You can major in anything. OT programs care that you complete their prerequisites (most often anatomy and physiology, lifespan development, statistics and abnormal psychology) with good grades. Psychology, kinesiology, health science and biology make those courses easy to fit in.
Good pre-OT majors
- Psychology covers abnormal psychology, lifespan development and statistics.
- Kinesiology / exercise science covers anatomy, physiology and movement science.
- Health science or occupational science is often designed as a pre-OT track.
- Biology gives strong science preparation; add psychology courses.
See exactly which prerequisites OT programs require.
Combined bachelor’s + OT degree programs
If you know OT is your goal in high school, a combined program (3+2 bachelor’s/master’s or 3+3 bachelor’s/OTD) can save a year. These programs confirm a combined pathway on their websites:
- Sacred Heart University (Connecticut): 24 months
- University of Hartford (Connecticut): Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT)
- University of New Haven (Connecticut): 2.75 years (8 semesters, full-time)
- Barry University (Florida): About 2.5 years
- Husson University (Maine): 6 years (3+3 from high school)
- American International College (Massachusetts): 2 years (direct entry) or 5 years (3+2 BS/MSOT)
- Salem State University (Massachusetts): BS/MS in Occupational Therapy (for OTA graduates)
- Springfield College (Massachusetts): 2.5 years full-time (3.5 years part-time)
- Andrews University (Michigan): 3 years
- St. Catherine University (Minnesota): 3.5 years
- St. Louis University (Missouri): 5 years (direct-admit BS to MOT) or 2 years after a bachelor's
- University of New Mexico (New Mexico): 2.5 years
- Ithaca College (New York):
- Ithaca College (New York): 5–6 years from first year (BS/OTD), or professional entry after a bachelor’s
- Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus (New York): 5 years (combined BS/MS)
- Nazareth University (New York): 5 years (combined BS/MS)
- Touro University (New York): 3 years full-time (limited 4-year part-time option)
- Touro University, Manhattan (New York): 3 years full-time (limited 4-year part-time option)
- University at Buffalo, State University of New York (New York): 5 years from high school, or 3 years after a bachelor's in another field
- York College, The City University of New York (New York): Occupational Therapy BS/MS
- University of Findlay (Ohio): Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
- Xavier University (Ohio): 3.5 years (7 semesters, summers off)
- Elizabethtown College (Pennsylvania): 5 years (3+2 BS/MS)
- Elizabethtown College (Pennsylvania): 6 years (3+3 BS/OTD) or 3 years post-baccalaureate
- King's College (Pennsylvania): 3 years (with a bachelor's) or 6 years (3+3 BS/OTD)
- Saint Francis University (Pennsylvania): 5 years (3+2 direct entry)
- Saint Joseph's University (Pennsylvania): 2.5 years
- Thomas Jefferson University-East Falls Campus (Pennsylvania): 2.5 years
- University of Scranton (Pennsylvania): 5 years (entered as a first-year student)
- University of Scranton (Pennsylvania): 6 years (entered as a first-year student)
- University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas): 2.5 years
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (Texas): 3.5 years
- Shenandoah University (Virginia): 2.5 years
- Eastern Washington University (OTM) (Washington): 2.5 years
- University of Puget Sound (Washington): 2.5 years
- University of Washington (Washington): 2.25 years
- West Virginia University (West Virginia): 4.5 years total (2+3 program)
- Concordia University Wisconsin (Wisconsin): 24 months (year-round)