OT school profile
Salem State University OT Masters
Salem, MA. Compare accreditation status, delivery format, ACOTE review timing, and NBCOT results for this occupational therapy program.
Program snapshot
At-a-glance facts before you shortlist
Start with the visible facts applicants expect, then use the decision snapshot and source links to see what public data can and cannot answer.
At-a-glance
Salem State University
College Scorecard values are institution-level, not OT-program-specific admissions or tuition guarantees.
- Location
- Salem, MA
- Credential
- OT Masters
- Latest NBCOT
- 88% (2025)
- Accreditation
- Accreditation
- Format
- Bridge (OTA to OT Education); 25-49% distanceDistance: 25-49%
- Next ACOTE review
- 2027/2028
- In-state tuition
- $12,338Institution-level Scorecard
- Acceptance rate
- UnavailableInstitution-level Scorecard
- Enrollment
- UnavailableUndergraduate Scorecard
- Median debt
- $25,000Institution-level Scorecard
Our take
Salem State University program assessment
Why it stands out
- The 90.8% multi-year NBCOT average gives a more dependable read than the latest result alone; the range bottoms out at 87%.
- The distance component creates real scheduling flexibility while preserving the in-person labs and clinical work required for an OT or OTA degree.
Tradeoffs that matter
- The five-year record fell as low as 87%. That variability matters more than a strong latest year because the result has not been equally dependable across cohorts.
- Its #71 overall ot programs placement does not separate it from the strongest national options on the measures used in that comparison.
- A master's program is the more direct graduate route to OT licensure, but it offers less doctoral-level capstone depth for applicants who specifically want that experience.
What to compare next
- Compare this master's program with entry-level OTD options on time to degree, capstone expectations, and whether the doctoral credential changes your intended career path.
- Use the 90.8% five-year NBCOT average and 87% low year when comparing outcomes; they say more about consistency than the latest 88% result alone.
- Compare the actual in-person calendar with other hybrid programs, especially lab blocks and fieldwork locations that the distance percentage does not remove.
Ranking placement
Where this program appears in The OT Index
Published placements show where this program sits nationally, with the key facts to check before shortlisting.
| Program | OT Masters program |
|---|---|
| Institution type | Public |
| Location | 352 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA 01915 |
| Last ACOTE on-site review | 2017/2018 |
| Next ACOTE on-site review | 2027/2028 |
| Source coverage | ACOTE, NBCOT |
Applicant read
How the program's structure changes the decision
Degree level, delivery format, and accreditation timing create different kinds of value even when two programs have similar outcomes.
Degree path
This is a master's pathway. Compare program length, total cost, fieldwork placement quality, and whether the degree format fits your work or family constraints.
Format fit
The distance component can reduce weekly classroom travel, but it does not remove lab, practical-exam, or fieldwork obligations. Its value depends on how much flexibility remains after those in-person blocks are counted.
Accreditation review context
ACOTE lists the next review window as 2027/2028. This is scheduling context, not a quality grade; confirm the program's current status and any review outcome directly with ACOTE.
NBCOT performance
Certification exam performance history
The OT Index stores the public NBCOT school-performance rows by program type and year, then links rows to ACOTE profiles when the school name can be matched.
| Year | NBCOT school name | Program type | Passing % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Salem State University | OT Masters-Level Programs | 88% |
| 2024 | Salem State University | OT Masters-Level Programs | 87% |
| 2023 | Salem State University | OT Masters-Level Programs | 89% |
| 2022 | Salem State University | OT Masters-Level Programs | 94% |
| 2021 | Salem State University | OT Masters-Level Programs | 96% |
Compare alternatives
Similar MA programs to review next
A serious shortlist should compare this profile against nearby programs with the same broad degree path, then weigh cost, commute, fieldwork, and outcomes.
Worcester State University
Worcester, MA. 1-24% distance. 97% passed in the latest matched NBCOT source year.
Open profile OT MastersSpringfield College
Springfield, MA. Campus-based. 95% passed in the latest matched NBCOT source year.
Open profile OT MastersBay Path University-East Longmeadow Campus
East Longmeadow, MA. Bridge (OTA to OT Education); 50-74% distance. 78% passed in the latest matched NBCOT source year.
Open profile OT MastersAmerican International College
Springfield, MA. 1-24% distance. 73% passed in the latest matched NBCOT source year.
Open profile
Salem State University makes a credible outcomes case, with a 90.8% NBCOT average across 5 years. The 87% low year keeps it from being an automatic choice, so fit matters more than the latest 88% result. Its hybrid structure adds some flexibility without removing the need for regular in-person training.