Occupational Therapy Programs

The main difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy lies in their goals. The goals of physical therapy are to relieve pain while improving the patient’s strength, range of motion and mobility. The goals of occupational therapy, meanwhile, are to improve quality of life and help patients become more active participants in their daily routine through adaptive equipment, rehabilitation and skills development.

Yes, accredited occupational therapy programs are designed to prepare graduates for the next steps in the credentialing process.A graduate occupational therapy program must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education^{(See disclaimer ®)} (ACOTE^{(See disclaimer ®)}) in order for graduates to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT^{(See disclaimer ®)}) certification examination, which is required by most states to obtain state licensure. Likewise, graduates of an ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program may be eligible to sit for the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA^{(See disclaimer ®)}) certification examination and pursue state credentialing, where required.

ACOTE Statement on Certification and Licensure
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education^{(See disclaimer ®)} (ACOTE^{(See disclaimer ®)}) emphasizes that graduation from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy (OT) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program is a prerequisite for eligibility to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT^{(See disclaimer ®)}) certification examination. Graduates must successfully pass the NBCOT^{(See disclaimer ®)} exam to earn the credential OTR^{(See disclaimer ®)} (Occupational Therapist, Registered) or COTA^{(See disclaimer ®)} (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant). Most U.S. states require NBCOT^{(See disclaimer ®)} certification as part of their licensure process. State licensure laws vary, but passing the NBCOT^{(See disclaimer ®)} exam is generally a mandatory step before practicing.

Occupational therapists typically need a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree.^{(See disclaimer 6)} The bachelor’s degree can be in any subject, although master’s degree applicants may be required to complete certain coursework at the undergraduate level.^{(See disclaimer 6)} If you have a bachelor’s degree unrelated to OT, you may complete GCU's bridge MSOT pathway to help you qualify for the master’s degree. A master’s degree that leads to the licensure exam will need to include supervised fieldwork experiences in order to properly prepare you for potential licensure.^{(See disclaimer 6)}

Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs), on the other hand, can prepare for the profession by earning a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy assistant, completing required fieldwork and meeting certification and state credentialing requirements.

An online^{(See disclaimer 3)} occupational therapy program may be worth it if you’re interested in a career that can empower people to lead a healthier, more productive and more meaningful life. Occupational therapists can work in a variety of settings, providing career flexibility and a variety of environments and clientele. In addition, OTs are projected to have a 14% job growth rate, much faster than average, from 2024 through 2034.^{(See disclaimer 7)}

Occupational therapists typically need a master’s degree to pursue licensure as an OT. All states require licensure for this profession. Occupational therapy graduate programs must be accredited and offer an approved curriculum that includes coursework in anatomy, kinesiology and neuroscience, as well as fieldwork experiences.^{(See disclaimer 6 )}You can view a list of accredited OT programs by visiting the ACOTE website.

Occupational therapy assistants follow a different educational pathway and may qualify to pursue certification and state credentialing after graduating from an accredited OTA program and meeting applicable requirements. GCU students can choose the educational pathway that aligns with their career goals, whether they want to become an OT or an OTA.

In online^{(See disclaimer 3 )}occupational therapy programs, you will study skills such as client assessments, treatment planning, client rehabilitation and clinical reasoning. You’ll examine the Occupational Therapy Domain and Process Framework as you prepare to apply evidence-based practices while implementing intervention plans. You’ll also have opportunities to develop soft skills, such as communication skills, interpersonal skills and problem-solving.