Topics: Programs and Degrees | Accreditation | Career Planning
1. What is the difference between an entry-level master's and an entry-level doctoral degree?
Both degree levels are currently routes of entry to the profession and are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Both degree levels prepare graduates to be entry-level practitioners; however, students must hold a baccalaureate degree for admission into the doctoral program. The doctoral degree offers additional semesters of study focusing on clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development. Both degree levels require Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences. In addition, doctoral students must also complete an experiential component (16 weeks) and culminating project.
2. What is the difference between an MOT, MA, or MS degree that is awarded at the completion of my master's degree program?
These are all appropriate degrees to award at the completion of an entry-level occupational therapy educational program. The degree awarded is an institutional prerogative based on consistency with the mission and structure of the college or university. All are considered entry-level degrees, although the MOT designation is more commonly used to designate an entry-level degree.
3. What should I major in at the undergraduate level if I apply to an entry-level master's or an entry-level doctoral program?
Examples of what other students have majored in at the undergraduate level include biology, kinesiology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts, and anatomy. It is important that you contact the educational programs to which you are interested in applying and make sure you have taken the necessary prerequisites for admission into their programs.
4. I want to specialize in a certain area of practice (e.g., environmental modifications, pediatrics). How do I find a program with this specialty?
All entry-level educational programs prepare you to be a generalist. Specializing in one area of practice would be something you would pursue after you graduate and successfully pass the national certification examination. Many practitioners do select a specialty area of practice. Others change their area of practice throughout their careers. Occupational therapy provides a great deal of career flexibility. Recent graduates and new practitioners interested in advancing their practice and specializing in the field of occupational therapy may want to consider completing a Fellowship Program.
5. What is fieldwork education?
Fieldwork education is a crucial part of your preparation to become an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. It provides you an opportunity to carry out practice and other professional responsibilities under supervision and role modeling by an experienced practitioner.
6. What is a combined entry-level bachelor's/master's degree program?
A combined bachelor's/master's program is an accredited program that accepts students without a bachelor's degree; awards a baccalaureate degree; then, upon completion of the master's-level academic coursework and fieldwork, awards an entry-level master's degree in occupational therapy. Successful completion of the master's degree portion of the program would be required for eligibility to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). These types of programs will generally accept transfer students.
7. What is the difference between an entry-level program and a post-professional program?
An entry-level program is for those students who want to study to become an occupational therapist. A post-professional program is for occupational therapists who want to further their education, usually in an area of specialization (e.g., pediatrics).
8. Are there any entry-level occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant educational programs offered online?
There are no accredited entry-level occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant educational programs that are offered in the online format. Some educational programs may offer some courses or parts of courses online (see listings under “Distance Education” here), but there are no educational programs offered entirely online.
9. Some programs require that I have observation or volunteer experience. Who do I contact to set this up?
It is suggested that you contact local facilities that employ occupational therapists and/or occupational therapy assistants (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, or school systems). You can find these numbers by doing an internet search for Occupational Therapy or Rehabilitation in the local area or by contacting your state occupational therapy association. These requests are made quite frequently and you will find most facilities accommodating. Be prepared to discuss your reason for the request and your availability. You are advised to call facilities rather than email them.
10. How do I know which program is the best or has a higher ranking?
Neither the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) nor ACOTE ranks programs. Accreditation of a program indicates that the program is in substantial compliance with the accreditation Standards. Various programs may exceed the minimum standards, but they are not acknowledged as such by AOTA. Those Standards are available on the ACOTE Accreditation section. The list of accredited educational programs, available on our website, will indicate the current accreditation status of the program.
11. How do I decide which school to attend?
There are many factors that will impact your decision, including the mission and size of the college or university, faculty qualifications, geographic location, cost, degree awarded, length of the program, and program outcomes. The list of accredited programs will include links to the program's Web page and telephone numbers for each program. You may wish to contact the program in which you are interested to inquire about the success of program graduates on the national certification examination, job placement rates, employer satisfaction with program graduates, and graduate satisfaction with the program. National certification exam results of OT and OTA programs are available on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) School Performance website.
Accreditation
12. AOTA’s program listing indicates that the program I am attending is on Probation. Why was my program placed on Probation?
If a program is not in compliance with one or more ACOTE Accreditation Standards, ACOTE may change a program’s status to Probationary Accreditation for any of the following reasons:
- The areas of noncompliance are so serious that the capability of the program to provide acceptable educational experiences for the students is threatened.
- The program has failed to document significant progress toward compliance with one or more cited areas of noncompliance.
- The program is in jeopardy of having its accreditation status withdrawn due to the mandated time limit for carrying areas of noncompliance.
Click on “Disclosure Statement” under the program listing to obtain more information about the reasons that the program was placed on Probationary Accreditation status. Programs on Probationary Accreditation status must submit a report to ACOTE documenting plans to return the program to full compliance with the Standards within the U.S. Department of Education-mandated time period for correction.
Probationary Accreditation is an accreditation category. During a period of Probationary Accreditation, programs are recognized and listed as being accredited and its graduates are still eligible to sit for the national certification exam.
13. What does Candidacy Status mean?
This term refers to new programs that are not yet accredited but have completed the first step in the 3-step initial accreditation process. New programs seeking initial accreditation must submit a Candidacy Application to ACOTE. The application is reviewed and ACOTE must take action to either grant or deny Candidacy Status (step 1). Not all programs are successful in obtaining Candidacy Status, and that status must be attained before students can be admitted into the program. Although the "Candidacy Status" designation does not guarantee that the program will be accredited, it indicates that the resource allocation and plan for development of the proposed program appear to demonstrate the ability to meet ACOTE Standards. After a program is granted Candidacy Status, the program will submit a Report of Self-Study for review by ACOTE (step 2) and will have an on-site evaluation (step 3).
14. What does Preaccreditation Status mean?
This term refers to new programs that are not yet accredited but have completed the first and second steps in the 3-step initial accreditation process. Although the "Preaccreditation Status" designation does not guarantee that the program will be accredited, it indicates that on the basis of the paper review of the submitted materials, the program would appear to meet ACOTE Standards if fully implemented in accordance with the plans of the sponsoring institution. An on-site evaluation (step 3) will be conducted before the first class completes the academic curriculum. If the program can successfully demonstrate substantial compliance with the Standards, it will be granted accreditation. If not, accreditation will be withheld.
15. What happens if a program doesn't get accredited?
There is definitely a degree of risk involved in entering a program that is not yet accredited. When a program fails to obtain accreditation before the first class of student graduates, the program is no longer viable and closes. In order to be eligible to sit for the NBCOT certification examination, one must graduate from an ACOTE-accredited program. This is why it is essential for new programs to obtain accreditation before the first class of students graduates.
16. What happens to the students who are in a developing program if it is not accredited?
The students will have earned the course/credit hours taken but are not eligible for the certification examination. To be eligible for the certification examination, those students would need to transfer to a program that is accredited and complete that program's requirements for graduation. Credits from the unaccredited program may or may not be accepted by another program.
17. How many programs don't get accredited the first time?
The numbers are low, but occasionally there is a program that is not successful in obtaining accreditation. That is why the procedure requires that new programs obtain Candidacy Status from ACOTE prior to the admission of the first class of students.
18. Should I enroll in a program that is not yet accredited?
As previously stated, there is definitely a degree of risk involved in entering a program that is not yet accredited because students must graduate from an ACOTE-accredited program to be eligible to sit for the NBCOT certification examination. However, all new programs must follow a 3-step initial accreditation process which allows ACOTE to monitor progress toward compliance with the ACOTE accreditation Standards. Students considering enrolling in a new program are encouraged to contact the program to obtain information on the progress made toward compliance with the Standards.
Career Planning
19. What is the difference between an occupational therapy assistant and an occupational therapy aide?
An occupational therapy assistant is a graduate of an accredited occupational therapy assistant educational program and is eligible to sit for the national certification examination. Most states regulate occupational therapy assistants. Occupational therapy aides provide supportive services to the occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. Occupational therapy aides usually receive their training on the job and are not eligible for certification or licensure. Occupational therapy aide programs are not accredited by AOTA's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and certification of aides is not required. You may want to contact your state regulatory board to determine what services and regulations apply to occupational therapy aides in your state.
20. I am currently working in another profession. I am considering occupational therapy as a second career. Is this feasible?
A good number of students go back to school to become an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant. You would need to contact the individual educational programs to which you are interested in applying in order to determine what prerequisites you would need to take.
21. How much will I make as an occupational therapist?
For the most recent salary information, go to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
22. How much will I make as an occupational therapy assistant?
For the most recent salary information, go to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
23. Where can I find financial aid information?
Here. But you should first start with the Financial Aid offices at the schools to which you have applied.
24. I know that I need to take a national certification exam when I graduate. Do I have to take this exam in each state that I would like to practice?
This is a national exam. You can take it anywhere it is offered. Your exam results will be reported to the appropriate state regulatory bodies that you have previously indicated. Once you successfully pass the national certification examination, you can apply for a license in any state.
25. Who can I contact if I have further questions?
For further information about studying to become an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, send inquiries to educate@aota.org. To ask questions of an OT or OTA student, send inquiries to AskAStudent@aota.org. Allow up to 1 week for a response.