Occupational Therapy Programs

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

With over 200+ faculty, USAHS’s Occupational Therapy (OT) program has the largest network of OT faculty of any graduate OT program in the US. Our Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program is designed for students interested in going beyond clinical work. The occupational therapy doctorate curriculum combines coursework from our MOT program with additional coursework focused on leadership, advocacy and policymaking. At USAHS, a dissertation is not required; instead you will complete a capstone project focused on an area of interest in OT.

See Requirements & Program Details

OT Scholarships

USAHS offers scholarships to recognize and reward outstanding academic achievement.

OTD Program at a Glance

Campuses: San Marcos, CA | St. Augustine, FL | Miami, FL | Austin, TX | Dallas, TX

Format: Blended with Online and In-person coursework + Immersive Hands-on Weekday Labs

Start Dates: Sept., Jan., May

Duration: Duration: 2.7 years (8 trimesters)*

Campuses: Dallas, TX

Format: Online Coursework + Immersive Hands-on Labs on Select Weekends

Start Dates: Sept. & May

Duration: 3.7 years (11 trimesters)*

*Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.

25+

Year Legacy of OT Education

4,300+

OT Alumni, largest community of practicing OT alumni Based on total MOT and OTD degrees conferred as reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data is captured through interrelated surveys conducted annually by the Department of Education's National Center for Educational Statistics [NCES]), and from USAHS' internal graduation data.

200+

Faculty with Expertise in 30+ OT Specialties

1-ON-1

Faculty Support and Mentorship

Curriculum

Students in the program earn a total of 117 credits, including 79 credits of core courses with virtual didactic coursework, 22 credits of fieldwork, and 16 credits representing the doctoral capstone experience. Upon successful completion of the OTD program, you’ll be eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification examination.

Residential OTD Curriculum

Core CoursesCredit Hours
Trimester I
OCT 5136 Evidence - Informed Practice I: Research Fundamentals2
OCT 5135C Anatomy Applied to Occupation5
OCT 5140 Domain of Occupational Therapy3
OCT 5146 Occupational Engagement and Theories of Practice3
OCT 5230C Conditions Impacting Occupational Performance4
Total Credit Hours
17
Trimester II
OCT 5225C Process of Occupational Therapy4
OCT 5130C Skills and Techniques for Client Care Management3
OCT 5210 Scholarly Design2
OCT 5217C Human Movement for Occupational Performance3
OCT 5232C Clinical Neuroscience Applied to Occupation4
OCT 6310 Foundations of the OTD Capstone1
Total Credit Hours
17
Trimester III
OCT 5340 Scholarly Implementation and Dissemination2
OCT 5335C Clinical Applications in Psychosocial and Community Settings5
OCT 5410C Clinical Applications in Adulthood5
OCT 5330C OT Methods I: Assistive Technology3
OCT 5365 Wellness and Health Promotion3
Total Credit Hours
18
Trimester IV
OCT 5355C Clinical Applications in Pediatrics/Adolescence5
OCT 5425C Clinical Applications in Older Adults5
OCT 5445C OT Methods II: Orthotics, Prosthetics and Modalities3
OCT 5470 Administration & Management in Occupational Therapy3
OCT 6420 OTD Seminar 21
Total Credit Hours
17
Trimester V
OCT 5550 Fieldwork IIA (min 12 weeks)11
OCT 6530 OTD Seminar 31
Total Credit Hours
12
Trimester VI
OCT 5660 Fieldwork IIB (min 12 weeks)11
OCT 6640 OTD Seminar 41
Total Credit Hours
12
Trimester VII
OCT 6700 Capstone Project2
OCT 6745 Scholarship of Practice3
OCT 6720 Leadership & Advocacy3
OCT 6731 Capstone Experience 1 (last 4 weeks)4
Total Credit Hours
12
Trimester VIII
OCT 6832 Capstone Experience 212
Total Credit Hours
12
Total OTD Program Credit Hours
117

Flex OTD Curriculum

Core CoursesCredit Hours
Trimester I
OCT 5135C Anatomy Applied to Occupation5
OCT 5140 Domain of Occupational Therapy3
OCT 5146 Occupational Engagement and Theories of Practice3
Total Credit Hours
11
Trimester II
OCT 5136 Evidence - Informed Practice I: Research Fundamentals2
OCT 5230C Conditions Impacting Occupational Performance4
OCT 5225C Process of Occupational Therapy4
Total Credit Hours
10
Trimester III
OCT 5210 Scholarly Design2
OCT 5217C Human Movement for Occupational Performance3
OCT 5130C Skills and Techniques for Client Care Management3
Total Credit Hours
8
Trimester IV
OCT 5232C Clinical Neuroscience Applied to Occupation4
OCT 5335C Clinical Applications in Psychosocial and Community Settings5
Total Credit Hours
9
Trimester V
OCT 5365 Wellness and Health Promotion3
OCT 5340 Scholarly Implementation and Dissemination2
OCT 5355C Clinical Applications in Pediatrics/Adolescence5
OCT 6310 Foundations of the OTD Capstone1
Total Credit Hours
11
Trimester VI
OCT 5470 Administration & Management in Occupational Therapy3
OCT 5330C OT Methods I: Assistive Technology3
OCT 5410C Clinical Applications in Adulthood5
Total Credit Hours
11
Trimester VII
OCT 5425C Clinical Applications in Older Adults5
OCT 6420 OTD Seminar 21
OCT 5445C OT Methods II: Orthotics, Prosthetics and Modalities3
Total Credit Hours
9
Trimester VIII
OCT 5550 Fieldwork IIA11
OCT 6530 OTD Seminar 31
Total Credit Hours
12
Trimester IX
OCT 5660 Fieldwork IIB11
OCT 6640 OTD Seminar 41
Total Credit Hours
12
Trimester X
OCT 6720 Leadership & Advocacy3
OCT 6745 Scholarship of Practice3
OCT 6700 Capstone Project2
OCT 6731 Capstone Experience 1 4
Total Credit Hours
12
Trimester XI
OCT 6832 Capstone Experience 212
Total Credit Hours
12
Total OTD Program Credit Hours
117

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Scholarships

USAHS offers a series of scholarships designed to recognize outstanding academic achievement and reward personal accomplishments in community- and diversity-focused areas. These scholarships not only acknowledge past achievements but empower and motivate students to strive for continued excellence along their educational journeys.

The following scholarships are available to all applicants for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), OTD Flex MOT, MOT Hybrid Immersion, and MOT Flex programs who meet the eligibility criteria:

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Accreditation and State Approvals/Post-Graduate Licensure

OTD Program Accreditation Status

San Marcos Campus

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree (OTD) program at the San Marcos, California campus 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. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be 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, state 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.

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of all prior didactic portions of the program. Students must complete an individual 14-week capstone experience within 18 months following completion of the remaining didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.

For more information about the occupational therapy accreditation process, contact the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, 301-652-AOTA or visit www.acoteonline.org.

Complaints about the program that cannot be resolved after following the University’s procedures must be submitted electronically to the ACOTE Chairperson, c/o the AOTA Accreditation Department. The complaint must be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail addressed to [email protected] and must include a signed complaint form, “Complaint Against a Program Subject to ACOTE Accreditation”.

ACOTE Accreditation

St. Augustine Campus

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) degree program at the St. Augustine, Florida campus 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. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be 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, state 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.

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of all prior didactic portions of the program. Students must complete an individual 14-week capstone experience 18 months following completion of the remaining didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.

For more information about the occupational therapy accreditation process, contact the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, 301-652-AOTA or visit www.acoteonline.org.

Complaints about the program that cannot be resolved after following the University’s procedures must be submitted electronically to the ACOTE Chairperson, c/o the AOTA Accreditation Department. The complaint must be submitted as an attachment to an email addressed to [email protected] and must include a signed complaint form, “Complaint Against a Program Subject to ACOTE Accreditation”.

ACOTE Accreditation

Miami Campus

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree (OTD) program at the Miami, Florida campus 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. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be 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, state 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.

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of all prior didactic portions of the program. Students must complete an individual 14-week capstone experience within 18 months following completion of the remaining didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.

For more information about the occupational therapy accreditation process, contact the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, 301-652-AOTA or visit www.acoteonline.org.

Complaints about the program that cannot be resolved after following the University’s procedures must be submitted electronically to the ACOTE Chairperson, c/o the AOTA Accreditation Department. The complaint must be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail addressed to [email protected] and must include a signed complaint form, “Complaint Against a Program Subject to ACOTE Accreditation”.

ACOTE Accreditation

Austin Campus

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree (OTD) program at the Austin, Texas campus 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. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be 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, state 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.

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of all prior didactic portions of the program. Students must complete an individual 14-week capstone experience within 18 months following completion of the remaining didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.

For more information about the occupational therapy accreditation process, contact the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, 301-652-AOTA or visit www.acoteonline.org.

Complaints about the program that cannot be resolved after following the University’s procedures must be submitted electronically to the ACOTE Chairperson, c/o the AOTA Accreditation Department. The complaint must be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail addressed to [email protected] and must include a signed complaint form, “Complaint Against a Program Subject to ACOTE Accreditation”.

ACOTE Accreditation

Dallas Campus

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree (OTD) program at the Dallas, Texas campus 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. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be 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, state 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.

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of all prior didactic portions of the program. Students must complete an individual 14-week capstone experience within 18 months following completion of the remaining didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.

For more information about the occupational therapy accreditation process, contact the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, 301-652-AOTA or visit www.acoteonline.org.

Complaints about the program that cannot be resolved after following the University’s procedures must be submitted electronically to the ACOTE Chairperson, c/o the AOTA Accreditation Department. The complaint must be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail addressed to [email protected] and must include a signed complaint form, “Complaint Against a Program Subject to ACOTE Accreditation”.

ACOTE Accreditation

State Approvals

Flex Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Dallas)

USAHS currently is accepting applications for enrollment in the Flex Doctor of Occupational Therapy for residents of the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. USAHS has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following locations:  American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

 

USAHS is not accepting applications from prospective students residing in states where the institution does not have state authorization. However, prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future as the program may be offered in additional states.  Current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program and the ability to be placed for on-the-ground activities or clinical field experiences.  Additionally, for states denoted with clinical field experience and other on-the-ground activity restrictions, USAHS does not have the necessary state authorization approvals to offer on-the-ground activities of this kind in those states at this time. However, these restrictions should not impact a graduates’ eligibility for professional licensure in his/her state, provided all other requirements are met. The OTD program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states.

It remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides.

OTD (Austin, Miami, St Augustine, San Marcos, and Dallas)

USAHS currently is accepting applications for enrollment in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Austin, Miami, St. Augustine, San Marcos, and Dallas campuses) for residents of the following states:  Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. USAHS has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following locations:  American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

 

USAHS is not accepting applications from prospective students residing in states where the institution does not have state authorization. However, prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future as the program may be offered in additional states.  Current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program and the ability to be placed for on-the-ground activities or clinical field experiences.

For states denoted with clinical field experience and other on-the-ground activity restrictions, USAHS does not have the necessary state authorization approvals to offer on-the-ground activities of this kind in those states at this time. However, these restrictions should not impact a graduates’ eligibility for professional licensure in his/her state, provided all other requirements are met.   As such,  the OTD program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states.

It remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides.

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Student Outcomes

OTD Student Outcomes

Graduation Rate

The entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program graduation rate is the percentage of students who are enrolled in the institution’s official enrollment date (ten-day census date) at the start of the student’s program and complete the program within the program’s published academic terms (on time).

The total number of graduates and graduation rates from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ (USAHS) OTD programs at the San Marcos, CA; St. Augustine, FL; Miami, FL; Austin, TX; and Dallas, TX, campuses during the three years of 2021-2023 are listed below.

San Marcos, CA

Year# Students Entering# Students Graduating On TimeOn-Time Grad Rate# Students Graduating Within 101%-150%150% Grad Rate# Students Still Enrolled
2021767092%295%0
20225151100%0100%0
2023736792%092%4
3-Yr Total20018894%295%4

St. Augustine, FL

Year# Students Entering# Students Graduating On TimeOn-Time Grad Rate# Students Graduating Within 101%-150%150% Grad Rate# Students Still Enrolled
20211515100%0100%0
2022454396%2100%0
2023554989%191%4
3-Yr Total11510793%396%4

Miami, FL

Year# Students Entering# Students Graduating On TimeOn-Time Grad Rate# Students Graduating Within 101%-150%150% Grad Rate# Students Still Enrolled
2021353291%297%0
2022413995%2100%0
2023454498%098%0
3-Yr Total12111595%498%0

Austin, TX

Year# Students Entering# Students Graduating On TimeOn-Time Grad Rate# Students Graduating Within 101%-150%150% Grad Rate# Students Still Enrolled
2021544685%696%0
2022393795%2100%0
2023393795%095%2
3-Yr Total13212091%897%2

Dallas, TX

Year# Students Entering# Students Graduating On TimeOn-Time Grad Rate# Students Graduating Within 101%-150%150% Grad Rate# Students Still Enrolled
20217457%171%0
2022413278%180%0
2023786077%178%11
3-Yr Total1269676%379%11

NBCOT Exam Pass Rate

Graduates of the accredited University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ Doctor of Occupational Therapy programs are eligible to take the certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.

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

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Program Data

Click a campus below to view the program data:

San Marcos, CA Residential
St. Augustine, FL, Residential
Miami, FL, Residential
Austin, TX, Residential
Dallas, TX, Residential | Flex

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ACOTE and NBCOT Important Links

NBCOT examination results
Visit the NBCOT website for more information on NBCOT examination results.

ACOTE Accreditation
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD
20852-4929, 301-652-AOTA or visit www.acoteonline.org.Visit the ACOTE Website for more information on the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
Residential OTD
Flex OTD
Format
Blended with Both Online and In-Person components + Immersive Hands-on Weekday Labs
Online + Immersive Hands-on Labs on Select On-campus Weekends
Best Suited For
Students Desiring an Immersive Campus Experience
Students With Jobs and/or Other Responsibilities
# Trimesters
8
11
Credit Hours
117
117
Credit Hours Per Term
12-19
8-12
Length in Years*
2.7
3.7
Where Should I Live?
In or Near the Campus City
Almost Anywhere in the US; Requires Travel to Campus 4-7 X on Select Weekends 4-7 times per term depending on the trimester.
Fieldwork Experiences
2 Trimesters
2 Trimesters
Start Dates (by Campus)
All campuses, All Terms
Dallas Campus - Summer and Fall
Capstone Project
Yes
Yes

*Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors.

Why USAHS for your Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Leader in Occupational Therapy Education

USAHS has been dedicated solely to graduate education in health sciences for more than 40 years, delivering high-quality OT education for nearly 30 years. As an occupational therapy doctorate student at USAHS, you’ll join a community of expert faculty practitioners and dedicated students, as well as more than 4,000 accomplished OT alumni who are transforming lives throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Unparalleled Faculty Network

Our OT faculty is composed of educators and clinicians who are experts and leaders in their fields. At USAHS, we have more than 200 OT faculty practitioners with expertise in more than 30 specialties. They work with clients, publish research, serve on the boards of professional organizations and draw from their diverse expertise to develop and teach our curriculum. Our faculty treat students as peers and colleagues, providing one-on-one support and mentoring.

Flexible OTD Programs to Fit Your Needs

USAHS offers the broadest range of OT teaching and learning models to suit student needs and preferences. All models feature the same renowned MOT curriculum.

Flex – If you work or have family or other obligations, choose the Flex format. The Flex curriculum includes fewer credits per term which means the OTD program takes longer to complete, but you’ll have the ability to continue to work and manage other priorities. You’ll access coursework online and attend face-to-face lab sessions on select weekends 4-7 times per trimester on campus.

Residential – For students who prefer an immersive campus experience while pursuing their occupational therapy doctorate, USAHS’s Residential program is your format. You’ll experience Blended coursework with both online and in-person components and on-campus labs during weekdays.

Immersive Hands-on Learning

Build competence and confidence in our Centers for Innovative Clinical Practice and Activities of Daily Living facilities. Here you will experience simulations and practice your skills with diverse patient populations in simulated healthcare environments to prepare you to become an exceptional practitioner and to excel in your fieldwork placements. USAHS is one of the few higher education institutions in the country with simulation labs dedicated to the rehabilitative sciences.

Inspiring Capstone Support

Dive deeply into a topic that interests you in the OT field and help to advance the OT profession with your capstone project. Our OT faculty will help you identify a relevant topic for exploration and form your capstone team. The proposal you write and the work you produce is the culmination of all you’ve learned in your USAHS Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Throughout this process, you will have a supportive team of faculty and mentors to guide you through your work to further OT knowledge and advance your career. Learn more about the capstone process at USAHS.

Five Destination Campuses

We have campuses in five vibrant, beautiful cities: San Marcos, California; St. Augustine, Florida; Miami, Florida; Austin, Texas; and Dallas, Texas. Our campuses are close, tight-knit communities of engaged faculty and students who are able to access faculty and specialties across all of our campuses to facilitate the sharing of ideas and knowledge with our entire community of OTs.

Getting Started with Your Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Need a little help taking the next step? Whether you’re ready to apply and earn your occupational therapy doctorate or seek additional information, it’s easy to get started on your path toward a fulfilling OT career.

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Application to our OTD Program

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OTD Student Perspectives

Featured OT Faculty

Claribell Bayona, OTD,OTR/L Play Video

Claribell Bayona — OTD, OTR/L

Neurological Rehabilitation

Play Video

Cody Cox — OTD, OTR/L, MED

Geriatrics

Helen Carey, Ph.D, MSc Adv OT, OTR Play Video

Helen Carey — PHD, MSC ADV OT, OTR

Adult Rehabilitation

Keith B. McWilliams, OTD, OTR/L Play Video

Keith B. McWilliams — OTD, OTR/L, DRS

Oncology

Lesley Khan-Farooqi, PhD, OTD, OTR/L Play Video

Lesley Khan-Farooqi — PHD, OTD, OTR/L

Orthopedics

Marcia Hamilton, OTD, MSHS, OTR/L, BCP, BCTS Play Video

Marcia Hamilton — OTD, MSHS, OTR/L, BCTS

Pediatrics

Maureen Johnson, PhD, MS, OT/L Play Video

Maureen Johnson — PHD, MS, OT/L, BCPR, C/NDT, CHSE-A

Adult Rehabilitation

Sean Brim, PhDs, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, CEAS Play Video

Sean Brim — PhDs, OTD, MOT, OTR/L

Spinal Cord Injuries

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