Gain the skills, confidence, and experience to become a licensed OT. Our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program features expert faculty mentorship, work with real clients, hands-on training, and community engagement. Graduate practice-ready with the clinical skills and critical thinking needed to make an immediate impact in diverse healthcare settings.
Offered in three formats – Residential, Hybrid Immersion or Flex – USAHS has a program that fits your lifestyle and meets your personal needs. Read more about these options below.
Now you can earn your MOT in as few as 1.7 years and start your career sooner.*Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.
Format: Online Coursework, Live Virtual Evening/Weekend Sessions + On-Campus Labs on Select Weekends
Start Dates: Sept., Jan., May (varies by campus)
Duration: 2.7 years (8 trimesters)*
*Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.
Facts and Figures
1-ON-1
Faculty Support and Mentorship Each student is assigned a faculty mentor when they start the program. On-demand appointments with the faculty mentor and/or course instructors are available.
175+
Faculty with Expertise in 30+ OT Specialties Data current as of August 2025
5,000+
OT Alumni. Largest community of OT alumni Based on total MOT and OTD degrees conferred during 2020-2023 as reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data is captured by IPEDS through interrelated surveys conducted annually by the Department of Education’s National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) and from USAHS’ internal graduation data.
25+
Year Legacy of OT education
Why USAHS for Your Master’s in Occupational Therapy?
Immersive Hands-on Practice
Engage in extensive hands-on experiential learning in simulations to develop your critical thinking and practice with real clients with diverse challenges helping them get back to their daily occupations. Explore Simulaton LabsExplore Pro Bono
Expert Faculty Mentorship
Learn from 175+ expert OT faculty who are educators, researchers, and clinicians across 30+ specialties, dedicated to guiding, mentoring, and empowering your success. See Faculty
Support Along your Journey
Enjoy a smooth and fulfilling student experience with services and resources designed to inform, support, nurture, and connect you throughout your journey at USAHS. See Student Services
The Journey to Clinical Excellence
Embark on a transformative, student-centered experience where expert faculty-practitioners guide you through immersive education, shaping you into an OT ready to lead the future. Learn More
Flexible Learning Pathways
Find a learning format that fits your schedule and preferences, from in-person classes to a blend of online learning with in-person labs—designed to match your needs and availability. Explore Pathways
Prepare for Career Success
Prepare for your OT career with a program that equips you for the NBCOT certification exam and builds your confidence to excel in interprofessional environments and professional practice. See CurriculumExplore IPE
Master of Occupational Therapy Scholarships
USAHS offers scholarships for students pursuing their Master of Occupational Therapy degree to recognize and reward outstanding academic achievement.
The Residential MOT format and the Hybrid Immersion MOT format can be completed in 5 trimesters (1.7 years), while the Flex MOT format can be completed in 8 trimesters (2.7 years). For all formats of the Master of Occupational Therapy program, students must complete 82 credit hours with virtual didactic coursework, hands-on clinical labs, and Level I and Level II fieldwork. Upon successful completion of the MOT program, graduates will be eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification examination.
Degree Requirements
Students must meet the following program requirements to complete the MOT degree and be eligible for graduation. These are located in the USAHS Catalog/Handbook. Instructions for how to locate each can be found below each requirement.
Students must meet the following program requirements to complete the MOT degree and be eligible for graduation:
Meet all requirements of the University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. Locate by visiting catalog.usa.edu > Academic Policies > Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
Satisfactorily complete all program curricular requirements.
Fulfill the requirements of the University’s Professional Conference Attendance policy. Locate by visiting catalog.usa.edu > Academic Policies > Professional Conference Attendance Policy.
Students must submit an application for graduation by the deadline for the term in which they anticipate completing all degree requirements. Students should review Commencement Ceremony and Graduation for information on University graduation requirements, participation in commencement, and degree conferral. Locate by visiting catalog.usa.edu > Admissions, Records, and Registration > Degree Completion/Graduation.
MOT Residential/Hybrid Immersion Curriculum
Courses
Credit Hours
Trimester I
OCT 5101 Introduction to Occupational Therapy
3
OCT 5127C Occupational Analysis and Professional Reasoning
4
OCT 5133C Evaluation and Assessment
4
OCT 5142C Human Function
4
OCT 5151 Conditions
5
Total Credit Hours
20
Trimester II
OCT 5205 Process of Occupational Therapy
3
OCT 5224 Professional Scholarship
2
OCT 5238C Group Process and Therapeutic Use of Self
2
OCT 5240C Mental Health Interventions
5
OCT 5251C Adult Interventions I
5
OCT 5263C Innovations in Occupational Therapy
2
OCT 5271 FW I-A
1
Total Credit Hours
20
Trimester III
OCT 5313 Leadership and Administration
2
OCT 5320C Children and Youth Interventions
5
OCT 5352C Adult Interventions II
5
OCT 5338 Program Development
2
OCT 5347C Culminating Practice
2
OCT 5371 FW I-B
1
Total Credit Hours
17
Trimester IV
OCT 5442 FW II - A
12
Total Credit Hours
12
Trimester V
OCT 5552 FW II - B
12
OCT 5512 Preparation for Professional Practice
1
Total Credit Hours
13
Total Credit Hours for MOT Degree
82
Flex MOT Curriculum
Courses
Credit Hours
Trimester I
OCT 5101 Introduction to Occupational Therapy
3
OCT 5142C Human Function
4
OCT 5151 Conditions
5
Total Credit Hours
12
Trimester II
OCT 5127C Occupational Analysis and Professional Reasoning
4
OCT 5133C Evaluation and Assessment
4
Total Credit Hours
8
Trimester III
OCT 5205 Process of OT
3
OCT 5224 Professional Scholarship
2
OCT 5238C Group Process and Therapeutic Use of Self
Accreditation and State Approvals/Post-Graduate Licensure
MOT Program Accreditation Status
San Marcos Campus
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree (MOT) program at the San Marcos, California campus is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of all prior didactic portions of the program.
For more information about the occupational therapy accreditation process, contact the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301-652-6611 or [email protected].
St. Augustine Campus
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree (MOT) program at the St. Augustine, Florida campus is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of all prior didactic portions of the program.
For more information about the occupational therapy accreditation process, contact the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301-652-6611 or [email protected].
Miami Campus
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree (MOT) program at the Miami, Florida campus is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of all prior didactic portions of the program.
For more information about the occupational therapy accreditation process, contact the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301-652-6611 or [email protected].
Austin Campus
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree (MOT) program at the Austin, Texas campus is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of all prior didactic portions of the program.
For more information about the occupational therapy accreditation process, contact the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301-652-6611 or [email protected].
Dallas Campus
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program at the Dallas, Texas, campus is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.
For more information about the occupational therapy accreditation process, contact the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301-652-6611 or [email protected].
MOT (82 credits)
Post-Graduation Licensure
The MOT satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states. For states denoted with clinical field experience and other on-the-ground activity restrictions, USAHS does not have the necessary state authorization approvals to offer on-the-ground activities of this kind in those states at this time. However, these restrictions should not impact a graduates’ eligibility for professional licensure in his/her state, provided all other requirements are met.
USAHS has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following locations: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.
State Approvals
USAHS currently is accepting applications for enrollment in the Residential Master of Occupational Therapy (San Marcos, St. Augustine, Miami and Austin campuses) for residents of the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi*, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
USAHS is not accepting applications from prospective students residing in states where the institution does not have state authorization. However, prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future as the program may be offered in additional states. Current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program and the ability to be placed for clinical field experience and other on-the-ground activity experiences.
*Please note for field placements in Mississippi, the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation (MCCA) requires submission of application materials prior to each commission meeting, typically held 3-4 times per year, for review and approval by the MCCA prior to the beginning of field placement.
For states denoted with clinical field experience and other on-the-ground activity, USAHS does not have the necessary state authorization approvals to offer on-the-ground activities of this kind in those states at this time. However, these restrictions should not impact a graduates’ eligibility for professional licensure in his/her state, provided all other requirements are met. As such, the program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states.
It remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides.
MOT (Hybrid Immersion) (82 credits) San Marcos, St. Augustine, Miami, and Dallas
Post-Graduation Licensure
The MOT (Hybrid Immersion) satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states. For states denoted with clinical field experience and other on-the-ground activity restrictions, USAHS does not have the necessary state authorization approvals to offer on-the-ground activities of this kind in those states at this time. However, these restrictions should not impact a graduates’ eligibility for professional licensure in his/her state, provided all other requirements are met.
USAHS has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following locations: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.
State Approvals
USAHS currently is accepting applications for enrollment in the Master of Occupational Therapy (Hybrid Immersion) for residents of the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri*, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
USAHS is not accepting applications from prospective students residing in states where the institution does not have state authorization. However, prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future as the program may be offered in additional states. Current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program and the ability to be placed for on-the-ground activities or clinical field experiences.
It remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides.
MOT (Flex) (82 credits)
Post-Graduation Licensure
The MOT (Flex) satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states. For states denoted with clinical field experience and other on-the-ground activity restrictions, USAHS does not have the necessary state authorization approvals to offer on-the-ground activities of this kind in those states at this time. However, these restrictions should not impact a graduates’ eligibility for professional licensure in his/her state, provided all other requirements are met.
USAHS has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following locations: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.
State Approvals
USAHS currently is accepting applications for enrollment in the Flex Master of Occupational Therapy for residents of the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
USAHS is not accepting applications from prospective students residing in states where the institution does not have state authorization. However, prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future as the program may be offered in additional states. Current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program and the ability to be placed for on-the-ground activities or clinical field experiences.
It remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides.
Close
Student Outcomes
MOT Student Outcomes
Graduation Rate
The entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program graduation is the number of students who graduate on time (# Students Graduating On Time) divided by the number of students admitted (# Students Entering) in the original cohort minus the number of students who withdrew due to military, health, family issues, death and other reasons not related to academic and clinical performance (# Students Excluded).
The total number of graduates and graduation rates from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ (USAHS) 93-credit MOT programs at the San Marcos, CA; St. Augustine, FL; Miami, FL; and Austin, TX, campuses during the three years of 2022-2024 are listed below. Note that these outcomes are relevant to the curriculum prior to fall 2025. Graduation rates for USAHS’ MOT program at the Dallas, TX, campus will be available at the end of summer 2025.
San Marcos, CA
Year
# Students Entering
# Students Excluded
# Students Graduating On Time
On-Time Grad Rate*
# Students Graduating Within 101%-150%
150% Grad Rate*
2022
106
3
83
81%
18
98%
2023
114
4
97
88%
13
100%
2024
102
2
89
89%
9
98%
3-Yr Total
322
9
269
86%
40
99%
*Graduation rate does not include students who withdrew for reasons other than academic performance.
St. Augustine, FL
Year
# Students Entering
# Students Excluded
# Students Graduating On Time
On-Time Grad Rate*
# Students Graduating Within 101%-150%
150% Grad Rate*
2022
101
8
75
81%
16
98%
2023
146
6
109
78%
25
96%
2024
137
3
115
86%
4
89%
3-Yr Total
384
17
299
81%
45
94%
*Graduation rate does not include students who withdrew for reasons other than academic performance.
Miami, FL
Year
# Students Entering
# Students Excluded
# Students Graduating On Time
On-Time Grad Rate*
# Students Graduating Within 101%-150%
150% Grad Rate*
2022
62
4
50
86%
8
100%
2023
66
4
48
77%
11
95%
2024
53
4
42
86%
5
96%
3-Yr Total
181
12
140
83%
24
97%
*Graduation rate does not include students who withdrew for reasons other than academic performance.
Austin, TX
Year
# Students Entering
# Students Excluded
# Students Graduating On Time
On-Time Grad Rate*
# Students Graduating Within 101%-150%
150% Grad Rate*
2022
95
5
80
89%
10
100%
2023
109
5
88
85%
15
99%
2024
82
1
62
77%
8
86%
3-Yr Total
286
11
230
84%
33
96%
*Graduation rate does not include students who withdrew for reasons other than academic performance.
NBCOT Exam Pass Rate
Graduates of the accredited University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ Master of Occupational Therapy programs are eligible to take the certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
Learn more about our OTA-entry to the MOT program and earn your Master of Occupational Therapy degree in as little as 1.7 years. *Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.
Admission to our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program is open to Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) without any additional coursework required.
If you’re an OTA and you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you can pursue our OTA to OT bridge pathway and earn your master’s in occupational therapy in as little as 1.7 years! Our OTA to OT bridge pathway is ideal for an OTA wanting to expand their OT skills, advance their career and take on more responsibilities in the field of occupational therapy. You will take the exact same coursework and be in classes with other USAHS MOT students. It’s the fastest way to go from an OTA to OTR!
Occupational Therapy Assistant practitioners (OTAs) with a minimum of 84 credits from a U.S. Department of Education (USDE) recognized institution and at least 1 year of full-time work as an OTA can apply for admission to the USAHS Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program.
Need a little help taking the next step? Whether you’re ready to apply or seek additional information, it’s easy to get started on your path toward a fulfilling OT career.
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