This grant provides funding to Appalachian State University to support development of a two-year, entry-level master’s program in occupational therapy (OT). A master’s degree is required to become licensed to practice as an occupational therapist in North Carolina. This program is intended to help fill some of the 750 openings for OTs in the state, 367 of which are west of Charlotte. ASU anticipates that 24 OT students annually, starting in fall 2026, will complete the program, pass the OT practice certification exam, and achieve employment within six months of passing the exam. Golden LEAF funds will pay for equipment for the OT learning lab.
