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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) for the MSOT degree can be found online at https://www.nbcot.org/educators#SchoolPerformance.

Entry-level OTD Program Student Progression Outcomes
Begin/end months Program Started Program Completed Graduation Rate
Jan 2019 — Jan 2022 22 22 100%
Aug 2019 — Aug 2022 27* 24 89%
Jan 2020 — Jan 2023 14 17* 93%

*Student(s) moved cohorts. The entry-level OTD program enrolls two cohorts per year (in August and January).

Entry-level OTD Program Student Progression Outcomes
Begin/end months Program Started Program Completed Graduation Rate
Jan 2019 — Jan 2022 22 22 100%
Aug 2019 — Aug 2022 27* 24 89%
Jan 2020 — Jan 2023 14 17* 93%

*Student(s) moved cohorts. The entry-level OTD program enrolls two cohorts per year (in August and January).

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 June 2023
Program Entry Date - Jan 2020
# Students June 2023 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
14 17* 100% Jan
2023
Program Entry Date - Aug 2020
# Students June 2023 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
29 25* 86% Aug
2023
Program Entry Date - Jan 2021
# Students June 2023 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
18 17 94% Jan
2024
Program Entry Date - Aug 2021
# Students June 2023 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
32 31* 97% Aug
2024
Program Entry Date - Jan 2022
# Students June 2023 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
10 10* 100% Jan
2025
Program Entry Date - Aug 2022
# Students June 2023 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
17 16* 94% Aug
2025
Program Entry Date - Jan 2023
# Students June 2023 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
8 8 100% Jan
2026
Program Entry Date - 3-year aggregate
# Students June 2023 % Sustained Anticipated Graduation
129 123 96%

*Student(s) moved cohorts. The entry-level OTD program enrolls two cohorts per year (in August and January).

Entry-level OTD Program Student Continuance Data as of August 2022
Program Entry Date Number Students August 2022 Percentage Sustained Anticipated Graduation
Jan 2020 15 16* 100% Jan 2023
Aug 2020 29 25* 86% Aug 2023
Jan 2021 18 17 94% Jan 2024
Aug 2021 32 31* 97% Aug 2024
Jan 2022 10 10* 100% Jan 2025
Aug 2022 17 16* 94% Aug 2025
Jan 2023 8 8 100% Jan 2026
3-year aggregate 129 123 96%

*Student(s) moved cohorts. The entry-level OTD program enrolls two cohorts per year (in August and January).

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.