New Jersey · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in New Jersey
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
New Jersey has 9 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 5 doctoral (OTD) and 4 master's. 7 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development. Occupational therapists in New Jersey earn a median $103,410 a year.
Compare OT programs in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kean University Hillside | Master’s | 96% | — | $71,864 | 3 | — | None | — |
| Seton Hall University Nutley | Master’s | 91% | 2 years | — | 3.2 | No | 50 | — |
| Stockton University Galloway | Master’s | 91% | — | — | 3.2 | No | 40 | — |
| Monmouth University West Long Branch | OTD | 89% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kean University Hillside | OTD | 88% | 9 semesters | — | 3 | — | None | Fall |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Newark | OTD | 78% | 3 years (8 semesters) | $116,186* | — | — | — | — |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Florham Park | OTD | — | — | — | 3 | — | None | — |
| Felician University Candidacy Rutherford | Master’s | — | 2 years | — | — | — | 20 | — |
| Seton Hall University Applicant Nutley | OTD | — | — | — | 3.2 | — | — | — |
— = 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 New Jersey
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Florham Park | 8 semesters (incl. summers, full-time) | See program | — | Accredited |
| Kean University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MS) | Hillside | 6 academic semesters + 6 months fieldwork | See program | 96% ’25 | Accredited |
| Kean University Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Hillside | 9 semesters | See program | 88% ’25 | Accredited |
| Monmouth University Entry-level OTD | West Long Branch | See program | See program | 89% ’25 | Accredited |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Newark | 3 years (8 semesters) | Full-time, in person | 78% ’25 | Accredited |
| Seton Hall University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Nutley | 2 years | See program | 91% ’25 | Accredited |
| Stockton University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Galloway | See program | Full-time, in-person (no online/part-time/evening/weekend option) | 91% ’25 | Accredited |
| Felician University Master of Occupational Therapy | Rutherford | 2 years | Hybrid (online and on-campus weekend classes; 14-week trimester courses) | — | Candidacy |
| Seton Hall University Entry-level OTD | Nutley | 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 New Jersey
- Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus · Florham Park
- Kean University · Hillside
- Monmouth University · West Long Branch
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey · Newark
- Seton Hall University · Nutley
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in New Jersey
- Felician University · Rutherford
- Kean University · Hillside
- Seton Hall University · Nutley
- Stockton University · Galloway
New OT programs opening in New Jersey
2 programs in New Jersey 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.
- Felician University — Entry-level master's, candidacy (ACOTE on-site visit: 2027/2028)
- Seton Hall University — Entry-level OTD, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2028/2029)
All new OT programs nationwide and what each ACOTE status means →
OTD or master's in New Jersey?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a New Jersey license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 5 OTD programs.
- 4 master's programs, typically 2 years.
- 1 with hybrid, online or weekend formats (confirmed on the school’s site).
- NBCOT pass rate: the median program here reported 90% of new graduates passing in 2025 (6 programs). Compare nationally.
- 2 confirmed no-GRE programs. No-GRE list.
- 3 programs say observation hours are not required. See which.
Pay in New Jersey
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 New Jersey
- 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 New Jersey license from the New Jersey Occupational Therapy Advisory Council (Division of Consumer Affairs) before you practice. See how to get licensed in New Jersey.
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in New Jersey?
ACOTE lists 9 entry-level OT programs at 7 schools in New Jersey: 5 doctoral (OTD) and 4 master's. 2 programs are new and still working toward full accreditation.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in New Jersey?
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. New Jersey has 5 OTD and 4 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How long is OT school in New Jersey?
Master's programs here that publish a length run 2 years (2 programs). Lengths are from each program’s website; most include fieldwork.
How much do occupational therapists make in New Jersey?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in New Jersey was $103,410 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $78,690 to $159,230.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in New Jersey?
Yes: 3 OTA programs. See OTA schools in New Jersey.
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.