Occupational Therapy Schools in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts state has 10 ACOTE accredited Occupational therapy Schools which provides an entry-level master degree or Doctor of Occupational therapy program. Plus, the state also has 4 ACOTE accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools which provides an associate degree. The license to practice as an OT or OTA is compulsory for the passed out students of OT schools.

The 10 Occupational therapy schools in Massachusetts are-

1. MGH Institute of Health Professions
2. American International College
3. Bay Path University
4. Boston University, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Sargent College)
5. Salem State University
6. Springfield College
7. Tufts University
8. Worcester State University
9. Western New England University
10. Regis College

Occupational therapy in Massachusetts-

The occupational therapist, Occupational therapy assistant, and OT/OTA students have their own state association, i.e. MAOT (Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy).

The MAOT is a non-profit volunteer organization which provides a professional community for its members. The MAOT is a state-based professional organization and public voice for the occupational therapy profession in Massachusetts.

The main role of the association is to promote the occupational therapy profession, create public awareness, provide support to the therapist in continuing education and improve and maintain the quality of occupational therapy profession in the state of Massachusetts. The MAOT is an affiliated state body of the American Occupational therapy association.

Website – www.maot.org

Occupational therapy License in Massachusetts-

Occupational therapist and Occupational therapy Assistants are required to get a license from the Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professionals.

The minimum requirements for the license are –

• Entry level master degree or OTD degree
• NBCOT exam’s passing certificate.
• Application fees of $209.

Temporary OT/OTA License:

A temporary license to practice as an occupational therapist (OT) or as an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) may be granted to persons who have completed the educational and experience requirements for licensure and are waiting to take or receive the results of the certification examination.

The license may be renewed only twice if applicants fail exam & is registered to sit for the next exam – if an applicant fails three exams, cannot be renewed again.

Occupational Therapy Schools in Massachusetts- a list of OT schools

#1 MGH Institute of Health Professions

The Occupational Therapy school at MGH Institute is the first accredited program in New England to offer an entry-level doctor of occupational therapy degree.

The OT school offers to learn in the state-of-the-art labs including functional living lab, which is having a kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. The faculty/student ratio for mentored doctoral experience is 1:1.

The OT school promote interdisciplinary students interaction (nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, speech-language pathologist) in the new IMPACT practice center.

MGH Institute of Health Professions School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Course Offered–	Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
University Campus	Boston, MA
Public or Private-	Private Institute.
Department Chair-	Lisa Tabor Connor, Ph.D., MSOT, OTR/L
Course Duration-	3-year program.
Class Size	—-
OT Admission	Once a year (Summer).
Application Procedure	Submit an Online application through OTCAS; A personal interview is required.
Minimum Requirement (OTD)	A bachelor degree; A cumulative GPA score of 3.0 or better; 3 letters of recommendation; A minimum OT observation of 40 hours in any OT practice settings; GRE score report is required; Minimum TOEFL (internet-based) requirement is 80 and the minimum IELTS requirement is 6.5 (for an international candidate); A personal statement; Immunization.
Prerequisite Coursework (OTD)	Human Anatomy or Human Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab); Human anatomy or Human anatomy & physiology II; Biology (with lab); Intro to Psychology; Abnormal Psychology; A Human Development course that covers the entire lifespan, from birth to death A Social Science course (Sociology, Anthropology, Ethics, Political Science, etc. are acceptable) Statistics.
Address	School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Department of Occupational Therapy 36 First Avenue, Charlestown Navy Yard Boston, MA 02129-4557 Email- otdel@mghihp.edu
Website	www.mghihp.edu/ot

#2 American International College

The Occupational therapy school at American International college offers 2 entry-level option and 1 post-professional degree.

The entry-level options are-

• Combined BS/MS Occupational therapy – 5-year program
• Master of Science in Occupational Therapy- 3-year program

Post-professional Doctor of Occupational therapy is available for the practicing registered occupational therapist.

American International College
Courses Offered–	BS/MS Occupational Therapy Master of Science Occupational Therapy Doctor of Occupational therapy (Post-Professional)
University Campus	Springfield, MA
Public or Private-	Private Institute.
Department Chair-	Joseph Pellerito, Jr., PhD, OTR/L
Course Duration-	BS/MS combined- 5 year program MSOT- 3-year program.
Class Size	35-40 students per year.
OT Admission	Once in a year (Fall).
Application Procedure	Submit an online admission application to the college.
Minimum Requirement (MSOT)	A bachelor’s degree; A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; 2 letters of recommendation (one must be academic) A personal statement; 16 total hours of occupational therapy observation in two different therapy settings.
Prerequisite Coursework (MSOT)	Anatomy and Physiology, with lab; General Physics, with lab; Abnormal Psychology; Developmental Psychology.
Address	Division of Occupational Therapy 1000 State Street Springfield, MA 01109-3189 Email- elaina.lempke@aic.edu
Website	www.aic.edu

#3 Bay Path University

The Occupational therapy school at Bay Path University offers an entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy degree. The classrooms at the Health Science Center are equipped with state of the art labs. The labs include Physical Disabilities Lab, Geriatrics Lab, Psychosocial Lab, Pediatrics Lab, and Model Apartment for home care practice.

The OT school also offers Bridge Program, which is an accelerated path for licensed Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) or Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA) to earn a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree while continuing to work in the field.

Bay Path’s post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program is a 100% online program for working professionals.

Bay Path University
Courses Offered–	Master of Occupational Therapy (entry level) Master of Occupational Therapy (bridge program) Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD- post-professional)
University Campus	Longmeadow, MA
Public or Private-	Private Institute.
Program Director-	Beverly St. Pierre, OTD, OTR/L
Course Duration-	MOT- 2-year program.
Class Size	35-40 students per year.
OT Admission	Once a year (Fall).
Application Procedure	Submit an online admission application to the college.
Minimum Requirement (MOT)	A bachelor’s degree; A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; A current resume; An admission essay; 2 letters of recommendation.
Prerequisite Coursework (MOT)	Anatomy & Physiology I & II (with lab); Developmental Psychology (lifespan birth to death); Statistics; Sociology, Anthropology, or Culture.
Address	Occupational Therapy Program 588 Longmeadow Street Longmeadow, MA 01106-2212 Email- otgraduate@baypath.edu
Website	www.baypath.edu

#4 Boston University, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Sargent College)

The OT program at Sargent College is world renowned and hold #1 rank in the Nation (U.S. News & World Report). The OT school has World-renowned faculty, which focuses on community-based practice and emerging practice areas.

The entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) is a combination of Coursework, fieldwork, and the doctoral experiential component. The OTD program is a hybrid program includes on-campus and online courses.

The MSOT Program converting to OTD Program. The current ACOTE status– Candidacy status (entry-level doctoral). The school also offers a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree (OTD- post-professional).

Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences (Sargent College)
Courses Offered–	Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD- entry level) Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD- post-professional)
University Campus	Boston, MA
Public or Private-	Private not-for-profit
Program Director-	Ellen Cohn, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Course Duration-	OTD- 3-year program.
Class Size	30 students per year.
OT Admission	Once a year (Fall).
Application Procedure	Submit an online application through OTCAS; A personal interview.
Minimum Requirement (OTD)	A bachelor’s degree; A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; A minimum GRE scores required (Verbal: 153; Quantitative: 144; and Writing: 4.5); One special essay; 3 letters of recommendation. Experiences in at least two different OT practice areas (not compulsory but highly recommended- no minimum numbers of hours); TOEFL score (total score-90 to 100); Technical Standards.
Prerequisite Coursework (OTD)	Anatomy & Physiology I & II (with lab); Gross Human Anatomy; Abnormal Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Statistics.
Address	Department of Occupational Therapy 635 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215-1605 Email- ot@bu.edu
Website	www.bu.edu

#5 Salem State University

The Occupational therapy school at Salem State offers two unique, part-time evening options for students seeking an entry-level master’s degree in occupational therapy.

1. Combined BS/MS bridge program in occupational therapy for an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA). Note: Only COTA with an associate’s degree from an accredited institution may apply to this program.
2. Direct-Entry MS program in occupational therapy for those who have completed a bachelor’s degree in another field of study.

Salem State University College of Health and Human Services
Courses Offered–	BS/MS Occupational Therapy (bridge program) Master of Science Occupational Therapy (entry level)
University Campus	Salem, MA
Public or Private-	Public Institute.
Department Chair-	Jeramie Silveira, OTD
Course Duration-	BS/MS combined- 5 year program MSOT- 3-year program.
Class Size	11 students per year.
OT Admission	Once a year (Fall).
Application Procedure	Submit an online admission application to the college.
Minimum Requirement (MSOT)	A bachelor’s degree; A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; 2 letters of recommendation; A statement of purpose; A minimum of 20 total hours of occupational therapy observation in any therapy settings.
Prerequisite Coursework (MSOT)	Medical Terminology Certificate; Anatomy & Physiology I & II; Kinesiology; Abnormal Psychology; Human Growth & Development; Intro to Sociology or Intro to Anthropology; Neuroanatomy; Statistics (Math, Psych or Business); Ethics.
Address	Occupational Therapy Program 352 Lafayette Street Salem, MA 01970-5353 Email- jsilveira@salemstate.edu
Website	www.salemstate.edu

#6 Springfield College

The Occupational therapy school at Springfield College offers 2 entry-level options. The entry-level options are-

• Combined BS/MS Occupational therapy – 5.5-year program- students get a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy after completion of the course.
• Master of Science in Occupational Therapy- 2.5-year program

Springfield College College of Health and Human Services
Courses Offered–	BS/MS Occupational Therapy (combined program) Master of Science Occupational Therapy (entry level)
University Campus	Springfield, MA
Public or Private-	Private Institute.
Department Chair-	Katherine M. Post
Course Duration-	BS/MS combined- 5.5-year program MSOT- 2.5-year program.
Class Size	———–
OT Admission	Once a year (Fall).
Application Procedure	Submit an online admission application through OTCAS.
Minimum Requirement (MSOT)	A bachelor’s degree; A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; 2 letters of recommendation; A statement of purpose; Applicants must have observed, volunteered, and/or worked in an occupational therapy setup(no minimum hours is mentioned).
Prerequisite Coursework (MSOT)	Anatomy Physiology I and II (with labs); plus one additional physical science with lab (Physics, Chemistry, or Kinesiology recommended); Intro to Psychology; Intro to Sociology or Anthropology; Abnormal Psychology; Child Development or Developmental Psychology; Two semesters of English, including composition; Introduction to statistics.
Address	Occupational Therapy Department 263 Alden Street Springfield, MA 01109-3797 Email- graduate@springfieldcollege.edu
Website	www.springfield.edu

#7 Tufts University

The Occupational Therapy school at Tufts University (also known as the historic Boston School of Occupational Therapy – founded in 1918) is one of the country’s top-ranked programs.

The school has a rich history of the occupational therapy profession. The OT school is providing state-of-the-art facilities, good Classrooms, collaborative student spaces, and laboratories.

The OT school offers entry-level Master degree and now the school is trying to start the entry-level doctoral program in the school. The current ACOTE’s status for the entry-level doctoral program is – Applicant OTD.

Tufts University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Courses Offered–	Master of Science Occupational Therapy (entry level) Master of Science Occupational Therapy (Post-professional) Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD- Post professional)
University Campus	Medford, MA
Public or Private-	Private Institute.
Department Chair-	Gary Bedell
Course Duration-	MSOT- 3-year program.
Class Size	———
OT Admission	Once a year (Fall).
Application Procedure	Submit an online admission application to the college.
Minimum Requirement (MSOT)	A bachelor’s degree; A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; 2 letters of recommendation; A statement of purpose;
Prerequisite Coursework (MSOT)	Human Anatomy and Physiology I &II (with lab); Developmental Psychology or Human Development; Abnormal Psychology; One additional social science course (this course can be in the area of psychology, anthropology, sociology); One Biology course (with lab); Introductory statistics; Certificate of Hepatitis B vaccination.
Address	Department of Occupational Therapy 574 Boston Avenue Medford, MA 02155-7084 Email- BSOT@tufts.edu
Website	ase.tufts.edu

#8 Worcester State University

The Occupational therapy school at Worcester State University offers 2 entry-level options. The entry-level options are-

• Combined BSOS/MS Occupational therapy – 5-year program- students get a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Studies and a Master degree in Occupational Therapy after completion of the course.
• Master of Occupational Therapy- 3-year program

Worcester State University School of Education, Health, and Natural Sciences
Courses Offered–	BSOS/MS Occupational Therapy (combined program) Master of Occupational Therapy (entry level)
University Campus	Worcester, MA
Public or Private-	Public Institute.
Department Chair-	Patricia A. Donovan
Course Duration-	BS/MS combined- 5-year program MOT- 3-year program.
Class Size	15-17 in each cohort.
OT Admission	Summer and Spring
Application Procedure	Submit an online admission application through OTCAS.
Minimum Requirement (MOT)	A bachelor’s degree; A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; 2 letters of recommendation; A completed Tuition Residency Statement; GRE scores on the verbal, quantitative, and writing sections (at the 50th percentile).
Prerequisite Coursework (MSOT)	Anatomy Physiology I and II (with labs); Intro to Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Neuroscience with lab (biology-based course, not psychology-based); Statistics.
Address	Occupational Therapy Department 486 Chandler Street Worcester, MA 01602-2597 Email- OT@worcester.edu
Website	worcester.edu

#9 Western New England University

The OT school at Western New England University offers entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree.

The entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program has been granted candidacy status by the ACOTE of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Western New England University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Course Offered–	Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD- entry level)
University Campus	Springfield, MA
Public or Private-	Private Institute
Program Director-	Cathy A. Dow-Royer, Ed.D., OTR/L
Course Duration-	OTD- 3-year program.
Class Size	—-
OT Admission	Once a year (Fall).
Application Procedure	Submit an online application through OTCAS; A personal interview.
Minimum Requirement (OTD)	A baccalaureate degree; A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; GRE scores not required; A personal statement; 2 letters of recommendation. Documented observation hours–candidates will be required to complete two observations, in two different settings, consisting of a minimum of 14 hours in total; TOEFL score (total score-80).
Prerequisite Coursework (OTD)	Human Anatomy and Physiology; Physics or Chemistry; Biological, Psychological, or Educational Statistics; Introduction to Sociology or Social Psychology; Development Psychology; Abnormal Psychology; Medical Terminology.
Address	Division of Occupational Therapy 1215 Wilbraham Road Springfield, MA 01119-2612 Email- OTD@wne.edu
Website	www1.wne.edu

#10 Regis College

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Pre-Accreditation Status by ACOTE of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Once accreditation of the program has been obtained, its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the NBCOT.

Regis College Regis School of Health Sciences
Course Offered–	Master of Science Occupational Therapy (entry level)
University Campus	Weston, MA
Public or Private-	Private Institute.
Program Director-	Michael Roberts
Course Duration-	MSOT- 2.5-year program.
Class Size	———–
OT Admission	Once a year (Spring).
Application Procedure	Submit an online admission application through OTCAS. A personal Interview.
Minimum Requirement (MSOT)	A bachelor’s degree; A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; 2 letters of recommendation; A statement of purpose; A resume; GRE score report.
Prerequisite Coursework (MSOT)	Anatomy Physiology I and II (with labs); Intro to Human Development; Human Neuropsychology; Introduction to Sociology; Statistics.
Address	Occupational Therapy Program 235 Wellesley Street Weston, MA 02493-1571 Email- michael.roberts@ regiscollege.edu
Website	www.regiscollege.edu

Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Massachusetts

#1 Bristol Community College
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
800 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740-5942

#2 North Shore Community College
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
1 Ferncroft Road
Danvers, MA 01923-0840

#3 Quinsigamond Community College
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
25 Federal Street
Worcester, MA 01608

#4 Springfield Technical Community College 
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
One Armory Square-STE 1
P.O. Box 9000
Springfield, MA 01102-9000

Occupational Therapist jobs in Massachusetts-

The outlook for occupational therapy employment is very good in Massachusetts. The United States’ Bureau of Labor Statistics includes occupational therapy as one of its fastest-growing occupations, with registered occupational therapists predicted to have a faster than average growth (21- 36%). Many Health Care Recruitment providers have reported a shortage of occupational therapists and OTA in Massachusetts.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 4940 employed licensed occupational therapists in Massachusetts in May 2017. And the requirement of license practitioner is increasing. Huge opportunities are there in Massachusetts for the occupational therapist and occupational therapy Assistant.

Occupational Therapy Salary in Massachusetts-

As per indeed.com, the average salaries of an occupational therapist in Massachusetts were $86,000 per annum (in 2017) and According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual and hourly income of occupational therapy professionals were $85,280 and $41.00, respectively in May 2017.