Entry-level OTD

Samuel Merritt University OTD Program

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) · Oakland, California Accredited

From the program’s website

Degree
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Program length
3 years (8 semesters)
Format
On-campus
Source quote
“Program Duration 3 Years (8 Semesters) Format On Campus ... three-year, on-campus OTD program”

Checked on the program’s website on October 8, 2026 by Deepam Pawar, OT.

Visit the official program page ↗

From the ACOTE directory

Accreditation status
Accreditation
Degree level
Entry-level OTD
Institution type
Private Nonprofit
Share taught by distance education
1-24%
Last ACOTE on-site review
2023/2024
Next ACOTE on-site review
2028/2029
Address
525 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94607

Fully accredited by ACOTE. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NBCOT certification exam.

ACOTE directory retrieved October 9, 2026.

NBCOT exam results

89% of new graduates passed in 2025 · 91% average over the last 3 reported years

20212022202320242025
100%97%93%91%89%

Source: NBCOT school performance data, retrieved October 8, 2026. NBCOT counts new graduates who passed during the testing year, regardless of the number of attempts. Compare all programs’ pass rates.

Admission requirements

Minimum GPA
3.0 (last 60 semester units (recommended)) source
GRE
Not required source
Applies through
OTCAS (centralized application) source

OTCAS 2026–2027: $172 for the first program, $71 for each additional one. OTCAS guide.

Taken from the program’s own admissions pages (hover “source” for the quote). Requirements change each cycle; confirm before applying.

Published program cost

Program tuition
$150,099

all-inclusive tuition (includes fees and books).

From the program’s published cost table on samuelmerritt.edu. Excludes living costs unless stated. Compare OT program costs.

Other programs at Samuel Merritt University

Before you apply

  • Confirm the current application deadline and whether the program uses OTCAS or its own application.
  • Ask for the program’s NBCOT pass rate and graduation rate; ACOTE requires programs to publish them, and NBCOT posts school results on its school performance page.
  • Check prerequisite courses, observation hours and GPA minimums. See OT school prerequisites.
  • Plan for full-time fieldwork (at least 24 weeks of Level II), often away from campus.

Samuel Merritt University OTD Program: FAQ

How long is Samuel Merritt University’s OTD program?

3 years (8 semesters), according to the program’s website (checked October 8, 2026).

What are the admission requirements for Samuel Merritt University’s OTD program?

Minimum GPA 3.0 (last 60 semester units (recommended)). GRE: not required. Applications go through OTCAS. Each requirement is quoted from the program’s admissions page; confirm the current cycle before applying.

What is Samuel Merritt University’s NBCOT pass rate?

89% of new graduates passed the NBCOT exam in 2025, and 91% on average over the last 3 reported years (NBCOT school performance data).

How much does Samuel Merritt University’s OTD program cost?

The program publishes full-program tuition of $150,099 (all-inclusive tuition (includes fees and books)). Living costs are extra.

Is Samuel Merritt University’s OTD program accredited?

ACOTE lists it with status “Accredited” (directory retrieved October 9, 2026). Fully accredited by ACOTE. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NBCOT certification exam.

Pay in California

$124,510median annual pay
$85,550–$158,56010th–90th percentile
13,810occupational therapists employed

U.S. median for occupational therapists: $100,330. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Compare all states.

Licensing in California is handled by the California Board of Occupational Therapy. How to get licensed in California →

More OT programs in California

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