Minnesota · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in Minnesota
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Minnesota has 9 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 5 doctoral (OTD) and 4 master's. 5 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development. Occupational therapists in Minnesota earn a median $93,050 a year.
Compare OT programs in Minnesota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of St. Scholastica Duluth | Master’s | 100% | 2 years | — | 3 | — | — | — |
| St. Catherine University St. Paul | Master’s | 100% | — | — | 3.2 | — | None | — |
| St. Catherine University St. Paul | OTD | 100% | 3.5 years | $99,500 | 3.2 | No | None | Summer |
| University of Minnesota Minneapolis | OTD | 92% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| University of Minnesota-Rochester Campus Rochester | OTD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Augustana University-Minneapolis Candidacy Minneapolis | OTD | — | — | $103,000 | — | — | — | Fall (launching Fall 2026) |
| St. Catherine University Candidacy St. Paul | Master’s | — | — | — | — | No | — | Spring and fall |
| The College of St. Scholastica Candidacy Duluth | OTD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| University of Minnsota - Minneapolis Applicant Minneapolis | Master’s | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | — |
— = 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 Minnesota
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of St. Scholastica Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Duluth | 2 years | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| St. Catherine University Entry-level master's | St. Paul | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| St. Catherine University Doctor of Occupational Therapy: Entry Level (OTD) | St. Paul | 3.5 years | On-campus (some online evening courses) | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of Minnesota Entry-level OTD | Minneapolis | See program | See program | 92% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of Minnesota-Rochester Campus Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Rochester site | Rochester | See program | Hybrid (shared online coursework; in-person classes in Rochester) | — | Accredited |
| Augustana University-Minneapolis Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Minneapolis | See program | Accelerated hybrid | — | Candidacy |
| St. Catherine University Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT) – Bridge | St. Paul | See program | Hybrid (one lab weekend per semester for the first 3 semesters) | — | Candidacy |
| The College of St. Scholastica Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Duluth | See program | See program | — | Candidacy |
| University of Minnsota - Minneapolis Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | Minneapolis | See program | Hybrid (Rochester and Twin Cities sites; in-person select days every other week) | — | 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 Minnesota
- Augustana University-Minneapolis · Minneapolis
- St. Catherine University · St. Paul
- The College of St. Scholastica · Duluth
- University of Minnesota · Minneapolis
- University of Minnesota-Rochester Campus · Rochester
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in Minnesota
- College of St. Scholastica · Duluth
- St. Catherine University · St. Paul
- St. Catherine University · St. Paul
- University of Minnsota - Minneapolis · Minneapolis
New OT programs opening in Minnesota
4 programs in Minnesota 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.
- Augustana University-Minneapolis — Entry-level OTD, candidacy (ACOTE on-site visit: 2027/2028)
- St. Catherine University — Entry-level master's, candidacy (ACOTE on-site visit: 2027/2028)
- The College of St. Scholastica — Entry-level OTD, candidacy (ACOTE on-site visit: 2027/2028)
- University of Minnsota - Minneapolis — Entry-level master's, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2029/2030)
All new OT programs nationwide and what each ACOTE status means →
OTD or master's in Minnesota?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a Minnesota license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 5 OTD programs.
- 4 master's programs.
- 1 OTA-to-OT bridge program 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 100% of new graduates passing in 2025 (4 programs). Compare nationally.
- 1 program starts in January or spring: St. Catherine University. All spring-start programs.
- 2 confirmed no-GRE programs. No-GRE list.
- 2 programs say observation hours are not required. See which.
Pay in Minnesota
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 Minnesota
- 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 Minnesota license from the Minnesota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice before you practice. See how to get licensed in Minnesota.
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in Minnesota?
ACOTE lists 9 entry-level OT programs at 7 schools in Minnesota: 5 doctoral (OTD) and 4 master's. 4 programs are new and still working toward full accreditation.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in Minnesota?
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. Minnesota has 5 OTD and 4 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How much do occupational therapists make in Minnesota?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in Minnesota was $93,050 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $71,770 to $108,790.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in Minnesota?
Yes: 4 OTA programs. See OTA schools in Minnesota.
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.