Occupational therapy (OT) is a rewarding healthcare profession that focuses on helping people of all ages participate in the activities that are important to them. Whether it鈥檚 a child struggling with fine motor skills, an adult recovering from a stroke, or an elderly person facing challenges with daily living, occupational therapists work to improve their clients鈥� quality of life by giving them the physical, emotional, and social skills needed to succeed.

If you鈥檙e passionate about helping others achieve their full potential and making a positive impact in your community, studying occupational therapy through an MSOT or OTD program might be the perfect career path for you.

You might be wondering how long occupational therapy school is. How many years will you have to devote to your education before you can practice? This can vary broadly. In general, an OT degree will typically take between two and four years to complete. However, the specific length of your degree will depend on the school you choose as well as whether you opt for a master鈥檚 or doctorate degree. Other factors to consider include whether you already have a bachelor鈥檚 degree and whether you need to complete prerequisites before starting.

Keep reading to get a better estimate of just how long it could take you to become an occupational therapist!

Choosing Your Path: MSOT vs. OTD

A Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) and an Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) are both advanced degrees that qualify individuals for their OT licensure exam. However, they differ in their scope, depth, and the type of roles they prepare graduates for.

MSOT: A Foundation for Practice

An MSOT primarily prepares graduates for direct patient care in various settings. According to the , occupational therapists often work in hospitals, OT offices, schools, home health services, or nursing care facilities. A master鈥檚 degree program usually take 2 to 3 years to complete and emphasizes clinical skills, assessment techniques, and evidence-based practice. You can view our MSOT curriculum online.

OTD: A Scholarly Deep Dive

While an OTD also prepares graduates for clinical practice, a doctorate provides more in-depth preparation for scholarship and research. It typically provides a broader preparation for students who eventually want to become leaders, educators, or researchers in the field of OT. Check out the OTD curriculum.

Additionally, an OTD degree includes a capstone project that serves as a culminating experience, enabling students to take ownership of a large project through the phases of research, development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. Read more about capstone projects at WCU.

How Long Is Occupational Therapy School at WCU

国产主播 offers both MSOT and OTD degrees. Here is a comparison of the two programs that can help you understand which option is right for you.

	MSOT	OTD
Program Length	24 months	32 months
Fieldwork Requirement	Fieldwork Level I: 3 credits Fieldwork Level II: 24 credits	Fieldwork Level I: 3 credits Fieldwork Level II: 24 credits
Capstone Project	X

Other Factors to Consider

In addition to program length, there are a few other factors that might affect how long it takes you to become a licensed occupational therapist. While researching programs, consider the following:

• Prior Education and Prerequisites
  Do you meet all requirements in order to start the program right away? If you don鈥檛, you might need to take some courses before you can start your OT degree. Many programs will require a 4-year bachelor鈥檚 degree. Common majors that prepare students for an OT education include kinesiology, biology, or psychology. However, regardless of your major, you will have to ensure you鈥檝e completed any prerequisite courses. For example, if you wanted to apply to WCU鈥檚 MSOT program, you would have to ensure you鈥檝e taken classes in areas such as human anatomy, physiology, and human development. You can find all our prerequisites online.
• Full-Time vs. Part-Time Schedules
  Some OT programs will allow you to choose between being a full-time or part-time student. Part-time students will typically have a lighter course load per term, spreading out necessary coursework over a longer period of time. This is a great option if you work or juggle different responsibilities. However, it also extends the amount of time you need to complete your degree.
• Routes for Students Without Bachelor鈥檚 Degrees
  While OT programs typically require a bachelor鈥檚 degree, some schools offer routes for students who do not have an undergraduate degree. For example, some schools combine a bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 into one program. This could be a 6-year program that starts with bachelor-level classes and immediately segues into graduate courses. At 国产主播, we offer a pathway for occupational therapy assistants to earn their master鈥檚 degree without having to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree first. This allows students in the OT field to leverage their experience and pursue their education.
  

Breaking Down Your OT Degree

Now that you know about how long you鈥檒l be in school, you should know what you鈥檒l be doing during those years. Occupational therapy school might be challenging, but it鈥檚 also a rewarding and fulfilling experienced that鈥檚 focused on helping you become a capable and compassionate healthcare practitioner.

Here鈥檚 what you can expect from your WCU education:

• Didactic Coursework
  Study the theory and science behind occupational therapy in a traditional classroom setting. This includes 1-2 days per week of online classes for flexibility.

• Simulation Experiences
  Practice skills and gain confidence in a safe environment. Our campus at the Center for Graduate Studies includes a simulation center with an apartment set-up similar to what you鈥檒l encounter on the job.
• Advanced Fieldwork Experiences
  Both our MSOT and OTD programs include 24 credits of Fieldwork Level II experience to provide real-life experience.

After Graduation: One Final Step

Even after you complete your OT degree, you have one vital step left before you become an occupational therapist: Getting your license!

Graduates of WCU鈥檚 OT programs are eligible to sit for the national certification exam.

The (NBCOT) administers the exam to certify occupational therapists, ensuring that practitioners meet the knowledge standards needed to provide quality care for clients. Most states require licensure to practice, and state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification exam. , students report spending about 6 weeks studying and preparing for the exam.

Additionally, maintaining your occupational therapist license might involve keeping up with your education, including staying aware of emerging trends and research. This is done through Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The (AOTA) provides some helpful information about CEUs.

OTD vs. Other Healthcare Fields

You might also be wondering how long is occupational therapy school in comparison to other healthcare fields. Program lengths can vary widely from one university to the other. As a quick guide, here are the different program lengths for some of the graduate healthcare degrees offered at 国产主播.

Degree length should only be one small factor you consider when it comes to choosing a healthcare field. You should also research the daily tasks you鈥檒l be performing, work environment, and patient populations. Explore all of our programs! 

Things to Remember

As you consider and research different occupational therapy programs, it鈥檚 important to remember that program length can vary greatly depending on what degree and university you choose. At 国产主播, you can graduate in as little as 24 months with our MSOT program or as few as 32 months with our OTD program.

If you need more help deciding on an occupational therapy program, please don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out to one of our knowledgeable advisors by attending an information session. Reserve your spot now!

Regardless of which option you choose, occupational therapy is a rewarding and fulfilling field! A quality OT preparation helps uniquely position you to make a real difference in your clients鈥� lives. Learn more about occupational therapy, including reading inspiring stories from our students and alumni on our blog!

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Occupational therapy doctorate students from the 国产主播鈥檚 Center for Graduate Studies embarked on a field trip to the Braille Institute in Los Angeles this summer.聽

This excursion offered an immersive experience that left a profound impact on the students, deepening their understanding of assistive technology and the practical challenges faced by individuals with visual impairments. The , located just a few blocks from the campus, is renowned for its extensive range of services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.聽聽

Dr. Stephanie Esgro, an instructor with WCU鈥檚 OT program, explained the significance of the visit; “The Braille Institute provides resources that we don鈥檛 have direct access to at the university. It鈥檚 an invaluable opportunity for students to see and interact with the technology and techniques that support individuals with visual impairments.”聽

During their visit, the students had the opportunity to engage with a range of adaptive technologies and resources. The day began with a tour led by Alex Welter, the community outreach manager at the Braille Institute. The tour provided a comprehensive overview of the Institute鈥檚 offerings and facilities. 

鈥淲e feel it is important for the OTD students to visit so they have a better understanding of all the services the Braille Institute provides,鈥� Welter said. 鈥淭he services provided by the Braille Institute might be a resource to them and their potential future patients. It is also important to expose the students to all possible career paths. We are part of the community and it鈥檚 good to know what services are available in their community.鈥� 

The field trip elicited strong reactions from the students, highlighting the profound impact of the experience. Many students described the visit as a pivotal moment in their education. Dr. Esgro noted that students were often surprised by the high costs of assistive technology and grateful for the free services provided by the Institute. This realization underscored the importance of the Braille Institute’s role in the community and motivated students to advocate for its services. 

The partnership between the university and the Braille Institute has proven to be mutually beneficial. The field trip is not only a learning experience for students but also helps promote awareness of the Institute’s invaluable services. Dr. Esgro emphasized the importance of this relationship, noting that it offers students a chance to learn about a critical resource while supporting the Institute鈥檚 mission through advocacy and community outreach. 

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