Occupational Therapy Programs

Help people thrive in the most important state of all: regular, everyday life.

At USAHS, you’ll be immersed in our occupational therapy community. You’ll study the latest research and practice the most effective techniques, all in service of helping others live their ordinary lives more fully.

$25,000 Scholarships Available

Qualified OT applicants who enroll for May 8 are eligible to apply. Apply before March 31.
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See terms These scholarships are for new, incoming applicants for the Summer 2023 term. Current students are not eligible to apply.

Join an immersive, energized OT community.

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. Occupational therapy degree holders 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. Successful completion of 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”.

Our OT programs at a glance, and a closer look.

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

Become an occupational therapy practitioner with your master’s in OT. 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.

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Our entry-level doctoral program follows the same curriculum as the MOT, plus two additional trimesters focused on expanded roles in the profession. You will gain research experience by completing a capstone project on a topic of your choice.

Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD)

Are you an experienced OT practitioner who wants to advance your credentials to the doctoral level? In our online PPOTD program, you can update your skills within clinical practice, research, and more. The PPOTD is not subject to accreditation by ACOTE.

Choose the Learning Path that Fits Your Life.

Check out the two scheduling formats we offer for our entry-level OT programs and choose the one that’s most aligned with your lifestyle.

Residential

If you want a weekday class schedule and an on-campus student experience, choose the Residential option.Online coursework plus on-campus clinical labs held on select weekends.

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

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Our MOT and OTD Programs

Still wondering which way to go with OT?

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.

MOT and OTD Comparison

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 Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors., which is two fewer trimesters than the OTD.

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.

OTD
Make an Impact in Expanded Roles

Choose the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) if you want to prepare not only for clinical practice, but also for expanded roles in the profession.

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.

Why USAHS?

Leader in Health Sciences Education

USAHS has been dedicated solely to graduate education in health sciences for more than 40 years. As a student in one of our occupational therapy graduate programs, 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.

Leading Faculty

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

Leader in Innovation

USAHS is at the forefront of innovative teaching and learning models. Our blended learning model offers students in an OT program 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.

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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