Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program
Overview
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Program Length
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FAQs
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Curriculum
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Online Learning
Overview
The clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) is a post-professional degree that provides you with advanced skills and knowledge to enhance your current practice and prepares you to be an innovator in traditional and emerging areas of occupational therapy. You will also have the opportunity to develop or refine your academic and clinical teaching skills. |
 Download Jefferson OTD Brochure |
Program Length
| OTD Pathway and Degree Requirements | |
| … for Non-Matriculant Students | |
| Take up to 12 credits (such as one completed certificate) as a non-matriculated student – that means no application or commitment. If you apply and are accepted to the OTD later, these courses will be counted toward your degree requirements. Or, begin your exploration of the OTD by taking a course non-matriculated to see if the program is for you. | |
| … for Bachelor’s Prepared Students | |
| If you have a BS in Occupational Therapy or a post-baccalaureate certificate in occupational therapy | Apply to the OTD program |
| Requirements | Length of OTD Program |
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24 months and one semester full-time (varies if part-time) |
| If you have a BS in another field and specific prerequisite credits | Apply to EMOT and complete a master’s degree, then continue on to the OTD program |
| Requirements | Length of Program |
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| …for Master’s Prepared Students | |
| If you have a master’s in OT (or a bachelor’s in OT and a master’s in another field) and have completed an advanced OT certificate at Jefferson |
Apply to the OTD program (The 10-12 credits completed in the certificate program will be applied to the degree) |
| If you have a master’s in OT (or a bachelor’s in OT and a master’s in another field) |
Apply to the OTD program |
| OTD Requirements | Length of OTD Program |
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12 months and one semester full-time (varies if part-time) |
| * Coursework is focused on clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice and use of theory and occupation in achieving therapeutic outcomes. ** Total number of credits varies because students with less than 3 years of experience take a 6-credit fellowship; all others take a 3-credit fellowship. Students take an OTD seminar each semester of enrollment. | |
FAQs
How much does the Jefferson OTD Cost?
Review tuition costs here.
Jefferson alumni receive a 25% tuition discount. Employers may have funds budgeted to pay for tuition, either as tuition reimbursement programs or continuing education funds. For information about how to pay tuition and a monthly payment program click here.
Who are the faculty?
The OTD courses are taught by nationally and internationally recognized faculty at Jefferson as well as additional clinical faculty who will serve as mentors in the Clinical Fellowship.
Prerequisites
3.0 cumulative average in your completed BS, MS or MA program.
*If bachelor's or master’s degree GPA is below 3.0, take the GRE or MAT.
NOTE:
Applicants who graduated from a foreign OT program that is a member of WFOT may be considered for admission without a bachelor’s degree if they have established equivalency as determined by the admission coordinator. In addition to meeting academic standards and submitting all appropriate documentation (including course-by-course evaluation of foreign transcripts), the following supplemental criteria are required:
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Proof of NBCOT certification
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Work history - at least 3 years of documented work as a practicing occupational therapist in the United States
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Evidence of continuing education - at least 36 Professional Development Units (PDU's) within the past 3 years
Taking courses as a non-matriculated student
Complete the non-matriculated student form and fax to (215)503-3499 for Faculty signature.
Curriculum
- OTD Program Outcomes
- Curriculum Diagram
- Curriculum & Fields of Study
- Certificate Courses (used as electives within the OTD program)
- Course Descriptions (PDF)
| Core Courses, including an OTD seminar each semester to facilitate and integrate overall learning while enhancing clinical reasoning and practice skills. | 15-21 credits |
| Visionary Practice Development and Evaluation | 3 |
| Advanced Level Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| Leadership: Moving Beyond Traditional Roles | 3 |
| OTD Seminar (taken each Fall and Spring semester except during the Fellowship) | 1 |
| Advanced Practice Courses* | 9-12 credits |
| Children and Their Families in Context (includes early intervention and school age practice, consultation and collaboration, and sensory integration treatment and clinical research). |
9-12 credits Students typically use courses from the Certificate programs to fulfill elective requirements for the OTD (1 certificate = 10-12 credits) . |
| Health and Community Participation (includes healthy aging, public health, community mental health, community participation with chronic conditions). |
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| Rehabilitation and Disability Studies (includes neuroscience, hand therapy**). |
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| Teaching in the Digital Age (designed to provide a foundation for the development of further knowledge and skill for academic and/or clinical teaching roles |
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| Clinical Research Ind. Study (students develop additional background knowledge in research or |
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| Other [TJU or transfer] - includes but is not limited to: Other Jefferson graduate courses in addition to courses transferred in from other schools | |
| * Students can choose from more than 1 advanced practice cluster to meet the 9-12 credit requirement. **Students frequently transfer in credits from the Drexel Hand and Upper Quarter Certificate to meet elective requirements for advanced practice in hand rehabilitation |
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| Clinical Fellowship and Capstone in which students have the opportunity to work with leaders in their selected specialty area. The capstone project integrates knowledge and skills with an in-depth practice experience. | 6-9 credits |
| Clinical Fellowship (The number of credits required for the clinical fellowship is determined based on the student’s experience.) | 3-6 |
| Capstone Project | 3 |
You can check currently offered classes through the Banner schedule. Search for Occupational Therapy, and this will give you a list of classes. Also, you can check the OTD course descriptions for general information as to when classes are typically offered.
Online Learning
We have designed our OTD program so that it is online, to meet the needs of busy professionals. The way this works is as follows: we have on campus and virtual sessions once at the beginning of each semester on a Saturday and once near the end of each semester (also on a weekend day). Students may attend these sessions virtually, on-campus, or complete an alternate assignment.
All the classes thus can be completed entirely online. The format is primarily asynchronous (assignments done at your own pace at a time convenient for you), with some discussions or meetings with faculty mentors using synchronous learning (online at the same time). There will be an orientation session prior to your first class (held online), so that you can learn exactly how the online learning activities work and practice so that you are comfortable working online. Of course, additional support is available after this orientation.
Susan Toth-Cohen,
PhD, OTR/L
Director, OT Doctoral Program
Professor
Department of Occupational Therapy
901 Walnut Street
6th floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 503-9610
CONTACT:
For more information about the program or to discuss your personal plan for the OTD, contact: Susan Toth-Cohen, PhD, OTR/L at susan.toth-cohen@jefferson.edu or (215) 503-9610 to talk by telephone or to set up a meeting (in-person or via web chat).
Donald Sharples
Admissions Counselor
(215) 503-1044
donald.sharples @jefferson.edu
