One OTD Program, Two Formats.
If you envision yourself in a leadership role within occupational therapy, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program at USAHS may be the best program for you. In the OTD’s two additional trimesters of study beyond the MOT, you will take courses in leadership, advocacy, and policymaking. You will also engage in a capstone project, in which you will choose your own area of OT interest and investigate it deeply.
OTD is helpful for future occupational therapy practitioners who seek roles in practice leadership, on boards of professional associations, in patient advocacy, and in research.
In the Residential OTD, you will watch lectures online and participate in on-campus clinical lab classes on weekdays. Designed for those who work, have family obligations, or live a distance from campus, the Flex OTD is a path for you to earn your doctorate in occupational therapy on an expanded timetable.
OTD Student Outcomes "2020 Annual Factbook", USAHS’s Office of Assessment and Institutional Research, April 2020. Data is for students enrolled during the 2018-2019 academic year.
- Leader in health sciences & innovation
- Flexible delivery options tailored to you
Residential OTD
Online coursework +in-person labs on weekdays
117 credit hours over 8 trimesters
2.7 years Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors.
Sept., Jan. & May start dates
Two trimesters of fieldwork experiences
Capstone project
Flex OTD
Online coursework +in-person labs on weekends
117 credit hours over 12 trimesters
4 years Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors.
Sept. & May start dates
Two trimesters of fieldwork experiences
Capstone project
Requirements and Program Information
OTD Curriculum
Doctor of Occupational Therapy Curriculum
Students in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) 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 Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Trimester I | |
| HSC 5136 Evidence - Informed Practice I: Research Fundamentals | 2 |
| OCT 5130C Skills and Techniques for Client Care Management | 3 |
| OCT 5135C Anatomy Applied to Occupation | 5 |
| OCT 5140 Domain of Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| OCT 5146 Occupational Engagement and Theories of Practice | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 16 |
| Trimester II | |
| OCT 5225C Process of Occupational Therapy | 4 |
| OCT 5230C Conditions Impacting Occupational Performance | 4 |
| OCT 5210 Scholarly Design | 2 |
| OCT 5217C Human Movement for Occupational Performance | 3 |
| HSC 5310C Clinical Neuroscience | 4 |
Total Credit Hours | 17 |
| Trimester III | |
| OCT 5340 Scholarly Implementation and Dissemination | 2 |
| OCT 5335C Clinical Applications of Occupational Therapy in Psychosocial and Community Settings | 5 |
| OCT 5355C Clinical Applications of Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics/Adolescence | 5 |
| OCT 5330C OT Methods I: Assistive Technology | 3 |
| OCT 5365 Wellness and Health Promotion | 3 |
| OCT 6310 OTD Seminar 1 | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 19 |
| Trimester IV | |
| OCT 5410C Clinical Applications in Adulthood | 5 |
| OCT 5425C Clinical Applications in Geriatrics | 5 |
| OCT 5445C OT Methods II: Orthotics, Prosthetics and Modalities | 3 |
| OCT 5470 Administration & Management in Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| OCT 6420 OTD Seminar 2 | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 17 |
| Trimester V | |
| OCT 5550 Fieldwork IIA (min 12 weeks) | 11 |
| OCT 6530 OTD Seminar 3 | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 12 |
| Trimester VI | |
| OCT 5660 Fieldwork IIB (min 12 weeks) | 11 |
| OCT 6640 OTD Seminar 4 | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 12 |
| Trimester VII | |
| OCT 6700 Capstone Project | 2 |
| OCT 6745 Scholarship of Practice | 3 |
| OCT 6720 Leadership & Advocacy | 3 |
| OCT 6731 Capstone Experience 1 (last 4 weeks) | 4 |
Total Credit Hours | 12 |
| Trimester VIII | |
| OCT 6832 Capstone Experience 2 | 12 |
Total Credit Hours | 12 |
Total OTD Program Credit Hours | 117 |
Flex OTD Curriculum
| Core Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Trimester I | |
| OCT 5135C Anatomy Applied to Occupation | 5 |
| OCT 5140 Domain of Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| OCT 5146 Occupational Engagement and Theories of Practice | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 11 |
| Trimester II | |
| HSC 5136 Evidence - Informed Practice I: Research Fundamentals | 2 |
| OCT 5130C Skills and Techniques for Client Care Management | 3 |
| OCT 5225C Process of Occupational Therapy | 4 |
Total Credit Hours | 9 |
| Trimester III | |
| OCT 5210 Scholarly Design | 2 |
| OCT 5217C Human Movement for Occupational Performance | 3 |
| OCT 5230C Conditions Impacting Occupational Performance | 4 |
Total Credit Hours | 9 |
| Trimester IV | |
| HSC 5310C Clinical Neuroscience | 4 |
| OCT 5335C Clinical Applications of Occupational Therapy in Psychosocial and Community Settings | 5 |
Total Credit Hours | 9 |
| Trimester V | |
| OCT 5365 Wellness and Health Promotion | 3 |
| OCT 5340 Scholarly Implementation and Dissemination | 2 |
| OCT 5355C Clinical Applications of Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics/Adolescence | 5 |
| OCT 6310 OTD Seminar 1 | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 11 |
| Trimester VI | |
| OCT 5470 Administration & Management in Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| OCT 5330C OT Methods I: Assistive Technology | 3 |
| OCT 5410C Clinical Applications in Adulthood | 5 |
Total Credit Hours | 11 |
| Trimester VII | |
| OCT 5425C Clinical Applications in Geriatrics | 5 |
| OCT 6420 OTD Seminar 2 | 1 |
| OCT 5445C OT Methods II: Orthotics, Prosthetics and Modalities | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 9 |
| Trimester VIII | |
| OCT 5550 Fieldwork IIA | 11 |
| OCT 6530 OTD Seminar 3 | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 12 |
| Trimester IX | |
| OCT 5660 Fieldwork IIB | 11 |
| OCT 6640 OTD Seminar 4 | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 12 |
| Trimester X | |
| OCT 6720 Leadership & Advocacy | 3 |
| OCT 6745 Scholarship of Practice | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 6 |
| Trimester XI | |
| OCT 6700 Capstone Project | 2 |
| OCT 6731 Capstone Experience 1 | 4 |
Total Credit Hours | 6 |
| Trimester XII | |
| OCT 6832 Capstone Experience 2 | 12 |
Total Credit Hours | 12 |
Total OTD Program Credit Hours | 117 |
OTD Admission Requirements
Admissions Requirements
Candidates must meet the following admission requirements in order to be considered for the OTD program.
Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. You can apply while you are still enrolled in an undergraduate degree program or while you are completing prerequisite coursework. You should submit a plan of study with your application that indicates all remaining courses that will be completed prior to program enrollment.
GRE: The GRE requirement is suspended for admission into the first professional occupational therapy programs for the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 term.
Resume: Include a current resume or curriculum vitae with your application.
Statement of Purpose: Include a short statement of why you wish to pursue occupational therapy as a career and why you chose the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences for that pursuit.
OT Supplemental Questions: Provide five short answers to help us learn more about you. – START OT SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
Prerequisites: Unless candidates have current work experience in a health sciences field, it is recommended (but not required) that their prerequisites have been taken no more than five (5) years previously — especially anatomy and physiology.
All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better. You can find our OTD prerequisite form here. Evidence of successful completion of the following prerequisites is required:
| Required Prerequisite Courses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester Hours | Quarter Hours |
|
| Motion & Movement Physics, Physical Science, Biomechanics or Anatomical Kinesiology. Must include motion and movement. Introductory courses are acceptable. | 3 | 4.5 |
| Biology (Human Based) Human based, laws, theories, and concepts of biology. Includes chemical principles and the biological chemistry associated with cellular structure and function. Exercise Physiology can be used as a substitute. Introductory courses are acceptable. | 3 | 4.5 |
| General or Upper Level Human Anatomy & Physiology Knowledge of human body, structure and function. | 6 | 9 |
| Human Growth and Development over Lifespan Human or lifespan development course that includes motor and psychosocial development from birth through end of life. | 3 | 4.5 |
| Social Sciences Any combination of Psychology, Sociology, Sociocultural/Socioeconomic, Anthropology, Human Behavior and Development, Public Health, Humanities (must show human relationships), Ethnicity or Gender Studies courses can be used toward this requirement. | 12 | 18 |
| Medical Terminology | 1 | 1.5 |
| Statistics | 3 | 4.5 |
Misrepresentation of Academic Credentials
Misrepresentation of academic credentials includes presenting information known as false and with the intent of obtaining employment or admission to an educational program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Statements made and documents supplied by University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences applicants and students must be complete and accurate. The university will not tolerate any misrepresentation by a student or applicant of past or current academic programs, degrees, or professional accomplishments. If unexplained discrepancies appear between statements or documents provided to University of St. Augustine and information obtained otherwise, except in the case of misspellings and other such inadvertent errors, applicants may be rejected for admission and enrolled students may be dismissed.
Additional Requirements
- A total of two (2) references from the following: Two licensed occupational therapists (preferred) or one occupational therapist and one faculty member or academic advisor.
- A minimum of 40 volunteer or observation experience hours (volunteer hours, work hours, observation hours, etc.) in two different occupational therapy settings (20 in one setting and 20 in another) is required.
- A comprehensive background check requiring fingerprints and drug screen will be administered during the admissions process. A felony charge and or conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or to attain state licensure.
- A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 calculated on program prerequisites is preferred; however, the grade trend of the applicant will be considered.
- This is a hybrid program requiring both virtual (distance education) and face-to-face class participation. Online learners need access to/use of a computer/word processor and basic technical skills to succeed. These skills include the ability to create new documents, use a word processing program, navigate the Internet, and download software. Attendance requirements are enforced.
How to Apply
Before you apply
Step 1: Review program and application requirements
- Check to make sure you have met all programmatic requirements
- Check your prerequisites here
Ready to apply
Step 2: complete your application.
You may either:
- Apply online through our free application here or
- Create a profile and submit application through otcas.org. GRE code for OTCAS: 7352
- Have questions on your CAS application? Email us at [email protected]
Step 3: Fill out Supplemental Application
When your OTCAS application is in verified status, an enrollment advisor will be in touch to schedule an application review appointment by phone.
Additional Resources
- RSVP to VIS events or campus tours (San Marcos (CA), St. Augustine, Miami (FL), Austin (TX) & Dallas (TX)
- FAQ’s – usa.edu online application
- FAQ’s – OTCAS
- Deadlines
- COVID-19 Updates
OTD Tuition & CoA
Tuition
The 117-credit-hour OTD program can be completed in 2 years and 8 months. Total program tuition and cost of attendance for the 2021-2022 academic year is as follows. Tuition estimates are based on the assumption that a student goes straight through the program, without breaks or repeating academic work.
Cost of Attendance
Choose your program and the campus you are interested in attending to see cost of attendance estimates. All tuition and expense numbers are subject to change.
Residential OTD
Tuition is approximately $13,337 per trimester for OTD students who attend our San Marcos, CA campus. Residents of California are also assessed a one-time state-mandated Student Tuition Recovery Fund charge at time of enrollment.
| Tuition and Fees | |
| School Expenses | |
| Tuition | $106,692.00 |
| Program Fees | $1,280.00 |
| Books & Associated School Expenses | $4,200.00 |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $112,172.00 |
|---|
Tuition is approximately $13,357 per trimester for OTD students who attend our St. Augustine, FL campus.
| Tuition and Fees | |
| School Expenses | |
| Tuition | $106,692.00 |
| Program Fees | $1,280.00 |
| Books & Associated School Expenses | $4,200.00 |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $112,172.00 |
|---|
Tuition is approximately $10,832 per trimester for OTD students who attend our Miami, FL campus.
| Tuition and Fees | |
| School Expenses | |
| Tuition - 117 credit hours | $86,657.00 |
| Program Fees | $1,280.00 |
| Books & Associated School Expenses | $4,200.00 |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $92,137.00 |
|---|
Tuition is approximately $13,337 per trimester for OTD students who attend our Austin, TX campus.
| Tuition and Fees | |
| School Expenses | |
| Tuition - 117 credit hours | $106,692.00 |
| Program Fees | $1,280.00 |
| Books & Associated School Expenses | $4,200.00 |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $112,172.00 |
|---|
Tuition is approximately $13,337 per trimester for OTD students who attend our Dallas, TX campus.
| Tuition and Fees |
|
| School Expenses | |
| Tuition - 117 credit hours | $106,692.00 |
| Program Fees | $1,280.00 |
| Books & Associated School Expenses | $4,200.00 |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $112,172.00 |
|---|
Flex OTD
Tuition is approximately $6,817 per trimester for OTD students who attend our Dallas, TX campus.
| Tuition and Fees | |
| School Expenses | |
| Tuition - 117 credit hours | $81,800.00 |
| Program Fees | $1,200.00 |
| Books & Associated School Expenses | $4,200.00 |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $87,200.00 |
|---|
Financial Aid
Student loans may be available to assist with funding your OTD program. USAHS has financial aid counselors who are available to explain your options.
Financial aid counselors can be reached by email, phone, or on campus. Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday in each time zone. If you are unable to meet during regular office hours, after-hours appointments are available by request.
Please visit our Financial Aid Contact page for more information.
X CloseOTD Accreditation and State Approvals
Accreditation
Please click on the following menus for the OTD program accreditation status of each USAHS campus:
OTD Program Accreditation Status
| 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”.  |
| 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 ”. |
| 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”. |
| 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”. |
| 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”. |
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”.
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, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, 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. Additionally, for states denoted with clinical field experience 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 prepares students for licensure in all 50 states.
For states denoted with clinical field experience 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 prepares students for licensure in all 50 states.
OTD (Austin, St Augustine, and San Marcos)
USAHS currently is accepting applications for enrollment in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Austin, St. Augustine, and San Marcos 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.
For states denoted with clinical field experience 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 prepares students for licensure in all 50 states.
OTD Miami
USAHS currently is accepting applications for enrollment in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Miami Campus) 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.
For states denoted with clinical field experience 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 prepares students for licensure in all 50 states.
OTD Dallas
USAHS currently is accepting applications for enrollment in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Dallas campus, 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.
For states denoted with clinical field experience 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 prepares students for licensure in all 50 states.
X CloseOTD Student Outcomes
OTD Student Outcomes
Graduation Rate
The entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program graduation rate is the percentage of students in a cohort that graduated within 100% of the expected completion time. The 150% graduation rate for the initial cohorts will be available in 2021.
The San Marcos and Austin campuses graduated their initial cohorts in 2019. The following table reflects one year of graduation data at 100% of the expected completion time.
San Marcos, CA
| Year | Number of Students | Students Graduating | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | 7 | 100% |
Austin, TX
| Year | Number of Students | Students Graduating | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | 5 | 83% |
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/en/Educators/Home#SchoolPerformance.
X CloseProgram Data
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
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
ACOTE and NBCOT Important Links
Visit the ACOTE Website for more information on the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
Visit the NBCOT website for more information on NBCOT examination results.
OTD Learning Outcomes
- 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 healthcare 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, and 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 OT in the planning and implementation of OT 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.
How Our OTD Program Stands Apart
We put students first.
Our Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program is rooted in our student-FIRST philosophy: Everything we do is focused on student success. We strive to offer the best academic experience and career preparation through our learning model, support services, and special events.
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We’re blended.
Our blended learning model gives you the best of both worlds: the convenience of online lectures, plus the engagement of hands-on practice. You'll learn the material in advance online. Then when you come to campus, you’ll be ready to participate in meaningful hands-on class activities with faculty and other students.
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We’re hands-on.
From your very first week of classes, you’ll get experience working in our state-of-the-art simulation labs, featuring real medical equipment and environments. You’ll engage in realistic scenarios with your classmates to help mock patients manage their activities of daily living. The OTD degree program also includes two trimesters of fieldwork experiences, where you’ll get real-world practice.
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We’re high-tech.
Our EdTech tools include 3D printers for creating adaptive equipment, BTE Primus machines for measuring client movement, driving simulators for improving client driving skills, Anatomage Tables for virtual dissection, Double robots for remote patient consultation, and more. You’ll practice using this state-of-the-art technology so you’ll be ready to provide the best patient care.
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We’re a tight-knit community.
We respect our students as the future colleagues and practitioners they will become. We focus not only on theory and technical know-how, but also on helping students develop critical thinking skills, cultural responsiveness, and ethical standards—along with compassion, empathy, and grit.
Learn MoreUpcoming OT Events
MondaySeptember 27, 2021
Austin On-Campus Information Session
ThursdaySeptember 30, 2021
Miami On-Campus Information Session
TuesdayOctober 5, 2021
