Occupational therapy is a fast-growing, in-demand field with opportunities in settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, community agencies, and schools.
Occupational Therapy Schools in California
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California State University, Dominguez Hills
California State University, Dominguez Hills are quite enthusiastic in being part of their students’ journey towards becoming occupational therapy practitioners and leaders aligned with the following department mission, core values, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
They educate and prepare students on best practice, scholarship, research, advocacy and innovation to address the complex human needs of health, wellness, restoration and adaptation for optimal life engagement throughout the lifespan.
Their Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Address: College of Health, Human Services, and Nursing, 1000 East Victoria Street, WHA 320h Carson CA 90747-0005
Phone: 310-243-2726
See also: Best 8 Accelerated Nursing Programs in California
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Dominican University
Dominican’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program educates students from diverse backgrounds to become resilient occupational therapists who use occupation to advance the health and well-being of themselves, individuals, communities and populations.
OTD students are co-creators of knowledge through active and experiential learning and embody the Dominican values of study, reflection, community, and service.
The OTD program at Dominican University of California is a nine-semester entry-level clinical program with 100 graduate units designed to prepare the next generation of occupational therapists to meet the challenge of rapidly changing, and ever more complex, health care systems.
All students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 14-week capstone experience within 18 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program.
The doctoral capstone experience will start after completion of all coursework, Level II fieldwork, and preparatory activities.
Students are expected to complete the program in 3 years, and not longer than 6 years, from the time of initial enrollment.
Address: 50 Acacia Avenue San Rafael CA 94901-2298
Phone: 415-457-4440
See also: Best Pharmacy Schools in California 2022
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Keck Graduate Institute
Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) is developing an innovative entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program.
The program will nurture students’ growth as compassionate, ethical practitioners who act with authenticity and integrity in every step of the occupational therapy process.
KGI’s innovative OTD curriculum is based on an integrative and systems approach, with occupation as the core subject to prepare students for the future of practice.
Their mission is to educate future occupational therapists to meet the needs of individuals, communities, and populations for meaningful participation in daily life activities through a transformative and dynamic educational process.
Students will learn to work with people of all ages and ability levels in client-centered, culturally responsive ways.
Address: School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 535 Watson Drive Claremont CA 91711
Phone: 909-607-7855
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Loma Linda University
The Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (EOTD) program is a professional graduate program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
This entry-level degree is completed in 3 years and includes specific didactic work guided by accreditation standards, research, fieldwork, and a doctoral capstone experience.
The Department of Occupational Therapy envisions occupational therapy’s service to humanity as rooted in justice, advocacy, and whole-person care.
Also, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education has granted them Candidacy Status to transition to an Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (EOTD) program.
Address: Nichol Hall, Room A901 Loma Linda, CA 92350
Phone: 909-558-4628
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Samuel Merritt University
SMU’s entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) programs focus on working with the whole person.
Their rigorous curriculum combines basic science and occupation-based practice.
Starting in your first year, you’ll have plenty of hands-on experiences, including participating in simulation labs and working with clients in the community participant labs.
As an occupational therapist, you’ll need to communicate and partner with other health professionals.
To prepare you for this collaboration, you’ll share a course with physical therapy students and experience other interprofessional learning opportunities.
You can become an occupational therapist in Samuel Merritt University by earning either a master’s or a doctoral degree from an accredited occupational therapy program.
Samuel Merritt University’s Department of Occupational Therapy is proud to be fully accredited for both the MOT and OTD degrees.
Address: 3100 Telegraph Ave Oakland, California 94609
Phone: 510.879.9200
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San Jose State University
A rewarding and fast-growing career in Occupational Therapy (OT) begins with obtaining an accredited Master’s degree from SJSU.
You can be confident that they are the right choice when you see that their national reputation for excellence is based on a superior academic curriculum, distinguished faculty, and accomplished graduates.
They have such an outstanding program that they were featured in a Newsweek article on the leading OT programs for 2020-2021.
San Jose State University will begin the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program in 2023.
SJSU’s program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Central Classroom Building Room 203 One Washington Square San José, CA 95192-0059
Phone: 408-924-3070
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Southern California University (SCU) of Health Sciences
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) at SCU offers a unique blend of primarily remote learning with on-campus experiences in classroom and experiential learning.
In addition, SCU does not require students to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to be admitted into the program.
The curriculum includes modalities courses for adult and pediatric populations.
These courses help train students in physical agent modalities and may be used as educational hours towards the California PAM certificate upon approval.
Address: 16200 Amber Valley Dr. Whittier, CA 90604
Phone: (562) 947-8755
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University of Southern California (USC)
The USC Chan Entry-Level OTD program is built upon the nation’s No. 1 occupational therapy graduate program as ranked by U.S. News and World Report.
This program is designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than occupational therapy.
Once you have successfully completed all professional coursework including the required number of fieldwork hours and DCE, you will be are eligible to sit for the OTR certification examination offered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy(NBCOT).
Address: 1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003
Phone: +1 (323) 442-2850
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University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-California Campus
Their OT doctoral program is rooted in their student-FIRST philosophy: Everything they do is focused on student success.
They strive to offer the best academic experience and career preparation through their learning model, support services, and special events.
Also, their doctor of occupational Therapy has two pathways; In the Residential OTD, you will watch lectures online and participate in on-campus clinical lab classes on weekdays.
Designed for those who work, have family obligations, or live a distance from campus, the Flex OTD is a path for you to earn your doctorate in occupational therapy on an expanded timetable
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree (OTD) program at the San Marcos, California campus is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR).
Address: San Marcos, CA Campus 700 Windy Point Drive San Marcos, CA 92069
Phone: (904) 826-0084
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University of the Pacific-Sacramento Campus
Pacific’s innovative Doctor of Occupational Therapy program prepares students to help people of all ages live their best lives by working through injury, disability and illness and practicing overall wellness and vitality in their daily routines.
Their cohort-based, 120-unit program consists of eight trimesters (32 months). Students will start with foundational coursework then advance to learning intervention strategies for specific age groups and life challenges.
The Entry-Level Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) is awarded upon completion of Level II Fieldwork and Capstone requirements and within four years of initial matriculation.
Additionally, the entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status, by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Address: 3200 Fifth Ave. Sacramento, California 95817
Phone: 916.739.7032
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West Coast University (WCU)-Los Angeles
Within WCU’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program, students develop competency in integrative thinking about humans as occupational beings to provide occupation-based occupational therapy services to meet a diverse range of needs.
West Coast University prepares MSOT and OTD students to be successful professionals, by emphasizing holistic client-centered care, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking skills.
A part of their mission at West Coast University is to embrace a student-centric learning partnership.
Their facility is technologically advanced and provides students with an environment that promotes innovative learning methods designed to develop skilled, confident, competent therapists.
Their faculty members represent a wide array of expertise in the field of occupational therapy.
West Coast University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Address: 590 N. Vermont Avenue Los Angeles CA 90004
Phone: 323-284-7920
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