Occupational Therapy

Bachelor’s to OTD

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40-43 Credit Hours

to Graduate
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Up To 12 Hours

Transfer Credit
Cost per Hour

$702

Per Credit Hour

Advance Your Career With an Accelerated, Cost-Effective Program

EKU’s online post-professional occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) program is for licensed, certified occupational therapists interested in earning their doctorate degree from one of the top programs in the nation. This doctoral program will create occupation-based practitioners who will be ethical leaders of change in occupational therapy services for diverse populations.

This program is tailored to meet the advanced practice needs of occupational therapists and streamlined to provide a more cost-effective approach to earning an advanced degree.

Career Outlook

Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 16 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

— U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Where Have EKU OTD Graduates Worked?

Occupational therapy jobs are available in a variety of areas including schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient service providers, home health, early intervention and academia.

> Learn More About Career Opportunities

Employers Include:

  • University of Findlay
  • Occupational Therapy Consultants, Inc.
  • Providence St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula, MT
  • Encompass Health
  • Commonwealth Hand and Physical Therapy
  • Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine Program in OT
  • South Arkansas Community College

EKU Online Career Services

The EKU Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all of your career and professional development needs.

Services include:

  • Creating/Updating Your Resume and Cover Letter
  • Interviewing Tips and Coaching
  • Career Documents Review
  • Job Search

>Learn More About Career Services

 

Applicants to this program must be certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Occupational therapy assistants are not eligible. Due to state authorization restrictions students may be prohibited from conducting practicum experiences in some states. Please ask your enrollment advisor about any possible restrictions for your state of residency prior to submitting your application. You can review EKU’s state authorization map for more details.

Talk to an advisor or download our free program guide
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By submitting, you consent to EKU contacting you regarding our educational programs and services using email, telephone or text using the information you provided. 

Benefits
Do I have to be Licensed?
Benefits of EKU Online

Focused on best practices and leadership building, a degree from EKU’s renowned occupational therapy program can give you a competitive edge in the job market and set you up to thrive in this growing field.

  • Accelerated 8-week terms
  • Courses begin 3 times per year
  • Generous credit transfer policy
  • Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • No campus visits required
  • Course plans tailored to your specific interests
  • Personal advisors stay with you from application to graduation
  • Free online tutoring and career services assistance
  • Affordable, quality courses from respected faculty
  • Ranked among the top 25 best OT programs by U.S. News & World Report 
  • Dynamic, supportive learning environment
Do I have to be Licensed?

Yes. All applicants to this program must be certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Occupational therapy assistants are not eligible. Due to state authorization restrictions students may be prohibited from conducting practicum experiences in some states. Please ask your enrollment advisor about any possible restrictions for your state of residency prior to submitting your application. You can review EKU’s state authorization map for more details.

Curriculum

EKU’s curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through topics such as advanced occupation-based practice, diversity and health disparity, policy and change, applied research and ethics, and evidence-based practice.

Degree Requirements

A total of 40-43 credits are required to graduate.

View the occupational therapy program degree requirements:

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Transfer Credits

Students may transfer up to 12 hours of credit from accredited institutions.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admittance to EKU for appropriate articulation. Learn more about transferring to EKU.

Sample Courses

For a full list of course descriptions please see section 7 of the University graduate catalog.

OTS 853 – Leadership in Human Services (3)
Advance ethical leadership skills through development and application of current leadership theory to become a change agent to positively impact the profession.

OTS 886 – Culture and Diversity in OT (3)
Importance of culture and diversity in the understanding of health disparities in health care policy and OT practice. Global and national policy and program models for inclusion of culture, diversity and disability are highlighted.

OTS 910 – Policy and Advocacy for OT (3)
Analysis of social and healthcare policy on the profession of occupational therapy. Program development to address health disparities, and advocacy needs in emerging practice.

OTS 912 – Evidence-based Practice for OT (3)
Evaluate and perform critical research appraisals to justify intervention decisions. Content focuses on: clinical reasoning, outcomes measurement, finding evidence, changes in practice, ethics, and communicating evidence-based decisions to stakeholders.

See Sample OTD Capstone Projects

Enrollment

Katherine Collins

Katherine Collins

Enrollment Advisor

Call or email Enrollment Advisor Katherine Collins for information about the EKU Online Occupational Therapy Doctorate program.

Contact Info:
859-622-8560
Katherine.Collins@eku.edu

Application Deadlines

 

Term Application Deadline Classes Begin
Fall August 5 August
Spring December 5 January

Admission Requirements

Each state has different authorization regulations with regards to online education. Please check the authorization status of your state.

Application Requirements:

  1.  A degree from an entry level occupational therapist program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). International applicants must have met all requirements for practice in their own country and graduated from an accredited or World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) approved occupational therapy program.
  2. Certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). International applicants must provide documentation that they are eligible to practice as an occupational therapist in their home country.
  3. A graduate research methods course.
  4.  Three letters of recommendation for applicants who do not have a master’s in Occupational Therapy from EKU.
  5. A one-to-two page statement of professional goals.
  6. A resume and/or professional portfolio.
  7. Transcripts of undergraduate and graduate coursework.
  8. An online graduate application.

Application Process

Start your application. Go to https://application.eku.edu/register/APPLY. Create an account and select your username and password. Follow the on-screen prompts.

Provide your academic history. List each college attended or degree earned. If you do not have a BS or MS in occupational therapy from EKU, request transcripts to be sent directly to the EKU Graduate School. More information is available within the online application. Transcripts sent to a student and then delivered to EKU will not be accepted. Each transcript must bear the original signature of the authorized official, along with the seal of the institution, and must be sent to the EKU Graduate School directly from the issuing institution.

Complete departmental information. Provide these items within your online application.

Letters of Recommendation: If you do not have a MS in occupational therapy from EKU, three letters of recommendation highlighting your leadership potential are required.

Within the application, you will provide contact information for your references. One letter should be from an employer/supervisor. The additional letters can be from those who have worked closely with you as an occupational therapist (suggestions include: former employers, administrators, and colleagues who are familiar with your professional work experience, and faculty members from your most recent academic degree).

  • NBCOT certification: You will provide your National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) number and upload a copy of your initial or current NBCOT certification. A JPEG, screen shot or PDF is acceptable.
  • Resume or professional portfolio
  • Personal and Professional Objective Statement: Your statement of professional objectives is an important part of the application process.  Faculty will use the essay to evaluate your written communication skills as well as to evaluate the relationship of your career goals to those of the program. It should be 1 or 2 pages in length and include your name, address and phone number. 

Questions?
Contact Katherine Collins at Katherine.Collins@eku.edu or 859-622-8560.

Additional Contact Information

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Success

EKU’s program took my broad interest in ICU care and helped me find my passion. 

Emma McClellanEKU Online Occupational Therapy Student

Online Military Students

EKU Online offers veterans and active duty military students an unparalleled online learning experience that provides accessibility, convenience and flexibility.

 

 

 

“I’d like to thank the EKU College of Justice & Safety for the opportunity to complete my degree online. It’s very user-friendly, and everyone has bent over backwards to make this happen.”

– 1LT Heath Bergmann, EKU Online Graduate

Heath Bergmann
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