If you’re interested in teaching entry-level students in occupational therapy (OT) programs, the landscape has continued to expand and evolve — and the opportunities remain strong.
As of May 2020, there were 128 accredited master’s-level and 37 entry-level clinical doctorate OT programs (165 total). Since then, program types and numbers have shifted substantially.
According to the Academic Programs Annual Data Report (2022–2023), there were 102 accredited OT Doctorate (OTD), 150 OT Master (OTM), 4 OTA bachelor’s (OTA-B), and 210 OTA associate (OTA-A) programs — 466 fully accredited programs across OT and OTA.
The most recent ACOTE program directory (2025) shows continued growth:
- 141 accredited OTD programs
- 159 accredited OTM programs
- 7 accredited OTA-B programs
- 207 accredited OTA-A programs
That’s 514 fully accredited programs (though 7 OTM and 15 OTA are listed as inactive).
Including programs in development, there are now 653 total (222 OTD + 191 OTM + 20 OTA-B + 220 OTA-A) when candidate and applicant programs are counted.
This upward trajectory underscores an ongoing push toward doctoral education while maintaining a strong master’s and OTA presence — good news for anyone aspiring to join academia.
1. Choose the degree for your career goals
What do you want to be doing five and ten years from now? Sometimes we just know we want more learning and don’t yet have a precise career endpoint.
- If you envision a career in academia — specifically teaching and conducting research — then a PhD or ScD is typically the most direct path.
- If you want to maintain clinical practice and teach, a post-professional clinical doctorate (ppOTD) may be right for you.
Either way, a post-professional OTD will prepare you to teach, mentor, and share advanced expertise with students.
2. Review requirements and credentials for teaching
According to Sabrina Salvant, EdD, MPH, OTR/L, Director of Accreditation for the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), as of July 31, 2020, at least 50% of full-time core faculty must have a post-professional doctorate. This ensures that OT programs have “sufficient expertise beyond the entry-level,” aligning with the principle that faculty should hold a degree higher than the one in which they teach.
A.2.7. Faculty Degrees
All full-time core faculty who are occupational therapy practitioners teaching in the program must hold a doctoral degree awarded by an institution that is accredited by a USDE-recognized regional accrediting body. At least 50% of full-time core faculty must have a post-professional doctorate. Degrees from non-U.S. institutions require ACOTE’s review for equivalency.
For the latest accreditation updates and official announcements, refer to ACOTE News & Updates, which has replaced older “Director’s Updates.”
3. Choosing a graduate program
Everyone’s situation is unique. A good starting point is AOTA’s Find A School list of post-professional master’s and doctoral programs.
For example, the University of Montana’s post-professional OTD remains a fully online, flexible, and cost-efficient option, enabling practitioners with a BS or MS to pursue an OTD while working. Other programs, like the University of St. Augustine, may offer specialization tracks (leadership, advocacy, teaching) at a higher cost but with additional focus areas.
When comparing programs, consider:
- Cost and funding options (in-state vs. private, fully online vs. hybrid)
- Required residencies or on-campus sessions
- Whether programs are generalist or offer specializations
- Program pacing and flexibility for working professionals
4. Obtaining teaching experience
To build your teaching résumé:
- Guest lecture at local OT programs.
- Serve as adjunct faculty to teach single courses.
- Work as a clinical lab instructor (splinting, transfers, etc.).
- Offer lunch-and-learn sessions in your workplace.
- Supervise fieldwork students to practice articulating clinical reasoning.
If you don’t have contacts at a university, send your CV and offer your expertise — even one guest lecture can be the first step.
5. Find your motivators and commit
Earning a post-professional OTD is typically a two-year, self-directed commitment. Balance family, work, and studies by defining your “why statement” — your reason for taking this path — and revisit it when you need motivation.
Updated References
Academic Programs Annual Data Report (2022–2023). Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). PDF link
- Can you become a college professor with an EdD? | OnlineEdDPrograms.com. Link
- ACOTE News & Updates. Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Link
- 2018 Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) Standards and Interpretive Guide (effective July 31, 2020). Am J Occup Ther 2018;72(Supplement_2):7212410005. DOI
- ACOTE School Directory (2025). Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Link