BS to Doctor of Occupational Therapy (3+3), East Falls

The Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Occupational Therapy (3+3) program at Jefferson — East Falls Campus is designed for high school students who know early on that they want to become occupational therapists.

The Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Occupational Therapy (3+3) program at Jefferson — East Falls Campus is designed for high school students who know early on that they want to become occupational therapists. This program allows students to seamlessly complete undergraduate and graduate degrees in less time than would be required to complete both of these degrees separately. Undergraduate courses and extra-curricular experiences provide students with a foundation to develop the knowledge, values, and interpersonal skills needed for success as an occupational therapist.

During the first three years of undergraduate coursework, students complete major requirements for the bachelor's degree, including the university’s college studies courses and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program prerequisites. Students who meet the graduate OTD Program progression criteria can matriculate into the doctorate program by enrolling in first-year OTD graduate coursework during their fourth year of undergraduate studies. At the end of the fourth year, students are awarded the bachelor's degree and, upon completion of graduate OTD program requirements, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree.

The Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Occupational Therapy (3+3) requires uninterrupted enrollment. Once accepted, students may not accelerate (i.e., take additional courses during the academic year or summer semesters to shorten program length) or decelerate (i.e., take a reduced course load in a semester and add another year to undergraduate study). Students unable to meet progression criteria within three consecutive years are not eligible to enroll in OTD coursework. They must change their major to the undergraduate major to complete the bachelor’s degree.