Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program
In summer 2020, the Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program replaced our highly-respected master's degree program. The OTD program at WMU prepares you with the academic and clinical knowledge you need to become a certified occupational therapy practitioner.
A master's degree is the minimum requirement to obtain your license as an OT. However, the field is changing and one day, a doctorate degree will be the minimum. Our OTD program positions you perfectly for that future.
Find more information about:
- The course sequence for the OTD program
- How to apply to the OTD program
Have questions?
If you have questions about the program, admissions requirements or how you can apply, contact Sarah Anderson, our manager of recruitment and outreach.
Information sessions
We often hold virtual information sessions where you can learn more about WMU's OTD program, the application process, and speak with an advisor.
- June 17 - Monday at 7 p.m. - REGISTER
- July 22 - Monday at 7 p.m. - REGISTER
- August 20 - Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. - REGISTER
- September 10 - Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. - REGISTER
If you have questions, contact Sarah Anderson, manager of recruitment and outreach.
Experience
Fieldwork
Fieldwork experiences will connect your academic knowledge with supervised clinical experience to help you become a competent, entry-level occupational therapy practitioner.
Capstone
The Doctoral Capstone consists of a doctoral capstone experience and a capstone project designed to give you in-depth exposure to a concentrated area of study.
Capstone Experience
Estimated cost of attendance
The cost of the OTD program at WMU can vary based on credit hour costs, fees and other expenses.
Calls to Action
Accreditation Status
ACCREDITED DOCTORAL-DEGREE-LEVEL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROGRAM
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.