Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program
Occupational therapy is a growing field with an opportunity to positively change lives. From comprehensive evaluations to the therapeutic use of everyday activities, occupational therapists promote quality of life for the patients that they serve.
Get started today and pursue a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree. An entry level Occupational Therapy Degree program, OTD is designed for students with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree who want to become licensed occupational therapists.
Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Overview
The mission of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) OTD program is to graduate Occupational Therapy practitioners with the doctoral skills necessary to analyze human occupation and to implement science-driven and evidence-based interventions that promote quality of life for the clients whom they will serve.
All USAHS OTD graduates will contribute to their profession and to a global society through their competence, ethical standards and professionalism. Upon successful completion of the OTD program, graduates will demonstrate preparation beyond the generalist level in practice, theory and research skills, leadership, advocacy and program development.
We bring the experts to you!
Our unique learning model combines state-of-the-art facilities, career-centered learning technologies, online teaching and learning best practices, and the expertise of USAHS faculty members who are practitioners as well as exceptional educators from across the country. Learn More
Choose Your Doctor of Occupational Therapy Degree Path
We offer our students two different paths to earn their Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree. Choose the one that’s right for you.
| Residential OTD | Flex OTD |
|---|---|
| Weekdays | Online/Alternating Weekends |
| 117 credit hours over 8 trimesters | 117 credit hours over 12 trimesters |
| Sept, Jan, & May start dates | Sept, Jan, & start dates* |
| 2.7 years | 4 years |
| Degree earned: OTD | Degree earned: OTD |
*Our Flex OTD program is currently offered in Dallas, TX only. Our Residential OTD program is available at all five of our campus locations.
Discover how USAHS alumni, Kelly and Eric, are creating change in the adapted surfing community with Beach Trax.
Already a licensed Occupational Therapist with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree? Check out our Online Post-professional OTD.
MOT or OTD?
Both the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degrees enable you to start your career as an OT clinician. For more information, visit the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) website.
While the MOT degree is a quicker pathway to licensure with 2 less trimesters, the OTD is a higher level degree with a capstone experiential project that prepares graduates for practice leadership and advocacy for special populations.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program, graduates will be able to demonstrate:
- Apply the skills of a lifelong learner reflective of a professional occupational therapist.
- Advocate for the profession of occupational therapy while collaborating with other members of a health care team.
- Design and perform optimal programs or interventions treating occupational deficits by using effective clinical reasoning.
- Create optimal and culturally competent verbal and written communication of occupational therapy services.
- Implement principles of ethical and professional behavior in the delivery of occupational therapy services.
- Advance the role of occupational therapy by performing as effective leaders.
- Produce evidence-based information that contributes to the advancement of occupational therapy.
- Synthesize information, problem solve, & think critically to judge the most appropriate theoretical basis, assessment and/or intervention strategies for individuals and populations.
- Apply theoretical and empirical knowledge from the foundational bases of physiological, behavioral, social, and occupational therapy in the planning and implementation of occupational therapy in current and emerging areas of practice.
- Apply OT practices to different populations, cultures, etc. based on an expanded view of individual client interventions to a global perspective of OT.
- Disseminate findings of scholarly inquiry that delve deeply into a clearly articulated problem facing OT professionals that impact future practice.
Why USAHS?
At USAHS, we are a graduate university that specializes in health sciences. We are committed to the development of professional health care practitioners through innovative, individualized, and quality education. Each of our academic programs focuses on foundational sciences and concepts, sound decision-making, and strong technical skill development. Read more about our mission.
Let us help you take the next step toward your future.
