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Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)

Spalding University occupational therapy students in the simulation lab.
Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)

About the OTD

Spalding University’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program in the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy (ASOT) prepares students to meet the needs of the times with compassionate action based upon best rehabilitation principles and evidence-based practice through community outreach, service, and research. The OTD offers students the opportunity to advance their preparation and application of in-depth knowledge in practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and the application of theory.

Entry-level OTD

Spalding University offers the first fully accredited entry-level OTD program in the state of Kentucky, and it is accessible to any student with a bachelor’s degree in any field.

  • 3 years (36 months)
  • 9 trimesters
  • 110 credit hours (84 didactic hours and 26 clinical hours)
  • 35 students per cohort

Post-Professional OTD

This post-professional degree is designed for licensed occupational therapy practitioners who are looking to progress to the doctoral level and is offered exclusively online.

  • 30 credit hours
  • Online format
  • 4 trimesters + self-directed capstone

About ASOT

Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy (ASOT)

Spalding University’s Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy (ASOT) prepares students to meet the needs of the times with compassionate action based upon best rehabilitation principles and evidence-based practice through community outreach, service, and research.

Entry-Level OTD Accreditation and Examination Eligibility

The entry-level OTD program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)  (telephone: 301-652-2682; www.acoteonline.org) located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929.

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, stat licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

See our professional licensure disclosure.

Entry-level graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate is credentialed to use the title of Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. In order to be eligible to sit for the NBCOT examination, and become licensed in the state, an individual must hold at least a Master’s degree from an ACOTE accredited occupational therapy program.

Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found
online at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.

Entry-level OTD Program Student Progression Outcomes
Begin/End Months: Jan 2019 — Jan 2022 (B22)
Program Started Program Graduated Graduation Rate NBCOT Pass Rate
23 22 96% 91%
Begin/End Months: Aug 2019 — Aug 2022 (Y22)
Program Started Program Graduated Graduation Rate NBCOT Pass Rate
27* 20*
(4 students
moved
cohorts)
89% 95%
Begin/End Months: Jan 2020 — Jan 2023 (B23)
Program Started Program Graduated Graduation Rate NBCOT Pass Rate
14 13 93% 94%
Begin/End Months: Aug 2020 - Aug 2023 (Y23)
Program Started Program Graduated Graduation Rate NBCOT Pass Rate
27 22*
(2 students
moved
cohorts)
89% TBD

*Student(s) moved cohorts. The entry-level OTD program enrolls two cohorts per year (in August and January). Effective January 2024, ASOT will enroll a single cohort per year each fall.

Entry-level OTD Program Student Progression Outcomes
Begin/End Months Program Started Program Graduated Graduation Rate NBCOT Pass Rate
Jan 2019 — Jan 2022 (B22) 23 22 96% 91%
Aug 2019 — Aug 2022 (Y22) 27* 20* (4 students moved cohorts) 89% 95%
Jan 2020 — Jan 2023 (B23) 14 13 93% 94%
Aug 2020 — Aug 2023 (Y23) 27 22* (2 students moved cohorts) 89% TBD

*Student(s) moved cohorts. The entry-level OTD program enrolls two cohorts per year (in August and January). Effective January 2024, ASOT will enroll a single cohort per year each fall.

Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) for the OTD degree can be found on the NBCOT site.

Entry-level OTD Program Student Continuance Data as of January 2024
Program Entry Date - Jan 2021 (B24)
# Students January 2024 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
18 17 94% Jan
2024
Program Entry Date - Aug 2021 (Y24)
# Students January 2024 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
32 30 94% Aug
2024
Program Entry Date - Jan 2022 (B25)
# Students January 2024 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
11 9 91% Jan
2025
Program Entry Date - Aug 2022 (Y25)
# Students January 2024 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
15 13 87% Aug
2025
Program Entry Date - Jan 2023 (B26)
# Students January 2024 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
8 8 100% Jan
2026
Program Entry Date - Aug 2023 (Y26)
# Students January 2024 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
15 15 100% Aug
2026
Program Entry Date - 3-year aggregate
# Students January 2024 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
16.5 15 94%

*Student(s) moved cohorts. The entry-level OTD program enrolls two cohorts per year (in August and January). Effective January 2024, ASOT will enrol a single cohort per year each fall.

Entry-level OTD Program Student Continuance Data as of January 2024
Program Entry Date Number Students January 2024 Percentage Sustained Anticipated Graduation
Jan 2021 (B24) 18 17 94% Jan 2024
Aug 2021 (Y24) 32 30 94% Aug 2024
Jan 2022 (B25) 11 9 91% Jan 2025
Aug 2022 (Y25) 15 13 87% Aug 2025
Jan 2023 (B26) 8 8 100% Jan 2026
Aug 2023 (Y26) 15 15 100% Aug 2026
3-year aggregate 16.5 15 94%

*Student(s) moved cohorts. The entry-level OTD program enrolls two cohorts per year (in August and January). Effective January 2024, ASOT will enrol a single cohort per year each fall.

Continuing Education

ASOT uses the online continuing education platform, Teachable, to disseminate students’ presentations and scholarly work. Learners may select from a library of unique presentations and earn free CEUs in the process.