Occupational Therapy Programs

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program

Our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program allows you to design custom treatments and adaptive equipment that help patients engage in the performance of activities that are required in 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.

See Requirements & Program Details

NEW Hybrid Immersion MOT Pathway

The Hybrid Immersion MOT is uniquely designed for students who want to pursue a career in occupational therapy but prefer the flexibility of living almost anywhere they choose.

Program at a Glance

Campuses: San Marcos, CA | St. Augustine, FL | Miami, FL | Austin, TX

Format: Blended with Online and In-person coursework + Immersive Hands-on Weekday Labs

Start Dates: Sept., Jan., May

Duration: Duration: 2 years (6 trimesters)*

Campuses: Dallas, TX | ACOTE Accreditation Status: Candidacy

Format: Online + On-campus 2x Per Term for 3-5 Day Lab Immersions

Start Dates: Sept., Jan., May

Duration: 2 years (6 trimesters)*

Campuses: San Marcos, CA | St. Augustine, FL | Miami, FL | Austin, TX

Format: Online Coursework + Immersive Hands-on Labs on Select Weekends

Start Dates: Varies by campus

Duration: 3 years (9 trimesters)*

*Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.

25+

Year Legacy of OT Education

4,000+

OT Alumni Nationwide

200+

Faculty with Expertise in 30+ OT Specialties

1-ON-1

Faculty Support and Mentorship

Curriculum

Master of Occupational Therapy Curriculum

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

CoursesCredit Hours
Trimester I
HSC 5136 Evidence - Informed Practice I: Research Fundamentals2
OCT 5135C Anatomy Applied to Occupation5
OCT 5140 Domain of Occupational Therapy3
OCT 5146 Occupational Engagement and Theories of Practice3
OCT 5230C Conditions Impacting Occupational Performance4
Total Credit Hours
17
Trimester II
OCT 5210 Scholarly Design2
OCT 5232C Clinical Neuroscience4
OCT 5217C Human Movement for Occupational Performance3
OCT 5225C Process of Occupational Therapy4
OCT 5130C Skills and Techniques for Client Care Management3
Total Credit Hours
16
Trimester III
OCT 5330C OT Methods I: Assistive Technology3
OCT 5340 Scholarly Implementation and Dissemination2
OCT 5365 Wellness and Health Promotion3
OCT 5335C Clinical Applications in Psychosocial and Community Settings5
OCT 5410C Clinical Applications in Adulthood5
Total Credit Hours
18
Trimester IV
OCT 5430 Scholarly Application2
OCT 5470 Administration & Management in Occupational Therapy3
OCT 5355C Clinical Applications in Pediatrics/Adolescence5
OCT 5425C Clinical Applications in Older Adults5
OCT 5445C OT Methods II: Orthotics, Prosthetics and Modalities3
Total Credit Hours
18
Trimester V
OCT 5550 Fieldwork IIA (min 12 weeks)11
OCT 5510 MOT Seminar 11
Total Credit Hours
12
Trimester VI
OCT 5660 Fieldwork IIB (min 12 weeks)11
OCT 5625 MOT Seminar 21
Total Credit Hours
12
Total Credit Hours for MOT Degree
93

Flex MOT Curriculum

CoursesCredit Hours
Trimester I
OCT 5135C Anatomy Applied to Occupation5
OCT 5140 Domain of OT3
OCT 5146 Occupational Engagement and Theories of Practice3
Total Credit Hours
11
Trimester II
OCT 5230C Conditions Impacting Occupational Performance4
HSC 5136 Evidence - Informed Practice I: Research Fundamentals2
OCT 5225C Process of Occupational Therapy4
Total Credit Hours
10
Trimester III
OCT 5210 Scholarly Design2
OCT 5217C Human Movement for Occupational Performance3
OCT 5130C Skills and Techniques for Client Care Management3
Total Credit Hours
8
Trimester IV
OCT 5232C Clinical Neuroscience4
OCT 5335C Clinical Applications in Psychosocial &
Community Settings
5
Total Credit Hours
9
Trimester V
OCT 5365 Wellness and Health Promotion3
OCT 5340 Scholarly Implementation and Dissemination2
OCT 5355C Clinical Applications Pediatrics/Adolescence5
Total Credit Hours
10
Trimester VI
OCT 5470 Administration & Management in Occupational Therapy3
OCT 5330C OT Methods I: Assistive Technology3
OCT 5410C Clinical Applications in Adulthood5
Total Credit Hours
11
Trimester VII
OCT 5430 Scholarly Application2
OCT 5425C Clinical Applications in Older Adults5
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 11
Total Credit Hours
12
Trimester IX
OCT 5660 Fieldwork IIB*11
OCT 5625 MOT Seminar 21
Total Credit Hours
12
Total Credit Hours for MOT Degree
93
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Admission Requirements

Master of Occupational Therapy Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the following Master of Occupational Therapy degree admissions requirements to be considered for the Residential, Hybrid Immersion or Flex MOT format.

Bachelor’s Degree: Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. You can apply while you are still enrolled in an undergraduate degree program or while you are completing prerequisite coursework. You should submit a plan of study with your application that indicates all remaining courses that will be completed prior to program enrollment.

GRE: The GRE is not required for admission to USAHS’ Master of Occupational Therapy Program.

Resume: Include a current resume with your application.

Statement of Purpose: Include a short statement of why you wish to pursue occupational therapy as a career and what attracts you to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.

OT Supplemental Questions: Provide five short answers to help us learn more about you.

  1. An occupational therapist help people to engage in occupations they want to do, need to do, or are expected to do. What is an occupation you enjoy engaging in, and what positive impact does this have on you? (200 words max)
  2. Occupational therapists assist people in doing what they want to do. Can you explain when you have enabled others through occupation?  (200 words max)
  3. Please share how you have participated in volunteerism to be a force for good in your community. (200 words max)
  4. List two attributes you have which you consider crucial to being an effective occupational therapist. (200 words max)
  5. How would your former professors describe you? (200 words max)

Letters of Recommendation: Applicants are required to submit two recommendations. While it is advised that at least one comes from an OT clinician, it is acceptable to have both from college and university instructors. Only recommendations meeting the requirements will count towards the total required confirmed number.

Observation Hours: The Occupational Therapy department does not require observation hours to apply for our graduate programs, however, it is highly recommended that all applicants observe occupational therapy in at least two areas of practice. This will not only support your submission essays; it will also help to ensure that you are well suited for this field of study.

Prerequisites: Admissions recommends that all prerequisite course work be no more than 5 years old. This is a recommendation and is preferred, it is not a requirement to apply. You will be asked to provide official transcripts during the application process.

Prerequisite Check

You can find our OT prerequisite form here. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better.

Required Prerequisite Courses
Semester
Hours
Quarter
Hours
Anatomy and Physiology with Lab
Acceptable course titles to fulfill this requirement include:

Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II-Topics covered are: cell physiology, histology, integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous and sensory systems. Emphasis is on the interaction of structure and function and the mechanisms which maintain homeostasis in the human body.

General Human Anatomy-In its broadest sense, anatomy is the study of the structure of an object, in this case the human body. Human anatomy deals with the way the parts of humans, from molecules to bones, interact to form a functional unit. The study of anatomy is distinct from the study of physiology, although the two are often paired.

General Human Physiology- is the study of how the human body functions. This includes the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical, and biochemical functions of humans in good health, from organs to the cells of which they are composed.
Not Acceptable: Animal Physiology (must be human), Exercise Physiology, or Clinical Physiology
812
Sociology or Anthropology
Acceptable course titles to fulfill this requirement include:

Sociology - Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions. Sociology’s subject matter is diverse, ranging from crime to religion, from the family to the state, from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, and from social stability to radical change in whole societies. Unifying the study of these diverse subjects is sociology’s purpose of understanding how human action and consciousness both shape and are shaped by surrounding cultural and social structures.

Anthropology - Anthropology is the systematic study of humanity, with the goal of understanding our evolutionary origins, our distinctiveness as a species, and the great diversity in our forms of social existence across the world and through time. The focus of Anthropology is on understanding both our shared humanity and diversity and engaging with diverse ways of being in the world. Anthropology is divided into three subfields: sociocultural, biological, and archaeology. USAHS will accept sociocultural and biological anthropology subjects in fulfillment of their prerequisite, but not archeology.

Sociocultural Anthropology - Sociocultural anthropologists interpret the content of particular cultures, explain variation among cultures, and study processes of cultural change and social transformation. Common topics include human ecology; gender relations; culture and ideology; demography and family systems; race, class and gender inequality; resistance movements; colonialism, neocolonialism, and development; and cultural politics.

Biological Anthropology - Biological anthropologists study a variety of aspects of human evolutionary biology. Some examine fossils and apply their observations to understanding human evolution; others compare morphological, biochemical, genetic, and physiological adaptations of living humans to their environments; still others observe behavior of human and nonhuman primates (monkeys and apes) to understand the roots of human behavior.
34.5
Developmental Psychology - Developmental psychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on how people grow and change over the course of a lifetime. Those who specialize in this field are not just concerned with the physical changes that occur as people grow; they also look at the social, emotional, and cognitive development that occurs throughout life. Topics typically covered include cognitive development during childhood and throughout life, developmental challenges and learning disabilities, emotional development, language acquisition, moral reasoning, motor skill development, personality development, self-awareness and self-concept, as well as social and cultural influences on child development. In laymen terms this requirement is about human growth and development over the lifespan.34.5
Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal psychology is a branch of psychology that studies unusual patterns of behavior, emotion and thought, which could possibly be understood as a mental disorder. It involves the study, assessment, treatment, and prevention of maladaptive behavior.
34.5
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation, and organization of data. This course includes measures of central tendency and variability, probability, random variables, normal and binomial distributions, confidence intervals, tests of hypotheses, correlation and simple linear regression, descriptive and inferential techniques and concepts which apply to sample data which has been gathered from a population.
34.5
Medical Terminology
Medical terminology is language used to precisely describe the human body including its components, processes, conditions affecting it, and procedures performed upon it. Medical terminology is used in the field of medicine and other health professions.
*Applicants may complete the requirement through CEU credit with certificate of completion or transcript, standard credit bearing course with transcript, CLEP with official score report or course completed through USAHS and provide evidence of completion.
**

MOT Degree Program Admission Requirements

Misrepresentation of Academic Credentials

Misrepresentation of academic credentials includes presenting information known as false and with the intent of obtaining employment or admission to an educational program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Statements made and documents supplied by the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ applicants and students must be complete and accurate. The University will not tolerate any misrepresentation by a student or applicant of past or current academic programs, degrees, or professional accomplishments. If unexplained discrepancies appear between statements or documents provided to the University of St. Augustine and information obtained otherwise, except in the case of misspellings and other such inadvertent errors, applicants may be rejected for admission and enrolled students may be dismissed.

Additional Information

  • A comprehensive background check requiring fingerprints and drug screen will be administered after acceptance into the program and at the applicant’s expense. A felony charge and or conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or to attain state licensure.
  • This is a blended instructional program requiring both virtual (distance education) and face-to-face class participation. Online learners need access to/use of a computer/word processor and basic technical skills to succeed. These skills include the ability to create new documents, use a word processing program, navigate the Internet, and download software. Attendance requirements are enforced.
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Tuition & Fees

The Residential MOT program can be completed in 6 trimesters or about 2 years and our Flex MOT program can be completed in 9 trimesters or about 3 years. Total program tuition and cost of attendance for the Fall 2023 academic term is as follows. Tuition estimates are based on the assumption that a student goes straight through the program, without breaks or repeating academic work.

Choose your MOT format and the campus you are interested in attending to see the tuition and fee estimates. All tuition and fee numbers are subject to change.

Residential MOT

San Marcos, CA Campus

Tuition is approximately $16,177.50 per trimester for Full-Time MOT students who attend our San Marcos, CA campus.
Tuition and Fees
School Expenses
Tuition - 93 credit hour program$97,065.00
Program Fees$3,400.00
Books & Associated School Expenses$3,600.00
Total Program Direct Expenses$104,065.00
Students whose address on record is in California at the time tuition is first charged and/or who attend the California campus will be responsible for paying a one-time Student Tuition Recovery Fund non-refundable fee, pursuant to California Code of Regulations §76120.

St. Augustine, FL Campus

Tuition is approximately $14,876.17 per trimester for Full-Time MOT students who attend our St. Augustine, FL campus.
Tuition and Fees
School Expenses
Tuition - 93 credit hour program$89,257.00
Program Fees$3,400.00
Books & Associated School Expenses$3,600.00
Total Program Direct Expenses$96,257.00
Students whose address on record is in California at the time tuition is first charged and/or who attend the California campus will be responsible for paying a one-time Student Tuition Recovery Fund non-refundable fee, pursuant to California Code of Regulations §76120.

Miami, FL Campus

Tuition is approximately $14,876.17 per trimester for Full-Time MOT students who attend our Miami, FL campus.
Tuition and Fees
School Expenses
Tuition - 93 credit hour program$89,257.00
Program Fees$3,400.00
Books & Associated Expenses$3,600.00
Total Tuition & Fees$96,257.00
Students whose address on record is in California at the time tuition is first charged and/or who attend the California campus will be responsible for paying a one-time Student Tuition Recovery Fund non-refundable fee, pursuant to California Code of Regulations §76120.

Austin, TX Campus

Tuition is approximately $14,876.17 per trimester for Full-Time MOT students who attend our Austin, TX campus.
Tuition and Fees
School Expenses
Tuition - 93 credit hour program$89,257.00
Program Fees$3,400.00
Books & Associated Expenses$3,600.00
Total Program Direct Expenses$96,257.00
Students whose address on record is in California at the time tuition is first charged and/or who attend the California campus will be responsible for paying a one-time Student Tuition Recovery Fund non-refundable fee, pursuant to California Code of Regulations §76120.

Hybrid Immersion MOT

Dallas, TX Campus

Tuition is approximately $14,876.17 per trimester for Hybrid Immersion MOT students who attend our Dallas, TX campus.
Tuition and Fees
School Expenses
Tuition - 93 credit hour program$89,257.00
Program Fees$3,400.00
Books & Associated School Expenses$3,600.00
Total Program Direct Expenses$96,257.00

Flex MOT

San Marcos, CA Campus

Tuition is approximately $9,606.22 per trimester for Flex MOT students who attend our San Marcos, CA campus.
Tuition and Fees
School Expenses
Tuition - 93 credit hour program$86,456.00
Program Fees$5,050.00
Books & Associated Expenses$3,600.00
Total Program Direct Expense$95,106.00
Students whose address on record is in California at the time tuition is first charged and/or who attend the California campus will be responsible for paying a one-time Student Tuition Recovery Fund non-refundable fee, pursuant to California Code of Regulations §76120.

St. Augustine, FL Campus

Tuition is approximately $9,361.56 per trimester for Flex MOT students who attend our St. Augustine, FL campus.
Tuition and Fees
School Expenses
Tuition - 93 credit hour program$84,254.00
Program Fees$5,050.00
Books & Associated School Expenses$3,600.00
Total Program Direct Expenses$92,904.00
Students whose address on record is in California at the time tuition is first charged and/or who attend the California campus will be responsible for paying a one-time Student Tuition Recovery Fund non-refundable fee, pursuant to California Code of Regulations §76120.

Miami, FL Campus

Tuition is approximately $9,361.56 per trimester for Flex MOT students who attend our Miami, FL campus.
Tuition and Fees
School Expenses
Tuition - 93 credit hour program$84,254.00
Program Fees$5,050.00
Books & Associated Expenses$3,600.00
Total Estimated Expenses$92,904.00
Students whose address on record is in California at the time tuition is first charged and/or who attend the California campus will be responsible for paying a one-time Student Tuition Recovery Fund non-refundable fee, pursuant to California Code of Regulations §76120.

Austin, TX Campus

Tuition is approximately $9,361.56 per trimester for Flex MOT students who attend our Austin, TX campus.
Tuition and Fees
School Expenses
Tuition - 93 credit hour program$84,254.00
Program Fees$5,050.00
Books & Associated Expenses$3,600.00
Total Program Direct Expenses$92,904.00
Students whose address on record is in California at the time tuition is first charged and/or who attend the California campus will be responsible for paying a one-time Student Tuition Recovery Fund non-refundable fee, pursuant to California Code of Regulations §76120.

Financial Aid

Student loans may be available to assist with funding your program. USAHS has financial aid counselors who are available to explain your options.

Financial aid counselors can be reached by email, phone, or on campus. Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday in each time zone. If you are unable to meet during regular office hours, after-hours appointments are available by request.

Please visit our Financial Aid Contact page for more information.

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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”.

ACOTE Logo

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”.

ACOTE Logo

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”.

ACOTE Logo

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”.

ACOTE Logo

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.

MOT Program Approvals

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. 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 prepares students 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 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.

Flex MOT State Approvals

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. 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 prepares students 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 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.

 

Hybrid MOT website map 9-13-2023

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 experiences.

Post-Graduation Licensure

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. 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 prepares students 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

YearStudents EnteringStudents GraduatingGraduation Rate
20209090100%
20216868100%
2022838198%
Total24123999%

Miami, FL

YearStudents EnteringStudents GraduatingGraduation Rate
2020333297%
2021555396%
2022656397%
Total15314897%

St. Augustine, FL

YearStudents EnteringStudents GraduatingGraduation Rate
202011310896%
202112411895%
202210810194%
Total34532795%

Austin, TX

YearStudents EnteringStudents GraduatingGraduation Rate
20209090100%
2021716997%
2022848196%
Total24524098%

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.

Program performance data from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.

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Program Data

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

Click the campus/program below to view the program data:

San Marcos, CA – ResidentialFlex
St. Augustine, FL – Residential | Flex
Miami, FL – Residential | Flex
Austin, TX – Residential | Flex
Dallas, TX – Hybrid Immersion

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ACOTE and NBCOT Important Links

NBCOT examination results
Visit the NBCOT website for more information on NBCOT examination results.

ACOTE Accreditation
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD
20852-4929, 301-652-AOTA or visit www.acoteonline.org.Visit the ACOTE Website for more information on the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
Residential MOT
Hybrid Immersion MOT
Flex MOT
Format
Blended with Both Online and In-person Components + Weekday On-campus Labs
Weekday Online Synchronous and Asynchronous Classes + On-campus 2x Per Term for 3-5 Day Lab Immersions
Online + Immersive Hands-on Labs on Select On-campus Weekends
Best Suited For
Students Desiring an Immersive Campus Experience
Students Who Prefer Flexibility of Living Almost Anywhere They Choose
Students With Jobs and/or Other Responsibilities
# Trimesters
6
6
9
Credit Hours
93
93
93
Credit Hours Per Term
12-18 Credit Hours Per Term
12-18 Credit Hours Per Term
8-12 Credit Hours Per Term
Length in Years*
2
2
3
Where Should I Live?
In or Near the Campus City
Almost Anywhere in the US; Requires Travel to Campus 2 X Per Term for 3-5 Days for Labs Varies by term.
Almost Anywhere in the US; Requires Travel to Campus 4-7 X on Select Weekends 4-7 times per term depending on the trimester.
Fieldwork Experiences
2 Trimesters
2 Trimesters
2 Trimesters
Start Dates (by Campus)
All Terms - St. Augustine, Miami, Austin, San Marcos
All Terms - Dallas | Click Here for Candidacy Accreditation Status.
Spring and Fall - St. Augustine, Miami, San Marcos
Summer and Fall - Austin

*Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors.

Why USAHS?

Leader in Occupational Therapy Education

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.

Unparalleled Faculty Network

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.

Flexible Options to Fit Your Needs

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.

Immersive Hands-on Learning

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.

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 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.

Getting Started

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Keith B. McWilliams — OTD, OTR/L, DRS

Oncology

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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

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