North Carolina · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in North Carolina
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
North Carolina has 13 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 4 doctoral (OTD) and 9 master's. 12 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development. Occupational therapists in North Carolina earn a median $92,940 a year.
Compare OT programs in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Carolina University Greenville | Master’s | 100% | — | — | 3 | Required | None | — |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill | Master’s | 100% | 2 calendar years | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cabarrus College of Health Sciences Concord | Master’s | 97% | — | $66,492 | 3 | No | — | — |
| Duke University School of Medicine Durham | OTD | 95% | — | — | 3 | No | None | — |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory | Master’s | 92% | 24 months (6 semesters) | $55,000 | — | — | 40 rec. | — |
| Methodist University Fayetteville | OTD | 90% | 3 years | $127,665* | 3 | No | 10 | — |
| Wingate University Wingate | OTD | 88% | — | $98,304* | 3 | No | 40 | — |
| Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem | Master’s | 77% | — | $28,946* | — | — | 25 | — |
| Pfeiffer University-Albemarle Campus Albemarle | Master’s | 73% | 24 months | — | 3 | No | 25 | — |
| Appalachian State University Boone | Master’s | — | 2 years | — | — | — | — | — |
| East Carolina University Greenville | OTD | — | — | — | 3 | Required | — | — |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke | Master’s | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| University of North Carolina-Greensboro Applicant Greensboro | Master’s | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— = 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 North Carolina
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MS) | Boone | 24 months (full-time, year-round) | See program | — | Accredited |
| Cabarrus College of Health Sciences Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) – for OTAs · OTA-to-OT bridge | Concord | 2 years (OTAs with a bachelor's) or 3 years (combined BS + MOT) | Hybrid (online + on-campus) | 97% ’25 | Accredited |
| Duke University School of Medicine Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Durham | See program | See program | 95% ’25 | Accredited |
| East Carolina University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Greenville | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| East Carolina University Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Greenville | See program | See program | — | Accredited |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MS) | Hickory | 24 months (6 semesters) | In-person with online components | 92% ’25 | Accredited |
| Methodist University Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Fayetteville | 3 years (36 months, 9 semesters) | See program | 90% ’25 | Accredited |
| Pfeiffer University-Albemarle Campus Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Albemarle | 24 months | In-person | 73% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Chapel Hill | 2 calendar years | Full-time, in person | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Pembroke | See program | See program | — | Accredited |
| Wingate University Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Wingate | See program | See program | 88% ’25 | Accredited |
| Winston-Salem State University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Winston-Salem | See program | See program | 77% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of North Carolina-Greensboro Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (in development) | Greensboro | 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 North Carolina
- Duke University School of Medicine · Durham
- East Carolina University · Greenville
- Methodist University · Fayetteville
- Wingate University · Wingate
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in North Carolina
- Appalachian State University · Boone
- Cabarrus College of Health Sciences · Concord
- East Carolina University · Greenville
- Lenoir-Rhyne University · Hickory
- Pfeiffer University-Albemarle Campus · Albemarle
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke · Pembroke
- University of North Carolina-Greensboro · Greensboro
- Winston-Salem State University · Winston-Salem
New OT programs opening in North Carolina
1 program in North Carolina 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.
- University of North Carolina-Greensboro — Entry-level master's, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2030/2031)
All new OT programs nationwide and what each ACOTE status means →
OTD or master's in North Carolina?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a North Carolina license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 4 OTD programs.
- 9 master's programs, typically 2 years.
- 1 OTA-to-OT bridge program for working assistants. About bridge programs.
- 2 with hybrid, online or weekend formats (confirmed on the school’s site).
- NBCOT pass rate: the median program here reported 92% of new graduates passing in 2025 (9 programs). Compare nationally.
- 5 confirmed no-GRE programs. No-GRE list.
- 2 programs say observation hours are not required. See which.
Pay in North Carolina
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 North Carolina
- 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 North Carolina license from the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy before you practice. See how to get licensed in North Carolina.
OT schools by city in North Carolina
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in North Carolina?
ACOTE lists 13 entry-level OT programs at 12 schools in North Carolina: 4 doctoral (OTD) and 9 master's. 1 program is new and still working toward full accreditation.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in North Carolina?
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. North Carolina has 4 OTD and 9 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How long is OT school in North Carolina?
Master's programs here that publish a length run 2 years (3 programs). Lengths are from each program’s website; most include fieldwork.
How much do occupational therapists make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in North Carolina was $92,940 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $62,230 to $118,300.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in North Carolina?
Yes: 11 OTA programs. See OTA schools in North Carolina.
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.