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Master of Occupational Therapy/Bridge to OTD Pathway

The Benefits of an Entry-Level Master of Occupational Therapy & Post-Professional OTD

As you're considering where to advance your occupational therapy education and how to proceed on your career path, we wanted to share the pathway you can pursue at Bay Path University.

This path will allow you to complete the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) - Bridge program in 3 years paving the way for you to start working as an occupational therapist sooner, while also quickly and easily transitioning into the post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program which will place you on the fast track to success.

Many students are choosing to complete their master's degree and start working while continuing their doctoral studies. Learn more about why they are selecting this path:

  1. OT Entry Points: Contrary to what most prospective students have heard, there are two points of entry to becoming an occupational therapist, an entry-level master's or an entry-level doctorate. At present the MOT is the minimum degree required and that is not expected to change. The pay scale for an entry-level occupational therapist is the same, regardless of degree level, but MOT graduates have spent about 1 year less in tuition costs (on average).
  2. Entry-Level vs. Post-Professional OTD Degrees: An entry-level OTD is an entry-level degree in the field of OT, just like the entry-level MOT. Graduates sit for the same board exam. A post-professional OTD is an advanced doctorate degree and therefore is a level above an entry-level degree. With a post-professional OTD, you can focus on a capstone project that will help your current work or specific career endeavors which makes it more meaningful for students.
  3. Completion Timeframe: The entry-level MOT to post-professional OTD can be completed in about the same amount of time as an entry-level OTD, but you can start working sooner and earn both a master's and a higher-level doctorate.
  4. Save Time & Tuition: Upon graduation from the MOT Program, students can immediately enter the post-professional OTD program. As a BPU MOT alum, you are eligible to transfer 6 credits into the post-professional OTD program, leaving only 30 credits to complete your advanced doctoral degree. 

Our Master of Occupational Therapy - Bridge program has flexible, online courses with only 8 in-person lab weekends per year at our East Longmeadow, MA campus. Our post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) is a flexible, 100% online, 36-credit program with 6 career-focused concentrations. 

If you're interested in pursuing both your master's and doctorate while starting your career sooner, please contact Graduate Admissions about our programs. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your OT career path and help you make a difference every day in people’s lives.