With over 3,000 MOT alumni, USAHS has the largest community of Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) graduates in the US.**Based on total MOT 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. Our MOT program allows you to design treatments and adaptive equipment that help patients engage in the activities of daily life. You’ll utilize your compassion as you train to become a confident and exceptional licensed occupational therapist. If clinical practice is your main goal, this ACOTE-accredited program is for you.
Offered in three formats – Residential, Hybrid Immersion or Flex – USAHS has an MOT program that fits your lifestyle and meets your personal needs. Read more about these options below.
Learn about our new OTA to OT Bridge program and earn your MOT in as little as two years. *Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.
OT Alumni, largest community of practicing OT alumni 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.
200+
Faculty with Expertise in 30+ OT Specialties
1-ON-1
Faculty Support and Mentorship
OT Scholarships
USAHS offers scholarships to recognize and reward outstanding academic achievement.
The Residential MOT format and the Hybrid Immersion MOT format can be completed in 6 trimesters (2 years), while the Flex MOT format can be completed in 9 trimesters (3 years). For all formats of the Master of Occupational Therapy program, students must complete 93 credit hours with virtual didactic coursework, hands-on clinical labs, and Level I and Level II fieldwork. Upon successful completion of the MOT graduate program, you’ll be eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.
Residential MOT (San Marcos, CA; St. Augustine and Miami, FL; Austin, TX)
Hybrid Immersion MOT (Dallas, TX Only) Curriculum
Courses
Credit Hours
Trimester I
HSC 5136 Evidence - Informed Practice I: Research Fundamentals
2
OCT 5135C Anatomy Applied to Occupation
5
OCT 5140 Domain of Occupational Therapy
3
OCT 5146 Occupational Engagement and Theories of Practice
3
OCT 5230C Conditions Impacting Occupational Performance
4
Total Credit Hours
17
Trimester II
OCT 5210 Scholarly Design
2
OCT 5232C Clinical Neuroscience
4
OCT 5217C Human Movement for Occupational Performance
3
OCT 5225C Process of Occupational Therapy
4
OCT 5130C Skills and Techniques for Client Care Management
3
Total Credit Hours
16
Trimester III
OCT 5330C OT Methods I: Assistive Technology
3
OCT 5340 Scholarly Implementation and Dissemination
2
OCT 5365 Wellness and Health Promotion
3
OCT 5335C Clinical Applications in Psychosocial and Community Settings
5
OCT 5410C Clinical Applications in Adulthood
5
Total Credit Hours
18
Trimester IV
OCT 5430 Scholarly Application
2
OCT 5470 Administration & Management in Occupational Therapy
3
OCT 5355C Clinical Applications in Pediatrics/Adolescence
5
OCT 5425C Clinical Applications in Older Adults
5
OCT 5445C OT Methods II: Orthotics, Prosthetics and Modalities
3
Total Credit Hours
18
Trimester V
OCT 5550 Fieldwork IIA (min 12 weeks)
11
OCT 5510 MOT Seminar 1
1
Total Credit Hours
12
Trimester VI
OCT 5660 Fieldwork IIB (min 12 weeks)
11
OCT 5625 MOT Seminar 2
1
Total Credit Hours
12
Total Credit Hours for MOT Degree
93
Flex MOT Curriculum
Courses
Credit Hours
Trimester I
OCT 5135C Anatomy Applied to Occupation
5
OCT 5140 Domain of OT
3
OCT 5146 Occupational Engagement and Theories of Practice
3
Total Credit Hours
11
Trimester II
OCT 5230C Conditions Impacting Occupational Performance
4
HSC 5136 Evidence - Informed Practice I: Research Fundamentals
2
OCT 5225C Process of Occupational Therapy
4
Total Credit Hours
10
Trimester III
OCT 5210 Scholarly Design
2
OCT 5217C Human Movement for Occupational Performance
3
OCT 5130C Skills and Techniques for Client Care Management
3
Total Credit Hours
8
Trimester IV
OCT 5232C Clinical Neuroscience
4
OCT 5335C Clinical Applications in Psychosocial & Community Settings
5
Total Credit Hours
9
Trimester V
OCT 5365 Wellness and Health Promotion
3
OCT 5340 Scholarly Implementation and Dissemination
2
OCT 5355C Clinical Applications Pediatrics/Adolescence
5
Total Credit Hours
10
Trimester VI
OCT 5470 Administration & Management in Occupational Therapy
3
OCT 5330C OT Methods I: Assistive Technology
3
OCT 5410C Clinical Applications in Adulthood
5
Total Credit Hours
11
Trimester VII
OCT 5430 Scholarly Application
2
OCT 5425C Clinical Applications in Older Adults
5
OCT 5445C OT Methods II: Orthotics, Prosthetics and Modalities
3
Total Credit Hours
10
Trimester VIII
OCT 5550 Fieldwork IIA*
11
OCT 5510 MOT Seminar 1
1
Total Credit Hours
12
Trimester IX
OCT 5660 Fieldwork IIB*
11
OCT 5625 MOT Seminar 2
1
Total Credit Hours
12
Total Credit Hours for MOT Degree
93
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Scholarships
USAHS offers a series of scholarships designed to recognize outstanding academic achievement and reward personal accomplishments in community- and diversity-focused areas. These scholarships not only acknowledge past achievements but empower and motivate students to strive for continued excellence along their educational journeys.
The following scholarships are available to all applicants for the MOT, MOT Hybrid Immersion, MOT Flex, OTD, OTD Flex programs who meet the eligibility criteria:
Accreditation and State Approvals/Post-Graduate Licensure
MOT Program Accreditation Status
Master of Occupational Therapy – 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 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. 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. Note that 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), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, 301-652-AOTA or visit www.acoteonline.org.
Complaints about the program that cannot be resolved after following the University’s procedures must be submitted electronically to the ACOTE Chairperson, c/o the AOTA Accreditation Department. The complaint must be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail addressed to [email protected] and must include a signed complaint form, “Complaint Against a Program Subject to ACOTE Accreditation”.
Master of Occupational Therapy – 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 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. 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. Note that 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), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, 301-652-AOTA or visit www.acoteonline.org.
Complaints about the program that cannot be resolved after following the University’s procedures must be submitted electronically to the ACOTE Chairperson, c/o the AOTA Accreditation Department. The complaint must be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail addressed to [email protected] and must include a signed complaint form, “Complaint Against a Program Subject to ACOTE Accreditation”.
Master of Occupational Therapy – 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 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. 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. Note that 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), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, 301-652-AOTA or visit www.acoteonline.org.
Complaints about the program that cannot be resolved after following the University’s procedures must be submitted electronically to the ACOTE Chairperson, c/o the AOTA Accreditation Department. The complaint must be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail addressed to [email protected] and must include a signed complaint form, “Complaint Against a Program Subject to ACOTE Accreditation”.
Master of Occupational Therapy – 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 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. 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. Note that 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), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, 301-652-AOTA or visit www.acoteonline.org.
Complaints about the program that cannot be resolved after following the University’s procedures must be submitted electronically to the ACOTE Chairperson, c/o the AOTA Accreditation Department. The complaint must be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail addressed to [email protected] and must include a signed complaint form, “Complaint Against a Program Subject to ACOTE Accreditation”.
Master of Occupational Therapy – Dallas Campus
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program at the Dallas, Texas, campus has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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. Note that 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), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, 301-652-AOTA or visit www.acoteonline.org.
Complaints about the program that cannot be resolved after following the University’s procedures must be submitted electronically to the ACOTE Chairperson, c/o the AOTA Accreditation Department. The complaint must be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail addressed to [email protected] and must include a signed complaint form, “Complaint Against a Program Subject to ACOTE Accreditation”.
State Approvals
MOT
USAHS currently is accepting applications for enrollment in the 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, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 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.
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.
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.
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)
USAHS currently is accepting applications for enrollment in the Flex Master of Occupational Therapy 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, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee*, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia*, Washington*, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 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.
*Currently not enrolling into the OTA-entry Flex MOT format
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. As such, the program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states.
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 Dallas
USAHS currently is accepting applications for enrollment in the Master of Occupational Therapy (Dallas) 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*, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee*, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Virginia*, Washington*, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. For states denoted with clinical field experience 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.
*Currently not enrolling into the OTA-entry MOT Hybrid Immersion format
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.
Post-Graduation Licensure
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. As such, the program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states.
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.
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.
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Student Outcomes
MOT Student Outcomes
Graduation Rate
The entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program graduation rate is the percentage of students in a cohort who graduated within 150% of the expected completion time. The total number of graduates and graduation rates listed below from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ (USAHS) MOT programs at the San Marcos, CA; St. Augustine, FL; Miami, FL; and Austin, TX campuses during the three years of 2020-2022 listed below. Graduation rates for USAHS’ MOT program at the Dallas, TX campus will be available 2026.
San Marcos, CA
Year
Students Entering
Students Graduating
Graduation Rate
2020
90
90
100%
2021
68
68
100%
2022
83
81
98%
Total
241
239
99%
Miami, FL
Year
Students Entering
Students Graduating
Graduation Rate
2020
33
32
97%
2021
55
53
96%
2022
65
63
97%
Total
153
148
97%
St. Augustine, FL
Year
Students Entering
Students Graduating
Graduation Rate
2020
113
108
96%
2021
124
118
95%
2022
108
101
94%
Total
345
327
95%
Austin, TX
Year
Students Entering
Students Graduating
Graduation Rate
2020
90
90
100%
2021
71
69
97%
2022
84
81
96%
Total
245
240
98%
NBCOT Exam Pass Rate
Graduates of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ Master of Occupational Therapy programs at the San Marcos, CA; St. Augustine, FL; Miami, FL; and Austin, TX campuses are eligible to take the certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
USAHS has been dedicated solely to graduate education in health sciences for more than 40 years, delivering high-quality OT education for nearly 30 years. As an OT graduate student at USAHS, you’ll join a community of expert faculty practitioners and dedicated students, as well as more than 4,000 accomplished OT alumni who are transforming lives throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Our OT faculty is composed of educators and clinicians who are experts and leaders in their fields. At USAHS, we have more than 200 OT faculty practitioners with expertise in more than 30 specialties. They work with clients, publish research, serve on the boards of professional organizations and draw from their diverse expertise to develop and teach our curriculum. Our faculty treat students as peers and colleagues, providing one-on-one support and mentorship.
USAHS offers the broadest range of OT teaching and learning models to suit student needs and preferences. All models feature the same renowned MOT curriculum.
Hybrid Immersion – Designed for students who prefer the flexibility of living almost anywhere they choose. Flex– Fewer credit hours per term accommodate students with jobs or other responsibilities. Residential – For students who prefer an immersive campus experience.
Build competence and confidence in our Centers for Innovative Clinical Practice and Activities of Daily Living facilities. Here you will experience simulations and practice your skills with diverse patient populations in simulated health care environments to prepare you to become an exceptional practitioner and to excel in your fieldwork placements. USAHS is one of the few higher education institutions in the country with simulation labs dedicated to the rehabilitative sciences.
We have campuses in five vibrant, beautiful cities: San Marcos, California; St. Augustine, Florida; Miami, Florida; Austin, Texas; and Dallas, Texas. Our campuses are close, tight-knit communities of engaged faculty and students who are able to access faculty and specialties across all of our campuses to facilitate the sharing of ideas and knowledge with our entire community of OTs.
Admission to our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program is now open to Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs).
If you’re an OTA and you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you can pursue our OTA to OT Bridge program and earn your Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) in as little as two years! A bridge OTA to OT program is the ideal pathway for an OTA wanting to expand their OT skills, advance their career and take on more responsibilities in the field of occupational therapy.
Occupational Therapy Assistant practitioners (OTAs) with a minimum of 84 credits from a U.S. Department of Education (USDE) recognized institution can apply for admission to the USAHS Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program. It’s the fastest way to go from an OTA to OTR!
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.
