Occupational Therapy Degrees

Guides to occupational therapy education

Short guides that explain how to compare programs without confusing pathways, award types or accreditation. Professional requirements are summarized from current official sources, which are linked, and should be confirmed with them.

Choosing a pathway

  • Combined Occupational Therapy Degrees

    What combined, accelerated and bridge pathways to an entry-level OT degree are, and what to confirm before you commit.

    Updated 3 November 2026

  • How to Become an Occupational Therapist

    The usual US route to practising as an occupational therapist, from an accredited entry-level degree to NBCOT certification and state licensure.

    Updated 3 November 2026

  • How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant

    The usual US route to working as an occupational therapy assistant: an accredited OTA program, fieldwork, the NBCOT exam and state licensure.

    Updated 3 November 2026

  • Pre-OT Bachelor’s Pathways

    How undergraduates prepare for occupational therapy graduate programs, what “pre-OT” does and does not mean, and what to check with each program.

    Updated 3 November 2026

Qualifications and awards

  • Certificates vs Professional Certification

    The difference between a certificate from a school and NBCOT professional certification, and why a certificate cannot qualify you as an OT or OTA.

    Updated 3 November 2026

  • Entry-Level vs Post-Professional OTD

    Two kinds of Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree with different purposes, and how to tell which one a program is.

    Updated 3 November 2026

  • MOT vs MSOT vs OTD

    How entry-level master’s and doctoral OT degrees differ, what the abbreviations mean, and what to check beyond the title.

    Updated 3 November 2026

  • OT vs OTA vs Occupational Therapy Aide

    How occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and aides differ in education, credentials and role, and why the titles are not interchangeable.

    Updated 3 November 2026

  • OTD vs PhD in Occupational Therapy

    Why a PhD is not an OTD, what each degree is for, and which one can lead to certification as an occupational therapist.

    Updated 3 November 2026

Admissions, fieldwork and practice

  • NBCOT Certification and State Licensure

    How NBCOT certification (OTR and COTA) differs from state licensure, and why a degree alone gives you neither.

    Updated 3 November 2026

  • Applying Through OTCAS

    What the centralized OT application service is, how it fits with program-specific requirements, and what to confirm before you apply.

    Updated 3 November 2026

  • Understanding ACOTE Accreditation

    What ACOTE accreditation is, why it matters for NBCOT eligibility, how to check a program, and what accreditation does not guarantee.

    Updated 3 November 2026

Online learning

Costs and funding