Exploring Top Online Doctorate in Occupational Therapy Programs
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing NursingNursing Ed.Reach new career highs in your role with the flexibility of an online doctorate program in occupational therapy. With your knowledge as an OT, compare OTD vs. PhD degree programs, research top schools, and uncover higher earning potential in this EduMed guide.
Benefits of Earning a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy Online
If you’re interested in working at the very top levels of the occupational therapy profession, an OT doctorate could be a strong candidate for your future pursuits. However, the path to your doctorate may or may not include a master’s in occupational therapy. Here’s a look at the main benefits of going for an OTD or PhD degree in occupational therapy.
After Your Master’s Degree
If you’re a practicing occupational therapist with a master’s degree, there are plenty of benefits to continuing on with your education:
- Earning a doctoral OT degree can immediately make you more attractive to employers.
- Doctoral degrees can place you directly in line for higher-paying and more advanced OT positions when compared to job candidates with only a master’s degree.
- Earning a post-professional PhD in occupational therapy is highly recommended if you’re goal is to land a job as an OT teacher or researcher.
Instead of Your Master’s Degree
There are several reasons to consider skipping the OT master’s degree and going straight from your bachelor’s or non-OT master’s degree into an entry-level OTD program:
- You can enjoy all of the benefits of holding an OTD degree discussed earlier – job stability and high earning potential.
- Going straight to an entry-level OTD program will save you time and money compared to earning an OT master’s and OTD separately.
- The agency for administering accreditation of OT degree programs in the U.S., the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), has taken the position that the doctoral OT degree should eventually become the entry point for all OT professionals in the United States.
Degree Options for Online OT Doctorates
There are three primary OT doctorate options available with some level of online academics. Here’s a detailed look at each:
Entry-Level OTD (Doctor of Occupational Therapy)
The entry-level OTD degree is designed for individuals seeking to become leaders in the occupational therapy profession, but who are not currently working as licensed OTs. Graduates will be eligible to sit for NCBOT exam to become a licensed OT.
Admission Requirements: Admission requires a previously-earned bachelor’s or master’s degree from a properly-accredited program, and although the degree may be in practically any major, applicants are often required to have completed coursework in a number of relevant subjects.
Program Length and Class Structure: Most entry-level OTD programs are offered in a full-time study format requiring two-and-a-half to three years to complete. And while programs may feature some coursework that can be completed online, most require on-campus attendance for a substantial portion of the coursework, particularly non-doctoral level classes.
Clinical Training Requirements: Students are also required to complete substantial in-person internship/fieldwork/practicum hours at an approved facility offering occupational therapy services.
Post-Professional OTD (Doctor of Occupational Therapy)
If you’ve already earned your occupational therapy bachelor’s or master’s degree and are a licensed OT, the post-professional OTD is the next step in your pursuit of top-tier positions as an advanced practitioner.
Class Structure and Coursework: There are plenty of post-professional OTD programs that feature the vast majority (and sometimes all) of the required coursework online. OT master’s holders can expect to complete around 35 to 40 credit hours. All OTD curriculums culminate in completion of a capstone project.
Program Length: Credit hour requirements and program lengths vary somewhat depending on whether you enter your program with a bachelor’s or master’s degree (bachelor’s degree holders can expect to complete more courses than those with their master’s). Three years of part-time study is typical, although many programs allow longer, and full-time students in accelerated programs may be able to complete all degree requirements in a little as one year.
PhD in Occupational Therapy (Doctor of Philosophy)
The PhD in Occupational Therapy is primarily for OT professionals interested in careers in academia as teachers, researchers, or both. Online OT PhD programs are rare and limited to post-professional programs. Two examples are those offered by Nova Southeastern University and Texas Woman’s University.
Class Structure and Coursework: Online programs typically require some brief visits to campus throughout their courses of study, and programs require completion of a dissertation which may require an in-person presentation and defense.
Program Length: Students normally complete their degrees with four to six years of study. However, students are typically allowed substantially more time (up to 10 years in some cases) to complete all program requirements.
Curriculum Details for Online OT Doctorate Programs
Regardless of the specific degree type or program you choose, there are certain core concepts and topics your OT doctorate curriculum will cover, and specific skills you will attain through your coursework, clinical hours, completion of your capstone project or dissertation, and continuing professional OT practice. Graduates gain knowledge and skills in all of the following areas:
- Leadership, decision-making, and advocacy.
- Team and interdisciplinary communication and collaboration.
- Professional ethics and social justice.
- Development of client-centered care from an inclusive, global perspective.
- Critical analysis, synthesis, and application of evidence-based information and data.
- Commitment to purposeful life-long learning.
Common Coursework
Below are examples of courses similar to those you will likely find in your program’s curriculum:
Clinical Neuroscience
Introduction to the development, structure, and basic function of the central and peripheral components of the nervous system. Emphasis is placed on the implications of neurological dysfunction as they relate to the daily activities of clients and how they are presented in the clinical setting. Relevant evaluation and assessment tools are applied through the use of interactive labs.
Grant Writing in Occupational Therapy
OT professionals involved in academic research are regularly called upon to design, develop, and submit grant proposals for the funding of research projects. This course provides the knowledge and skills required for effective grant writing and evaluation, including preparing NRSA Fellowship proposals and NIH funding submissions, as well as proposals for private funding and state contracts.
Human Movement for Occupational Performance
Introductory course to the theoretical concepts and principles of kinesiology and biomechanics, and their application to occupational performance. Application to issues of illness and abnormal movement such as osteoarthritis, spinal cord injury, connective tissue injury, peripheral nerve injury, hip fracture, and other conditions are additionally discussed.
Management and Administration of Occupational Therapy Services
As leaders in their profession, occupational therapy doctorate holders are called upon to take administrative and management positions within their organizations. This course examines management principles and practices within institutional settings and the greater healthcare community. Topics covered include marketing and financial management, staff recruitment and development, and ethical issues in the workplace.
Research Design and Methods
This course presents a comprehensive look at the theories and principles of both qualitative and quantitative research processes, and their application to research related to individuals, groups, and systems. Topics of discussion include the relationships between research and therapy, the use of focus groups and participant observation, and the evaluation and presentation of research results.
Final Projects
All OTD programs, entry-level and post-professional alike, culminate in the completion of a final project such as a doctoral capstone project. With a capstone project, students typically:
- Identify a current issue or problem related to OT professional practice
- Provide a solution in the form of a paper or product which is presented to a faculty panel
Occupational therapy PhD students will conclude their studies with the writing, presentation, and defense of a doctoral dissertation consisting of:
- Written contribution to the academic literature that addresses a research problem or gap in the existing research
- Presentation and defense of the dissertation in-person to a faculty panel
FAQs About Online Occupational Therapy Doctoral Programs
Making the decision to earn an advanced degree is a big one, no matter the subject. And it can be especially tough when you incorporate online coursework. To help you better understand the expectations of an OTD program, we’ve collected FAQs from real prospective students across the country, and we’ve provided answers to help you move forward.
Can you earn an occupational therapy doctorate completely online?
With the exception of some post-professional OTD programs, the answer is no. While many post-professional programs feature 100% online coursework, most also require some on-campus participation in the form of orientation sessions commonly at the beginning of each term or semester.
Students opting for an entry-level program will find that, in most cases, a substantial amount of their coursework will be completed on campus. They will additionally be required to complete in-person internships, practicums, and/or fieldwork.
How long does it take to complete an occupational therapy doctorate online?
Below are common program length estimates for the different types of online OT doctorates. Bear in mind, however, that program lengths vary – sometimes substantially – by type of degree (entry-level OTD, post-professional OTD or PhD), curriculum requirements, specific program and school, and more. Another major factor affecting program length is how long it takes to complete the required capstone project or dissertation.
| Part-Time Study | Full-Time Study | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level OTD | 4 years | 2.5 to 3.5 years |
| Post-Professional OTD | 3 years | 2 years |
| PhD in Occupational Therapy | 4 to 6 years with additional time allowed for dissertation. | N/A |
How much do online OT doctorate degree programs cost?
This depends on the degree type as well as the specific program. One significant factor impacting cost is whether the program you choose is offered by a public or private university. Other factors include:
- Total program length
- Number of credits that can be transferred in
- In-state or out-of-state residency for tuition purposes
With that in mind, we’ve included below tuition rates for three online OT doctorate programs. Your total program costs will likely be greater, however, due to the cost of books, supplies, and additional fees.
Post-Professional PhD in Occupational Therapy
Total Credits: 61
$752/credit
Occupational Therapy (OTD) – Post-Professional
Total Credits: 33
$739/credit (in-state)
University of Nevada
Las Vegas
Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PP-OTD)
Total Credits: 36
$664.50/credit (resident)
Accreditation for Online OTD and PhD Occupational Therapy Programs
Accreditation of postsecondary schools and the programs they offer is the means by which those schools and programs are vetted for quality and determined to meet stated minimum academic standards. In short, proper accreditation is your way to be sure that the degree program you choose will be worth your time and money.
There are two basic forms of postsecondary accreditation to look for:
- Institutional accreditation: refers to the college or university as a whole; accreditation for U.S. schools is handled through several regional and national agencies approved by the Department of Education
- Programmatic accreditation: concerns the quality of individual degree programs offered by postsecondary schools; OT doctoral programs in the U.S. are accredited by The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
To ensure your school or program is accredited:
- Search the program’s official website (or the school’s accreditation page) or check this DOE database
- Visit the appropriate accrediting agency’s website or refer to this AOTA accredited program list
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Job Growth & Salary Expectations
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $65,210 | $96,370 | $129,620 |
| U.S. | $67,090 | $98,340 | $129,830 |
| Wyoming | $63,720 | $83,740 | $110,560 |
| Wisconsin | $63,130 | $82,720 | $103,870 |
| West Virginia | $49,360 | $86,450 | $122,560 |
| Washington | $78,630 | $100,250 | $128,720 |
| Virginia | $73,770 | $98,510 | $135,240 |
| Vermont | $64,650 | $83,730 | $107,430 |
| Utah | $48,880 | $85,750 | $110,560 |
| Texas | $72,120 | $98,970 | $132,460 |
| Tennessee | $70,810 | $94,750 | $115,080 |
| South Dakota | $66,080 | $79,980 | $98,730 |
| South Carolina | $59,340 | $91,620 | $113,370 |
| Rhode Island | $70,590 | $97,560 | $119,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,540 | $92,660 | $123,540 |
| Oregon | $79,600 | $102,400 | $120,990 |
| Oklahoma | $67,790 | $99,530 | $125,500 |
| Ohio | $54,580 | $90,520 | $121,620 |
| North Dakota | $66,940 | $78,280 | $103,010 |
| North Carolina | $61,810 | $91,100 | $112,170 |
| New York | $64,170 | $101,840 | $158,080 |
| New Mexico | $64,440 | $96,870 | $138,940 |
| New Jersey | $60,530 | $104,570 | $148,140 |
| New Hampshire | $61,630 | $87,530 | $112,930 |
| Nevada | $65,690 | $101,510 | $148,310 |
| Nebraska | $67,920 | $84,850 | $106,870 |
| Montana | $68,470 | $84,970 | $107,790 |
| Missouri | $64,820 | $87,060 | $107,770 |
| Mississippi | $65,780 | $94,990 | $113,800 |
| Minnesota | $64,160 | $84,850 | $101,520 |
| Michigan | $60,030 | $82,970 | $102,600 |
| Massachusetts | $63,530 | $95,830 | $119,250 |
| Maryland | $72,620 | $100,430 | $128,160 |
| Maine | $62,240 | $79,700 | $100,480 |
| Louisiana | $61,370 | $95,230 | $124,800 |
| Kentucky | $65,730 | $82,760 | $110,700 |
| Kansas | $61,940 | $94,340 | $120,910 |
| Iowa | $64,470 | $83,260 | $109,220 |
| Indiana | $61,940 | $86,440 | $111,720 |
| Illinois | $66,340 | $97,040 | $130,060 |
| Idaho | $61,790 | $87,170 | $114,160 |
| Hawaii | $75,980 | $100,320 | $112,960 |
| Georgia | $69,140 | $101,290 | $124,120 |
| Florida | $66,640 | $96,010 | $111,740 |
| Delaware | $60,710 | $96,160 | $125,800 |
| Connecticut | $63,000 | $98,190 | $128,500 |
| Colorado | $78,990 | $101,940 | $140,230 |
| California | $79,900 | $112,390 | $148,760 |
| Arkansas | $59,650 | $95,230 | $127,910 |
| Arizona | $51,710 | $95,020 | $122,110 |
| Alaska | $45,210 | $103,180 | $139,430 |
| Alabama | $69,240 | $95,340 | $123,690 |
| Alabama | $73,030 | $95,410 | $122,990 |
| Alaska | $67,280 | $100,070 | $134,080 |
| Arizona | $75,020 | $102,220 | $129,010 |
| Arkansas | $64,480 | $99,350 | $141,620 |
| California | $82,090 | $119,470 | $154,800 |
| Connecticut | $74,700 | $102,080 | $130,680 |
| Delaware | $64,750 | $96,080 | $127,280 |
| District of Columbia | $78,820 | $99,290 | $128,180 |
| Florida | $73,570 | $99,070 | $116,010 |
| Georgia | $60,530 | $98,690 | $125,330 |
| Hawaii | $80,540 | $94,550 | $114,340 |
| Idaho | $48,840 | $88,470 | $117,600 |
| Illinois | $67,530 | $98,900 | $128,810 |
| Indiana | $63,160 | $93,500 | $121,310 |
| Iowa | $69,560 | $88,780 | $115,270 |
| Kansas | $63,590 | $97,000 | $119,100 |
| Kentucky | $68,140 | $91,250 | $115,940 |
| Louisiana | $56,570 | $94,030 | $122,990 |
| Maine | $63,480 | $82,200 | $102,180 |
| Maryland | $73,570 | $101,880 | $129,410 |
| Massachusetts | $73,020 | $98,420 | $122,490 |
| Michigan | $61,220 | $84,480 | $105,710 |
| Minnesota | $62,790 | $85,040 | $105,320 |
| Mississippi | $68,390 | $92,330 | $114,010 |
| Missouri | $66,460 | $93,600 | $113,000 |
| Montana | $73,840 | $84,440 | $106,690 |
| Nebraska | $73,310 | $87,010 | $105,500 |
| Nevada | $68,330 | $104,770 | $150,180 |
| New Hampshire | $59,770 | $84,980 | $108,030 |
| New Jersey | $66,470 | $103,340 | $151,720 |
| New Mexico | $67,450 | $99,220 | $139,150 |
| New York | $63,120 | $95,370 | $139,800 |
| North Carolina | $64,310 | $94,580 | $119,010 |
| North Dakota | $64,480 | $79,910 | $102,900 |
| Ohio | $67,930 | $95,880 | $121,250 |
| Oklahoma | $74,300 | $103,510 | $128,810 |
| Oregon | $78,730 | $106,840 | $128,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,460 | $94,120 | $123,090 |
| Rhode Island | $72,870 | $99,150 | $118,660 |
| South Carolina | $65,530 | $97,370 | $115,350 |
| South Dakota | $61,890 | $81,430 | $100,040 |
| Tennessee | $67,920 | $96,030 | $115,280 |
| Texas | $69,700 | $101,760 | $136,380 |
| Utah | $64,210 | $93,310 | $119,450 |
| Vermont | $67,010 | $86,420 | $108,060 |
| Virginia | $58,440 | $100,540 | $133,170 |
| Washington | $79,810 | $102,360 | $130,630 |
| West Virginia | $56,940 | $93,260 | $126,770 |
| Wisconsin | $71,030 | $86,660 | $107,260 |
| Wyoming | $69,240 | $89,370 | $122,930 |
Source: Occupational Therapists, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 139,600 | 155,600 | 16,000 | 11.50% | 9,600 |
| Alabama | 1,200 | 1,330 | 130 | 10.80% | 80 |
| Alaska | 290 | 320 | 30 | 10.30% | 20 |
| Arizona | 2,540 | 3,260 | 720 | 28.30% | 230 |
| Arkansas | 1,380 | 1,630 | 250 | 18.10% | 110 |
| California | 12,200 | 14,700 | 2,500 | 20.50% | 980 |
| Colorado | 4,100 | 4,990 | 890 | 21.70% | 340 |
| Connecticut | 2,310 | 2,560 | 250 | 10.80% | 160 |
| Delaware | 430 | 500 | 70 | 16.30% | 30 |
| District of Columbia | 350 | 370 | 20 | 5.70% | 20 |
| Florida | 7,900 | 9,750 | 1,850 | 23.40% | 660 |
| Georgia | 3,450 | 4,030 | 580 | 16.80% | 260 |
| Idaho | 800 | 1,020 | 220 | 27.50% | 70 |
| Illinois | 6,800 | 7,320 | 520 | 7.60% | 430 |
| Indiana | 2,860 | 3,250 | 390 | 13.60% | 200 |
| Iowa | 1,360 | 1,630 | 270 | 19.90% | 110 |
| Kansas | 1,330 | 1,470 | 140 | 10.50% | 90 |
| Kentucky | 2,100 | 2,400 | 300 | 14.30% | 150 |
| Louisiana | 1,850 | 2,100 | 250 | 13.50% | 130 |
| Maine | 1,160 | 1,200 | 40 | 3.40% | 70 |
| Maryland | 2,630 | 3,020 | 390 | 14.80% | 190 |
| Massachusetts | 1,760 | 1,990 | 230 | 13.10% | 130 |
| Michigan | 4,420 | 4,830 | 410 | 9.30% | 290 |
| Minnesota | 3,110 | 3,450 | 340 | 10.90% | 210 |
| Mississippi | 1,190 | 1,350 | 160 | 13.40% | 90 |
| Missouri | 3,940 | 4,750 | 810 | 20.60% | 320 |
| Montana | 530 | 650 | 120 | 22.60% | 40 |
| Nebraska | 1,290 | 1,460 | 170 | 13.20% | 90 |
| Nevada | 790 | 960 | 170 | 21.50% | 70 |
| New Hampshire | 990 | 1,120 | 130 | 13.10% | 70 |
| New Jersey | 4,410 | 5,030 | 620 | 14.10% | 320 |
| New Mexico | 920 | 1,100 | 180 | 19.60% | 70 |
| New York | 10,270 | 13,090 | 2,820 | 27.50% | 280 |
| North Carolina | 3,370 | 4,030 | 660 | 19.60% | 270 |
| North Dakota | 520 | 600 | 80 | 15.40% | 40 |
| Ohio | 5,310 | 5,900 | 590 | 11.10% | 360 |
| Oklahoma | 1,020 | 1,120 | 100 | 9.80% | 70 |
| Oregon | 1,260 | 1,450 | 190 | 15.10% | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | 7,220 | 8,060 | 840 | 11.60% | 500 |
| Rhode Island | 800 | 880 | 80 | 10.00% | 50 |
| South Carolina | 1,730 | 2,080 | 350 | 20.20% | 140 |
| South Dakota | 410 | 470 | 60 | 14.60% | 30 |
| Tennessee | 2,130 | 2,720 | 590 | 27.70% | 190 |
| Texas | 9,000 | 10,800 | 1,800 | 20.00% | 720 |
| Utah | 870 | 1,200 | 330 | 37.90% | 90 |
| Vermont | 250 | 280 | 30 | 12.00% | 20 |
| Virginia | 3,260 | 3,630 | 370 | 11.30% | 220 |
| Washington | 2,870 | 3,510 | 640 | 22.30% | 300 |
| West Virginia | 490 | 530 | 40 | 8.20% | 30 |
| Wisconsin | 3,320 | 3,610 | 290 | 8.70% | 220 |
| Wyoming | 300 | 350 | 50 | 16.70% | 20 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Best Online Doctorate in Occupational Therapy Programs
To help you in your decision, we’ve surveyed and vetted online OTD programs and PhD programs throughout the U.S. to come up with a list of the top online doctorates in occupational therapy. Take a look at our ranking methodology to see how we landed on our choices and discover whether the school you’ve been considering made its way onto our list.
