Missouri · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in Missouri
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Missouri has 10 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 5 doctoral (OTD) and 5 master's. 8 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development or no longer admitting. Occupational therapists in Missouri earn a median $97,290 a year.
Compare OT programs in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri State University Springfield | Master’s | 100% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| St. Louis University St. Louis | Master’s | 100% | — | — | — | — | 20 | — |
| University of Missouri Columbia | OTD | 100% | 3 years (full-time) | — | — | — | None | — |
| Washington University St. Louis | OTD | 100% | 36 months (full-time) | $143,100 | 3.25 | No | — | — |
| Washington University St. Louis | Master’s | 98% | 28 months (full-time) | $108,000 | 3.25 | No | — | — |
| Maryville University St. Louis | Master’s | 97% | — | $65,292 | 3 | — | None | — |
| Rockhurst University Kansas City | OTD | 97% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cox College Springfield | OTD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Missouri State University Preaccreditation Springfield | OTD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cox College Not admitting Springfield | Master’s | 91% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— = 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 Missouri
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox College Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Springfield | See program | See program | — | Accredited |
| Maryville University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | St. Louis | See program | See program | 97% ’25 | Accredited |
| Missouri State University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | Springfield | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Rockhurst University Entry-level OTD | Kansas City | See program | See program | 97% ’25 | Accredited |
| St. Louis University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | St. Louis | 5 years (direct-admit BS to MOT) or 2 years after a bachelor's | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of Missouri Entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Columbia | 3 years (full-time) | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Washington University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | St. Louis | 28 months (full-time) | See program | 98% ’25 | Accredited |
| Washington University Clinical Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | St. Louis | 36 months (full-time) | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Missouri State University Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Springfield | See program | See program | — | Preaccreditation |
| Cox College Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Springfield | See program | See program | 91% ’25 | Not admitting |
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 Missouri
- Cox College · Springfield
- Missouri State University · Springfield
- Rockhurst University · Kansas City
- University of Missouri · Columbia
- Washington University · St. Louis
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in Missouri
- Cox College · Springfield
- Maryville University · St. Louis
- Missouri State University · Springfield
- St. Louis University · St. Louis
- Washington University · St. Louis
New OT programs opening in Missouri
1 program in Missouri 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.
- Missouri State University — Entry-level OTD, preaccreditation (ACOTE on-site visit: 2026/2027)
All new OT programs nationwide and what each ACOTE status means →
OTD or master's in Missouri?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a Missouri license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 5 OTD programs, typically 3 years.
- 5 master's programs.
- NBCOT pass rate: the median program here reported 99% of new graduates passing in 2025 (8 programs). Compare nationally.
- 2 confirmed no-GRE programs. No-GRE list.
- 2 programs say observation hours are not required. See which.
Pay in Missouri
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 Missouri
- 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 Missouri license from the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy before you practice. See how to get licensed in Missouri.
OT schools by city in Missouri
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in Missouri?
ACOTE lists 10 entry-level OT programs at 7 schools in Missouri: 5 doctoral (OTD) and 5 master's. 1 program is new and still working toward full accreditation. 1 listed program is not admitting new students.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in Missouri?
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. Missouri has 5 OTD and 5 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How long is OT school in Missouri?
OTD programs run 3 years (2 programs). Lengths are from each program’s website; most include fieldwork.
How much do occupational therapists make in Missouri?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in Missouri was $97,290 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $71,880 to $120,130.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in Missouri?
Yes: 8 OTA programs. See OTA schools in Missouri.
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.