Philadelphia · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in Philadelphia area, PA
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Philadelphia area, PA has 9 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 4 doctoral (OTD) and 5 master's. 8 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development. Occupational therapists in Pennsylvania earn a median $98,440 a year.
Philadelphia here means programs in Philadelphia, Elkins Park, Chester, Gwynedd Valley, Bryn Mawr. See all Pennsylvania programs.
Compare OT programs in Philadelphia area, PA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia | Master’s | 100% | 2.5 years | — | — | No | 10 | — |
| Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia | OTD | 100% | 3 years (full-time) | — | — | No | 10 | — |
| Temple University Philadelphia | OTD | 100% | 3 years (full-time) | — | — | — | 12 | — |
| Thomas Jefferson University-Center City Campus Philadelphia | OTD | 97% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Drexel University Elkins Park | Master’s | 89% | 23 months | $98,362* | — | — | 8 | Fall (August) |
| Thomas Jefferson University-East Falls Campus Philadelphia | Master’s | 88% | 2.5 years | — | — | — | — | Fall |
| Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Valley | Master’s | 86% | — | — | 3 | No | 20 | Summer (June) |
| Widener University Chester | OTD | 79% | About 3 years | $129,288* | — | — | 20 | — |
| Temple University Applicant Philadelphia | Master’s | 100% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— = 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 Philadelphia area, PA
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drexel University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Elkins Park | 23 months | See program | 89% ’25 | Accredited |
| Gwynedd Mercy University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Gwynedd Valley | 2 years (5 academic terms + 1 fieldwork term) | On-campus (in-person) | 86% ’25 | Accredited |
| Saint Joseph's University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | Philadelphia | 2.5 years | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Saint Joseph's University Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) | Philadelphia | 3 years (full-time) | On-campus | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Temple University Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Philadelphia | 3 years (full-time) | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Thomas Jefferson University-Center City Campus Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Philadelphia | See program | See program | 97% ’25 | Accredited |
| Thomas Jefferson University-East Falls Campus Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Philadelphia | 2.5 years | Hybrid weekend (Friday/Saturday) | 88% ’25 | Accredited |
| Widener University Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Chester | About 3 years | Hybrid (online + on-campus) | 79% ’25 | Accredited |
| Temple University Entry-level master's | Philadelphia | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | 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 Philadelphia area, PA
- Saint Joseph's University · Philadelphia
- Temple University · Philadelphia
- Thomas Jefferson University-Center City Campus · Philadelphia
- Widener University · Chester
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in Philadelphia area, PA
- Drexel University · Elkins Park
- Gwynedd Mercy University · Gwynedd Valley
- Saint Joseph's University · Philadelphia
- Temple University · Philadelphia
- Thomas Jefferson University-East Falls Campus · Philadelphia
New OT programs opening in Philadelphia area, PA
1 program in Philadelphia area, PA 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.
- Temple University — 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 Philadelphia area, PA?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a Pennsylvania license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 4 OTD programs, typically 3 years.
- 5 master's programs, typically 23 months to 30 months.
- 2 with hybrid, online or weekend formats (confirmed on the school’s site).
- NBCOT pass rate: the median program here reported 97% of new graduates passing in 2025 (9 programs). Compare nationally.
- 3 confirmed no-GRE programs. No-GRE list.
Pay in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania
- 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 Pennsylvania license from the Pennsylvania State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure before you practice. See how to get licensed in Pennsylvania.
More areas in Pennsylvania
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in Philadelphia area, PA?
ACOTE lists 9 entry-level OT programs at 7 schools in Philadelphia area, PA: 4 doctoral (OTD) and 5 master's. 1 program is new and still working toward full accreditation.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in Philadelphia area, PA?
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. Philadelphia area, PA has 4 OTD and 5 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How long is OT school in Philadelphia area, PA?
Master's programs here that publish a length run 23 months to 30 months (3 programs). OTD programs run 3 years (3 programs). Lengths are from each program’s website; most include fieldwork.
How much do occupational therapists make in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in Pennsylvania was $98,440 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $69,120 to $128,790.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in Philadelphia area, PA?
Yes: 2 OTA programs. See OTA schools in Pennsylvania.
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.