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Occupational Therapy Program Director information

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$45.5K

$76.9K

$113.5K

How much do occupational therapy program director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for occupational therapy program director in the United States is $76,926.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $89,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Occupational Therapy Program Director vs Occupational Therapist?

AspectOccupational Therapy Program DirectorOccupational Therapist
CredentialsMaster's or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, licensure, and often administrative certificationsMaster's or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, licensure
Work EnvironmentEducational institutions, academic settings, program administrationClinical settings, hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers
Primary ResponsibilitiesOverseeing OT education programs, curriculum development, faculty coordinationProviding direct patient care, therapy assessments, treatment planning

The Occupational Therapy Program Director focuses on managing and developing OT education programs, requiring administrative skills and academic credentials. In contrast, an Occupational Therapist provides hands-on patient care, utilizing clinical skills to improve clients' daily functioning. Both roles require OT licensure and a strong understanding of therapy practices, but their work environments and responsibilities differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Occupational Therapy Program Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Occupational Therapy Program Director, you need advanced knowledge of occupational therapy practices, leadership experience, and typically a master's or doctoral degree in occupational therapy or a related field. Familiarity with accreditation standards, curriculum development software, and educational management systems is often required. Strong communication, organizational, and mentoring skills help foster faculty development and ensure student success. These competencies are vital for maintaining program quality, meeting accreditation requirements, and leading teams effectively.

What Does an Occupational Therapy Program Director Do?

An occupational therapy program director oversees staff and sets guidelines for occupational therapy (OT) programs. In this career, your duties include developing patient treatment plans, creating strategies to improve OT programs, and handling administrative functions such as budgeting, reports, and documentation. Your responsibilities may also include teaching staff members and patients the proper techniques to use during OT, implementing steps to reach program goals, and coordinating with other departments. An occupational therapy program director may work at a school with an OT program or in a clinical setting.

What does an Occupational Therapy Program Director do?

An Occupational Therapy Program Director is responsible for overseeing the administrative, academic, and operational aspects of an occupational therapy educational program. This includes developing curriculum, ensuring accreditation standards are met, managing faculty and staff, and supporting student outcomes. They also foster relationships with clinical sites and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. Their leadership ensures the program prepares students to become skilled occupational therapists.

What are some common challenges faced by Occupational Therapy Program Directors in managing both academic and administrative responsibilities?

Occupational Therapy Program Directors often juggle academic leadership, such as curriculum development and faculty mentoring, alongside administrative tasks like compliance, accreditation, and budgeting. Balancing these responsibilities while ensuring high educational standards and supporting student success can be challenging. Program Directors also regularly collaborate with university leadership, clinical partners, and accreditation bodies, requiring strong communication and organizational skills. Successfully managing these diverse duties provides valuable experience and opportunities for career advancement within academic administration.
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Occupational Therapy Program Director jobs near you
Program Director- Master of Occupational Therapy

Program Director- Master of Occupational Therapy

Baker College

Royal Oak, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Discover the opportunity to join Baker College, honored as one of the 2024 & 2025 Best and Brightest Workplaces in West Michigan, Metro Detroit & Nationally! Baker College invites applications for the position of Program Director for the Master of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Program. The Program Director provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all aspects of the MSOT program, ensuring academic excellence, regulatory compliance, and alignment with the mission and goals of Baker College. The Program Director serves as the institution’s designated leader with primary responsibility for accreditation compliance, resource management, faculty oversight, and comprehensive program evaluation, working collaboratively with the Associate Program Director, Dean, and program faculty. This role ensures continuous compliance with ACOTE 2023 accreditation standards and maintains final accountability for program outcomes, integrity, quality, and long-term sustainability. The Program Director provides visionary academic and strategic leadership for the MSOT program in collaboration with the Associate Program Director, faculty, staff, and the Dean, setting and evaluating goals aligned with institutional priorities, accreditation requirements, and workforce needs while ensuring academic rigor and professional relevance.

Serving as the ACOTE-designated Program Director, this role holds ultimate responsibility and final authority for maintaining continuous compliance with accreditation standards and regulatory requirements, leading all accreditation activities including self-study development, reporting, and site visit coordination, and serving as the primary liaison with ACOTE. The Program Director holds primary responsibility for program administration, budgeting, fiscal planning, and resource allocation, working collaboratively with the Associate Program Director and the Dean to secure personnel, materials, and facilities that support program quality and sustainability. The role includes faculty recruitment, supervision, evaluation, and development, fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with ACOTE and institutional standards.

In partnership with the Associate Program Director, the Program Director leads program-level assessment and outcomes evaluation, monitors key benchmarks such as NBCOT pass rates and fieldwork performance, uses data to inform strategic and curricular decisions, and oversees curriculum design and revision to maintain alignment with accreditation and professional standards. While responsibilities may be delegated to support operational effectiveness, the Program Director retains final decision-making authority and accountability for accreditation compliance, program outcomes, and overall program quality. The Program Director teaches within the MSOT curriculum, maintains an active record of scholarship, and engages in professional service and leadership within the occupational therapy profession. Required credentials include initial certification as an occupational therapist, current licensure or regulation in the jurisdiction where the program is located, and an earned doctoral degree from a USDE-recognized institutionally accredited institution.

Candidates must have a minimum of eight (8) years of documented experience in occupational therapy, including clinical practice as an occupational therapist; administrative experience encompassing program planning, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting; demonstrated scholarship such as the scholarship of teaching and learning or applied scholarship; an understanding of the role of the occupational therapy assistant; and at least four (4) years of experience as a faculty member with postsecondary teaching responsibilities. The Program Director must possess active licensure in the State of Michigan, showcasing compliance with regulatory standards set forth by Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Additionally, current certification with NBCOT further underscores the Director's commitment to upholding professional standards and best practices within the field.  At Baker College, we're on a mission to transform education with a Student-First philosophy. Our President's vision is dedicated to creating an environment where students, faculty, and staff flourish.

Join us in cultivating a culture of belonging and engagement, where every individual is valued and appreciated. The successful candidate will believe in and support the student-first philosophy while contributing to the overall success of Baker College, and acting as a positive role model and brand ambassador on and off campus.

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