Occupational Therapy Entry Level Doctorate
About This Program
In response to the AOTA’s decision to support dual entry-level degrees in the profession, the Occupational Therapy program at Utica University has decided to pursue an entry-level doctorate (OTD) for those students, seeking to obtain more in-depth knowledge of the profession. The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has been granted Candidacy by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and approval by NYSED to begin admitting students.
The program must successfully complete an upcoming pre-accreditation review and an on-site evaluation to be granted full Accreditation Status before OTD graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
Department
Why Utica University
The first two years of the occupational therapy doctoral program provide the knowledge and skills to practice as a generalist in a variety of settings. The third year of the occupational therapy program is focused on becoming an agent of change and allows further inquiry into the areas of theory, best practice, advocacy, education, and leadership.
Housed in the School of Health Professions and Education the entry-level doctoral curriculum will build on the bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences. For those admitted as a freshmen entry, the time to graduation at the doctoral level will be 6 years. For those admitted with a bachelor’s degree in a related field, the time for completion would be 3 years. This consists of 105 credits over 8 semesters, including fieldwork and a 14-week capstone experience.
Contact Information
Office of Graduate Admissions
Dr. Colleen Sunderlin
General Information
Occupational Therapy Entry Level Doctorate at Utica
“I always had an idea that I would like to help people who may not have the same opportunities and privileges that I have, but now I just have this burning desire to help. Because now I have seen it, I know it."
Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity
Utica University is proud to have an official chapter of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD), a student-led organization that promotes awareness and activism around diversity issues on campus and community.
Learn MoreInvolvement
The Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) is a student-led professional organization affiliated with the student organization of the American Occupational Therapy Association and supports local service organizations, fundraises for students to attend local and national conferences, and offers students first-hand lessons of the value of professional relationships.
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