Occupational therapy is one of the fastest-growing professions in the country. The field is projected to grow 14% through 2034, far faster than the national average, with about 10,200 openings each year. U.S. News & World Report ranks 6th in the best healthcare jobs in America and among the 20 best jobs, with strong earning potential and growing career opportunities nationwide. Graduates are needed in hospitals, schools, clinics, homes and community settings, providing a career that is both deeply meaningful and professionally rewarding.
At Walsh University, becoming an occupational therapist is about more than earning adegree,it is about developing the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program combines rigorous academic preparation with hands-on learning experiences, preparing graduates to thrive in today's rapidly evolving healthcare environment.
What sets Walsh OT apart is its student-centered approach. Small class sizes, personalized faculty mentorship, and a supportive learning community allow students to build strong relationships with faculty and peers throughout the program. Studentsbenefitfrom a curriculum grounded in evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, professional leadership, and compassionate, client-centered care.
The program blends innovative hybrid learning with immersive laboratory experiences, simulation, community engagement, and diverse fieldwork opportunities. Through flipped classroom strategies and active learning experiences, students develop the practical skills and critical thinking abilities needed for contemporary occupational therapy practice.
Rooted in Walsh University's mission and values, the program emphasizes service, ethical practice, cultural responsiveness, and holistic care. Students are challenged to become reflective practitioners, effective collaborators, and leaders who advocate for the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
Occupational therapy continues to be one of the nation's fastest-growing healthcare professions, with employment projected to grow significantly faster than the average for all occupations over the next decade. Walsh graduates are prepared to enter this expanding field with the clinical competence, professionalism, and adaptability needed to succeed across a wide range of practice settings.
Whether your goal is to work with children, support older adults, promote mental health, advance rehabilitation outcomes, or explore emerging areas of practice, Walsh University's MOT program provides the foundation to turn your passion for helpingothers into a meaningful and impactful career. Complete your MOT degree in 36 months.
Occupational therapy is a dynamic and rewarding profession dedicated to helping individualsparticipatefully inthe activitiesthat give meaning and purpose to their lives. Whether supporting a child’s participation in school, helping an older adultmaintainindependence at home,assistinga person recovering from injury to return to work, or promoting health and wellness within communities, occupational therapists empower people to engage in meaningful occupations across the lifespan.
At Walsh University, the Master of Occupational Therapy Program prepares future practitioners to become compassionate, ethical, and evidence-informed leaders who serve others through occupational therapy. Rooted in the University’s mission of developing leaders in service to others, the program emphasizes holistic, client-centered care that recognizes the physical, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of health and well-being.
Through a combination of rigorous coursework, hands-on learning experiences, community engagement, and fieldwork education, students develop the knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional skills necessary to meet the evolving needs of individuals, groups, and communities. Graduates are prepared to promote participation, advocate for occupational justice, and make meaningful contributions to the health and well-being of those they serve.
If you are passionate about helping others achieve their goals, overcome challenges, and live meaningful lives, the Walsh University Master of Occupational Therapy Program can help you turn that passion into a profession.
Students exploring a career in occupational therapy often ask about the difference between earning a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree and an entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree. Both are accredited entry-level pathways into the profession and prepare graduates to become licensed occupational therapists.
Same Profession. Same Certification. Same Career Opportunities.
Graduates of both MOT and OTD programs are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification examination and pursue statelicensure. Both degrees prepare graduates for entry-level occupational therapy practice, and employers hire MOT and OTD graduates into the same occupational therapy positions.
Current national datademonstrateno meaningful difference in employment outcomes or starting salary between MOT and OTD graduates. Compensation isgenerally influencedby factors such as geographic location, practice setting, experience, and employer rather than entry-level degree type.
For students whose goal is to become practicing occupational therapists, the MOT offers a direct and efficient pathway into the profession. Master's degree programs are typically shorter in length than doctoral programs, allowing students to graduate sooner and begin serving clients, earning income, and gaining professional experience.
National workforce dataindicatethat approximately 77% of newly graduated occupational therapists work primarily in clinical practice settings, and approximately 85% pursue employment within three months of graduation. Additionally, more than half of occupational therapy students report that their primary career goal is to become expert clinicians. American Occupational Therapy Association. (2023). AOTA 2023 workforce and compensation survey premium report. American Occupational Therapy Association.
AOTA Workforce and Compensation Survey Premium Report
Both the MOT and OTD prepare graduates for clinical practice. The primary distinction is that OTD programs includeadditionalcoursework and experiential learning focused on areas such as:
These areas can be valuable for students who have specific interests in administration, academia, research, or systems-level practice.
However, many occupational therapists choose to pursue advanced doctoral education later in their careers after gaining clinical experience andidentifyinga specialized area of professional interest. Options may include a Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Education (EdD), or Doctor of Health Science (DHSc).
There are currently no plans to require a doctoral degree for entry into the occupational therapy profession. The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) continues to recognize both master's and doctoral degrees as accredited entry-level pathways into occupational therapy practice.
Students often choose the Master of Occupational Therapy degree because it offers:
At Walsh University, the Master of Occupational Therapy program prepares graduates to become compassionate, evidence-based practitioners who are ready to meet the growing needs of individuals, families, and communities while making a meaningful impact through occupation-centered care.
For additional information, please visit the following websites: AOTA & ACOTE
Questions?
Contact Noelle Cole at ncole@walsh.edu for more information.
The Walsh University entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number is 301.652.6611 and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. NOTE: A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Earn your Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Walsh — a program with consistently strong outcomes, high certification exam pass rates, and timely program completion.
The total number of graduates from Walsh University's Master of Occupational Therapy program during the 3-year period 2023-2025 (most current) was 91, with an overall graduation rate of 98%.
| Graduation Year | Entered | Non-Academic Attrition 1 | Graduated 2 | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 30 | 3 | 25 | 93% |
| 2024 | 37 | 3 | 34 | 100% |
| 2023 | 38 | 6 | 32 | 100% |
| Total | 105 | 12 | 91 | 98% |
1 Students who withdrew, or did not graduate with the entering cohort, for reasons other than academic performance
2 The number of students who graduated according to the published program length. If a student does not graduate according to the published program length, the student should not be counted as a graduate for ACOTE graduation rate reporting.
To become a licensed occupational therapist, all states require passing the NBCOT initial certification exam.
Walsh University's NBCOT pass rate details can be viewed online by accessing the NBCOT School Performance Data page. To locate Walsh University’s program results, select Ohio, OT Masters-Level Programs and the desired year.
Graduates of Walsh University's occupational therapy program meet the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Guam. Students may also explore the AOTA State Licensure Resource page for general information about state licensure requirements. State-specific licensure details and direct links to licensing boards are available on the Walsh University Occupational Therapy Licensure Information page.
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