Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

The Master of Occupational Therapy program is no longer accepting applicants.

If you hold a bachelor's degree and are seeking an advanced degree in occupational therapy, you may apply to our entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program. If you are a licensed occupational therapist with a master’s degree in occupational therapy, you may apply to our Transitional Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) program.

Entry-level OTD

Transitional OTD

The highly ranked Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) in Temple’s College of Public Health trains students to help individuals maximize their health and quality of life by engaging in meaningful activity. Students learn how to evaluate clients’ functional needs, and develop and implement solutions for clients to gain independence. This entry-level professional program prepares graduates to take the national board certification (NBCOT) examination, which allows you to become a registered occupational therapist.

Occupational therapy empowers individuals across the lifespan to overcome dysfunction, make choices regarding occupational engagement, and optimize function and quality of life. Our faculty encourage students to cultivate five professional roles on their paths to becoming accomplished occupational therapists: engager, innovator, learner, perceiver and thinker.

You will develop clinical skills through a combination of direct observation and experiential learning: Students engage in supervised fieldwork assignments beginning in their first year. You will be taught to understand social needs, policies and trends in order to prepare for a fulfilling professional life.

The program boasts a 100% employment rate for graduating students. Graduates are prepared to become entry-level occupational therapists working with children, adults and older adults in educational, community and medical service areas. Our graduates serve at community service agencies, developmental disability therapy centers, hospitals, mental health centers, rehabilitation centers and schools, among other environments.

What sets apart our MOT program?

Advanced clinical education spaces: The occupational therapy program is housed in a new building on Temple’s Main Campus that features state-of-the-art instructional technology, smart classrooms and an Activities of Daily Living suite—a simulated home environment in which students practice implementing adaptive techniques to help clients navigate everyday tasks. Explore the space.
A supportive academic environment: The master’s program fosters a tight-knit community of students who support each other inside and outside the classroom through meaningful academic and service projects.
Internationally renowned faculty: Our faculty are recognized experts in the field, offering knowledge and research opportunities in areas including adult rehabilitation, child and youth development, community-based practices, and promoting inclusive institutional and legislative policies.

Program format

This 80-credit, full-time degree program begins in the summer and takes two and a half years to complete; it includes six months of supervised full-time fieldwork. Students take foundational, intervention and theoretical courses on topics such as group dynamics in OT and health/wellness in the community. The program also includes a focused research course track that trains students in research design and implementation.

The program includes 44 credit hours of clinical practice—an essential element of occupational therapy education. This includes fieldwork and practice courses on topics such as children/youth and assistive technology.

After a basic design and research methods course in their first semester, graduate students form small research groups that are assigned to work in tandem with a faculty member on a specific project for the remainder of the year. Students gain valuable skills across the span of the research process, from developing and assessing studies to collecting and analyzing data.

The selection process for pairing students with faculty research mentors is collaborative: Students rank faculty projects in order of their interests, and the department matches the students based on those preferences.

See a full list of program courses.

Tuition and fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Occupational Therapy offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2021–2022 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,020.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,398.00 per credit

Learn more about our tuition and fees.

View the total cost of attendance for the Occupational Therapy MOT program. (PDF)

College of Public Health

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The Master of Occupational Therapy program is no longer accepting applicants.