Master in Occupational Therapy/Therapist (Master's)

The application deadline for the Sep 2026 intake is Nov 10, 2026, and tuition fees are 57,326 USD per year.

This program is an entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT). It is designed to be completed over 2.25 to 2.33 years, involving 71.5 to 74.5 units.

Study areas include MOT Program Year 1, MOT Program, Year 2, MOT Program, Level IIb Fieldwork.

The programme totals about 74 credit hours. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes.

For more than a century, Samuel Merritt University has focused on preparing healthcare professionals. Its colleges offer programs in nursing, health sciences, and podiatric medicine, including accelerated and registered-nurse pathways, graduate nursing degrees, occupational therapy, health administration, and podiatric medicine. Programs combine academic study with practical learning and prepare students for professional work in healthcare.

Hands-on education is central to the university’s approach. Students apply theory in real and simulated situations, with opportunities for evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, leadership development, and advanced clinical training. The university also operates a Health Sciences Simulation Center and provides immersion experiences in podiatric medicine and surgery. Alumni work in Oakland and communities across the region, and graduates are in demand locally and beyond.

Samuel Merritt University serves Oakland, the San Francisco Peninsula, Sacramento, Fresno, and Central California through campus-based and online programs. Its community engagement includes partnerships with local nonprofits, schools, clinics, and faith-based organizations. International applicants should note that program locations and formats vary by degree. The 24-month Bridge to Podiatric Residency curriculum accepts graduates of U.S. and international medical and dental schools and can lead to eligibility for a U.S. podiatric surgical residency. Admissions staff offer webinars, virtual question-and-answer sessions, student panels for selected nursing programs, and individual counseling appointments.