OT student assisting with life skills

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

O.T.D.

As an occupational therapist, you'll make an impact in the lives of your clients.

Develop skills that help individuals adapt to changes in their physical and emotional performance.

Program type:
Doctoral Degree
Format:
On Campus or Off Campus
Est. time to complete:
3 years
Credit hours:
124

Why earn an occupational therapy doctorate?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Dec. 20

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (O.T.D.) program is based on the belief that purposeful activity (occupation) may be used to prevent and mediate dysfunction and elicit maximum adaptation.

Through the O.T.D. program, you'll develop the knowledge, skills and adaptive capacity needed to address occupational challenges. Specifically, you'll be trained to:

  • Customize and implement treatment programs to improve an individual's ability to perform daily activities and occupations.
  • Provide comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations.
  • Conduct performance skills assessments and treatment.
  • Make adaptive equipment and splints, provide recommendations and usage training.
  • Provide guidance to family members and caregivers.

The doctorate in Occupational Therapy is offered at two campus locations:

  • Main campus in Grand Forks, ND
  • Satellite campus in Casper, WY

UND's Occupational Therapy Doctorate

  • Gain real-world experience through practicums, fieldwork and teaching opportunities.

  • Develop a career plan with consultation from your assigned departmental faculty member.

  • Connect with those who share your passion through the Student Occupational Therapy Association.

  • Be a leader and connect with others through numerous community service opportunities.

  • UND's Pre-Occupational Therapy program is recommended for all incoming freshmen interested in OT. The three-year program provides the building blocks in your application to the O.T.D. program.

  • This program has been granted full accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education and meets the educational requirements for licensure in all U.S. States.

What can you do with an occupational therapy doctorate?

85K

Annual median pay for occupational therapists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

14%

Projected job growth for occupational therapists through 2031

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational therapists are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the social, emotional and physiological effects of illness and injury. They can be found working in the following environments:

  • Community mental health agencies
  • Home health services
  • Hospitals
  • Industry
  • Nursing homes
  • Occupational therapy outpatient clinics
  • Schools
  • Wellness facilities

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Jobs

Occupational Therapy alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • Sanford Health
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Regions Hospital
  • Aegis Therapies, Inc.
  • Altru Health System

Accredited Occupational Therapy Doctorate

The Occupational Therapy Program has been granted accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). For information regarding accreditation, contact ACOTE at 301.652.AOTA, or 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929.

The national entry-level certification examination for occupational therapists is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT, One Bank St., Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, 301.990.7979). Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapists, administered by NBCOT. After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Examination or attain state licensure.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Courses

Code OT 513 not found (or empty).

OT 440. Evaluation of Occupational Performance. 5 Credits.

This course engages the student in the critical thinking necessary to understand evaluation concepts and apply the OT process in the art and science of evaluation. Students will encounter diversity of OT practice and professional identity concepts through assessing occupational performance and underlying factors (i.e., client factors and body functions). Prerequisite: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. S.

OT 517. Education in OT. 2 Credits.

Explores the methods and strategies used to develop, implement and assess education programs for students in academia and fieldwork settings, for patients/clients, businesses and professional staff. Information and discussion focus on the theory and research relevant to education in a variety of settings. Prerequisite: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. S.

Code OT 439 not found (or empty).

OT 502. Research Methods in OT 1: Qualitative to Quantitative Designs. 3 Credits.

The student engages in the concepts of scientific inquiry through the continuum of qualitative and quantitative research designs and methodology used in the occupational therapy profession. The student applies principles of evidenced-based practice investigation, learns to both critique and design research studies as an ethical clinician-researcher, engages in understanding and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data analyses and outcomes, and is introduced to the process of dissemination of scholarly work. Prerequisite: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. F.

Code OT 443 not found (or empty).

Leaders in Health

Follow your passion and develop the skills to lead and shape the future of healthcare.

Explore More Options

Connect with the occupational therapy faculty at UND or discover additional education opportunities.

Occupational Therapy Department
P 701.777.2209
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