Becoming an occupational therapist in New Hampshire is relatively straightforward. First, you must earn a graduate degree from a school accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). After graduating, you must complete at least 24 weeks of clinical occupational therapy work under a licensed occupational therapist. Finally, you need to pass the Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) exam.

New Hampshire also provides an occupational therapy assistant. This license requires at least an associate’s degree from an accredited school, 16 weeks of clinical occupational therapy work, and a passing score on the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational therapists in New Hampshire can expect to make an average of $79,850 per year, or $38 per hour, which is lower than the national average. Salaries in other states, such as Vermont and Maine, are comparably lower, with the exception of Massachusetts. The BLS also states that New Hampshire has a higher share of employment than average for this line of work, indicating that there is a need for workers in this field.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs in Durham

Occupational therapists in Durham, HN can expect to earn up to $90,287 annually. With more experience, workers in this field can expect a higher salary.

University of New Hampshire

Degree Level: Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.), Master of Science (M.S.)
Credit Hours: 77 for M.S. degrees; 98 for B.S. degrees
Tuition:

  • Full-time students: $7,085/semester (resident); $13,905.semester (out-of-state)
  • Part-time students: $785.00/credit hour (resident); $1,368.00/credit hour (out-of-state)

Application Deadline: February 1
Prerequisites/Requirements:
Graduate Program:

  • Transcripts;
  • 3.0 GPA;
  • Three letters of recommendation;
  • And a resume.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Claremont

Claremont, the only city in Sullivan County, New Hampshire, is a small city with a large art and history culture. For occupational therapists, the average salary in Claremont is $90,375. However, the college in this city only offers an occupational therapy assistant certification, and that salary is averaged at $60,529. Those with more experience can expect a higher salary.

River Valley Community College

River Valley Community College is the only college in New Hampshire that offers an occupational therapy assistant degree. The program lasts two years and prepares students for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) competency exam.

Degree Level: Associate in Science
Credit Hours: 70
Tuition:

  • New Hampshire Resident: $215/credit        
  • New England Regional Students: $323/credit        
  • Out-of-State: $490/credit

Application Deadline: N/A
Prerequisites/Requirements:

  • 2-4 hours of Fieldwork observation;
  • Transcripts;
  • Letter of recommendation;
  • Signed Essential Skills Agreement;
  • Signed Licensure/Liability Agreement;
  • Criminal background checks and fingerprinting;
  • Advising interview with the Program Director.