Best Online Doctorates in Occupational Therapy (OTD & PhD)

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You can now reach the pinnacle of OT with the flexibility of online learning. Compare OTD vs. PhD degree programs and research top schools.

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Deciding where to earn your doctorate in occupational therapy online is an important (and difficult) task. You want to feel confident you’re earning a degree from an accredited university program that’s respected in the OT professional community, while still keeping an eye on cost.

In this guide, we’ll break down the benefits of earning your doctorate, degree options, curriculum details, and your job and salary outlook after graduation. To help you in your decision, we’ve also 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. Keep reading to get started on your journey toward the highest echelons of occupational therapy.

1

Radford University

Radford, Virginia

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Public

2

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, Kentucky

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Public

3

New England Institute of Technology

East Greenwich, Rhode Island

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Private

4

Bay Path University

Longmeadow, Massachusetts

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Private

5

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Public

6

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Public

7

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Private

8

University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, Missouri

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Public

9

Towson University

Towson, Maryland

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Public

10

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Private

11

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, Indiana

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Private

12

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

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Public

13

Indiana University-Indianapolis

Indianapolis, Indiana

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Public

14

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska

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Private

15

Chatham University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Private

16

Barry University

Miami, Florida

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Private

17

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Public

18

New York University

New York, New York

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Private

19

University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

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Public

20

Misericordia University

Dallas, Pennsylvania

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Private

21

Gannon University

Erie, Pennsylvania

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Private

22

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

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Private

23

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia

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Private

24

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Public

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Private

26

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

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Private

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Benefits of Earning a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy

Interested in working at the very top levels of the occupational therapy profession? Then an OT doctorate is likely in your future. The path to your doctorate, however, 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.

Master’s Degree

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. First and foremost, earning a doctoral OT degree can immediately make you more attractive to employers and place you directly in line for higher-paying and more advanced OT positions when compared to job candidates with only a master’s degree. And if you’re goal is to land a job as an OT teacher or researcher, earning a post-professional PhD in occupational therapy is highly recommended. In short, pursuing a post-professional OTD or PhD means higher pay, greater job growth potential, and a direct path to become a leader in your profession.

Master’s Degree

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. Start with all of the benefits of holding an OTD degree discussed earlier. Additionally, going straight to an entry-level OTD program will save you time and money compared to earning an OT master’s and OTD separately. Here’s another good reason to consider an entry-level OTD degree over a master’s. 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.

Exploring 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:

Doctor Hat

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. 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. 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. Students are also be required to complete substantial in-person internship/fieldwork/practicum hours at an approved facility offering occupational therapy services. Graduates will be eligible to sit for NCBOT exam to become a licensed OT.

Doctor Hat

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. There are plenty of post-professional OTD programs that feature the vast majority (and sometimes all) of the required coursework online, as well as part-time study options. 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). OT master’s holders can expect to complete around 35 to 40 credit hours. 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. All OTD curriculums culminate in completion of a capstone project.

Doctor Hat

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. 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. 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.

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, and then 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 a written contribution to the academic literature that addresses a research problem or gap in the existing research. As with the capstone project, dissertations are typically presented and defended in-person to a faculty panel.

FAQs About Online Occupational Therapy Doctoral Programs

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. And students opting for an entry-level program will find that, in most cases, a substantial amount of their coursework will be completed on campus. Entry-level program students will additionally be required to complete in-person internships, practicums, and/or fieldwork.

Occupational-Therapy-Doctoral-Programs
Occupational-Therapy-Doctoral-Programs

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. Other factors impacting cost include total program length, the number of credits that can be transferred in, and whether you are considered an in-state or out-of-state resident for tuition purposes. Another often significant factor is whether the program you choose is offered by a public or private university. With that in mind, we’ve included below tuition rates (as of fall 2019) 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.

Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University


Total Credits: 61

$677/credit

Towson

Towson
University


Total Credits: 33

$439/credit (in-state); $908/credit (out-of-state)

University-of-Nevada

University of Nevada
Las Vegas


Total Credits: 36

$285.75/credit (resident); $600/credit (non-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. Institutional accreditation of U.S. colleges and universities 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 and is typically administered by one or more professional associations representing specific occupations. Accreditation of occupational therapy doctoral programs in the U.S. is administered by The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Information regarding current institutional and programmatic accreditation of OT degree programs can normally be found on the program’s official website or the school’s accreditation page, or by checking this DOE database. Institutional accreditation can also be confirmed by visiting the appropriate accrediting agency’s website. Accreditation of OT doctorate programs can also be checked on this AOTA accredited program list.

Job and Salary Outlook for OTDs and PhD Educated Occupational Therapists

For those considering a doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) or a PhD in the field, the career outlook and earning potential are promising. Nationally, demand for occupational therapists is projected to grow by 11.5% by 2030, adding 16,000 jobs, with an average of 9,600 openings per year due to growth and retirements. States with strong demand include Arizona, with a projected growth of 28.3%, and Tennessee, at 27.7%.

Salary potential is also a draw: occupational therapists earn a national median salary of $96,370, and some states offer particularly high wages. In California, the median annual income is $112,390, while in New Jersey and New York, it's over $100,000. For top earners, salaries can reach up to $158,080 in New York and $148,760 in California. With high demand and strong salary potential, a doctorate in occupational therapy opens doors to impactful, well-paying roles.

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Area 10th Percentile Median 90th Percentile
U.S. $65,210 $96,370 $129,620
Alabama $69,240 $95,340 $123,690
Alaska $45,210 $103,180 $139,430
Arizona $51,710 $95,020 $122,110
Arkansas $59,650 $95,230 $127,910
California $79,900 $112,390 $148,760
Colorado $78,990 $101,940 $140,230
Connecticut $63,000 $98,190 $128,500
Delaware $60,710 $96,160 $125,800
Florida $66,640 $96,010 $111,740
Georgia $69,140 $101,290 $124,120
Hawaii $75,980 $100,320 $112,960
Idaho $61,790 $87,170 $114,160
Illinois $66,340 $97,040 $130,060
Indiana $61,940 $86,440 $111,720
Iowa $64,470 $83,260 $109,220
Kansas $61,940 $94,340 $120,910
Kentucky $65,730 $82,760 $110,700
Louisiana $61,370 $95,230 $124,800
Maine $62,240 $79,700 $100,480
Maryland $72,620 $100,430 $128,160
Massachusetts $63,530 $95,830 $119,250
Michigan $60,030 $82,970 $102,600
Minnesota $64,160 $84,850 $101,520
Mississippi $65,780 $94,990 $113,800
Missouri $64,820 $87,060 $107,770
Montana $68,470 $84,970 $107,790
Nebraska $67,920 $84,850 $106,870
Nevada $65,690 $101,510 $148,310
New Hampshire $61,630 $87,530 $112,930
New Jersey $60,530 $104,570 $148,140
New Mexico $64,440 $96,870 $138,940
New York $64,170 $101,840 $158,080
North Carolina $61,810 $91,100 $112,170
North Dakota $66,940 $78,280 $103,010
Ohio $54,580 $90,520 $121,620
Oklahoma $67,790 $99,530 $125,500
Oregon $79,600 $102,400 $120,990
Pennsylvania $66,540 $92,660 $123,540
Rhode Island $70,590 $97,560 $119,930
South Carolina $59,340 $91,620 $113,370
South Dakota $66,080 $79,980 $98,730
Tennessee $70,810 $94,750 $115,080
Texas $72,120 $98,970 $132,460
Utah $48,880 $85,750 $110,560
Vermont $64,650 $83,730 $107,430
Virginia $73,770 $98,510 $135,240
Washington $78,630 $100,250 $128,720
West Virginia $49,360 $86,450 $122,560
Wisconsin $63,130 $82,720 $103,870
Wyoming $63,720 $83,740 $110,560

Source: Occupational Therapists, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.

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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.

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