Los Angeles · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in Los Angeles area, CA
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Los Angeles area, CA has 13 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 8 doctoral (OTD) and 5 master's. 8 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development. Occupational therapists in California earn a median $124,510 a year.
Los Angeles here means programs in Los Angeles, Alhambra, Carson, Whittier, Azusa, Pasadena, Claremont, La Mirada, Malibu, Santa Clarita. See all California programs.
Compare OT programs in Los Angeles 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keck Graduate Institute Claremont | OTD | 100% | 3 years (full-time) | — | 3 | No | — | Fall |
| Southern California University of Health Sciences Whittier | OTD | 100% | 2 years 3 months | $113,928 | 3 | No | — | — |
| University of Southern California Los Angeles | OTD | 100% | — | $214,247* | 3 | — | — | — |
| California State University, Dominguez Hills Carson | Master’s | 98% | — | $36,696* | 3 | — | 80 | — |
| West Coast University-Los Angeles Los Angeles | Master’s | 83% | 24 months (6 trimesters) | $93,242* | 3 | No | — | Spring and summer |
| West Coast University-Los Angeles Los Angeles | OTD | 78% | 32 months (8 trimesters) | $110,280 | 3 | No | — | — |
| California State University, Dominguez Hills Carson | OTD | — | — | — | 3 | — | 80 | — |
| Stanbridge University-Los Angeles Alhambra | Master’s | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Azusa Pacific University Applicant Azusa | OTD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Biola University Preaccreditation La Mirada | Master’s | — | 2 years (6 trimesters) | — | 3 | — | 40 | — |
| CBD College Preaccreditation Los Angeles | Master’s | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pacific Oaks College Applicant Pasadena | OTD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pepperdine University Applicant Malibu | OTD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— = 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 Los Angeles 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University, Dominguez Hills Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Carson | See program | See program | 98% ’25 | Accredited |
| California State University, Dominguez Hills Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Carson | See program | See program | — | Accredited |
| Keck Graduate Institute Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Claremont | 3 years (full-time) | On-campus (in-person) | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Southern California University of Health Sciences Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Los Angeles Metro) · OTA-to-OT bridge | Whittier | 2 years 3 months | Full-time, online-hybrid (live online coursework plus on-campus intensives) | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Stanbridge University-Los Angeles Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Alhambra | See program | See program | — | Accredited |
| University of Southern California Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Los Angeles | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| West Coast University-Los Angeles Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Los Angeles | 24 months (6 trimesters) | On-campus + online synchronous classes | 83% ’25 | Accredited |
| West Coast University-Los Angeles Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Los Angeles | 32 months (8 trimesters) | On-campus + online synchronous classes | 78% ’25 | Accredited |
| Azusa Pacific University Entry-level OTD | Azusa | See program | See program | — | Applicant |
| Biola University M.S. in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | La Mirada | 2 years (6 trimesters) | Hybrid (online + monthly on-campus labs) | — | Preaccreditation |
| CBD College Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | Los Angeles | See program | Hybrid | — | Preaccreditation |
| Pacific Oaks College Entry-level OTD | Pasadena | See program | See program | — | Applicant |
| Pepperdine University Occupational therapy program (planned) | Malibu | 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 Los Angeles area, CA
- Azusa Pacific University · Azusa
- California State University, Dominguez Hills · Carson
- Keck Graduate Institute · Claremont
- Pacific Oaks College · Pasadena
- Pepperdine University · Malibu
- Southern California University of Health Sciences · Whittier
- University of Southern California · Los Angeles
- West Coast University-Los Angeles · Los Angeles
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in Los Angeles area, CA
- Biola University · La Mirada
- California State University, Dominguez Hills · Carson
- CBD College · Los Angeles
- Stanbridge University-Los Angeles · Alhambra
- West Coast University-Los Angeles · Los Angeles
New OT programs opening in Los Angeles area, CA
5 programs in Los Angeles area, CA 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.
- Azusa Pacific University — Entry-level OTD, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2031/2032)
- Biola University — Entry-level master's, preaccreditation (ACOTE on-site visit: 2026/2027)
- CBD College — Entry-level master's, preaccreditation (ACOTE on-site visit: 2026/2027)
- Pacific Oaks College — Entry-level OTD, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2029/2030)
- Pepperdine University — Entry-level OTD, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2030/2031)
All new OT programs nationwide and what each ACOTE status means →
OTD or master's in Los Angeles 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.
- 8 OTD programs, typically 2 years to 3 years.
- 5 master's programs, typically 2 years.
- 1 OTA-to-OT bridge program for working assistants. About bridge programs.
- 5 with hybrid, online or weekend formats (confirmed on the school’s site).
- NBCOT pass rate: the median program here reported 99% of new graduates passing in 2025 (6 programs). Compare nationally.
- 1 program starts in January or spring: West Coast University-Los Angeles. All spring-start programs.
- 4 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 Los Angeles area, CA?
ACOTE lists 13 entry-level OT programs at 11 schools in Los Angeles area, CA: 8 doctoral (OTD) and 5 master's. 5 programs are new and still working toward full accreditation.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in Los Angeles 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. Los Angeles area, CA has 8 OTD and 5 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How long is OT school in Los Angeles area, CA?
Master's programs here that publish a length run 2 years (2 programs). OTD programs run 2 years to 3 years (3 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 Los Angeles area, CA?
Yes: 3 OTA programs. See OTA schools in California.
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.