Post-Professional OTD
About
The post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) at Spalding University will prepare you to advance as a leader in the field of occupational therapy. The 30-credit-hour program is designed for licensed occupational therapy practitioners who want to progress to the doctoral level. It is offered entirely online and offers advanced practice with a focus on leadership, administration and policy development in the field of occupational therapy.
Program Details
- 30 credit hours
- Four 13-week trimesters + self-directed capstone
- Tuition discounts available for Spalding OT alumni and employees of our Community Partners (see more information below)
- 100% online
Program Highlights
- Begin your OTD program at the start of any trimester throughout the academic year
- Engage in active inquiry, critical thinking, and reflective practice
- Enhance your professional goals and excite your interests with a self-directed, evidence-based practice capstone
See more about our post-professional OTD curriculum.
Features
Our faculty of doctorally-prepared experts specialize in a variety of fields, including upper extremity rehabilitation, tele-health, pediatric oncology and autism spectrum disorder. You’ll work closely with your faculty mentors to customize your program of study, fieldwork and capstone to your professional interests.
As a practitioner and doctoral student, you’ll be setup for success. You’ll take one online course per trimester (13 weeks), allowing you to dedicate yourself to your studies without sacrificing your career. We’ll guide you through the program with a unit-by-unit breakdown of course content. Your online learning will be robust and engaging:
- Engage in instructor-led discussions.
- Interact with other students virtually.
- Have access to resources, including audio and video materials.
- Enhance your learning and test your knowledge with online readings and quizzes.
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.
Community Partnerships
If you are an employee of one of Spalding University’s Community Partners, you may be eligible for a discount on tuition for Spalding’s post-professional OTD. Please see our list of current community partnerships.
Tuition & Fees
Our post-professional OTD program is a 30-credit-hour degree. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the cost per credit hour is $630. Spalding Alumni qualify for a 10% tuition discount on the post-professional OTD Program.
For more information about tuition, fees or other associated expenses, please visit our Cost of Attendance page.
Federal Student Loans
Tuition, housing and other expenses may be covered by federal student loans.
Federal loans for graduate school are available to most U. S. citizens (and eligible non-citizens) unless they have defaulted on previous student loans or have reached the lifetime limit (see www.fafsa.gov). Full-time graduate students are usually eligible to borrow up to $20,500 per year.
Learn more about how to apply for federal aid.
Learn more about additional types of aid that can help fund your degree.
Admissions
We accept applications to the post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate program on a rolling basis. If you are accepted into the post-professional OTD program, you will be eligible to begin classes at the start of the next trimester.
Begin your online application by clicking the red “Apply” button on the right. Our spring trimester begins January 13, 2025, and the deadline to apply is January 6, 2025.
Please email asot@spalding.edu with questions about the admission process or call Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy (502) 588-7196.
Admission Requirements
In addition to a completed online application, we require the following items:
- Resume documenting experience as a licensed Occupational Therapist. One year of practice experience is preferred but not required, and any graduate of an accredited OT program is welcome to apply.
- Statement of purpose and professional goals for achieving an OTD
- Transcripts from all previously attended universities
- Current occupational therapy license information
- NBCOT certification
- A minimum overall 3.0 GPA in previous graduate coursework
Please email asot@spalding.edu with questions about the admission process or call Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy (502) 588-7196.
Track Your Application
If applying through Spalding’s online application system, your applicant portal “My Account” page is the place to view, update and submit information to your application. You have access to:
- Update your profile
- Submit your application
- View your application
- Upload supplemental documents required for admission
Application Confirmation
Upon submitting your application, everyone will receive an email acknowledgment with further instructions regarding all items required to continue processing an application.
If you did not receive this message please check your spam folder. To make sure you receive all electronic communication from us, please add spalding.edu to your safe sender and/or contacts list.
Admissions Process
Upon submission of the application and all supplemental items, applicants will be notified within five business days of acceptance into the Post-Professional OTD program.
Applications must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the start of a trimester (Fall, Spring or Summer). The upcoming fall trimester begins January 13, 2025.
Program Accreditation
Spalding University’s Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). That means that you are getting a quality education that follows industry best practices. Our goal is to achieve the best outcomes for every student.
See our professional licensure disclosure.
Upcoming Events
- December 11 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Virtual Info Session: Post-Professional OTD