Virginia · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in Virginia
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Virginia has 11 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 6 doctoral (OTD) and 5 master's. 10 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development. Occupational therapists in Virginia earn a median $100,710 a year.
Compare OT programs in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison University Harrisonburg | Master’s | 100% | — | $46,610* | — | No | 20 | — |
| Mary Baldwin University Fishersville | OTD | 100% | 33 months | $88,200 | 3 | No | — | Fall (August) |
| Shenandoah University Winchester | OTD | 100% | — | — | 3.3 | — | 10 rec. | — |
| Emory and Henry University-Marion Campus Marion | OTD | 95% | — | $82,352* | 2.75 | No | 40 | — |
| Shenandoah University Winchester | Master’s | 95% | 2.5 years | $79,606 | 3 | No | 10 rec. | Fall (late August) |
| Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond | OTD | 95% | 9 semesters | $95,027* | — | — | — | — |
| Radford University Radford | Master’s | 93% | — | $49,968* | — | No | — | — |
| Old Dominion University Norfolk | OTD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Radford University Carilion Roanoke | Master’s | — | 7 semesters | $49,968* | 3 | — | — | Fall |
| Shenandoah University-Loudoun Leesburg | Master’s | — | — | $79,606 | 3 | No | 10 rec. | — |
| University of Virginia Applicant Charlottesville | OTD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— = 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 Virginia
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emory and Henry University-Marion Campus Entry-level Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Marion | See program | On-campus or hybrid option | 95% ’25 | Accredited |
| James Madison University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | Harrisonburg | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Mary Baldwin University Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Fishersville | 33 months | On-campus | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Old Dominion University Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Norfolk | See program | See program | — | Accredited |
| Radford University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) · OTA-to-OT bridge | Radford | See program | In-person | 93% ’25 | Accredited |
| Radford University Carilion Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) | Roanoke | 7 semesters | In-person (Radford and Roanoke campuses) | — | Accredited |
| Shenandoah University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) · OTA-to-OT bridge | Winchester | 2.5 years | Hybrid (over 50% online) | 95% ’25 | Accredited |
| Shenandoah University Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Winchester | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Shenandoah University-Loudoun Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Leesburg | See program | See program | — | Accredited |
| Virginia Commonwealth University Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Richmond | 9 semesters | See program | 95% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of Virginia Entry-level OTD | Charlottesville | 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 Virginia
- Emory and Henry University-Marion Campus · Marion
- Mary Baldwin University · Fishersville
- Old Dominion University · Norfolk
- Shenandoah University · Winchester
- University of Virginia · Charlottesville
- Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in Virginia
- James Madison University · Harrisonburg
- Radford University · Radford
- Radford University Carilion · Roanoke
- Shenandoah University · Winchester
- Shenandoah University-Loudoun · Leesburg
New OT programs opening in Virginia
1 program in Virginia 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 Virginia — Entry-level OTD, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2031/2032)
All new OT programs nationwide and what each ACOTE status means →
OTD or master's in Virginia?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a Virginia license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 6 OTD programs.
- 5 master's programs.
- 2 OTA-to-OT bridge programs 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 95% of new graduates passing in 2025 (7 programs). Compare nationally.
- 6 confirmed no-GRE programs. No-GRE list.
Pay in Virginia
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 Virginia
- 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 Virginia license from the Virginia Board of Medicine (Department of Health Professions) before you practice. See how to get licensed in Virginia.
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in Virginia?
ACOTE lists 11 entry-level OT programs at 10 schools in Virginia: 6 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 Virginia?
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. Virginia has 6 OTD and 5 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How much do occupational therapists make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in Virginia was $100,710 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $70,200 to $134,570.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in Virginia?
Yes: 5 OTA programs. See OTA schools in Virginia.
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.