Program Overview

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Occupational Therapy Doctor of Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy program at Ohio State is one of the country's top-ranked occupational therapy graduate programs. Our renowned faculty, including authors of leading textbooks, internationally recognized scholars, and esteemed practitioners, are the experts who will teach you the art and science of occupational therapy.

About the Program

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The occupational therapy program seeks to produce graduates who:

• Improve people's lives through caring attitudes, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication
• Engage in lifelong learning
• Demonstrate competence in ethical and responsible decision making
• Respect the dignity of all individuals

Program Outcomes

Graduates of our program perform extremely well on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) compared to the national averages.

Dual Degree Program

Although the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) prepares students to practice occupational therapy, as a professional graduate degree, it does not prepare students for research or academic careers. Students who are interested in becoming a researcher or a faculty member prepare for these careers by completing a PhD program. At Ohio State University, students can combine the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program with the Health and Rehabilitation Science PhD program through entry into the OTD/PhD track. This dual degree program prepares students for academic positions in occupational therapy and rehabilitation sciences programs at research-intensive universities. In addition to the professional training, the program emphasizes higher education teaching, research, and writing grants.

Program Details

The OTD/PhD track is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in occupational therapy and research methods. The program includes coursework, research experiences, and clinical practice. Students in the OTD/PhD track will work closely with faculty mentors to develop their research skills and complete a dissertation.

Admission Criteria

To be considered for admission to the OTD/PhD track, students must meet the admission requirements for both the OTD and PhD programs. This includes:

• A master's degree in occupational therapy or a related field
• A strong academic record
• Research experience
• A personal statement outlining research interests and goals
• Letters of recommendation

Program Structure

The OTD/PhD track is a minimum of 3 years beyond the master's degree. The program includes:

• Coursework in occupational therapy and research methods
• Research experiences
• Clinical practice
• Dissertation

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the OTD/PhD track will be prepared for academic positions in occupational therapy and rehabilitation sciences programs at research-intensive universities. They will also be prepared for research careers in academia, industry, or government.