The acronym MOT stands for Master of Occupational Therapy. This professional qualification prepares individuals for a career as a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT), a role focused on helping people across the lifespan participate in the activities of daily life. For many years, the MOT degree served as the standard entry-level qualification for practitioners. Graduates of an accredited MOT program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination required for practice.
The Master of Occupational Therapy Degree
The Master of Occupational Therapy degree has historically been the primary academic path for becoming a licensed occupational therapist. It became the minimum educational requirement for new practitioners in the United States in the mid-2000s, elevating the standard from the previous bachelor’s degree level. This post-bachelor’s program typically takes between two and two-and-a-half years of full-time study. Admission requires an undergraduate degree, often in a related field such as psychology, biology, or health science.
The curriculum integrates classroom learning, laboratory work, and extensive clinical experience. Prospective students must complete specific prerequisite coursework, which often includes human anatomy and physiology, abnormal psychology, and statistics. Successful completion of the program makes a graduate eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. Passing this examination is required to become an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) and obtain state licensure.
Academic Focus of the MOT Program
The academic coursework provides a scientific and theoretical foundation for clinical practice. Students study human anatomy, movement analysis, and kinesiology to understand the mechanical aspects of the body’s function. This foundational knowledge is coupled with studies in neuroscience, exploring the relationship between the central nervous system, human behavior, motor control, and sensory processing. The curriculum trains students to assess and intervene with clients across the entire lifespan, from pediatrics through geriatrics.
A core component is occupational science theory, which is the study of human occupation—the everyday activities people need or want to do. This framework allows students to analyze how conditions like injury, illness, or disability impact a person’s ability to engage in meaningful daily roles and routines. The program also addresses the psychosocial aspects of health, recognizing that emotional, social, and cultural factors influence participation in life. Graduates are prepared to use client-centered, evidence-based reasoning when developing therapeutic interventions.
The Essential Fieldwork Component
Fieldwork is a mandatory, hands-on training component that bridges the gap between academic theory and clinical practice. This practical training is organized into two distinct stages: Level I and Level II. Level I fieldwork serves as an introductory experience, allowing students to engage in observational learning and apply classroom concepts in diverse settings under supervision. The purpose of Level I is to familiarize students with different patient populations and service delivery models.
Level II fieldwork is the intensive, full-time clinical experience required for graduation and certification eligibility. Students must complete a minimum of 24 weeks of full-time supervised practice, as stipulated by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards. This training is typically divided into two placements in different settings, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, schools, or community-based programs. During Level II, the student gradually assumes the responsibilities of an entry-level occupational therapist, developing proficiency in evaluation, intervention planning, and documentation under the guidance of a licensed occupational therapist.
MOT Versus the OTD
While the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) has long been the standard, the profession’s educational landscape is shifting toward the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD). Both the MOT and the OTD are considered entry-level degrees that qualify a graduate to take the NBCOT exam and become a licensed OTR. The primary difference lies in the program duration and the depth of non-clinical content covered.
An OTD program typically extends the education by approximately six months to one year beyond the MOT, often requiring a capstone project. This additional time is dedicated to advanced training in areas such as:
- Leadership
- Research methodologies
- Healthcare policy analysis
- Program development
Despite the growing number of OTD programs, many MOT programs remain accredited and are a valid path to licensure. Ultimately, a practitioner’s scope of clinical practice is defined by their state license, which is the same regardless of whether they hold an MOT or an OTD degree.