Occupational Therapy Doctorate - OTD

The entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree program is for students with an earned baccalaureate degree, who have completed explicit prerequisites, to enter the profession of occupational therapy. Students receive an entry-level practice degree at the clinical doctoral level. The doctoral degree in the profession includes extensive education and training in normal development, structure, function and impairments in body systems and body functions, and participation problems, concerns and solutions. There is also work focused on advanced practice including clinical reasoning, occupational therapy theory, evidence-based practice, research, and advocacy and leadership. Graduates are prepared to work with individuals, groups, communities and populations to implement programs inclusive of occupational therapy services. Inter- and intra-professional education and practice models are emphasized. The culminating project is the doctoral capstone and experience.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:

• Assist clients with maximizing health, well-being, and quality of life through interventions that support normal human development and functioning.
• Provide effective client-centered solutions utilizing evidence-based practice.
• Facilitate and support client participation in occupations.
• Practice collaborative leadership as an occupational therapy professional.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate 

Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)   

The Johnson & Wales University entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD  20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is 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.

Application Process

Applicants for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program must apply through the Centralized Application Service for Occupational Therapy Programs (OTCAS). By submitting an OTCAS application, the applicant certifies to Johnson & Wales University (JWU) that all information on their application and supporting documentation is true, correct and complete. Note that JWU does not retain all application materials submitted by the applicant.

The OTD Program begins accepting applications for our June enrollment in mid-July of the previous year. Johnson & Wales University enrolls on a rolling admissions basis, with the final application deadline in early April.

Admissions Process

• OTCAS verified applications are reviewed by the OTD Program Admissions Committee to evaluate applicants' overall qualifications.
• Qualified applicants will be offered an interview to assess interpersonal and communication skills, as well as overall commitment to the field of occupational therapy.
• Post interview, qualified candidates may be eligible for full or conditional acceptance into the program. Candidates that are not offered admission after the interview may be placed on a waitlist.
• Deferring entrance is not allowed. An accepted student who wishes to delay their program start must apply for the next cycle through OTCAS. 

Admissions Requirements

• Apply through the OTCAS system.
• You must have received your bachelor’s degree from a U.S. accredited institution (or be in the process of attaining it).
• You must have completed or be in the process of completing the required prerequisites.
• You must hold a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher, as calculated by the OTCAS system.
• Submit a personal statement.
• Submit three letters of recommendation.

Prerequisites 

Applicants must complete required prerequisite classes listed below with a grade of “C” or better. JWU’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program does not accept Advanced Placement (AP) credits to fulfill prerequisite courses. The program does not accept experiential learning credits or transfer credit. Students can apply with prerequisites outstanding or in-progress but an official transcript reflecting a grade of “C” or better must be provided before classes start the first week of June.

• Anatomy and Physiology: A complete year course sequence in anatomy (one semester) and physiology (one semester) is required. Students may take a combined anatomy/physiology sequence, but they must take both semesters in order to fulfill the requirement. Labs are required. (8 credit hours)
• Developmental Psychology: A one-semester psychology course in child and adolescent development, adult development and aging, or lifespan development is required. (3 credit hours)
• Abnormal Psychology: A one-semester course in abnormal psychology is required. (3 credit hours)
• Statistics: A one-semester course in general statistics is required. Business statistics, psychological statistics or biological science statistics courses are accepted. (3 credit hours)

Note: To participate in JWU’s OTD program, each student — with or without reasonable accommodations — must be able to safely and effectively meet the following technical standards.