Bay Area · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in San Francisco Bay Area, CA
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
San Francisco Bay Area, CA has 7 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 3 doctoral (OTD) and 4 master's. 6 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development. Occupational therapists in California earn a median $124,510 a year.
Bay Area here means programs in Oakland, San Jose, San Mateo, San Rafael. See all California programs.
Compare OT programs in San Francisco Bay Area, CA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose State University San Jose | Master’s | 92% | — | — | 3 | — | 30 rec. | — |
| Dominican University of California San Rafael | Master’s | 90% | — | — | — | — | 40 | — |
| Samuel Merritt University Oakland | OTD | 89% | 3 years (8 semesters) | $150,099 | 3 | No | — | — |
| Samuel Merritt University Oakland | Master’s | 83% | 2 years (6.25 semesters) | $119,483 | 3 | No | — | — |
| Dominican University of California San Rafael | OTD | — | 3 years (9 semesters) | $130,324 | 3 | No | 40 | — |
| San Jose State University San Jose | OTD | — | — | — | 3 | — | 30 rec. | — |
| Gurnick Academy Applicant San Mateo | Master’s | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— = 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 San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican University of California Accelerated Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | San Rafael | See program | See program | 90% ’25 | Accredited |
| Dominican University of California Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | San Rafael | 3 years (9 semesters) | On-campus (primarily in-person) | — | Accredited |
| Samuel Merritt University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | Oakland | 2 years (6.25 semesters) | On-campus | 83% ’25 | Accredited |
| Samuel Merritt University Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Oakland | 3 years (8 semesters) | On-campus | 89% ’25 | Accredited |
| San Jose State University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | San Jose | See program | See program | 92% ’25 | Accredited |
| San Jose State University Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | San Jose | See program | See program | — | Accredited |
| Gurnick Academy Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) | San Mateo | See program | See program | — | Applicant |
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 San Francisco Bay Area, CA
- Dominican University of California · San Rafael
- Samuel Merritt University · Oakland
- San Jose State University · San Jose
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in San Francisco Bay Area, CA
- Dominican University of California · San Rafael
- Gurnick Academy · San Mateo
- Samuel Merritt University · Oakland
- San Jose State University · San Jose
New OT programs opening in San Francisco Bay Area, CA
1 program in San Francisco Bay Area, CA is in ACOTE’s accreditation process (Applicant, Candidacy or Preaccreditation). Under ACOTE policy, a new program must be granted full Accreditation status before its graduates can sit for the NBCOT exam, so ask each school where it is in that process.
- Gurnick Academy — Entry-level master's, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2028/2029)
All new OT programs nationwide and what each ACOTE status means →
OTD or master's in San Francisco Bay Area, CA?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a California license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 3 OTD programs, typically 3 years.
- 4 master's programs.
- NBCOT pass rate: the median program here reported 90% of new graduates passing in 2025 (4 programs). Compare nationally.
- 3 confirmed no-GRE programs. No-GRE list.
Pay in California
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 California
- 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 California license from the California Board of Occupational Therapy before you practice. See how to get licensed in California.
More areas in California
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in San Francisco Bay Area, CA?
ACOTE lists 7 entry-level OT programs at 4 schools in San Francisco Bay Area, CA: 3 doctoral (OTD) and 4 master's. 1 program is new and still working toward full accreditation.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in San Francisco Bay Area, CA?
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. San Francisco Bay Area, CA has 3 OTD and 4 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How long is OT school in San Francisco Bay Area, CA?
OTD programs run 3 years (2 programs). Lengths are from each program’s website; most include fieldwork.
How much do occupational therapists make in California?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in California was $124,510 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $85,550 to $158,560.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in San Francisco Bay Area, CA?
ACOTE does not list an OTA program in San Francisco Bay Area, CA right now. See OTA programs in other states.
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.