Arkansas · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in Arkansas
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Arkansas has 5 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 4 doctoral (OTD) and 1 master's. Occupational therapists in Arkansas earn a median $106,360 a year.
Compare OT programs in Arkansas at a glance
NBCOT results, length, published cost and admission requirements side by side, all from official sources. Accredited programs first, sorted by 2025 pass rate.
| Program | Degree | NBCOT 2025 | Length | Published cost | Min. GPA | GRE | Obs. hours | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Colleges of Health Education Fort Smith | OTD | 100% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| University of Arkansas-Fayetteville/University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Fayetteville | OTD | 100% | 3 years (9 semesters) | — | 3 | No | 16 | January |
| University of Central Arkansas Conway | OTD | 98% | 36 months | — | — | — | — | — |
| Arkansas State University-Jonesboro Jonesboro | OTD | 86% | 9 semesters | — | 3 | — | — | — |
| Harding University Searcy | Master’s | — | 24 months | $74,790 | — | — | — | — |
— = not published or not yet verified. Costs are as each school publishes them (full-program tuition; * = all-in total). NBCOT = share of new graduates passing in 2025. Click a program for sources and quotes.
All occupational therapy programs in Arkansas
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Colleges of Health Education Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Fort Smith | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Arkansas State University-Jonesboro Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Jonesboro | 9 semesters | See program | 86% ’25 | Accredited |
| Harding University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy | Searcy | 24 months | On ground | — | Accredited |
| University of Arkansas-Fayetteville/University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Doctor of Occupational Therapy (entry-level) | Fayetteville | 3 years (9 semesters) | Full-time, on campus, with off-campus fieldwork and capstone | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of Central Arkansas Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Conway | 36 months | See program | 98% ’25 | Accredited |
Status and degree level from the ACOTE directory. Length and format only where confirmed on the program’s own website. NBCOT = share of the program’s new graduates who passed the NBCOT exam in the latest year reported (NBCOT school performance data, retrieved 2026-10-08); new programs have no results yet.
OTD programs in Arkansas
- Arkansas Colleges of Health Education · Fort Smith
- Arkansas State University-Jonesboro · Jonesboro
- University of Arkansas-Fayetteville/University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences · Fayetteville
- University of Central Arkansas · Conway
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in Arkansas
- Harding University · Searcy
OTD or master's in Arkansas?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a Arkansas license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 4 OTD programs, typically 3 years.
- 1 master's programs.
- NBCOT pass rate: the median program here reported 99% of new graduates passing in 2025 (4 programs). Compare nationally.
- 1 program starts in January or spring: University of Arkansas-Fayetteville/University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. All spring-start programs.
- 1 confirmed no-GRE program. No-GRE list.
Pay in Arkansas
U.S. median for occupational therapists: $100,330. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Compare all states.
How to become an occupational therapist in Arkansas
- Earn a bachelor’s degree and the prerequisites your target programs require (usually anatomy and physiology, psychology, and statistics). See OT school prerequisites.
- Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited master’s or OTD program, including at least 24 weeks of full-time Level II fieldwork (plus a 14-week capstone for the OTD).
- Pass the NBCOT OTR exam to become a registered occupational therapist.
- Apply for a Arkansas license from the Arkansas State Medical Board before you practice. See how to get licensed in Arkansas.
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in Arkansas?
ACOTE lists 5 entry-level OT programs at 5 schools in Arkansas: 4 doctoral (OTD) and 1 master's.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in Arkansas?
Both are entry-level degrees: graduates of either take the same NBCOT exam and get the same state license. The OTD adds a 14-week doctoral capstone, so it usually takes longer and costs more. Arkansas has 4 OTD and 1 master's program. See master's vs. doctorate.
How long is OT school in Arkansas?
OTD programs run 3 years (2 programs). Lengths are from each program’s website; most include fieldwork.
How much do occupational therapists make in Arkansas?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in Arkansas was $106,360 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $65,160 to $144,250.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in Arkansas?
Yes: 5 OTA programs. See OTA schools in Arkansas.
Sources: ACOTE school directory (retrieved October 9, 2026); each program’s website (linked on its page); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2025). Found an error? Tell us and we will re-check the source.