Louisiana · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in Louisiana
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Louisiana has 5 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 3 doctoral (OTD) and 2 master's. 3 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development. Occupational therapists in Louisiana earn a median $98,490 a year.
Compare OT programs in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State University Health Shreveport Shreveport | OTD | 100% | 3 years | — | — | No | — | Summer |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe | Master’s | 95% | — | $18,761 | 3 | — | — | Spring and fall |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College New Orleans | Master’s | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans Applicant New Orleans | OTD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe Candidacy Monroe | OTD | — | 3 years (9 semesters) | — | — | — | — | — |
— = 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 Louisiana
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | New Orleans | See program | See program | — | Accredited |
| Louisiana State University Health Shreveport Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Shreveport | 3 years | Full-time, on-site, live day classes | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) – OTA to MOT Bridge | Monroe | See program | See program | 95% ’25 | Accredited |
| Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans Doctor of Occupational Therapy (applicant) | New Orleans | See program | See program | — | Applicant |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Monroe | 3 years (9 semesters) | See program | — | Candidacy |
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 Louisiana
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans · New Orleans
- Louisiana State University Health Shreveport · Shreveport
- University of Louisiana at Monroe · Monroe
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in Louisiana
New OT programs opening in Louisiana
2 programs in Louisiana 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.
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans — Entry-level OTD, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2029/2030)
- University of Louisiana at Monroe — Entry-level OTD, candidacy (ACOTE on-site visit: 2027/2028)
All new OT programs nationwide and what each ACOTE status means →
OTD or master's in Louisiana?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a Louisiana license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 3 OTD programs, typically 3 years.
- 2 master's programs.
- 1 OTA-to-OT bridge program for working assistants. About bridge programs.
- NBCOT pass rate: the median program here reported 98% of new graduates passing in 2025 (2 programs). Compare nationally.
- 1 program starts in January or spring: University of Louisiana at Monroe. All spring-start programs.
- 1 confirmed no-GRE program. No-GRE list.
Pay in Louisiana
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 Louisiana
- 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 Louisiana license from the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners before you practice. See how to get licensed in Louisiana.
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in Louisiana?
ACOTE lists 5 entry-level OT programs at 4 schools in Louisiana: 3 doctoral (OTD) and 2 master's. 2 programs are new and still working toward full accreditation.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in Louisiana?
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. Louisiana has 3 OTD and 2 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How long is OT school in Louisiana?
OTD programs run 3 years (2 programs). Lengths are from each program’s website; most include fieldwork.
How much do occupational therapists make in Louisiana?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in Louisiana was $98,490 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $61,070 to $126,630.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in Louisiana?
Yes: 3 OTA programs. See OTA schools in Louisiana.
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.