10 Most Affordable Online Occupational Therapy Programs

Affordable online occupational therapy programs are offered by a variety of schools with flexible programs to help you advance your career. If you’re interested in learning more about the most affordable online occupational therapy programs then you are in the right place! This degree could be right for you if you already hold a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and want to pursue licensing as an occupational therapist.

There are many factors to consider with this degree. First, most master’s degrees in OT are not quick. So you will most likely spend 2.5 to 3 years working on this degree. But, an online student can receive the same type of financial aid as traditional students. Additionally, most MOT or MSOT degrees are in a blended or hybrid format. Because of the hands-on nature of this field, it’s hard to find fully online programs. Keep that in mind as you do your research and as you read this ranking. A lot of the coursework is online, but the programs have on-campus components to them as well. Use that information to guide your search. Good luck!

In this ranking of the quickest online master’s degrees in Occupational Therapy, we examine the below most common OT degrees.

• Online Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
• Online Master of Science of Occupational Therapy (MSOT)
• Hybrid Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
• Hybrid Master of Science of Occupational Therapy (MSOT)

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Featured Schools:

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Methodology for Ranking Online Occupational Therapy Programs

In order to rank the easiest online master’s in Occupational Therapy, we scored the schools based on 3 criteria. We used the Student to Faculty ratio, the school’s in-state graduate tuition, and also the duration of the program. We used the school’s website for information, as well as the National Center for Education Statistics. If any information didn’t fit within the parameters of the scoring, zero points were awarded for that category. If schools end up with tie-in points awarded, weight is given to the occupational therapy schools with the lowest tuition. Now, let’s get to the quickest online master’s in Occupational Therapy programs! 

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What are Common Master’s Degrees in Occupational Therapy?

Below are the most common types of online master’s degrees in Occupational Therapy.

Online Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
Online Master of Science of Occupational Therapy (MSOT)
Hybrid Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
Hybrid Master of Science of Occupational Therapy (MSOT)

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What is a Fast Master’s in Occupational Therapy?

A Fast Master’s in Occupational Therapy (FMOT) is a specialized program that allows students to attain their MS degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) in a shorter period of time than traditional graduate degree programs. These programs typically consist of a mixture of online courses, clinical experience, and on-campus intensive intensive sessions, allowing mature students to work more efficiently and quickly complete their degree program.

In order to start applying for Master’s programs in Occupational Therapy, you will first need a Bachelor’s degree. While you can theoretically major in any undergraduate discipline, it would be wise to obtain a major in an area related to the subjects covered in OT graduate programs. For example, undergraduate majors in fields like biology, kinesiology, health sciences, exercise science, liberal arts, or psychology would be beneficial.

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What is the Difference Between an Occupational Therapist and a Physical Therapist?

The main difference between an occupational therapist and a physical therapist is the type of treatment they offer. Both health professions are good jobs that pay well. However, occupational therapists focus on helping people with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities (cancer, spinal cord injuries, autism, cerebral palsy) regain the ability to perform day-to-day activities. This includes activities such as dressing, eating, and toileting. They also assess and provide treatments that are focused on developing people’s ability to perform activities of daily life, or skills that are essential to independent living.

Physical therapists, on the other hand, focus on helping people restore strength, range of motion, and balance. They focus more on the physical aspects of recovery, such as strengthening muscles, ligaments, and joints. Physical therapy also uses physical modalities such as massage, heat, and ultrasound to help reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling. Physical therapists also design exercises and programs that are aimed at helping patients improve posture and coordination, while also increasing their physical strength and endurance.

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What are the Admission Requirements for a Fast OT Online Degree?

Admission to graduate occupational therapy programs is pretty competitive. While entry to each program will vary, here are a few requirements you might encounter:

• a bachelor’s degree and completion of all prerequisite classes, like human anatomy.
• a high undergraduate GPA: you will at least need a 3.0 undergraduate GPA (with some programs requiring even higher GPAs like 3.3+).
• volunteer hours as an occupational therapy aid: some graduate OT programs require upwards of 150+ volunteer hours in order to be admitted, so it will be important to pursue volunteer opportunities during your undergraduate degrees.
• an adequate score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE): many schools will require a standardized test score for admission.
• letters of recommendation: because admission to graduate OT programs is competitive, having an endorsement from a reputable science teacher or clinical supervisor would be extremely beneficial.

In order to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy certification exam, it is required for students to graduate from an occupational therapy program that is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association. For a full list of master’s degree programs that are AOTA-accredited, click here.

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When You Graduate with a Master’s in OT, are You Automatically Licensed to Practice?

No, you will not! To work as a licensed occupational therapist in any state, you need a license. So after you online complete one of the occupational therapy programs, you will need to pass the NBCOT certification exam. In order to become a licensed OT, you will need to do the following:

• Graduate from an AOTA-accredited OT program
• Apply for the NBCOT certification exam
• Pass the certification examination from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
• Apply for the license in the state in which you wish to work
• After successful completion of the exam, the applicant will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR)

*Note that all states might have different licensing requirements. Check with your state to see exactly what you need.

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Do You Need to Complete an Internship or OT Fieldwork?

Yes, absolutely. To graduate and be eligible for national certification and state licensure students must complete fieldwork experiences. No matter what easy Masters in Occupational Therapy online program you choose, you will have to participate in a hands-on fieldwork experience. A typical OTD program includes two 12-week fieldwork experiences that provide real-world situations so students gain experience.

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Is an MOT or MSOT Degree a Terminal Degree?

The term terminal degree refers to the highest level degree in a given field. So neither an MOT or MSOT degree is a terminal degree because a doctoral-level degree is offered. However, occupational therapy students can go on to earn another graduate degree that is a doctoral degree. And many program offer advanced standing for students who earned a master’s degree at that institution.

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What Can You Do With a Master’s in Occupational Therapy? 

With a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, you can work as an Occupational Therapist in a variety of settings. Some of these include acute care hospitals, physical rehabilitation centers, long-term care centers, schools, and also private practice. Additionally, you may specialize in areas such as hand therapy, work conditioning, orthotics, or physical disabilities. These professionals assess, diagnose, and treat patients with physical, mental, emotional, or developmental impairments through the use of activities or exercises to help them improve their daily living performance.

Other options could be for you to continue your studies and get a doctoral-level degree (called an OTD), especially if you want to go into teaching or research.

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What is the Career Outlook in Occupational Therapy? 

When looking for careers that will be sustainable over time, it’s wise to think about your passion. But you also want to look at the job outlook, trends, and how fast the profession will grow. This ensures you enter a career path and field is thriving and promises to foster growth for you over time.

The good news is the career outlook for occupational therapists is very positive. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that OT’s job growth will grow faster than average. Between now and the year 2031, the field is expected to increase by 14% (BLS). A growing elderly population and increases in chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity are expected to continue to create demand for occupational therapy services.

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What are Occupational Therapist Specializations?

An occupational therapist specialization is a focused area of practice that each occupational therapist may choose, such as pediatrics, mental health, low vision, ergonomics, home health, or geriatrics. Specialists have advanced training that focuses on their chosen specialization. Below are some additional areas of OT specialization.

1. Physical Disabilities
2. Aging and Geriatrics
3. Mental Health and Cognitive Disabilities
4. Sensory Disabilities
5. Developmental Disabilities
6. Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
7. Hand Therapy
8. Sports and Orthopedic Injuries
9. Assistive Technology
10. Neurological Rehabilitation
11. Women’s Health
12. Ergonomics and Assistive Technology
13. Low Vision and Blind Rehabilitation
14. Pediatric Rehabilitation
15. Lymphedema
16. Vocational Rehabilitation

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How Much Can You Earn with a Master’s in OT?

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that OT’s make around $85,570 per year (BLS). And the salaries range from $60,680 for entry level positions to more than $123,840. Additionally, occupational therapists with specializations earn more than their counterparts. Below are the BLS states with the highest employment level of Occupational Therapists with salary.

State	Employment	Annual mean wage
California	13,230	$109,220
Texas	8,910	$96,900
New York	8,660	$95,280
Florida	7,760	$88,910
Pennsylvania	7,290	$88,560

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Should You Pursue a Doctorate Degree in Occupational Therapy?

This will depend on what you want to do after you graduate with your master’s in OT. Do you want to teach? Do you want to work in research? If so, you might want to continue with your OT online degree.

If a more hands-on career is important to you, you may not need to pursue an OTD degree. But, as all fields and requirements evolve and change, it’s important to always research what you need academically before you pursue a given field.

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Occupational Therapy Professional Organizations

Professional organizations are definitely something to check out for ongoing support, peer support, network building, and current research discovery.

• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

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