Whether you’re just beginning your career as an occupational therapist or you have been practicing for a while, achieving a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) can open the door to new options.
With an OTD, you can start your career focusing on what matters to you or advance your career and explore areas such as advanced practice, leadership or teaching.
What is an Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist is a healthcare professional who helps people improve their ability to perform daily activities through meaningful treatment activities that support independence and quality of life.
Students must complete either a Master's of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or an OTD degree. The doctoral program provides advanced clinical skills, leadership training and research opportunities, preparing practitioners for greater responsibility and emerging areas of practice.
Clinical Care
An occupational therapy doctorate can prepare you for a career in clinical care and support the growth of advanced clinical or specialty skills. Clinical care happens anywhere occupational therapy services are provided, not just in hospitals.
Clinical care can be provided in various settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practice offices, rehabilitation centers, clients’ homes and community-based settings.
Areas of Clinical Care
- Physical rehabilitation
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Neurological rehabilitation
- Mental health care
- Othopedics
- Home health care
- Work and employment-related rehabilitation
Areas of Specialization in Clinical Care
- Pediatrics
- Hand therapy
- Home modification
- Assistive devices and technology
- Geriatrics
- Driving and mobility
- Burn rehabilitation
Leadership, Education, and Research
An OTD can prepare you for a career in teaching and higher education. OTD programs emphasize leadership skills, which can help graduates lead in private and public organizations, educational institutions and community practice settings.
OTD students can choose to focus on specific areas of concentration that align with their interests and career goals:
- Administration and leadership
- Research skills
- Advocacy and justice
- Program development and management
- Teaching and education
In addition to providing graduates with clinical practice skills, occupational therapy graduate programs require students to complete a doctoral capstone project. The doctoral capstone provides candidates with real-world experience conducting research, developing programs or developing curriculum.
Aside from formal and higher education, occupational therapy practitioners provide education and apply leadership skills every day. They educate their patients and clients, train their caregivers and family members, research and apply findings to support evidence-based practice, and lead interprofessional teams towards positive outcomes.
Regardless of where your professional journey in occupational therapy takes you, the leadership, education, and research skills acquired through an OTD program will be a significant value to every aspect of your OT career.
Emerging Practice Areas
The field of occupational therapy is continuing to grow, with new practice areas emerging. Examples of increasing practice areas include:
- Perinatal care
- Primary care
- Women’s health care across the lifespan
- Geriatric care with an emphasis on aging in place
- Assistive technology
- Telehealth
- Mental health
- Cancer care (oncology)
The sky truly is the limit when it comes to emerging practice areas. Occupational therapy is an invaluable service that can be beneficial in virtually any setting.
An occupational therapy doctorate provides professionals with the clinical and leadership skills to make a difference in people’s lives.
Traditional and Non-Traditional OTD Programs
If you’re thinking about pursuing an occupational therapy doctorate, know that there are multiple paths to choose from to get you there. From in-person to hybrid to fully online post-professional routes, you’ll find an option that fits your life.
Entry Level OTD
Admission to an entry-level OTD program will require completion of a bachelor’s degree. Programs are typically two to three years in duration and require at least some in-person attendance.
Many programs offer a hybrid curriculum, allowing you to complete part of the program online, through online attendance in synchronous and asynchronous classes.
The schedule and amount of in-person time required to complete your degree will vary by individual programs.
Post-Professional OTD
Admission to a post-professional OTD program will require completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy and experience working in the field. Many post-professional programs offer hybrid, accelerated, and online options.
The specific curriculum will place a stronger emphasis on research and leadership, and you’ll have an opportunity to choose an area of focus, such as pediatrics, higher education or advanced clinical skills.
Additionally, some entry-level and post-professional schools offer accelerated OTD programs, allowing students to complete the degree in less time and enter the field or advance their careers sooner.
Doctorate Degree in Occupational Therapy
Pursuing a doctorate degree in occupational therapy can feel like a daunting goal. However, keep in mind that you have lots of options to get there. Many programs offer hybrid options, and post-professional programs offer a fully online occupational therapy doctorate.
Occupational therapy doctorate programs vary in curriculum, format, and focus area options, making it achievable to find an OTD program that fits your interests and career goals.
