Occupational Therapy Doctorate
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.
- 30 credit hours
- Online format
- 4 trimesters + self-directed capstone
- Leadership or Upper Extremity Rehabilitation tracks of study
- Can be paired with our Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Certificate
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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% | |
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