Ohio · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in Ohio
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Ohio has 15 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 9 doctoral (OTD) and 6 master's. 12 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development. Occupational therapists in Ohio earn a median $99,390 a year.
Compare OT programs in Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kettering College Beavercreek | OTD | 100% | — | $106,696 | 3 | No | None | — |
| Ohio State University Columbus | OTD | 100% | — | — | 3 | — | 20 | — |
| Shawnee State University Portsmouth | Master’s | 100% | — | $34,856 | 3 | — | 40 | — |
| University of Findlay Findlay | OTD | 100% | — | $97,092 | 3 | — | — | — |
| University of Toledo Toledo | OTD | 100% | — | — | — | No | — | — |
| Xavier University Cincinnati | OTD | 100% | 42 months | — | — | No | — | Fall |
| Muskingum University New Concord | Master’s | 95% | — | $63,480 | 3 | — | — | — |
| Cleveland State University Cleveland | OTD | 92% | 3 years | $66,217 | 3 | Required | — | Fall |
| Walsh University North Canton | Master’s | 87% | 36 months | $69,485* | — | — | 20 | — |
| University of Findlay Findlay | Master’s | 85% | — | — | 3 | — | — | January |
| Wilmington College Wilmington | Master’s | 80% | About 24 months | $65,625 | — | No | 10 | January |
| University of Cincinnati Cincinnati | OTD | — | 9 semesters | $62,730 | 3 | — | 40 | — |
| Bowling Green State University Preaccreditation Bowling Green | OTD | — | 2 years | $90,000 | 3 | — | None | — |
| University of Mount Union Preaccreditation Alliance | Master’s | — | 22 months | $56,000 | 3 | — | — | August |
| Walsh University Applicant North Canton | OTD | — | — | $80,185* | — | — | — | — |
— = 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 Ohio
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland State University Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Cleveland | 3 years | See program | 92% ’25 | Accredited |
| Kettering College Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Beavercreek | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Muskingum University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) – OTA to MOT · OTA-to-OT bridge | New Concord | See program | Online + 18 on-campus weekends | 95% ’25 | Accredited |
| Ohio State University Entry-level Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Columbus | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Shawnee State University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | Portsmouth | 4 academic semesters + at least 24 weeks of fieldwork | Hybrid (online + on-campus intensives) | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of Cincinnati Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Cincinnati | 9 semesters | Hybrid (about 60% on-campus, 40% online) | — | Accredited |
| University of Findlay Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | Findlay | See program | See program | 85% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of Findlay Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Findlay | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of Toledo Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Toledo | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Walsh University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | North Canton | 36 months | See program | 87% ’25 | Accredited |
| Wilmington College Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Wilmington | About 24 months | See program | 80% ’25 | Accredited |
| Xavier University Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Cincinnati | 3.5 years (7 semesters, summers off) | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Bowling Green State University Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Bowling Green | 2 years | Accelerated hybrid (online + in-person lab immersions) | — | Preaccreditation |
| University of Mount Union Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Alliance | 22 months | Hybrid (online classes + four on-campus immersives) | — | Preaccreditation |
| Walsh University Entry-level OTD | North Canton | 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 Ohio
- Bowling Green State University · Bowling Green
- Cleveland State University · Cleveland
- Kettering College · Beavercreek
- Ohio State University · Columbus
- University of Cincinnati · Cincinnati
- University of Findlay · Findlay
- University of Toledo · Toledo
- Walsh University · North Canton
- Xavier University · Cincinnati
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in Ohio
- Muskingum University · New Concord
- Shawnee State University · Portsmouth
- University of Findlay · Findlay
- University of Mount Union · Alliance
- Walsh University · North Canton
- Wilmington College · Wilmington
New OT programs opening in Ohio
3 programs in Ohio 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.
- Bowling Green State University — Entry-level OTD, preaccreditation (ACOTE on-site visit: 2026/2027)
- University of Mount Union — Entry-level master's, preaccreditation (ACOTE on-site visit: 2026/2027)
- Walsh University — Entry-level OTD, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2027/2028)
All new OT programs nationwide and what each ACOTE status means →
OTD or master's in Ohio?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a Ohio license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 9 OTD programs, typically 2 years to 42 months.
- 6 master's programs, typically 22 months to 3 years.
- 1 OTA-to-OT bridge program for working assistants. About bridge programs.
- 5 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 (11 programs). Compare nationally.
- 2 programs start in January or spring: University of Findlay, Wilmington College. All spring-start programs.
- 4 confirmed no-GRE programs. No-GRE list.
- 2 programs say observation hours are not required. See which.
Pay in Ohio
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 Ohio
- 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 Ohio license from the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board before you practice. See how to get licensed in Ohio.
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in Ohio?
ACOTE lists 15 entry-level OT programs at 13 schools in Ohio: 9 doctoral (OTD) and 6 master's. 3 programs are new and still working toward full accreditation.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in Ohio?
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. Ohio has 9 OTD and 6 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How long is OT school in Ohio?
Master's programs here that publish a length run 22 months to 3 years (3 programs). OTD programs run 2 years to 42 months (3 programs). Lengths are from each program’s website; most include fieldwork.
How much do occupational therapists make in Ohio?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in Ohio was $99,390 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $70,080 to $123,800.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in Ohio?
Yes: 13 OTA programs. See OTA schools in Ohio.
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.