How to Find Accredited Occupational Therapy Schools Near You
Use the American Occupational Therapy Association's accredited program directory to locate entry-level and post-professional OT programs by state and city. The directory lists all programs with current accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, which is the recognized accrediting body for occupational therapy education in the United States. You can filter results by degree type, such as Master of Occupational Therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy, and by delivery format, including on-campus, hybrid, and online options with required fieldwork components.
Proximity-based searches on platforms like the U.S. Department of Education's College Navigator tool let you map OT schools within a specific radius and compare key metrics such as total enrollment, tuition, and graduation rates. Many schools also publish their own program pages with interactive maps, campus visit schedules, and virtual tour links to help prospective students evaluate location fit. When reviewing results, cross-check each school's accreditation status and state licensure eligibility data to ensure the program meets the requirements for sitting for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy examination.
Admission Requirements, Costs, and Program Structure at OT Schools
Most entry-level OT programs require a bachelor's degree, a minimum cumulative GPA often around 3.0, GRE scores, completed prerequisite coursework in biology, psychology, and statistics, and a set number of documented observation hours in occupational therapy settings. Tuition for in-state public universities typically ranges from approximately $15,000 to $40,000 per year, while private institutions may charge $40,000 to $70,000 or more per year, according to data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and individual program websites. Many schools also list additional costs for textbooks, lab fees, background checks, immunization records, and fieldwork transportation.
Program structure usually spans two to three years for a Master of Occupational Therapy or three to four years for a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, combining didactic coursework in anatomy, neuroscience, and therapeutic techniques with supervised clinical fieldwork placements. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to sit for the NBCOT certification exam and apply for state licensure, with completion rates and first-time pass rates published annually by each program. Some institutions also offer accelerated tracks, bridge programs for career changers, and post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy options for practicing therapists seeking advanced clinical or research specialization.
Rankings, Outcomes, and Key Factors for Choosing an OT School
U.S. News & World Report publishes an annual ranking of occupational therapy programs based on peer assessment, research activity, and selectivity, with top-ranked programs often reporting NBCOT first-time pass rates above 90 percent and employment rates near 100 percent within months of graduation. Other factors to weigh include the breadth of clinical affiliations, the availability of specialized tracks such as pediatrics, gerontology, or mental health, and the proximity of fieldwork sites to your residence or preferred relocation area. Program length, credit requirements, and the balance of online versus in-person instruction also affect scheduling flexibility and total time to degree completion.
Graduates from accredited programs are eligible to sit for the NBCOT certification examination, which is required for licensure in most states, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of occupational therapists to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2032. When comparing schools, request data on average student loan debt, scholarship availability, and post-graduation outcomes from each program's admissions office or institutional research department. Use this information alongside location, cost, and format preferences