Do you want to help people improve their quality of life despite their illness, injury, or disability? If yes, then you should consider being an occupational therapist. You can start by looking at the best accelerated OT programs for your education.
As an occupational therapist, your main duties include:
- Assess your patients’ conditions.
- Create and implement personalized treatment plans for your patients.
- Work with the patients’ families to care for them.
You will work with both children and adults, too. Indeed, occupational therapy is a rewarding career because of its positive impact on people’s lives.
But earning an OT degree isn’t enough. You must also pass the occupational therapy certification exam. This is also known as the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. When you’re certified, you can secure a state license and land stable jobs.
If you want a fast-track route, choose from among the best accelerated OT programs. You’ll earn your degree in less time and with lower costs.
In this article, we’ll look at five of the best accelerated OT programs with the highest NBCOT exam pass rates.
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- Online Occupational Therapy Programs
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Understanding Accelerated OT Programs
The differences between accelerated and standard OT programs can be summarized as follows.
| Accelerated Programs | Standard/Traditional Programs | |
| Duration | 2-3 years | 3-4 years |
| Admissions criteria | – Bachelor’s or Master’s in Occupational Therapy or related fields – Minimum GPA requirement; Completion of prerequisite courses – Satisfactory GRE scores – Relevant healthcare experience (20-100 hours) – Due to the intensive curriculum, applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic potential and diversity of experience, among other selective criteria. | Same admissions requirements. However, applicants may or may not be subjected to the same selective criteria. |
| Curriculum Structure | Intensive courses, fast-paced progression of coursework, and multiple courses in a single term (i.e., condensed curriculum) | More balanced distribution of courses resulting in less time pressure |
| Fieldwork | Features more integration between courses and clinical internships | Enables students to focus on field experiences |
| Learning Formats Available | Online, hybrid, and on-campus options | Online, hybrid, and on-campus options |
These benefits come with earning an accelerated OT degree.
- Faster entry into the workforce as a licensed OT
- The lower total cost of attendance
- Competitive edge in the job market, giving employers the impression that you’re a determined individual who thrives under pressure
- Immediate application of your knowledge and skills to help patients
So, don’t shy away from earning an accelerated OT degree. Think of it as a challenge that will boost your career growth.
Why Certification Exam Pass Rates Matter
Don’t just pick the first accelerated program you see, either. You must consider programs with the best NBCOT pass rates.
If you want to become a licensed occupational therapist, you must pass the NBCOT exam. Once you pass it, you’ll be awarded the Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) credential. Then, you can apply for a state license. Once it’s approved, you can apply for jobs as a licensed OT.
Notable features of the NBCOT exam are:
- With 180 items, including multi-select scenario sets and multiple-choice questions
- Consists of four domains – Evaluation and assessment, analysis and interpretation, intervention management, and competency and practice management
- The passing score is 450 (on a 300-600 scale)
Suffice it to say that it isn’t an easy exam. However, the best OT schools have high exam pass rates because of their rigorous coursework and field experiences. Students prepare for success in the NBCOT exam from day one.
These high pass rate OT programs also ensure excellent academic quality through experienced faculty and a conducive learning environment. Students receive comprehensive admission-to-graduation support services, too.
The high pass rates among these programs have positive effects on job placement and career success, too. Graduates benefit from the programs’ prestigious reputation among employers.
Top 5 Accelerated OT Programs with High Certification Exam Pass Rates
We chose these OT programs with the highest pass rates based on their overall reputation for excellent academics, field placements, and graduate outcomes, too.
University of Southern California
The USC Chan Entry-Level OTD program prepares candidates for success in the NBCOT exam. Applicants must have a non-OT bachelor’s degree. The rigorous program consists of 96 units of courses and intensive hands-on experiences. Candidates must complete Levels I and II of field experience.
Washington University in St. Louis
WashU offers many OT degree programs, including:
- Master’s (MSOT)
- Doctorate (OTD)
- Online Post-Professional Doctorate (PP-OTD)
- Joint Degree MSOT / MPH
The MSOT program is notable for its 100% graduation rate and high NBCOT exam pass rate. These programs emphasize hands-on clinical experience and evidence-based practice. WashU adopts the innovative People-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model in its courses.
Boston University
BU’s Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program features an integrated curriculum. Both research and clinical practice have equal weight. The curriculum also emphasizes client-centered and evidence-based practice. Candidates complete Levels I and II fieldwork in accordance with AOTA guidelines. There’s also a doctoral capstone culminating requirement.
Thomas Jefferson University
The great thing about TJU’s OT programs is their wide range of choices, including:
- AS in Occupational Therapy
- BS to Doctor of Occupational Therapy
- MSOT
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy
- Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate
TJU also offers advanced practice certificates for OT specialists. Candidates learn through innovative teaching methods, too, such as virtual simulations. Research opportunities are available, too.
AdventHealth University
The Master of Occupational Therapy program at AHU integrates faith-based care and hands-on learning. Not surprisingly, 100% of its graduates pass the NBCOT exam. All of them also land OT positions within six months after passing it. AHU emphasizes the importance of holistic patient care and strong community involvement.
Key Factors to Look for in Accelerated OT Programs
All accelerated occupational therapy degree programs assert they are the best. However, if you want to earn the best accelerated occupational therapy degree, consider these key factors.
Look for ACOTE accreditation first.
The best OT programs have ACOTE accreditation. It’s an assurance that the curriculum aligns with NBCOT exam standards.
Consider the faculty’s expertise and support.
There’s a direct correlation between the faculty’s expertise and support and student success. Look for programs with expert faculty members with approachable attitudes.
Look at the clinical fieldwork opportunities.
Hands-on experiences are crucial for success in the NBCOT exam. Assess the quality of partnerships for clinical placements. Determine that the fieldwork hours and support align with standards.
Look for support for exam preparation.
OT schools with high certification success provide comprehensive support for students, including:
- Tutoring
- Study resources and guides
- Practice exams
- Review courses
Consider flexibility for working students.
If you’re a working professional, flexibility increases your chances of completing your OT program. Look for part-time or online/hybrid options. Evening and weekend classes also provide more flexibility.
How to Prepare for Success in an Accelerated OT Program
Preparing for OT certification starts from the first day of your OT education. Your challenges will also start on your first day in an accelerated OT program. Here are useful tips to prepare for success instead of being the epitome of the Stanford duck.
- Understand the accelerated program – its curriculum, learning outcomes, and degree requirements. Ask questions, if necessary.
- Brush up on effective time management and organization habits. Set up your schedule and study space before classes start.
- Use active learning techniques. Take advantage of learning resources and services, such as digital libraries and tutoring.
- Engage in practice exams and review courses for the NBCOT exam.
- Learn from your clinical experiences by applying knowledge and translating it into skills.
- Seek support whenever necessary. Your professors and peers are excellent sources. Talk to your family and friends, too.
- Attend workshops and seminars whenever possible to gain professional insights.
Earning an OT degree is a challenge in itself. Being in an accelerated OT program increases the challenge. But by preparing yourself and setting realistic expectations, you can overcome these challenges.
Financial Considerations for Accelerated OT Programs
The tuition and fees for accelerated and traditional programs don’t have a significant difference. But there will always be exceptions, so it’s best to check. These vary between schools, too, depending on residency and learning format (online vs. on-campus). USC charges $213,000 for its entire program, while TJU has more affordable tuition and fees.
Be sure to consider indirect costs, too. Books and supplies, living expenses, and clinical placement costs are examples.
Due to the expensive costs, OT candidates must apply for financial aid. Start by filing and submitting your FAFSA form. Then, apply for scholarships, grants, and work-study programs.
Your proactive stance will result in a faster return on investment, too. With a median wage of $96,370/year, OTs can recoup their investment within a few years (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Conclusion
Earning good wages sooner is the best benefit of earning an accelerated OT degree. But don’t settle for any program either. Go for a program with a high NBCOT pass rate. This way, you’ll prepare for exam success from day one.
