If you’ve ever watched an occupational therapist help a stroke patient relearn how to button a shirt, or help a child with sensory processing challenges thrive in the classroom, you already understand why this career draws so many compassionate, hands-on people. But before you can do that work, you need the right education — and the path is more specific than many people expect.
So, what education do you need to be an occupational therapist? At minimum, you’ll need a graduate degree (master’s or doctoral) from an accredited occupational therapy program, built on top of a bachelor’s degree and specific prerequisite coursework. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what that path looks like, what to expect from prerequisites and fieldwork, and how to choose the best occupational therapy program for your goals — including a look at one of the most flexible options among OT programs in NY.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
You don’t need to major in occupational therapy as an undergraduate — in fact, most applicants don’t. Popular undergraduate majors among future OTs include health sciences, psychology, kinesiology, and biology, largely because these fields naturally build in many of the prerequisite courses graduate OT programs require.
What matters most at this stage is:
- Completing a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Maintaining a strong GPA (most occupational therapy programs set a 3.0 minimum)
- Strategically choosing electives that satisfy OT prerequisite requirements
Step 2: Complete Your OT Prerequisite Coursework
Regardless of your major, every accredited occupational therapy program requires a specific set of prerequisite courses before you can apply. While requirements vary slightly by school, most OT programs in NY — including Dominican University New York’s — require coursework such as:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology (with lab)
- Lifespan Human Development (covering all life stages, birth through late adulthood)
- Abnormal Psychology
- Statistics
- Physics, Biomechanics, or Kinesiology (with an application-based component)
At DUNY, prerequisite courses must be completed with at least a C, and most require a cumulative and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher. You can view the complete, course-by-course prerequisite list on DUNY’s OT Program Prerequisites. If you’re still building your undergraduate schedule, DUNY’s guide on What Classes Do You Need for an Occupational Therapy Program? breaks down how each prerequisite connects to your future coursework and fieldwork.
Step 3: Earn a Graduate Degree in Occupational Therapy
This is the step that actually qualifies you to practice. To become a licensed occupational therapist, you must complete a graduate-level occupational therapy program — either a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) or an entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) — from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
Most students choose the master’s-level path, which allows you to enter the workforce sooner without the added time and cost of a doctoral program. At Dominican University New York, students can pursue this through the Occupational Therapy Program, which offers two paths depending on where you’re starting from:
- Weekend Format: Classes meet on campus roughly every third weekend across a 12-month, trimester-based schedule — ideal for working adults and career changers.
- One-Weekday-Per-Week Format: A newer, first-of-its-kind schedule where students attend campus every Monday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM for 12 weeks per term, with independent study between sessions.
Both formats are part of DUNY’s non-traditional approach to OT education, which the university has refined over more than 40 years of preparing occupational therapists. Full curriculum details are available on the Professional Sequence.
Step 4: Complete Supervised Fieldwork
Classroom learning is only part of the equation. Every accredited occupational therapy program requires supervised fieldwork — Level I and Level II — where students apply what they’ve learned in real clinical settings under the guidance of a licensed OT. This hands-on training is where students build the clinical judgment and confidence needed to practice independently after graduation. You can review DUNY’s fieldwork structure and requirements directly on the program’s site.
Step 5: Pass the NBCOT Certification Exam
After completing your degree and fieldwork, you’ll need to pass the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Passing this exam earns you the credential Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR).
Step 6: Obtain State Licensure
Finally, every state requires occupational therapists to be licensed to practice — and in nearly all states, licensure is based directly on your NBCOT exam results. Requirements can vary slightly by state, so it’s worth checking your specific state board’s guidelines as you approach graduation.
Why Choose Dominican University New York for Your OT Education
If you’re comparing OT programs in NY or searching for an occupational therapy program near me, Dominican University New York stands out for a few key reasons:
A 40-Year Legacy in Non-Traditional OT Education
DUNY has prepared occupational therapists for more than four decades through flexible, non-traditional formats designed specifically for working adults and career changers — not just recent college graduates.
Genuinely Flexible Scheduling
DUNY’s one-weekday-per-week format is the only one of its kind in occupational therapy education, giving students the ability to keep working or managing family responsibilities while completing a rigorous graduate curriculum. For a deeper look at how DUNY’s flexibility compares to other regional options, see Which Nearby Universities Offer Occupational Therapy Programs With Flexible Class Schedules?
Faculty With Real Clinical Depth
DUNY’s OT faculty bring a combined total of more than 150 years of clinical practice experience into the classroom, ensuring instruction stays grounded in evidence-based, real-world practice rather than theory alone.
Multiple Entry Pathways
Whether you’re a current DUNY undergraduate in Health Sciences or Social Sciences, a DUNY alum, or an external applicant with a completed bachelor’s degree, there’s a pathway built for you — including an accelerated route for qualifying Social Sciences students. Full pathway and application details are outlined on the Occupational Therapy Program Application.
Strong Graduate Outcomes
100% of DUNY Allied Health graduates who seek employment upon graduation are employed — a reflection of the program’s rigorous clinical training and strong reputation across the tri-state healthcare community.
A Convenient Rockland County, NY Location
DUNY is located roughly 20 miles north of New York City, making it one of the more accessible occupational therapy programs in NY for students throughout the Hudson Valley and greater NYC region.
How to Apply
Application requirements depend on your starting point:
- External applicants with a completed bachelor’s degree apply through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS).
- Current DUNY undergraduates in qualifying Health Sciences or Social Sciences programs apply directly through the DUNY graduate application.
- DUNY alumni who’ve completed the OT prerequisites may apply at any time during the current admission cycle.
All applicants must submit three letters of recommendation — one from a professor, one from a work supervisor, and a third from either category. Full application instructions are available on DUNY’s Occupational Therapy Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a specific undergraduate major to become an occupational therapist?
No. Most occupational therapy programs accept applicants from a wide range of majors — including health sciences, psychology, kinesiology, and biology — as long as all prerequisite coursework is completed with a strong GPA.
Is a doctorate required to become an occupational therapist?
Not currently. A master’s degree from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program is sufficient for entry-level practice in the U.S. Some universities are shifting toward doctoral-entry models, but master’s-level programs like DUNY’s remain a widely respected and more time-efficient path.
How long does it take to become an occupational therapist?
After a four-year bachelor’s degree, most graduate OT programs take about two to three years to complete, including supervised fieldwork. DUNY’s weekend and one-weekday-per-week formats are structured on a 12-month, trimester-based schedule.
What’s the difference between the Weekend Format and the One-Weekday-Per-Week Format at DUNY?
The Weekend Format meets on campus roughly every third weekend, while the One-Weekday-Per-Week Format meets every Monday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM for 12-week terms. Both are designed for working adults, but the right choice depends on your work schedule and learning preferences.
Do I need clinical experience before applying to an OT program?
While not always mandatory, most competitive applicants gain some exposure to the field — through volunteering, shadowing, or working in a clinical, school, or rehabilitation setting — before applying. This experience also helps confirm occupational therapy is the right career fit.
What is NBCOT, and why does it matter?
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) administers the national certification exam every graduate must pass to practice as an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states base licensure directly on NBCOT exam results.
What is the job outlook for occupational therapists?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 14 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations — driven largely by the healthcare needs of an aging population and growing demand for rehabilitative services. Full projections are available on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for Occupational Therapists.
Can I work while completing an OT program?
Yes, particularly in a flexible-format program. DUNY’s Weekend and One-Weekday-Per-Week formats were specifically designed to let students continue working or managing family responsibilities while completing their graduate degree.
Final Thoughts
Becoming an occupational therapist requires a clear, multi-step educational path: a bachelor’s degree, specific prerequisite coursework, an accredited graduate-level occupational therapy program, supervised fieldwork, national certification, and state licensure. It’s a meaningful investment of time — but for the right person, it leads to one of the most rewarding careers in healthcare.
If you’re exploring the best occupational therapy programs in NY or searching for a flexible, respected occupational therapy program near me, Dominican University New York offers more than 40 years of experience preparing skilled, compassionate OTs — with scheduling formats built for real, working lives.