Occupational Therapy, OTD

Program Snapshot

99 Credits

Learn to help others achieve greater levels of independence, health, and well-being through New York Tech’s entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program.

Why Earn an OTD at New York Tech?

Grow into a skilled practitioner ready to apply the latest evidence-based methods to help clients restore lost functions, gain new ones, and maintain their health. 

Two semesters of full-time clinical work under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist allow you to build your confidence and professionalism as you encounter a range of settings and care modalities. Throughout this experience, you’ll practice delivering various therapeutic interventions, from administering and interpreting evaluations to designing and fabricating prosthetic and orthotic devices, developing patient plans and creative adaptive environments for persons with disabilities.

Beyond applied theories, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program trains you to empower future clients through policy and program development. Through coursework, field experiences, and a 14-week capstone project, you’ll develop your abilities as a leader, researcher, and advocate, able to approach the practice with a broader understanding of the profession and the social context of care.

Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After the successful completion of this exam, you’ll qualify for certification as a registered occupational therapist.

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What You’ll Learn

Grounded in evidence-based practices and core knowledge in anatomy, kinesiology, and development, you’ll grow your skills in research, leadership, and advocacy for community health. The OTD program combines hands-on instruction with 24 weeks of full-time fieldwork, concluding with a 14-week doctoral capstone project.

A person sitting on a therapeutic with her arms out. Another person is holding the swing in place, while someone else is throwing a large yellow ball to the person sitting on the swing.

Customize Your Studies

Two students work together. One is wearing tracking equipment and the other is monitoring her movements on a computer screen.

Facilities & Simulation Labs

At the School of Health Professions, you’ll do more than sit in classrooms and attend lectures. You’ll learn in high-tech labs and gain experience working at world-class facilities, preparing you for a successful career in the health professions.

A person is a white coat is holding a baby.

Fieldwork & Clinical Experiences

There is a total of 24 weeks of full-time fieldwork at selected sites. While doing fieldwork, students will work the same hours as staff at the site. The clinical experience offers additional time in the clinic and for independent learning.

A boxer participates in the the School of Health Professions’ Rocky Steady Boxing program that helps patients with Parkinson's disease.

Research

Join in faculty research to enhance your learning and build valuable experience. Our OTD students aim to help individuals with Parkinson’s Disease sleep better, examine the effects of cold exposure on cognition, and explore the potential of virtual environments for learning and therapy.

A boy sitting on a therapeutic swing. Another person is holding the swing in place.

Occupational Therapy, M.S.

Throughout our Occupational Therapy, M.S. program, you’ll be exposed to a range of new and emerging technologies to help you prepare for meaningful work in the increasingly digital-driven healthcare industry. 

A person is applying a supportive elbow strap to a student.

Kinesiology, Advanced Certificate

Learn about evidence-based exercises to improve fitness related outcomes, not just for athletes, but for the general public and those with chronic diseases.

A student working abroad taking notes in a classroom.

Center for Global Health

Through a combination of classroom learning, international fieldwork, and research, you’ll grow your knowledge of population health and policy development, acquire key competencies as a practitioner, and prepare to serve as an informed leaders and agent change for your patients and your community. 

Stats & Rankings

98%

NBCOT Licensure Pass Rate, 2022

#21

Best Regional Universities (North)

U.S. News & World Report 2024 Rankings

Top 2%

of U.S. Colleges for Return on Investment (ROI) for Low-Income Students

Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

Career & Salary Outlook

As the U.S. population increases and ages, more professionals will be needed to help individuals recover from injuries and maintain their independence. Occupational therapists will be uniquely equipped to contribute to patient well-being in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and other settings.

Job Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12 percent growth in jobs for occupational therapists through 2032.

Employers & Internships

  • Henry Street Settlement
  • Kessler Rehabilitation Institute
  • New York City Department of Education
  • Rusk Rehabilitation/NYU Langone Health
  • United Cerebral Palsy
  • Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Career Options

  • Clinical Director
  • Health Specialities College Instructor
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Pediatric Occupational Therapist
  • Rehabilitation Specialist/Manager

Salary Projections

Occupational Therapists earn a median U.S. annual salary of $93,180 per year (BLS).

Program Details

Learn more about applying to the OTD program, as well as ways to fund your education.

To be eligible to apply to the OTD program, you’ll need:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution
  • Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  • Academic record that includes a balance of coursework in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and life sciences, as well as competence in written and spoken English
  • Basic computer skills
  • To have satisfactorily completed all prerequisite courses
  • To meet the Technical Standards for the program

To apply, submit the following:

  • An application through the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS)
  • Proof of 100 hours of volunteer work under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist
  • An essay explaining your desire to pursue occupational therapy as a career
  • Three professional letters of recommendation
  • Course descriptions for all prerequisite courses
  • Copies of transcripts for all prior college-level work
  • A copy of your college diploma or proof of your degree

Explore opportunities to offset program costs, including New York Tech scholarships, graduate assistantships, and federal financial aid.

Our entry-level professional doctoral (OTD) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Student Stories

A portrait Alicia Terry Jones Occupational Therapy

My favorite part of the OT degree program has been the experiential knowledge that I receive from my professors in and out of the classroom. They show, using real-life examples, how they have incorporated their knowledge into their own practice, which has been very motivating.

Alicia Terry Jones
Occupational Therapy

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Gain the skills to promote health and wellness in New York Tech’s OTD degree program.