Chicago · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in Chicago area, IL
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Chicago area, IL has 15 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 6 doctoral (OTD) and 9 master's. 10 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development. Occupational therapists in Illinois earn a median $99,700 a year.
Chicago here means programs in Chicago, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Naperville, Romeoville, Schaumburg, South Holland, Tinley Park, University Park. See all Illinois programs.
Compare OT programs in Chicago area, IL 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis University-Romeoville Romeoville | Master’s | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rush University Chicago | OTD | 100% | 2 years 8 months (8 semesters) | — | 3 | — | 20 | — |
| University of Illinois Chicago Chicago | OTD | 100% | 2 years 9 months (full-time) | — | 3 | Required | 50 rec. | — |
| Chicago State University Chicago | Master’s | 92% | — | — | 3 | No | — | Fall |
| Elmhurst University Elmhurst | Master’s | 90% | 2 years (24 months full-time) | $72,000 | 3 | — | 20 | — |
| DePaul University Chicago | Master’s | 89% | — | $86,904 | 3 | — | 25 | — |
| Midwestern University-Downers Grove Campus Downers Grove | OTD | 88% | 33 months | $164,184* | 3 | No | — | — |
| North Central College Naperville | Master’s | 82% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Governors State University University Park | Master’s | 67% | 27 months | — | — | — | — | — |
| North Central College Naperville | OTD | — | 27 months (seven semesters) | $113,311* | 3 | No | 30 | Spring |
| Elmhurst University Applicant Elmhurst | OTD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Midwestern University-Downers Grove Campus Applicant Downer's Grove | Master’s | — | 24 months | — | 2.75 | No | — | — |
| National Louis University Applicant Chicago | Master’s | — | — | — | — | No | — | — |
| Roosevelt University Candidacy Schaumburg | Master’s | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| The Chicago School Applicant Chicago | OTD | — | 3 years | $123,750 | 3 | — | — | Fall (first cohort Fall 2027) |
— = 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 Chicago area, IL
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago State University Master of Occupational Therapy | Chicago | See program | Full-time or part-time (only year 1 can be part-time) | 92% ’25 | Accredited |
| DePaul University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy | Chicago | See program | In person | 89% ’25 | Accredited |
| Elmhurst University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | Elmhurst | 2 years (24 months full-time) | Hybrid | 90% ’25 | Accredited |
| Governors State University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | University Park | 27 months | See program | 67% ’25 | Accredited |
| Lewis University-Romeoville Entry-level master's | Romeoville | See program | See program | 100% ’22 | Accredited |
| Midwestern University-Downers Grove Campus Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Downers Grove | 33 months (30 months from the Summer 2027 cohort) | See program | 88% ’25 | Accredited |
| North Central College Entry-level master's · OTA-to-OT bridge | Naperville | See program | See program | 82% ’25 | Accredited |
| North Central College Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Naperville | 27 months (seven semesters) | Mix of online, traditional and hybrid courses | — | Accredited |
| Rush University Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Chicago | 2 years 8 months (8 semesters) | On-campus, full-time (hybrid elements) | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of Illinois Chicago Entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Chicago | 2 years 9 months (full-time) | On-campus | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Elmhurst University Doctor of Occupational Therapy (applicant) | Elmhurst | See program | See program | — | Applicant |
| Midwestern University-Downers Grove Campus Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.), Downers Grove campus | Downer's Grove | 24 months | In-person | — | Applicant |
| National Louis University Entry-level master's | Chicago | See program | See program | — | Applicant |
| Roosevelt University Entry-level master's | Schaumburg | See program | See program | — | Candidacy |
| The Chicago School Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Chicago | 3 years | Hybrid (online learning + on-campus immersions) | — | 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 Chicago area, IL
- Elmhurst University · Elmhurst
- Midwestern University-Downers Grove Campus · Downers Grove
- North Central College · Naperville
- Rush University · Chicago
- The Chicago School · Chicago
- University of Illinois Chicago · Chicago
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in Chicago area, IL
- Chicago State University · Chicago
- DePaul University · Chicago
- Elmhurst University · Elmhurst
- Governors State University · University Park
- Lewis University-Romeoville · Romeoville
- Midwestern University-Downers Grove Campus · Downer's Grove
- National Louis University · Chicago
- North Central College · Naperville
- Roosevelt University · Schaumburg
New OT programs opening in Chicago area, IL
5 programs in Chicago area, IL are 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.
- Elmhurst University — Entry-level OTD, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2030/2031)
- Midwestern University-Downers Grove Campus — Entry-level master's, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2028/2029)
- National Louis University — Entry-level master's, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2029/2030)
- Roosevelt University — Entry-level master's, candidacy (ACOTE on-site visit: 2027/2028)
- The Chicago School — Entry-level OTD, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2028/2029)
All new OT programs nationwide and what each ACOTE status means →
OTD or master's in Chicago area, IL?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a Illinois license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 6 OTD programs, typically 2 years to 3 years.
- 9 master's programs, typically 2 years to 27 months.
- 1 OTA-to-OT bridge program for working assistants. About bridge programs.
- 3 with hybrid, online or weekend formats (confirmed on the school’s site).
- NBCOT pass rate: the median program here reported 90% of new graduates passing in 2025 (8 programs). Compare nationally.
- 1 program starts in January or spring: North Central College. All spring-start programs.
- 5 confirmed no-GRE programs. No-GRE list.
Pay in Illinois
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 Illinois
- 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 Illinois license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation before you practice. See how to get licensed in Illinois.
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in Chicago area, IL?
ACOTE lists 15 entry-level OT programs at 12 schools in Chicago area, IL: 6 doctoral (OTD) and 9 master's. 5 programs are new and still working toward full accreditation.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in Chicago area, IL?
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. Chicago area, IL has 6 OTD and 9 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How long is OT school in Chicago area, IL?
Master's programs here that publish a length run 2 years to 27 months (3 programs). OTD programs run 2 years to 3 years (5 programs). Lengths are from each program’s website; most include fieldwork.
How much do occupational therapists make in Illinois?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in Illinois was $99,700 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $73,360 to $132,180.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in Chicago area, IL?
Yes: 3 OTA programs. See OTA schools in Illinois.
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.