Top Occupational Therapy Schools in California Ranked: Hybrid Online Options

The top occupational therapy schools in California are expanding access through hybrid formats that meet the needs of today’s learners. With a growing demand for OTs across healthcare, education, and community-based services, these programs are building flexible pathways for students ready to make a real impact. Whether you’re transitioning careers or advancing your role in patient care, hybrid OT programs offer a clear, streamlined route into a meaningful profession.

Why More OT Students Are Choosing Hybrid Programs

More and more students are choosing hybrid Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) programs, and it’s easy to see why. This format blends the flexibility of remote learning with the real-world clinical training every occupational therapist needs. If you’re thinking about a career in OT and want a program that works with your life, hybrid learning opens the door.

How Hybrid Learning Supports Your Life and Career

Hybrid programs are built for people motivated, busy, and serious about making a difference. You’ll get the structure and support of a traditional program with added flexibility that lets you keep working, stay close to home, and manage your schedule more easily.

Here’s what makes the format so practical:

• Online coursework you can complete from home, on your own time
• On-campus labs a few times per term for immersive, hands-on learning
• Clinical rotations near your community, where you can apply your skills
• Lower relocation and housing costs compared to traditional programs
• Eligibility pathways for OTAs and those with 90+ undergrad credits

It’s a format that meets you where you are, then helps you get where you want to go.

Immersive Intensives Meet Real-World Clinical Practice

Hands-on experience is still a big part of your training, it just looks a little different in a hybrid setting. Instead of weekly in-person classes, you’ll come to campus for focused intensives where you practice clinical techniques, problem-solve in teams, and work directly with faculty in a small-group setting. These sessions are designed to make every minute count.

For fieldwork, you’ll complete clinical rotations in real-world settings close to where you live (as available). That means you’re learning in hospitals, rehab centers, schools, or community clinics while staying connected to your local community—and often building relationships that lead to jobs after graduation.

A Format Designed for What’s Next

As healthcare continues to evolve, OT education is following suit. Hybrid OTD programs offer a model that’s built for long-term sustainability, for students and for the profession. By removing barriers to access while maintaining strong academic and clinical standards, these programs prepare students for today’s workplace realities and tomorrow’s leadership roles.

Top 5 Occupational Therapy Schools in California with Hybrid or Online Options

Occupational therapy continues to grow across healthcare, education, and community practice, and California remains a hub for some of the most forward-thinking OT programs in the country.

1. Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCUHS) – Flexible, Fast, and Field-Ready

At Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCUHS), we’ve designed our hybrid Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program for students ready to move forward quickly and with purpose. You can enter the program with 90+ undergraduate credits and earn both your Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) and OTD in just over two years. 

The program includes mostly live online classes, paired with three short on-campus intensives per year. Clinical rotations begin in your second year and are arranged close to home—or in new U.S. cities if you’re open to relocating. You’ll also complete a capstone project tailored to your interests and career goals.

• Hybrid format: 80% live online + 3 on-campus intensives per year
• Concurrent BSHS + OTD path for students with 90+ college credits
• Clinical rotations and capstone in Year 2, often near your home
• No GRE required
• Accredited by ACOTE
• Embedded hours toward PAM and Lifestyle Medicine certifications
• Fixed tuition, federal aid, and scholarships available

This is a program built around your life without compromising the depth, quality, or clinical experience that sets you up for success.

Interested? Apply today or request more information to get started.

2. University of Southern California (USC)

USC offers a respected on-campus Doctor of Occupational Therapy program with a growing emphasis on virtual components and supplemental online content. Known for its longstanding leadership in pediatric and neurological OT, the program offers a combined BS+OTD option for qualified students. With access to advanced research and clinical networks, USC provides a strong academic and practice foundation for students aiming for leadership, innovation, or academic roles in OT.

3. Samuel Merritt University – Oakland

Samuel Merritt’s entry-level OTD program combines strong clinical foundations with hybrid flexibility, especially for OTAs looking to bridge into the doctorate. The curriculum emphasizes interprofessional collaboration and includes regional placements across Northern California. 

4. West Coast University – Los Angeles

West Coast University offers a blended OTD format, pairing online learning with in-person weekend labs. The program focuses on practice-based learning, early patient exposure, and the development of capstone projects that reflect real-world OT challenges. With an emphasis on immersive learning and collaboration, students graduate ready for a variety of clinical environments and patient populations.

5. Stanbridge University – Irvine

Stanbridge’s OTD program focuses heavily on technology integration, with on-campus labs supported by digital simulations and online learning modules. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, advanced clinical reasoning, and the use of simulation-based training to prepare students for complex patient care. With a tech-forward curriculum and access to modern facilities, students graduate with both hands-on skill and digital fluency.

No Bachelor’s? No Problem—Jumpstart Your OTD with 90+ College Credits

If you’ve completed at least 90 college credits, you’re closer to a doctorate in occupational therapy than you might think. At SCUHS, our hybrid Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program lets you begin your graduate studies without a completed bachelor’s degree, while earning one along the way. This streamlined approach is designed for professionals ready to take the next step without backtracking.

Whether you’re a licensed OTA, a working professional returning to school, or a student looking for an efficient, career-focused option, this model gives you the opportunity to complete both your Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) and your OTD in just 2 years and 3 months. No GRE required. No extra time. Just a direct, well-supported path into advanced practice.

What You Can Do With 90+ College Credits

If you have 90 or more qualifying college credits, you can:

• Start working toward your OTD right away
• Complete your Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) along the way
• Graduate with both degrees in just 2 years and 3 months
• Save time and tuition by completing both in a single, integrated program

This pathway is all about accessibility, speed, and support. Many students come in with years of clinical experience or professional background and are ready to step into doctoral-level work. Our curriculum is built to honor that momentum while providing the academic and clinical training needed to thrive in the next phase of your career.

You’ll complete most of your coursework online, attend three short on-campus lab intensives per year, and complete your capstone and fieldwork in the second year, often close to home. Along the way, you’ll also earn embedded hours toward Physical Agent Modality (PAM) and Lifestyle Medicine certifications, expanding your toolbox before graduation.

NBCOT Prep in Your OTD Program: What Matters Mos

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam is the final step to becoming a licensed occupational therapist. It’s comprehensive, challenging, and central to your ability to practice after graduation. The right OT program board prep into the core of your education.

What Is the NBCOT Exam?

The NBCOT exam is a nationally recognized certification exam required for licensure as an occupational therapist in the U.S. It tests your ability to apply clinical knowledge, professional reasoning, and evidence-based decision-making. The format includes scenario-based questions that reflect real-world practice across various populations and settings.

Your program should prepare you for all of this—long before exam day arrives.

NBCOT-Aligned Curriculum at SCUHS

At Southern California University of Health Sciences, we’ve structured our hybrid Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program to align directly with NBCOT exam competencies. From clinical reasoning to ethical practice, each course is built to reinforce the core knowledge and decision-making frameworks the exam requires.

We also offer structured opportunities for test prep throughout the program, so by the time you’re ready to sit for the NBCOT, you’ve seen the content, applied it in hands-on settings, and practiced it in exam-style formats. Our goal is to help you pass the first time, with confidence.

Questions to Ask When Comparing OT Programs

When researching OTD programs, here are a few helpful questions to bring to the table:

• What is your program’s NBCOT pass rate for first-time test takers?

• How does the curriculum prepare students for board certification?

• Are there dedicated prep resources, review sessions, or coaching?

• Do students receive practice exams or simulated testing?

• How early does board prep begin in the curriculum?

Programs that are serious about your long-term success will have clear, thoughtful answers to each of these.

Ready to Move Forward?

When you’re comparing top occupational therapy schools in California, board preparation should be a major part of the conversation. A well-designed OTD program will guide you toward the NBCOT exam with confidence, clarity, and clinical depth. That starts with a curriculum built around core competencies and continues with hands-on practice and structured support.

Every decision you make now shapes the professional you’ll become. If you’re ready to move into a career that makes a lasting impact, start by choosing a program designed with outcomes in mind. Apply now or request more information to take your next step with purpose.

FAQs

What does an entry-level OTD program actually involve?

An entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program prepares you with the clinical skills, professional knowledge, and leadership tools needed to enter the field as a licensed occupational therapist. You’ll take courses in anatomy, neuroscience, mental health, pediatrics, geriatrics, assistive tech, and more—paired with hands-on labs, fieldwork placements, and a doctoral capstone. The goal is to graduate fully prepared for real-world patient care and long-term professional growth.

What makes the top occupational therapy schools in California stand out?

Top occupational therapy schools in California often stand out for their flexible learning formats, strong clinical partnerships, and innovative curriculum design. Many offer hybrid models, built-in certifications, and access to diverse fieldwork settings. You’ll also want to consider faculty mentorship, student support services, and whether the program aligns with your long-term goals.

How does the hybrid model at SCUHS work for OTD students?

Our hybrid OTD program is built for flexibility and real-world connection. About 80% of your coursework takes place online, through live sessions and asynchronous learning. Three times a year, you’ll join us on campus for hands-on intensives. In Year 2, you’ll complete clinical rotations and your capstone project, often near your home or at one of our national partner sites.

What’s a good NBCOT pass rate for a program?

A strong NBCOT pass rate is typically around 90% or higher for first-time test takers. This reflects both the program’s academic quality and the level of student support offered throughout the curriculum. When comparing schools, don’t just look at the percentage. Ask what resources are available to help students prepare, such as tutoring, review courses, and personalized study planning.

What kind of student support does SCUHS provide during the program?

From the first day of orientation through graduation, you’ll have access to one-on-one faculty advising, academic coaching, and career planning support. Our fieldwork and capstone coordinators also help you line up meaningful hands-on experiences. Whether you’re navigating coursework, preparing for clinicals, or exploring your next professional step, we’re here to help you thrive.