Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT) Bridge Program
Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT) Bridge Program
Take the Next Step in becoming an OT.
Hybrid format bridge program for current OTA professionals to become a licensed OT.
Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT) Bridge Program
With over 80 years as an educational leader in OT, St. Kate’s OT Bridge Program is designed for practicing Occupational Therapy Assistants to build upon their existing knowledge and experience. Our program focuses on busy, working professionals looking to take the next step in their careers and open the door to new opportunities.
Our 56-credit program is different from other OT Bridge Programs
The flexible, hybrid format requires only one in-person lab per semester for the first three semesters, allowing students to continue their personal commitments while completing their degree in less time, lessening the financial burden.
As an OTA coming into our program with previous education in occupational therapy language, clinical observations, therapeutic use of self, and occupational therapy treatment, our curriculum is designed to focus on the educational gap between the two practitioner levels-OTA to OTR, and targets the core competencies needed to pass the NBCOT exam.
The St. Kate’s MAOT Bridge program will help you:
- Advance your leadership and advocacy skills
- Advocate for social justice and our profession
- Understand how to read and apply research for evidence-based practice
- Prepare to pass NBCOT Occupational Therapy exam
Program at a Glance
Format: Hybrid
*One in-person lab weekend per semester (first three semesters)
Start: Fall, Spring
Credits required: 56 credits (which includes 24 weeks of fieldwork)
Tuition per credit: $995 (2025-26 rates)
Total tuition: $55,720
Rates are subject to change each June 1.
Program Deadlines and Priority Dates
Fall Admission 2026 | Spring Admission 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
Applications Open | 11/1/2025 | 11/1/2025 |
Priority Deadline | 2/1/2026 | 6/1/2026 |
Final Deadline | 8/1/2026 | 12/1/2026 |
The application portal for Fall 2026 will open on November 1, 2025
Degree questions, answered.
Accreditation
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must be granted Candidacy Status, have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. For more information, contact ACOTE at:
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 18 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.
Learn more about accreditation and outcomes here.
NBCOT Certification Exam
Graduates of the MAOT Bridge Program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination*. The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) conducts a national certification program.
*The MAOT Bridge Program must receive ACOTE accreditation for students to sit for the NBCOT exam.
Below are sample plans of study. For course descriptions and other details, consult the .
Fall Semester 1
- Foundations (2cr)
- Bridging the Gap: Evolving from OTA to OT (3cr)
- Neuroscience (3cr)
- OT Process: Evaluation of Older Adult Population (with Lab*) (4cr)
- Child Development (2cr)
Total Semester 1 Credits: 14
Fall Semester 2
- Mental Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan (3cr)
- Evidenced Based Practice (3cr)
- OT Process: Evaluation of Adult Population (with Lab*) (4cr)
- Kinesiology and Human Movement (with Lab) (3cr)
- Fall Start: Hand therapy (1cr)
Total Semester 2 Credits: 14
Fall Semester 3
- Leadership, Management & Advocacy (3cr)
- Research (3cr)
- Assistive Technology (3cr)
- OT Process: Evaluation of Pediatric Population (with Lab *) (4cr)
- Fall Start: Program Development (3cr)
Total Semester 3 Credits: 16
Fall Semester 4
- Level II Fieldwork A (5cr)
- Level II Fieldwork Seminar A (1cr)
Total Semester 4 Credits: 6
Fall Semester 5
- Level II Fieldwork B (5cr)
- Level II Fieldwork Seminar B (1cr)
Total Semester 5 Credits: 6
Total Program Credits: 56
*Lab requires on-site weekend
Spring Semester 1
- Foundations (3cr)
- Bridging the Gap: Evolving from OTA to OT (1cr)
- Neuroscience
- OT Process: Evaluation of Older Adult Population (with Lab*)
- Child Development
Total Semester 1 Credits: 14
Spring Semester 2
- Mental Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan (3cr)
- Evidenced Based Practice (3cr)
- OT Process: Evaluation of Adult Population (with Lab*) (4cr)
- Kinesiology and Human Movement (with Lab) (3cr)
- Program Development (3cr)
Total Semester 2 Credits: 16
Spring Semester 3
- Leadership, Management & Advocacy (3cr)
- Research (3cr)
- Assistive Technology (3cr)
- OT Process: Evaluation of Pediatric Population (with Lab *) (4cr)
- Spring Start: Hand therapy (1cr)
Total Semester 3 Credits: 14
Spring Semester 4
- Level II Fieldwork A (5cr)
- Level II Fieldwork Seminar A (1cr)
Total semester credits: 6
Summer Semester 5
- Level II Fieldwork B (5cr)
- Level II Fieldwork Seminar B (1cr)
Total semester credits: 6
Total Program Credits: 56
*Lab requires on-site weekend
Progression Policies
Students must complete all MAOT Bridge courses listed in the curriculum guide. The program is 5 semesters in total, equating to 66 weeks and takes 20 months to complete (including Level II Fieldwork). A student is expected to progress through the program, meeting all academic and program requirements. The below policies are necessary to protect the student, the MAOT Bridge Program, the university, and the profession. The academic and program standing of students is reviewed every semester.
Academic Progression
Please review the St. °µÍø½ûÇø catalog for , including details on academic warning, probation, and suspension.
Program Progression
In order to successfully complete Bridge Program, a student must fulfill the following or will be placed on program probation (additional instances may result in dismissal from the program):
- Attend online classes and labs per course attendance policies.
- Attend one on-site lab weekend per semester for the first 3 semesters.
- Pass all Level I fieldwork experiences.
- Pass each didactic course and both Level II fieldwork courses with satisfactory.
- Complete both Level II fieldwork experiences within 18 months of completing the last didactic course.
- Earn a passing score on the Level II Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE).
- Complete all program requirements (including Level II fieldwork) for a Master’s degree within double the program plan length.
- Follow and demonstrate behaviors that align with the current Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Ethics Standards as adopted by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
- Uphold the .
St. Kate's Experience
Discover a supportive community invested in more than your academic success — we help you connect with your purpose. Our goal is to help each of our students develop the knowledge and empowerment to transcend what they thought was possible.
