The acronym MOT stands for Master of Occupational Therapy, which is a graduate-level professional degree required to enter the field of occupational therapy (OT). Occupational therapy is a health and rehabilitation profession focused on enabling people across the lifespan to participate in the daily activities they want and need to do. This is achieved by addressing physical, cognitive, psychological, and environmental factors that interfere with a person’s ability to engage in meaningful occupations, such as self-care, work, education, and leisure.
The Academic Requirements of the Master of Occupational Therapy Degree
The journey to earning a Master of Occupational Therapy degree is academically rigorous and typically begins with a bachelor’s degree in any field, though many applicants hold degrees in health sciences, psychology, or biology. Admission into an MOT program is highly competitive and generally requires a strong undergraduate academic record, often with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Many programs also require applicants to complete specific prerequisite coursework, which consistently includes human anatomy, physiology, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, and statistics.
The MOT program is a full-time course of study, typically taking between two and three years to complete. The curriculum is rooted in foundational sciences, including neuroanatomy and kinesiology, to provide an understanding of human function and movement. Students also delve into therapeutic interventions, learning specific treatment techniques for various conditions across the lifespan, from pediatrics to geriatrics.
Theoretical coursework emphasizes understanding the relationship between occupation, health, and participation, covering topics like occupational science and models of practice. Research methods and evidence-based practice are also components, preparing future therapists to apply scientific literature to clinical decision-making. The classroom component prepares students with the theoretical knowledge and clinical reasoning skills necessary to transition into supervised practice settings.
From MOT Program Completion to Professional Licensure
After completing the academic coursework, graduates must satisfy requirements to transition from a student to a licensed practicing occupational therapist. A key component involves supervised clinical education, known as fieldwork, which is divided into Level I and Level II experiences. Level I fieldwork is generally shorter and observational, integrated throughout the curriculum to introduce students to various practice settings and client populations.
Level II fieldwork demands a total of 24 weeks of full-time, supervised clinical experience, typically split into two separate three-month placements. This phase allows students to apply academic knowledge directly, developing clinical skills, professional behavior, and independent practice under the guidance of a licensed therapist. Successful completion of these fieldwork requirements is mandatory for graduation from an accredited MOT program.
Graduates who have completed their degree and fieldwork are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Passing this examination grants the credential of Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Following certification, the individual must apply for state-level licensure in any state where they intend to practice, as every state requires a license to legally work as an occupational therapist.
The Difference Between MOT and OTD
The educational requirements for entry-level occupational therapy have been evolving, leading to the establishment of the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) as an alternative degree path. Both the MOT and the OTD prepare graduates for the same entry-level clinical practice roles and enable the graduate to take the NBCOT certification examination. The primary difference lies in the length and academic focus beyond the core clinical curriculum.
The MOT is the quicker path, generally completed in two to three years, focusing on the clinical skills necessary for patient care and rehabilitation. The OTD program, which often takes between two-and-a-half to three years, incorporates the foundational clinical training of the master’s degree but adds advanced coursework. This additional training typically focuses on areas like advanced research, leadership, administration, health policy, and specialized clinical skills.
OTD students are also required to complete a doctoral capstone project, which involves in-depth study, research, or program development in a specialized area of practice. While the OTD prepares individuals for advanced roles in leadership, academia, and specialized practice, both the master’s and the doctoral degree currently qualify a person to become a licensed occupational therapist. The choice between the two degrees often depends on a student’s long-term professional goals and interest in advanced scholarly work.