Why Choose Online Occupational Therapy Programs?
Occupational therapists have an important job, because they help people across their full lives when they need help learning how to complete every-day activities. Occupational therapy uses assessment tools and intervention techniques to help patients develop, recover and maintain the ability to participate and meaningful occupations, activities and more.
Choosing Online Occupational Therapy Programs
Online occupational therapy programs expand the availability of programs to those who cannot come to a traditional campus. Many programs have hybrid options, where students will participate in clinical hours in-person and take classes online.
Top 5 Schools for Online Occupational Therapy Programs
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Mary University | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| 2 | University of South Dakota | Vermillion, South Dakota |
| 3 | St. Catherine University | St. Paul, Minnesota |
| 4 | Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, Kentucky |
| 5 | Barry University | Miami Shores, Florida |
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for an occupational therapist is between $71,000 and $90,000 each year. The field is expected to grow as the aging baby-boomer population reaches retirement age and older. Occupational therapists often work with elderly patients.
We have put together a list of the top 15 online occupational therapy programs. They are listed in order from the best program to the worst.
The Best 15 Online Occupational Therapy Programs
Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University offers a Master of Science and Occupational Therapy. This is the largest occupational therapy program in the state of Wisconsin and has a total of 73 credit hours.
School Overview
University of South Dakota
In Vermillion, South Dakota, the University of South Dakota offers a post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy. The program takes place over the course of five semesters and is open to students who have a valid occupational therapy license.
School Overview
St. Catherine University
With just 35 credit hours, St. Catherine University offers an online doctorate in occupational therapy that can be completed quickly. The school does accept transfer credits, and with them, students can expect to graduate in two years or less.
School Overview
Eastern Kentucky University
Located in Richmond, Kentucky, EKU offers a 40 credit hour doctoral degree in occupational therapy online. The program only accepts master’s degree applicants who are certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
School Overview
Barry University
Barry University offers a doctoral degree in occupational therapy. The program has a 16-week internship and can be completed in two years. Students are able to customize the degree by choosing from 18 elective credits.
School Overview
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas offers several programs for entering into the field of occupational therapy. There is an entry-level master of occupational therapy, an entry-level occupational therapy doctorate and a post-professional occupational therapy degree. The post-professional degree has approximately 36 credits.
School Overview
University of Utah
Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, the University of Utah offers an online doctoral degree in occupational therapy with an asynchronous curriculum. This is a 36 credit hour program with core courses, a capstone project and electives.
School Overview
Misericordia University
Misericordia University also has an online doctoral degree focused on occupational therapy. Located in Dallas, Pennsylvania, the school offers its online doctoral program alongside in-person bachelor’s degree and master’s programs.
School Overview
Gannon University
Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, Gannon University has a post-professional doctorate in the occupational therapy program. The online program is composed of 34 credit hours and a capstone project completed in the fourth semester.
School Overview
Quinnipiac University
At Quinnipiac University, students can complete the majority of the course online, however, they will need to take one course for the length of a week at the university’s campus in Connecticut. Students taking this program full-time can expect to graduate in two years.
School Overview
George Washington University
George Washington University offers an online doctoral degree in occupational therapy. The program is made up of 36 credit hours, and there are electives in clinical research, advanced practitioner, teaching and learning.
School Overview
Temple University
Temple University offers a doctorate in occupational therapy. The program consists of 31 credit hours and only accepts students that have a master’s degree in occupational therapy already.
School Overview
Boston University
Boston University offers a doctorate in occupational therapy. Students who would like to join this program need to have a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree already. This program consists of between 33 and 37 credit hours.
School Overview
Ranking Specifications
In this article, we determined which school was the best for an online course in occupational therapy regardless of the degree level. The schools are ranked based on tuition and enrollment. Schools with lower tuition rates were given higher scores, and those with lower enrollment were as well. Once the scores were combined, the schools were ranked by those with the most points compared to those with the least.
Keep in mind that this information may change and the results are not guaranteed.
For more programs, check out our Doctorate degrees in Occupational Therapy page.
Do you work at one of these schools and have questions about your ranking? Reach out to us. We would be happy to talk to you. If you would like to have your school ranked, send us an email and let us know.
