Miami · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL has 7 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 2 doctoral (OTD) and 5 master's. 6 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development. Occupational therapists in Florida earn a median $99,360 a year.
Miami here means programs in Miami, Miami Shores, Coral Gables, Ft. Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines. See all Florida programs.
Compare OT programs in Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Southeastern University-Ft. Lauderdale Ft. Lauderdale | OTD | 100% | 3 years | — | 2.8 | No | None | — |
| Florida International University Miami | Master’s | 98% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Keiser University-Ft. Lauderdale Ft. Lauderdale | Master’s | 86% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Miami Campus Coral Gables | OTD | 70% | 2 years (6 trimesters) | — | — | — | — | January, May or September (varies by campus) |
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Miami Campus Coral Gables | Master’s | 67% | 1.7 years (5 trimesters) | — | — | — | — | January, May or September (varies by campus) |
| Barry University Miami Shores | Master’s | 62% | About 2.5 years | $81,060 | — | — | — | — |
| Keiser University-Miami Candidacy Miami | Master’s | — | As few as 2 years | — | — | — | — | — |
— = 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 Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) · OTA-to-OT bridge | Miami Shores | About 2.5 years | Hybrid weekend format | 62% ’25 | Accredited |
| Florida International University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MS-OT) | Miami | See program | See program | 98% ’25 | Accredited |
| Keiser University-Ft. Lauderdale Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) – Bridge | Ft. Lauderdale | See program | See program | 86% ’25 | Accredited |
| Nova Southeastern University-Ft. Lauderdale Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Ft. Lauderdale | 3 years | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Miami Campus Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) · OTA-to-OT bridge | Coral Gables | 1.7 years (5 trimesters) | Residential, Hybrid Immersion or Flex (varies by campus) | 67% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Miami Campus Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Coral Gables | 2 years (6 trimesters) | Residential, Hybrid Immersion or Flex (varies by campus) | 70% ’25 | Accredited |
| Keiser University-Miami Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Bridge Program (for OTAs) | Miami | As few as 2 years | Hybrid (mostly online; one weekend a month on campus) | — | 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 Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Nova Southeastern University-Ft. Lauderdale · Ft. Lauderdale
- University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Miami Campus · Coral Gables
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Barry University · Miami Shores
- Florida International University · Miami
- Keiser University-Ft. Lauderdale · Ft. Lauderdale
- Keiser University-Miami · Miami
- University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Miami Campus · Coral Gables
New OT programs opening in Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL
1 program in Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL is 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.
- Keiser University-Miami — Entry-level master's, candidacy (ACOTE on-site visit: 2027/2028)
All new OT programs nationwide and what each ACOTE status means →
OTD or master's in Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a Florida license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 2 OTD programs, typically 2 years to 3 years.
- 5 master's programs, typically 20 months to 30 months.
- 3 OTA-to-OT bridge programs for working assistants. About bridge programs.
- 4 with hybrid, online or weekend formats (confirmed on the school’s site).
- NBCOT pass rate: the median program here reported 78% of new graduates passing in 2025 (6 programs). Compare nationally.
- 2 programs start in January or spring: University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Miami Campus, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Miami Campus. All spring-start programs.
- 1 confirmed no-GRE program. No-GRE list.
- 1 program says observation hours are not required. See which.
Pay in Florida
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 Florida
- 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 Florida license from the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy Practice (Florida Department of Health) before you practice. See how to get licensed in Florida.
More areas in Florida
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL?
ACOTE lists 7 entry-level OT programs at 6 schools in Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL: 2 doctoral (OTD) and 5 master's. 1 program is new and still working toward full accreditation.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL?
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. Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL has 2 OTD and 5 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How long is OT school in Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL?
Master's programs here that publish a length run 20 months to 30 months (3 programs). OTD programs run 2 years to 3 years (2 programs). Lengths are from each program’s website; most include fieldwork.
How much do occupational therapists make in Florida?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in Florida was $99,360 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $66,230 to $117,950.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL?
Yes: 2 OTA programs. See OTA schools in Florida.
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.