Occupational Therapy Schools in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin state has 6 ACOTE accredited Occupational therapy Schools, which provides an entry-level master degree or Doctor of Occupational therapy degree. Plus, the state also has 6 ACOTE accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools, which provides an associate degree. The license is required to practice as an OT in Wisconsin; one can appear for the licensure examination after clearing the OT entry-level degree from accredited OT schools.

The 6 Occupational therapy schools in Wisconsin are-

1. Carroll University
2. Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW)
3. Mount Mary University
4. University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse 
5. University of Wisconsin – Madison
6. University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee

Occupational therapy in Wisconsin-

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

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

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 Wisconsin. The WOTA is an affiliated state body of the American Occupational therapy association.

Website – www.WOTA.net

Occupational therapy License in Wisconsin-

Occupational therapist and Occupational therapy Assistants are required to get a license from the Wisconsin Occupational therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board.

Satisfactory completion of both the academic program and fieldwork are required to be eligible to take the Certification Examination of the NBCOT and get license offered by the Wisconsin Occupational therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board. Successful completion of the licensure test allows graduates to practice the profession in Wisconsin.

The minimum requirements for the license are –

• Entry-level master degree or OTD degree
• NBCOT exam’s passing certificate.
• An online examination on Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code.
• An applicant may be required to complete an oral examination.
• Application fees of $150(OT/OTA).

Temporary OT/OTA License:

A temporary permit may be granted to a person who is a graduate of an approved school and is scheduled to take the national certification examination for occupational therapy or an occupational therapy assistant or has taken the national certification examination and is awaiting results. The practice during the period of the temporary license shall be in consultation, at least monthly, with a registered OT who shall at least once each month endorses the activities of the person holding the temporary license.

A temporary license expires when the applicant is notified he/she failed the NBCOT examination or on the date the board grants or denies an applicant a permanent license, whichever is first. A temporary license shall remain in effect for six months and may not be renewed.
The Limited permit fee- $160

Occupational Therapy Schools in Wisconsin-

#1 Carroll University

The Occupational therapy school at Carroll University offers an accelerated two-year Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program. Specific modules, activities, and learning experiences within the OT program is shared between graduate health science programs to support true inter-professional education and prepare students for collaboration in the workplace.

The OT school also offers PRE-OT course work; students interested in OT are encouraged to add a pre-occupational therapy emphasis to any undergraduate major. Additionally, Carroll’s health and human experience minor would provide excellent preparation for the occupational therapy graduate program.

Carroll University College of Health Sciences
Course Offered–	Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT-entry level)
University Campus	Waukesha, WI
Public or Private-	Private Institute.
Program Professor	Nicole Boyington
Course Duration-	2-year program
Class Size	Around 30 students per year
OT program begins	Once a year (summer)
Application Procedure	Candidate must apply through the OTCAS; a supplemental application to the Carroll University is required. Conduct of an interview is depending upon the admission committee.
Minimum Requirement	A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning; You must earn a CGPA of 3 or higher on a scale of 4; Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions; 3 letters of reference – suggested authors include a college instructor, a supervisor and an OT; A personal essay; Evidence of exploration of the occupational therapy profession (volunteering, observations, internships and/or work experience within a setting where occupational therapy services are conducted); Involvement in community service is highly recommended; Strong performance in anatomy and physiology coursework; GRE score in the 40th percentile or higher in quantitative and verbal scores and writing score of 4.0 or higher.
Prerequisites Course work	Anatomy with lab; Physiology with lab (or 2 semesters combined anatomy and physiology I and II with labs.); Abnormal psychology; Lifespan psychology or (Developmental course covering birth to death); Introductory sociology, cultural anthropology or social psychology; Statistics.
Address	Occupational Therapy Program 100 N. East Avenue Waukesha, WI 53186-3103 Email- [email protected]
Website	www.carrollu.edu

#2 Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW)

The Occupational therapy school at Concordia University Wisconsin offers the entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program in three formats – accelerated, blended and transitional. They are based on a liberal arts foundation and encompass 2-3 years of professional education beyond a bachelor’s degree. (Weekend program and hybrid track offered)

Accelerated MOT Format- The Accelerated MOT program is designed for high school students looking to pursue a bachelor’s AND master’s degree in 4½ years. Students can start as a freshman in Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) program and may apply to the MOT program.

Blended MOT Format– The Blended MOT format is designed for applicants with a bachelor’s degree looking to pursue a master’s degree in 2½ years. This is a traditional entry-level option.

Transitional MOT Format- The Transitional MOT format is designed for COTAs with at least one year of experience.  Applicants with an associate degree (OTA) can earn a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) and Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) in 4 years. OT assistant with a Bachelor’s degree can earn an MOT in approximately 3 years.

WHY choose CUW-

• Hands-on learning.
• State-of-the-art facilities.
• At CUW, you may benefit from fieldwork experiences that are paired with courses, active community partnerships, student and professional organizations, the Pi Theta OT honor society, and faculty-mentored research opportunities.
• CUW’s Inter-professional Education events encourage students to work through real-world scenarios with a team of future health professionals.

Concordia University Wisconsin School of Health Professions
Courses Offered–	BS/MS combined (accelerated program) Master of Occupational Therapy (Blended MOT-entry level) Transitional MOT (for COTA).
University Campus	Mequon, WI
Public or Private-	Private Institute.
Department Chair	Carrie Scheel, Edd, OT/L, CPE
Course Duration-	BS/MS program- 4 ½ year; Blended MOT – 2 ½ year; Transitional MOT- 4 year.
Class Size	BS/MS program- 30 students; Blended MOT – 24 students; Transitional MOT- 12-15 students.
OT program begins	BS/MS program- in May; Blended MOT – in January; Transitional MOT- in August.
Application Procedure	BS/MS program- apply to the college; Blended MOT – apply through OTCAS; Transitional MOT- apply online.
Minimum Requirement & pre-requisites (General – for all entry-level options) Along with these, some additional requirement for the specific option has been mentioned below.	Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; Three letters of recommendation; letters of recommendation should address the potential for success both academically and as an OT, giving specific details about the applicant; Documentation of 40 hours of OT job shadowing; Program-specific essays- Describe your understanding of OT, describe your personal compatibility with the mission of Concordia University, and describe your plan for success in the blended program including time management, self-directed learning, and learning in a blended environment; TOEFL or the IELTS score for the international candidate. Pre-requisites- Eight credits of Human Anatomy & Physiology with a lab; One credit of Medical Terminology.
Min Requirement for Blended OT	A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.
Min Requirement for Accelerated MOT	High School graduate; BIO 191 & 192 at CUW; Grade of B or higher in BIO 301 at CUW (must be completed in the fall semester).
Min requirement for Transitional MOT	An associate degree with one year of experience as a COTA.
Address	Occupational Therapy Program 12800 North Lake Shore Drive Mequon, WI 53097-2418 Email- [email protected]
Website	www.cuw.edu

#3 Mount Mary University

The Occupational therapy school at Mount Mary University offers an entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program in two formats – accelerated BS/MS and Traditional MSOT. The Mount Mary graduate occupational therapy program also offers two post-professional degrees: Post-professional master’s in occupational therapy and Post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD).

Mount Mary University’s occupational therapy program has maintained full accreditation since its inception in 1941 and provides a professional education resulting in skilled hands-on practitioners who are client-centered and holistic in their approach to health care.

Mount Mary University School of Natural and Health Sciences
Courses Offered–	BS/MS combined (accelerated program) Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT-entry level)
University Campus	Milwaukee, WI
Public or Private-	Private Institute.
EL program Director	Stephanie Beisbier, OTD, OTR
Course Duration-	BS/MS program- 4 ½ year; MSOT – 28 months.
Class Size	Around 48-50 students;
OT program begins	in August (Fall)
Application Procedure	For BS/MS– apply online through Undergraduate Freshman Application. For MSOT –it involves a two-stage process. Stage 1- Complete and submit the online Graduate Student Application with all transcripts. Satge2- Submission of Application Materials.
Minimum Requirement for MSOT	A bachelor’s degree; Submit two letters of recommendations; Write and submit a narrative on specified questions; Complete and submit the shadowing experience forms. Applicants are required to shadow an OT for a minimum of four hours; Complete and submit the Human Services Guidelines forms. A minimum of 10 hours of human service is a criterion for admission.
Pre-requisites for MSOT	ENG 120: College Composition II; BIO 211: Human Anatomy; BIO 212: Human Physiology; PSY 103: Introductory Psychology; PSY 214: Developmental Psychology; OCT 101: O.T. Orientation; OCT 201: Medical Terminology; ANT 102: Cultural Anthropology or SOC 101: Introductory Sociology or equivalent.
Address	Occupational Therapy Department 2900 North Menomonee River Parkway Milwaukee, WI 53222-4597 Email- [email protected]
Website	www.mtmary.edu/ot

#4 University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse 

The Occupational therapy school is situated at the Health Science Center (HSC) offers an entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. The students can be benefitted by the state-of-the-art-facilities includes Media Room, Pediatric Lab, Assessment Lab / OT Lounge, Physical Disabilities Lab, Assisted Technology Lab, and ADL Lab.

The Occupational Therapy program at UW-La Crosse (UWL) is also offering an opportunity for students to participate in an international occupational therapy experience. UWL has developed rewarding relationships with the Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen, Scotland and England’s University of Brighton (UB).

The Pre-OT Club at UW-La is an organization designed to give its members knowledge and insight about the field of Occupational Therapy. The Pre-OT Club strives to prepare its members in applying to the OT program.

University of Wisconsin- LaCrosse College of Science and Health
Course Offered–	Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT-entry level)
University Campus	LaCrosse, WI
Public or Private-	Public Institute.
Program Director	Robin Miller
Course Duration-	2 ½ -year program
Class Size	Around 25 students per year
OT program begins	Once a year (late may- summer)
Application Procedure	Candidate must apply through the OTCAS; Supplemental Application Fee: The program does not require a supplemental application, however, applicants are required to submit a non-refundable $50 application fee to the program.
Minimum Requirement	A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning; You must earn a CGPA of 3 or higher on a scale of 4; Submit GRE score report (No minimum score is required); Submit 3 letters of reference through OTCAS; In addition to the mandatory narrative required of all OTCAS applicants, the UW-L OT Program has included several other narratives. These become available once the applicant selects UW-L in OTCAS.
Prerequisites Course work	1 sem. of anatomy & 1 sem. of physiology; OR a 2 sem. sequence of combined anatomy & physiology (A&P) with lab; 1 sem. of physics with lab; Statistics or Principles of Research (1 sem.); Life Span Development or Developmental Psychology (1 sem.); Abnormal Psychology (1 sem.); Sociology or Anthropology (1 sem.).
Address	Occupational Therapy Program 4049 Health Science Center 1725 State Street LaCrosse, WI 54601-9959 Email- [email protected]
Website	www.uwlax.edu/ot/

#5 University of Wisconsin – Madison

The Occupational therapy school at University of Wisconsin- Madison offers an entry-level Master of Science in Occupational therapy degree. The OT school also offers a post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD).

UW- Madison occupational therapy program has maintained full accreditation since its inception in 1943 and grown in response to the educational, leadership, and research needs of the profession including implementation of various degrees from MS to OTD program.

Why Choose UW- Madison-

• A premier research institution;
• Faculty members are recognized nationally and internationally;
• Madison, a great place to live and learn;
• In the list of top 20 OT schools on OT school rankings by US news and reports.
• Low faculty/student ratio;
• Opportunity for mentored research experience/participation.

University of Wisconsin- Madison UW-Madison School of Education
Courses Offered–	Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT-entry level) Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program (OTD- post professional)
University Campus	Madison, WI
Public or Private-	Public Institute.
Program Director	Ruth E. Benedict, Dr.P.H., OTR
Course Duration-	2 ½ -year program
Class Size	Around 25 students per year
OT program begins	Once a year (early June- summer)
Application Procedure	Step 1-Candidate must apply through the OTCAS; Step2– Submit supplemental UW-Madison Graduate School Online Application. *Interview is not required for admission.
Minimum Requirement	A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning; Transcripts of all schools attended; You must earn a CGPA of 3 or higher on a scale of 4; Submit GRE score report (No minimum score is required); TOEFL Scores: Applicants whose native language is not English; Submit 3 letters of recommendation (such as a professor, an academic advisor, a supervisor, or an OT practitioner) through OTCAS; Statement Of Purpose/Reasons For Graduate Study- Length of the statement: Adhere to OTCAS guideline (7,500 characters, including spaces); Observation, volunteer, or paid experience in at least 2 different settings with at least 2 different populations across the lifespan with physical, behavioral or mental health disabilities; observation of OTR or COTA providing actual services is highly recommended.
Prerequisites Course work	Lifespan Development (6 credits); Abnormal Psychology (3 credits); Statistics (3 credits); Human Physiology (3-5 credits with lab); Human Anatomy (3-5 credits with lab); (Requirement to begin the course).
Address	Occupational Therapy Program 1300 University Avenue (2110/MSC) Madison, WI 53706-1532 Email- [email protected]
Website	kinesiology.wisc.edu

#6 University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee

The Occupational therapy school at University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee offers an entry-level Master of Science in Occupational therapy degree. The OT school also offers a BS program in Occupational Studies; Acceptance and completion of this undergraduate program does not guarantee admission into the Master of Occupational Therapy Program.

Why Choose UW- Milwaukee-

• Only public Occupational Therapy Program in the Greater Milwaukee area; low tuition fee;
• Wide fieldwork options with more than 300 clinic sites in Milwaukee and across the United States;
• Offers a certificate in Assistive Technology and Accessible Design. The Assistive Technology (AT) Laboratory features state-of-the-art equipment that is unmatched in the state.
• Home of the Rehabilitation Design and Disability (R2D2) Center, a multidisciplinary research center;
• Faculty members are recognized nationally and internationally;
• In the list of top 20 OT schools on OT school rankings by US news and reports.

University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee College of Health Sciences
Course Offered–	Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT-entry level)
University Campus	Milwaukee, WI
Public or Private-	Public Institute.
Program Director	Bhagwant S. Sindhu, Ph.D., OTR
Course Duration-	2 ½ -year program
Class Size	Around 32 students per year
OT program begins	Once a year (Fall)
Application Procedure	Step 1-Candidate must apply through the OTCAS; Step 2– students need to apply to and be accepted by UWM’s Graduate School (after acceptance).
Minimum Requirement	A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning; Transcripts of all schools attended; You must earn a CGPA of 3 or higher on a scale of 4; Submit GRE score report (No minimum score is required); TOEFL Scores: Applicants whose native language is not English; Submit 3 letters of recommendation (1 letter must be from an academic source and 1 from a clinical/health-related source. The 3rd letter can be either from an academic or clinical / health-related source.) through OTCAS; OTCAS essay- address why you selected OT as a career and how an OT degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals.
Prerequisites Course work	Human Anatomy with lab; Human Physiology with lab; Human Development; Introduction to Psychology; Statistics. Select one of the following natural science courses (Courses with lab-based data analysis required)- Physics; Biology; Chemistry; Psychology.
Address	College of Health Sciences Department of Occupational Sciences and Technology 2400 E. Hartford Avenue, Enderis Hall, 9th Floor Milwaukee, WI 53211 Email- [email protected]
Website	www.uwm.edu

“Applicant” Occupational Therapy Schools in Wisconsin-

#1 Marquette University
Occupational Therapy Program
College of Health Sciences
PO Box 1881
Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881
Email- [email protected]
http://www.marquette.edu/health-sciences/
ACOTE’s Status: Applicant entry-level doctoral program

Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Wisconsin

#1 Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa Campus
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
19050 W. Potter Road
Wauwatosa, WI 53226-3424.

#2 Fox Valley Technical College
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program 
1825 North Bluemound Drive 
P.O. Box 2277 
Appleton, WI 54912-2277.

#3 Madison Area Technical College
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program 
Health Education Building
1705 Hoffman Street 
Madison, WI 53704-2599.

#4 Milwaukee Area Technical College
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
School of Health Sciences
700 West State Street 
Milwaukee, WI 53233-1443.

#5 Western Technical College
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program 
400 Seventh Street N 
P.O. Box C-0908 
LaCrosse, WI 54602-0908.

#6 Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College-Ashland Campus 
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program 
2100 Beaser Avenue 
Ashland, WI 54806-3699 
The program also offered by interactive TV (ITV) at New Richmond and Rice Lake Campuses.

Occupational Therapy Jobs in Wisconsin-

The outlook for occupational therapy employment is very good in Wisconsin. The United States’s 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 Wisconsin. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 3,420 employed and licensed occupational therapists in Wisconsin in May 2018. And the requirement of license practitioner is increasing. Huge opportunities are there in Wisconsin for the occupational therapist and occupational therapy Assistant.

Occupational Therapy Salary in Wisconsin-

As per indeed.com, the average salary of an occupational therapist in Wisconsin was $74,000 per annum (in 2018) and According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual and hourly income of occupational therapy professionals was $73,390 and $35.28, respectively in May 2018.