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Graduate Program

Occupational Therapy—DScOT

The Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy degree is an advanced academic doctorate degree that prepares clinicians to be practice scholars who teach both in higher education and the clinic, to be leaders and agents of change in healthcare, and conduct applied research. This degree combines the scientific study of human occupation in conjunction with education, leadership, and other allied health professions to create a holistic view of the relationship between occupations, occupational beings, health, and everyday life experiences. Your education is enriched through interprofessional collaboration, in shared core courses, with our well-established DScPT program. The focus of the program is to transform clinicians into educators and leaders who integrate the science of occupational participation and engagement into communities, corporations, and academics. Our overarching goal is to develop therapists who have a personal interest and commitment to the growth of the profession, research, and education. Graduates are primed for teaching in a university setting, contributing to scholarly research, and leading the profession in evidence-based clinical practice.

The DScOT is uniquely designed to cater to the needs of bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral trained occupational therapists who are working professionals. Full-time or part-time options, paced over 3 to 5 years, give you the flexibility you need. Delivery is in an interactive online format with a couple required on-campus short intensives for students entering with a bachelor’s or master's degree.

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Program Length

  • BS to DScOT – 64 credits
    • Typically completed by full time students in 4 years or 6-years for part-time
  • MS to DScOT - 55 credits
    • Typically completed by full time students in 4 years or 6-years for part-time
  • OTD to DScOT – 45 credits
    • Typically completed by full time students in 3 years or 5-years for part-time.

Application Deadlines

August 20 for a Fall semester (late August) start

December 20 for a Spring semester (early January) start

Points of Distinction

  • Clinically focused advanced degree
  • Interprofessional collaboration with well-established DScPT program
  • Prepares the student to teach in higher education

Admission Requirements

  • Graduated from an Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) accredited occupational therapy program with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy must have graduated with a master’s degree in a related field with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
  • Current license to practice occupational therapy in the United States
  • Minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent, practicing as an occupational therapist.
  • Three letters of recommendation addressing: leadership capacity, ability to complete doctoral level work, and ability to work collaboratively towards a common goal.  At least one from a practicing occupational therapist, other acceptable reference sources: current supervisor, professor, current or previous colleague.
  • Current Curriculum Vitae
  • Letter of professional summary (1000-word maximum) outlining your professional goals, potential as a leader, past experiences that support your pursuit of this degree, area of interest, and how you will use your degree to further your profession and change the area of healthcare or education for the better.
  • Original copy of all academic transcripts, from all institutions where classes were taken.
  • Copy of occupational therapist license and any other certifications.
  • Minimum TOEFL score of 80 or 6.5 on the IELTS English Proficiency if language of education was not English.

For more information, please visit the Admissions page.

International Students

We are an international campus with a significant representation of international students. Additional requirements apply; to learn more, visit International Student Services.

International Student Services

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