For working OTAs

OTA-to-OT Bridge Programs

By · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website

ACOTE identifies 28 OTA-to-OT bridge programs: 24 master’s and 4 OTD (as of October 9, 2026). They lead to the same NBCOT exam and license as any entry-level OT program, and most are scheduled for working assistants.

Program State City Length Format NBCOT Status
Barry University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) · OTA-to-OT bridge Florida Miami Shores About 2.5 years Hybrid weekend format 62% ’25 Accredited
Bay Path University-East Longmeadow Campus Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) · OTA-to-OT bridge Massachusetts East Longmeadow 2 years (accelerated, incl. 24 weeks fieldwork) On-campus, full-time 78% ’25 Accredited
Belmont University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) – Bridge Tennessee Nashville 23 months Hybrid 97% ’25 Accredited
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) – for OTAs · OTA-to-OT bridge North Carolina Concord 2 years (OTAs with a bachelor's) or 3 years (combined BS + MOT) Hybrid (online + on-campus) 97% ’25 Accredited
Chatham University Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (ELOTD) · OTA-to-OT bridge Pennsylvania Pittsburgh 28 months (7 terms) See program 98% ’25 Accredited
Concordia University Wisconsin Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) · OTA-to-OT bridge Wisconsin Mequon 24 months (year-round) See program 83% ’25 Accredited
Concordia University Wisconsin Entry-level OTD · OTA-to-OT bridge Wisconsin Mequon See program See program 100% ’25 Accredited
Dominican University New York Entry-level master's · OTA-to-OT bridge New York Orangeburg See program Weekend 83% ’25 Accredited
Huntington University-Peoria Entry-level OTD · OTA-to-OT bridge Arizona Peoria See program See program 100% ’25 Accredited
Keiser University-Fort Myers Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) – Bridge Florida Fort Myers See program See program 90% ’25 Accredited
Keiser University-Ft. Lauderdale Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) – Bridge Florida Ft. Lauderdale See program See program 86% ’25 Accredited
Loma Linda University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) – Bridge California Loma Linda See program Online 50% ’25 Accredited
Middle Georgia State University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) – Bridge Georgia Cochran 28 months (7 semesters) Partially online / hybrid, full-time 75% ’25 Accredited
Muskingum University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) – OTA to MOT · OTA-to-OT bridge Ohio New Concord See program Online + 18 on-campus weekends 95% ’25 Accredited
North Central College Entry-level master's · OTA-to-OT bridge Illinois Naperville See program See program 82% ’25 Accredited
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) · OTA-to-OT bridge Washington Yakima 2 years Part-time track option available 100% ’25 Accredited
Radford University Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) · OTA-to-OT bridge Virginia Radford See program In-person 93% ’25 Accredited
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) – OTA to MOT Bridge Utah Provo 5 semesters Hybrid (primarily online; campus visit once a semester for the first 3 semesters) — Accredited
Salem State University BS/MS in Occupational Therapy (for OTA graduates) · OTA-to-OT bridge Massachusetts Salem See program Part-time, evening 88% ’25 Accredited
Shenandoah University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) · OTA-to-OT bridge Virginia Winchester 2.5 years Hybrid (over 50% online) 95% ’25 Accredited
Southern California University of Health Sciences Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Los Angeles Metro) · OTA-to-OT bridge California Whittier 2 years 3 months Full-time, online-hybrid (live online coursework plus on-campus intensives) 100% ’25 Accredited
University of Louisiana at Monroe Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) – OTA to MOT Bridge Louisiana Monroe See program See program 95% ’25 Accredited
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-Miami Campus Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) · OTA-to-OT bridge Florida Coral Gables 1.7 years (5 trimesters) Residential, Hybrid Immersion or Flex (varies by campus) 67% ’25 Accredited
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-St. Augustine Campus Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) · OTA-to-OT bridge Florida St. Augustine 1.7 years (5 trimesters) Residential, Hybrid Immersion or Flex (varies by campus) 85% ’25 Accredited
University of Texas at Tyler Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) · OTA-to-OT bridge Texas Tyler See program Hybrid (blended online + on-campus) 96% ’25 Accredited
Utica University Entry-level master's · OTA-to-OT bridge New York Utica See program Day or weekend schedule 92% ’25 Accredited
Keiser University-Jacksonville Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) – Bridge Florida Jacksonville See program See program — Candidacy
St. Catherine University Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT) – Bridge Minnesota St. Paul See program Hybrid (one lab weekend per semester for the first 3 semesters) — 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.

Frequently asked questions

What is an OTA-to-OT bridge program?

An entry-level OT program designed for working occupational therapy assistants. It leads to the same master’s or OTD, NBCOT exam and license as any other entry-level program, often with hybrid or weekend scheduling.

Do I need a bachelor’s degree for an OTA-to-OT bridge?

It depends on the program. Some require a bachelor’s; others combine a bachelor’s and a master’s for OTAs who hold only an associate degree (for example, Cabarrus College and Salem State describe this on their sites). Check each program’s admission requirements.

Can I keep working as an OTA during a bridge program?

Many bridge programs are built around working OTAs, with online coursework and periodic on-campus labs. Level II fieldwork is full-time, so plan for at least 24 weeks away from your job.