San Diego · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in San Diego area, CA
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
San Diego area, CA has 4 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 1 doctoral (OTD) and 3 master's. 3 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development. Occupational therapists in California earn a median $124,510 a year.
San Diego here means programs in San Diego, El Cajon, San Marcos. See all California programs.
Compare OT programs in San Diego area, CA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-California Campus San Marcos | Master’s | 85% | 1.7 years (5 trimesters) | — | — | — | — | January, May or September (varies by campus) |
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-California Campus San Marcos | OTD | 67% | 2 years (6 trimesters) | — | — | — | — | January, May or September (varies by campus) |
| Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego | Master’s | — | 24 months | $109,219* | 3 | No | 40 | — |
| Alliant University Candidacy San Diego | Master’s | — | 2 years (six trimesters) | — | 3 | No | 20 | January, September |
— = 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 San Diego area, CA
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Point Loma Nazarene University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | San Diego | 24 months | On-campus (face-to-face) | — | Accredited |
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-California Campus Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | San Marcos | 1.7 years (5 trimesters) | Residential, Hybrid Immersion or Flex (varies by campus) | 85% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-California Campus Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | San Marcos | 2 years (6 trimesters) | Residential, Hybrid Immersion or Flex (varies by campus) | 67% ’25 | Accredited |
| Alliant University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | San Diego | 2 years (six trimesters) | Online with weekly on-campus classes and labs (San Diego) | — | Candidacy |
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 San Diego area, CA
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in San Diego area, CA
- Alliant University · San Diego
- Point Loma Nazarene University · San Diego
- University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-California Campus · San Marcos
New OT programs opening in San Diego area, CA
1 program in San Diego area, CA 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.
- Alliant University — Entry-level master's, candidacy (ACOTE on-site visit: 2026/2027)
All new OT programs nationwide and what each ACOTE status means →
OTD or master's in San Diego area, CA?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a California license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 1 OTD programs.
- 3 master's programs, typically 20 months to 2 years.
- 3 with hybrid, online or weekend formats (confirmed on the school’s site).
- NBCOT pass rate: the median program here reported 76% of new graduates passing in 2025 (2 programs). Compare nationally.
- 2 programs start in January or spring: University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-California Campus, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-California Campus. All spring-start programs.
- 2 confirmed no-GRE programs. No-GRE list.
Pay in California
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 California
- 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 California license from the California Board of Occupational Therapy before you practice. See how to get licensed in California.
More areas in California
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in San Diego area, CA?
ACOTE lists 4 entry-level OT programs at 3 schools in San Diego area, CA: 1 doctoral (OTD) and 3 master's. 1 program is new and still working toward full accreditation.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in San Diego area, CA?
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. San Diego area, CA has 1 OTD and 3 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How long is OT school in San Diego area, CA?
Master's programs here that publish a length run 20 months to 2 years (3 programs). Lengths are from each program’s website; most include fieldwork.
How much do occupational therapists make in California?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in California was $124,510 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $85,550 to $158,560.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in San Diego area, CA?
Yes: 2 OTA programs. See OTA schools in California.
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.