP, BCTS Play Video

Marcia Hamilton — OTD, MSHS, OTR/L, BCTS

Pediatrics

Maureen Johnson, PhD, MS, OT/L Play Video

Maureen Johnson — PHD, MS, OT/L, BCPR, C/NDT, CHSE-A

Adult Rehabilitation

Sean Brim, PhDs, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, CEAS Play Video

Sean Brim — PhDs, OTD, MOT, OTR/L

Spinal Cord Injuries

hybrid learning studentLearn More About Our Hybrid Online OT Programs

Find out which hybrid online occupational therapy program is for you! Each format is tailored to meet your individual professional aspirations and lifestyle.

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