Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
As an occupational therapist, you have the power to change the lives of individuals of all ages with physical, development, emotional and/or social challenges.
Occupational therapy is holistic – it focuses on all aspects of an individual’s life and environment to help empower them to lead a healthier, happier and more independent day-to-day reality.
Program overview
The mission of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program is to graduate a diverse population of practitioners who have the skills necessary to analyze human occupation and to implement science-driven and evidence-based interventions that promote quality of life for the clients whom they will serve.
All USAHS MOT graduates will contribute to their profession and to a global society through their competence, ethical standards and professionalism.
We bring the experts to you!
Our unique learning model combines state-of-the-art facilities, career-centered learning technologies, online teaching and learning best practices, and the expertise of USAHS faculty members who are practitioners as well as exceptional educators from across the country. Learn More
Discover how USAHS alumni, Kelly and Eric, are creating change in the adapted surfing community with Beach Trax.
Choose your path to a Master in Occupational Therapy degree
The USAHS MOT curriculum enables student flexibility by blending online learning components with traditional on-campus, face-to-face learning. As a result, student interaction with faculty and fellow classmates is more meaningful, significant and effective.
USAHS offers two tracks towards the MOT: residential and flex (weekends and online). Use our MOT Program chart for a side-by-side comparison of these two program tracks.
| Full-Time MOT | Flex MOT |
|---|---|
| Weekdays | Online / Weekends |
| 6 trimesters | 9 trimesters |
| Sept, Jan, & May start dates | Sept, Jan, & May start dates* |
| 2 years | 3 years |
| Degree earned: MOT | Degree earned: MOT |
| * Spring (Jan) start available in St. Augustine and Miami only. Summer (May) start available in Austin, TX only. | |
MOT or OTD?
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) mandated that the entry-level degree requirement for the occupational therapist will move to the doctoral level by July 1, 2027. (1) As a result, both the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degrees enable you to start your career as an OT clinician.
The MOT degree is a quicker pathway to licensure with 2 less trimesters than the OTD. However, the OTD is a higher level degree with a capstone experiential project that prepares graduates for advanced roles in research, practice leadership, and advocacy for special populations.
Check out our MOT vs OTD chart for a side-by-side comparison of the two programs.
Why USAHS?
At USAHS, we are a graduate university that specializes in health sciences. We are committed to the development of professional health care practitioners through innovative, individualized, and quality education. Each of our academic programs focuses on foundational sciences and concepts, sound decision-making, and strong technical skill development. Read more about our mission.
Combined MOT/Post-Professional OTD
The combined MOT/PP-OTD allows USAHS MOT students and alumni to apply MOT credits toward a combined MOT/Post-Professional OTD degree. Shorten the time-to-degree, benefit from a tuition reduction, and prepare yourself for leadership and teaching opportunities. Learn more about the MOT/PP-OTD.
Let us help you take the next step toward your future.
[1] The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. AOTA Board of Directors Position Statement on Entry-Level Degree for the Occupational Therapist, April 30, 2014. https://www.aota.org/AboutAOTA/Get-Involved/BOD/OTD-Statement.aspx (visited June 20, 2017).
