Occupational Therapy University: OT Degree Programs

As we celebrate Nurses Month, we at USAHS wanted to get a sense of what a typical workday is like for a nurse manager. We asked alum Ahnnya Slaughter, DNP, to tell us all about a day in her life. Dr. Slaughter graduated in 2021 from USAHS’ Doctor of Nursing Practice program, the Nurse Executive role specialty. Coming from a military family, she began working at a VA hospital in the Los Angeles area 30 years ago as a critical care RN. “Veterans deserve the best care,” she says. “My calling wasn’t to be in the military. This is my way of being able to serve the country.” Over the years, she worked her way up, through positions such as informatics specialist, deputy nurse executive, and director of clinical staff development. She began Read more

Join an immersive, energized OT community

Are you ready to make a difference? Become part of a tight-knit community of engaged faculty and students sharing ideas and knowledge. At USAHS, our occupational therapy university is on a mission to develop outstanding occupational therapy (OT) practitioners and leaders to enter this growing field and positively impact patient lives.

As an occupational therapist, you can help people of all ages with physical, developmental, and social challenges improve their lives by engaging in meaningful daily activities. From pediatrics to geriatrics, from clinics to corporations, OTs are employed across a wide range of health professions and within many different healthcare settings. They create adaptive technologies for athletes with disabilities, help children with learning differences participate fully in school, design ergonomic solutions for workers, support older adults with physical and cognitive changes—and much more. An OT degree opens so many doors. Out of all the health professions, being an occupational therapist is a well-paid profession that is growing fast. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Occupational Therapists"on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm (visited May 15th, 2021)

Occupational Therapy Programs

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), Residential & Flex

Become an occupational therapy practitioner and help people of all ages overcome physical and cognitive barriers and improve their quality of life. We offer the MOT program in two formats: Residential and Flex. Visit program page

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Residential & Flex

Choose the OTD program if you want to prepare not only for clinical practice and fieldwork experience, but also for expanded roles in the profession. In the OTD's additional two trimesters beyond the MOT, you will gain research experience with a capstone project. Visit program page

Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD)

Still interested in furthering your occupational therapy education? As a current OT practitioner, you can earn your doctorate with the PPOTD online. Advance your skills within clinical practice, research, and more. The PPOTD is not subject to accreditation by ACOTE. Visit program page

Our MOT and OTD Programs

USAHS has the occupational therapy education opportunities to fit your career goals and working life—whether you are new to the field or a longtime practitioner. Both the MOT and OTD programs include two trimesters of supervised clinical experience.

Take this short quiz to determine which OT degree is right for you.

MOT

Help People as a Clinician

If your main goal is to engage in clinical practice—helping people expand their capabilities to their fullest potential—the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) may be the best choice for you.

Two-year Residential MOT

Our Residential MOT program path typically takes only two years to complete*, which is two fewer trimesters than the OTD.

* The program is designed to be completed in this amount of time; however, the time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors.

Launch your career sooner

Our MOT is a great-value program, putting you in position to launch your career, start earning money, and start making a difference sooner.

Become a clinician

As an OT clinician, you can help people of all ages overcome physical and cognitive barriers and improve their quality of life.

Additional coursework

In the OTD’s additional two trimesters of study beyond the MOT, you will gain more skills in emerging practice areas and learn about leadership, advocacy, and policymaking.

More open doors

The OTD is helpful for those who seek roles in practice leadership, on boards of occupational therapy associations, in patient advocacy, and in research.

The Future of OT

The OTD is the future of the profession. In 2018, 28% of accredited MOT programs shifted to the OTD.

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Residential

If you want a weekday class schedule and an on-campus student experience, choose the Residential option. Didactic courses are blended, while lab sessions occur face-to-face during the week.

Learning Methodology

Our online occupational therapy coursework plus face-to-face lab sessions on campus. The Residential path requires a full-time commitment.

Student Lifestyle

Lives near campus and attends school full-time

Flex

If you work, have other obligations, or live far from campus, choose the Flex format. Access coursework online and attend face-to-face classes and lab sessions on campus during select weekends each term.

Learning Methodology

Online coursework plus on-campus clinical labs held on select weekends. The Flex path also requires a full-time commitment.

Student Lifestyle

Lives near campus or travels to campus on weekends

Why USAHS?

Leader in health sciences education

USAHS has been dedicated solely to graduate education in health sciences for more than 40 years. You will join a community of like-minded faculty and students focused on delivering excellent patient care and taking on advanced roles within their professions.

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female lecturer in the occupational therapy university

Leading faculty

Our faculty is composed of educators and clinicians who are experts in their fields. Faculty members currently treat patients, publish research, or serve on the boards of professional organizations. They draw from their diverse expertise to develop our curricula.

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Leader in innovation

USAHS is at the forefront of innovative teaching and learning models. Our blended learning model offers students the best of interactive, media-rich online learning combined with immersive, hands-on experiences in our labs and simulation centers. Our rehab-focused, state-of-the art simulation centers provide a safe learning environment where students practice treating mock patients using real medical equipment and cutting-edge EdTech tools.

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Five destination campuses

We have campuses in five exciting and beautiful cities: San Marcos, California; St. Augustine, Florida; Miami, Florida; Austin, Texas; and Dallas, Texas. Each of our campuses is its own tight-knit community of engaged faculty and students sharing ideas and knowledge.

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Interprofessional education

Good patient care depends on harmonious teamwork among healthcare practitioners. That’s why, from your very first trimester, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with your peers in other rehabilitative science disciplines, learning each other’s roles and responsibilities.

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Social responsibility

USAHS is a Certified B Corp™ institution, with a focus on community service, social and environmental responsibility, accountability, and transparency. We offer service-learning opportunities that enhance your clinical experiences, and we work to advance the rehabilitative sciences through student and faculty advocacy.

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Career connections

At USAHS, we’re proud of our national network of more than 10,000 USAHS data as of Nov. 2020. accomplished alumni, including thousands of licensed rehabilitation practitioners. Your collaborative relationships with faculty and your peers—and the connections you make during your fieldwork experiences—can help you launch your career.

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