Occupational Therapy Schools in Virginia

The Virginia state has 7 ACOTE accredited Occupational therapy Schools which provides an entry-level master degree or Doctor of Occupational therapy program. Plus, the state also has 9 ACOTE accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools which provides an associate degree. The license is required to practice as an OT in Virginia; one can appear for the licensure examination after clearing the OT entry-level degree from accredited OT schools.

The 7 Occupational therapy schools in Virginia are-

1. James Madison University (JMU)
2. Jefferson College of Health Sciences
3. Radford University
4. Shenandoah University
5. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
6. Mary Baldwin University
7. Emory and Henry College-Marion Campus

Occupational therapy in Virginia-

The occupational therapist, Occupational therapy assistant, and OT/OTA students have their own state association, i.e. VAOTA (Virginia Occupational Therapy Association).

The VAOTA is a non-profit volunteer organization which provides a professional community for its members. The VAOTA is a state-based professional organization and public voice for the occupational therapy profession in Virginia.

The main role of the association is to promote the occupational therapy profession, create public awareness, provide support to the therapist in continuing education and improve and maintain the quality of occupational therapy profession in the state of Virginia. The VAOTA is an affiliated state body of the American Occupational therapy association.

Website – vota.wildapricot.org

Occupational therapy License in Virginia-

Occupational therapist and Occupational therapy Assistants are required to get a license from the Virginia Department of Health Profession’s Occupational therapy advisory Board.

Satisfactory completion of both the academic program and fieldwork are required to be eligible to take the Certification Examination of the NBCOT and get license offered by Virginia’s Occupational therapy advisory Board. Successful completion of the licensure test allows graduates to practice the profession in Virginia.

The minimum requirements for the license are –

• Entry level master degree or OTD degree
• NBCOT exam’s passing certificate.
• Application fees of $130(OT/OTA).

Temporary OT/OTA License:

Virginia does not issue a temporary OT/OTA license, however, a graduate of an OT or OTA program may practice designated as an OT-License Applicant or an OTA-License Applicant for 6 months after the date of graduation or until the graduate receives a failing score on the NBCOT exam whichever comes first.

Occupational Therapy Schools in Virginia – List of OT schools with Overview

#1 James Madison University (JMU)–

The Occupational therapy school at James Madison University offers an entry-level Masters of Occupational Therapy degree. The OT school prepares students for entry-level positions in the occupational therapy profession. Admission is limited and competitive, with students being selected through an admissions process. Pre-OT students interested in applying must also submit to the admissions process. Admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to the OT program.

*Admission is closed to the combined baccalaureate/master’s option.

James Madison University College of Health and Behavioral Studies
Course Offered–	Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT-entry level)
University Campus	Harrisonburg, VA
Public or Private-	Public Institute.
Interim Program Director	Elizabeth Richardson
Course Duration-	2 ½-year program
Class Size	Around 20-25 students per year
OT program begins	Early June (summer)
Application Procedure	Candidate must apply to the JMU Graduate School (online application)
Minimum Requirement (MOT)	A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. You must earn a cumulative college-level GPA of 3 or higher on a scale of 4. GRE official test result required; A minimum of 40 observation hours in at least 2 OT settings under an OTR; 3 letters of reference needed (1 must be from a faculty member or course instructor. The other references should come from an individual who knows the applicant’s work/interpersonal skills (employer, volunteer supervisor). A personal statement; A current resume; A Background check.
Prerequisites Course work (MOT)	Human Anatomy with lab; Human Physiology with lab; Cultural Anthropology; Rehabilitative Biomechanics, or College Physics or Rehab Biomechanics, or Kinesiology; Life Span Human Development; Elementary Statistics, or Statistical Methods for Health Science Research; Intro to Abnormal Psychology; Research Method; Medical Terminology. Additional credits- Individual in society; Social issue in a global context.
Address	Occupational Therapy Program Department of Health Professions 235 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Harrisonburg, VA 22807-0001 Email- sniderlk@jmu.edu
Website	healthsci.jmu.edu

#2 Jefferson College of Health Sciences

The Occupational Therapy school at Jefferson College of Health Sciences offers an entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy degree.

Recent Updates- the Jefferson College of Health Sciences and Radford University announced in Jan. 2018 that they intend to merge Jefferson College into the Radford University family of colleges and departments. The merger planning process is expected to take 18 to 24 months. The merger process will be finished by summer 2019 and the new name is Carilion Clinic (Radford University Carilion).

Occupational Therapy Program 
101 Elm Avenue, SE
Roanoke, VA 24013 
Website- www.radford.edu/content/ruc/home

#3 Radford University

The Occupational therapy school at Radford University offers a Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.) program each year, and course work begins in the fall. Students complete 9-14 credit hours each term for seven consecutive terms (including summer sessions) to earn the degree.

Why Choose Radford?

Some reasons to choose Radford University are as follows:

• Academic excellence;
• Small classes taught by engaged faculty;
• Affordable education;
• Opportunities for research;
• State-of-the-art facilities;
• Beautiful campus;
• Vibrant student life.

Radford University Waldron College Of Health And Human Services
Course Offered–	Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT-entry level)
University Campus	Radford, VA
Public or Private-	Public Institute.
Department Chair	Douglas M. Mitchell, PhD, OTR/L
Course Duration-	2 ½-year program
Class Size	Around 23-25 students per year
OT program begins	Once a year (Fall)
Application Procedure	Candidate must submit a Radford University Application for Graduate Admission.
Minimum Requirement (MOT)	A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; GRE General Test score report; Completed a college or community class to learn a new activity or occupation. The activity should require physical skills as well as cognitive processing (for example, ceramics, wood carving, gardening, photography, yoga, guitar); A professional resume of your past and current educational and employment experiences; A typed Statement of Purpose: Topic- why you want to earn the MOT degree at Radford University. In a two-page essay, discuss the development of your interest in OT, your skills and experiences related to working with special populations, and your aspirations and goals for a career as a health-care professional; Two letters of recommendation: Request letters from college professors, or employers; A minimum of 40 hours observation of OT services and/or work with individuals who have disabilities is preferred. Experience with diverse populations and programs are highly recommended.
Prerequisites Course work (MOT)	Human Anatomy; Human Physiology; General Biology; Introductory Sociology; Introductory Psychology; Cultural Anthropology; Life Span Growth Development; Abnormal Psychology; English Composition; Health & Wellness; Ethics; Analytical Thinking or Critical Reasoning or Logic Introductory Statistics. Occupation (examples- Ceramics, Photography, Jewelry and Metal Working or Intro to Pilates)
Address	Department of Occupational Therapy P.O. Box 6985 Radford, VA 24142-6985 Email- OT@radford.edu
Website	www.radford.edu/ot

#4 Shenandoah University (SU)

The Occupational therapy school at Shenandoah University offers an innovative hybrid graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. The MSOT program is delivered in a flexible, hybrid format, with much of the content delivered online. Students attend classes on campus one day per week and fieldwork experiences are completed on non-campus days and during normal working hours. Additionally, students are expected to engage in hands-on experiences in their home communities as directed by faculty. 

The MSOT program is offered in 2 campuses: Winchester Campus and Scholar Plaza Campus. Both campuses follow the same guidelines and requirements.

WINCHESTER CAMPUS- the OT facility features multimedia classrooms, plus numerous smaller classrooms and laboratories for demonstrations, problem-solving exercises, and simulations.

LOUDOUN CAMPUS- the Loudoun Campus is also home to SU’s Nursing, Respiratory Care, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant programs. The state-of-the-art facilities allow for the development of a variety of clinical skills and include technology labs, a cadaver lab, and other learning laboratories.

MSOT Program Entry options:

• SU undergraduate juniors who are guaranteed accepted to Department of OT as a freshman (3+2.5 Early Assurance Pathway)
• COTA’s (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants)- COTAs may be accepted without a baccalaureate degree.
• Applicants that hold a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.

Shenandoah University School of Health Professions
Courses Offered–	Early Assurance Program / combined BS/MS OT Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT-entry level)
University Campus	Winchester Campus Scholar Plaza Campus
Public or Private-	Private Institute.
Program Director	Cathy Shanholtz
Course Duration-	2 ½-year program
Class Size	Around 20-25 students per year
OT program begins	In Fall
Application Procedure	Candidate must apply through the OTCAS.
Minimum Requirement (MSOT)	A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; You must earn a cumulative college-level GPA of 3 or higher on a scale of 4. GRE official test results optional TOEFL score (for non-native English speakers); 2 different letters of reference from the following: an employer, OTR you shadowed, or an academic professor. Demonstrate knowledge of the profession by completing a minimum of 40 shadowing hours under an OTR/L.
Prerequisites Course work (MSOT)	General Psychology; Abnormal Psychology; Statistics Course content must include descriptive and inferential statistics; 2 sequential courses in Human Anatomy & Physiology with labs (must have human structure and function, including the musculoskeletal system and an overview of the nervous system; Entry level Sociology; Advanced course in Sociology or Anthropology; Life Span Human Growth and Development from infancy to the elderly; Medical Terminology; For COTA- applicants must have a full year of work experience prior to matriculation.
Address	Winchester Campus- Division of Occupational Therapy 333 West Cork Street, Suite 510 Winchester, VA 22601-5195 Northern Virginia or Scholar Plaza Campus Division of Occupational Therapy 44160 Scholar Plaza, Suite 100 Leesburg, VA 20176-3460
Website	Email- cbrannan@su.edu www.su.edu/ot

#5 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

The Occupational therapy school at VCU offers Entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (EL-OTD) Program. In 2017, the VCU OT program celebrated its 75th anniversary!  They have been educating OT students since 1964 and having good ranking as #17 in US News and World Report rankings of OT graduate programs in the country. In 2016, the MOT program at VCU transitioned to an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degree program. The OT school also offers Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (a Distance Education Program)

Why choose VCU OT?

Here is a summary of the unique aspects of VCU OT program:

• A strong emphasis on pediatrics with a large number of pediatric faculty;
• The inclusion of a very traditional OT course that teaches practical construction skills and the creation of custom adaptive equipment;
• Opportunities to engage in faculty-directed research;
• Three research labs are housed in the OT Department.

Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions
Courses Offered–	Occupational Therapy Doctorate (entry level EL-OTD) Occupational Therapy Doctorate (Post-professional) PhD in Health related Sciences.
University Campus	Richmond, VA
Public or Private-	Public Institute.
Department Chair	Al Copolillo, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Course Duration-	3-year program (OTD)
Class Size	Around 42 students per year
OT program begins	In June each year (summer)
Application Procedure	Candidate must apply through the OTCAS and must submit a supplemental VCU information application.
Minimum Requirement (EL-OTD)	A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute; You must earn an overall college-level GPA of 3 or higher on a scale of 4. GRE official test result required (writing min score required is 4); A minimum of 30 observation hours in at least 2 OT settings under an OTR or COTA; 3 letters of recommendations; A personal statement; Value-added Essay.
Prerequisites Course work (EL-OTD)	Human Anatomy and Physiology (with labs) – Two semesters; Statistics; Developmental Psychology or Life Span Development; Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology; Sociology or anthropology; Other Social Sciences (psychology, sociology or anthropology); Recommended- that students take a Kinesiology and a Medical terminology course.
Address	Department of Occupational Therapy 730 E. Broad Street P.O. Box 980008 Richmond, VA 23298-0008 Email- lsmith@vcu.edu
Website	sahp.vcu.edu

#6 Mary Baldwin University

The Occupational therapy school at Mary Baldwin University was the first entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) in Virginia and one of a dozen established in the nation. 

Pre-OT track (BA in Health Science) is the option available for freshman for entry into the entry-level OTD program.

The key features of OT school are mentioned below:

• Inter-professional focus & training;
• Integration of both evidence-based applications and direct research experiences;
• Clinical educational experiences ;
• A customized experience connecting theory to practice through a culminating project.
• New state-of-the-art health sciences facility.

Mary Baldwin University Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences
Courses Offered–	Occupational Therapy Doctorate (entry level EL-OTD) Occupational Therapy Doctorate (Post-professional).
University Campus	Fishersville, VA
Public or Private-	Private Institute.
Program Director	Allison Ellington, OTD, MS, OTR/L
Course Duration-	3-year program (OTD)
Class Size	Around 35 students per year
OT program begins	In June each year (summer)
Application Procedure	Candidate must apply through the OTCAS and appear for a personal interview.
Minimum Requirement (EL-OTD)	A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute; You must earn an overall college-level GPA of 3 or higher on a scale of 4. GRE official test result required (no min score); A minimum of 40 observation hours in at least 2 OT settings under an OTR or COTA; 3 letters of recommendations (1 must be from an OT); a brief personal essay describing why you selected OT as a career Criminal background checks; Signed Technical Standards document; Written verification of immunizations at student expense; Written verification of health insurance at student expense; Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association at student expense.
Prerequisites Course work (EL-OTD)	Introduction to Biology* Human or Vertebrate Anatomy* Human or Vertebrate Physiology* Physics* *Lab not required but recommended. Introduction to Psychology; Abnormal Psychology; Introduction to Sociology or Anthropology Life Span Human Development; Statistics; Medical Terminology.
Address	Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program 100 Baldwin Boulevard Fishersville, VA 22939 Email- mdchsadmit@marybaldwin.edu
Website	go.marybaldwin.edu

#7 Emory and Henry College-Marion Campus

The Occupational therapy school at E&H College offers The Master of Occupational Therapy Program (MOT). Its length is 27 months and consists of seven semesters including 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork.

The OT school has Anatomy lab; clinical simulation lab; Obesity research center; Falls prevention center. These facilities help to learn better in real conditions.

Emory and Henry College-Marion Campus School of Health Sciences
Course Offered–	Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT-entry level)
University Campus	Marion Campus
Public or Private-	Private Institute.
Department Chair	John Jackson
Course Duration-	27-months program
Class Size	Around 28 students
OT program begins	Once a year (Fall)
Application Procedure	Candidate must submit an application through the OTCAS. A supplemental application must be submitted to the college. Interviews will be by invitation only by the MOT Admissions Committee.
Minimum Requirement (MOT)	Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; Completed a minimum of 40 documented hours of observations with an OT; Have a minimum overall CGPA of 2.75 and 3.0 for prerequisite courses. GRE score report; Completion of CPR for Professionals certification and immunizations prior to enrollment; 3 letters of recommendation from professionals with at least one from an OT; 500-word essay.
Prerequisites Course work (MOT)	Anatomy and Physiology; Physics and/or Kinesiology and/or Biomechanics; Abnormal Psychology; Human or Psychology Development; Statistics or Research Design; Sociology and/or Philosophy and/or Ethics.
Address	Occupational Therapy Program 565 Radio Hill Road Marion, VA 24354-4219 Email- lfincher@ehc.edu
Website	www.ehc.edu

Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Virginia-

#1 Eastern Virginia Career College
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (AAS)
10304 Spotsylvania Avenue, Suite 400
Fredericksburg, VA 22408-8605

#2 Jefferson College of Health Sciences
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (AAS)
101 Elm Avenue, SE
Roanoke, VA 24013-2222 

#3 Northern Virginia Community College
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (AAS)
Medical Education Campus 
6699 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, VA 22150-1913

#4 South University, Richmond
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (AAS)
2151 Old Brick Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060-5837

#5 South University, Virginia Beach
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (AAS)
301 Bendix Road, Suite 100
Virginia Beach, VA 23452-1385

#6 Southwest Virginia Community College
(Next visit: 2019/2020)
(OTA – associate degree) 
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (AAS)
P.O. Box SVCC 
Richlands, VA 24641-1101 

#7 Southwest Virginia Community College at Virginia Highlands Community College
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (AAS)
PO Box 828, 100 VHCC Drive
Abingdon, VA 24212

#8 Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach Campus
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (AAS)
1700 College Crescent 
Virginia Beach, VA 23453 

#9 Virginia College, Richmond
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (AAS)
7200 Midlothian Turnpike
Richmond, VA 23225-5502

Occupational Therapy Jobs in Virginia-

The outlook for occupational therapy employment is very good in Virginia. The United States’s Bureau of Labor Statistics includes occupational therapy as one of its fastest growing occupations, with registered occupational therapists predicted to have a faster than average growth (21- 36%). Many Health Care Recruitment providers have reported a shortage of occupational therapists and OTA in Virginia. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 3000 employed and licensed occupational therapists in Virginia in May 2017. And the requirement of license practitioner is increasing. Huge opportunities are there in Virginia for the occupational therapist and occupational therapy Assistant.

Occupational Therapy Salary in Virginia-

As per indeed.com, the average salary of an occupational therapist in Virginia was $91,000 per annum (in 2017) and According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual and hourly income of occupational therapy professionals was $90,720 and $43.62, respectively in May 2017.