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Has the classification of the Occupational Therapy (OT) degree changed recently in the U.S.?
Executive summary
Available reporting shows no single, definitive federal reclassification of the Occupational Therapy (OT) degree in the U.S.; instead, two separate trends are relevant: [1] a movement within OT education toward the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) as an increasingly common entry‑level credential at some programs [2] [3], and [4] broader, system‑level classification changes — notably the 2025 revision of the Carnegie Classifications — that shift how institutions are grouped away from “highest degree awarded,” but do not specifically reclassify OT degrees themselves [5] [6]. Sources do not mention a federal policy that has universally changed the formal classification of the OT degree across the U.S. (not found in current reporting).
1. Education trend: doctorate increasingly common, not a universally mandated reclassification
Several pieces of reporting and program pages show that many OT programs are transitioning toward the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) as a preferred or entry‑level credential, and some employers treat the doctorate as a competitive advantage [2] [3]. At the same time, professional guidance still recognizes multiple entry paths: as of 2024 a master’s remained sufficient to enter the profession, and professional bodies such as AOTA describe a variety of entry‑level degree titles (MOT, MSOT, OTD) as valid routes to practice, indicating no single, universally enforced degree name change [7] [2].
2. Certification and accreditation remain gatekeepers for practice, not degree titles alone
Obtaining eligibility to practice in the U.S. depends on graduating from an ACOTE‑accredited program or, for internationally educated applicants, undergoing the Occupational Therapist Eligibility Determination (OTED) process; earning a post‑professional master’s or doctorate in OT in the U.S. does not automatically guarantee OTED approval [8]. That suggests practical classification for licensure rests with accreditation and credential evaluation rather than a change in what a degree is called [8].
3. Systemic reclassifications are happening — but they concern institutions, not specific professional degrees
The Carnegie Classifications underwent a methodological revision for 2025 to adopt a multidimensional approach and to move away from grouping institutions only by their “highest degree awarded” [5]. Commentary in Forbes explained the revision aims to better capture institutional mission and degree mix rather than rely solely on the top degree offered [6]. These changes affect how colleges and universities are categorized in data sets and analysis; they do not re‑label specific professional degrees like occupational therapy [5] [6].
4. Policy proposals and debate about “professional” degree status may affect financial or regulatory treatment — evidence is partial
Some sources cite debates and proposed Department of Education definitions about what counts as a “professional degree,” and reporting has highlighted lists of degrees that administrations or proposals might exclude from that label, which could affect financing or policy [9] [10]. However, the provided sources do not state that occupational therapy specifically has been universally removed or reclassified under such federal proposals; rather, these items show there is active federal-level discussion about which fields are designated “professional” and that this is controversial [9] [10]. Available sources do not mention a definitive Department of Education action that reclassifies OT as non‑professional (not found in current reporting).
5. Competing perspectives and what to watch next
One perspective, reflected in program‑level and staffing commentary, is that the profession is moving toward the OTD as the marketable standard and some programs are converting to entry‑level doctorates [2] [3]. Another perspective, grounded in accreditation and licensure practice, is that multiple entry degrees remain valid and that accreditation/OTED rules — not degree titles alone — determine eligibility to practice [8] [7]. Meanwhile, policy debates over the Department of Education’s definition of “professional degree” could materially change financial aid or regulatory treatment for health‑related degrees; follow official DOE guidance and ACOTE/AOTA statements for authoritative updates [9] [10].
6. Practical implications for students and employers
Prospective students should verify program accreditation (ACOTE) and state licensing requirements rather than assume title changes equate to automatic eligibility [8] [7]. Employers and credential evaluators are increasingly noting the OTD’s market value, but master’s‑level entry remains recognized in many places — decisions about hiring, tuition support, or program design should therefore be based on current accreditation, state boards, and employer policies [2] [7] [8].
Limitations: The documents provided do not include any single authoritative announcement reclassifying OT degrees nationwide, and they do not detail final Department of Education rulemaking that would explicitly change OT’s statutory status; therefore claims about a universal reclassification are not supported by the available reporting (not found in current reporting).