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Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)

Group of OT students learning hands-on from professor

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. New admissions to the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program (view past MSOT program outcomes) are no longer being accepted as we transition to the doctoral program. Learn more about the two tracks we offer for obtaining your OTD:

Entry-level OTD

This entry-level occupational therapy doctorate 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.

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

Spalding University’s entry-level OTD program has received supplemental licensure from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education,  is approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The entry-level OTD program is currently in Candidacy Status from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) with accreditation actions occuring in the 2020/2021 academic year. The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (telephone: 301-652-2682; www.acoteonline.org) is located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929.

Upon accreditation approval, entry-level OTD graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. After passing this exam, the graduate is credentialed as an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) and may apply for state licensure. View the prospective applicant letter published by ACOTE.

See our professional licensure disclosure.

Master of Science Occupational Therapy Program Outcomes

The entry-level MSOT program is no longer accepting new students as the program has transitioned to the entry-level OTD, The first OTD cohort entered the professional program in Spring 2019.

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

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

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 graduate with a master’s degree from an ACOTE accredited occupational therapy program.

Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) for the MSOT degree can be found online at https://secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx

Entry-level MSOT Program Student Progression Outcomes:

Begin/end months Number Started Number Completed Graduation Rate
Aug 2015-Mar 2018 40 *41 100%
Jan 2016-Aug 2018 41 40 98%
Jan 2017- Mar 2019 47 43 91%
Aug 2017-Mar 2020 38 35 92%
Jan 2018-Aug 2020 43 *44 98%
3-year aggregate data 247 241 97.5%

* Additional student from the previous cohort

Entry-level OTD Program Student Continuance Data as of August 2020

Program Entry Date Number Students August 2020 Percentage Sustained Anticipated Graduation
Jan 2019 23 22 96% Jan 2022
Aug 2019 27 25 93% Aug 2022
Jan 2020 14 14 100% Jan 2023
Aug 2020 28 28 100% Aug 2023
2-year aggregate 92 89 96.7%

 

OT Student and professor demonstrate moving from wheelchair to bed

Contact Us

Auerbach School of OT
(502) 588-7196

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