Occupational Therapy Doctorate Admissions

Our Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) prepares licensed occupational therapists to work in leadership roles, program development, as well as teaching positions in higher education. The research and analysis you’ll undertake in our OTD program can also help inform your clinical practice and allow you to help make the healthcare industry more equitable and socially responsible.

We encourage applications from OTs with an entry-level degree in occupational therapy, a master’s degree in OT or related field, and who are licensed, or are eligible for licensure to practice occupational therapy. This post-professional program is designed for working occupational therapists, who want to further develop their skills as leaders, scholars and changemakers. As an applicant to the program, you should have a clear vision for how you want to influence policy or program development in occupational therapy, and where you want to take your OT career.

We strive to keep our tuition competitive. For current tuition and fees, visit our OTD Tuition & Fees page.

Entering the OTD from our BSHS/MSOT Program

If you’re enrolled or have a degree from the Touro College OT master’s program (BSHS/MSOT), we welcome you to continue your journey in the OTD program. If you’re in our BSHS/MSOT program you have the option to take elective credits in your final semester that will be applied to your OTD degree, which means you can earn your doctorate degree faster and save on tuition during your graduate study.

Program Start Dates and Deadlines

The program begins in the summer and fall semesters.

Admissions Requirements

Ready to take the next step in your journey as an occupational therapist? Review the following requirements closely and reach out to us if you have any questions. You can apply through our online application.

• Licensure or eligibility for licensure in occupational therapy:
  • American applicants must have attained an entry-level degree in OT from a program accredited by ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education) and must be licensed or eligible for licensure to practice occupational therapy
  • International applicants must have attained an entry-level degree in OT from a WFOT (World Federation of OT) approved program and provide documentation of credentials to practice as an occupational therapist in their home country or National Government Recognition documentation of their OT program.
  • Priority admissions will be given to graduates of our dual degree Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences and Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy (BSHS/MSOT) program. If you’re applying through our MSOT program, you’ll need to be eligible to take the NBCOT exam by the second term of the OTD program.
• Master’s degree:
  • All applicants must have completed a minimum of 36 graduate credits and have a Master’s degree.
  • Priority will be given to students who attained a GPA of 3.5 or above in their Master’s degree.
  • Pre-requisite courses: You will need a graduate-level course in Research Design and/or Statistics.
• Employment:
  • Employment as an occupational therapy practitioner (full-time or part-time) is required by the second term.
  • Students who are unable to work while enrolled may request a waiver of the requirement with evidence of a minimum of 6 months of experience as an occupational therapy practitioner prior to entering the program.

OTD Program Work Requirements

In order to remain enrolled in the program, you’ll have to be a credentialed and practicing occupational therapist by the second term. It is important that each doctoral candidate has work experience and builds on their clinical knowledge.

Ready to Apply?

We admit on a rolling basis, so apply early. Every applicant must apply through our online application, and you'll need to include the following in your application:

• Resume
• Proof of NBCOT certification and OT licensure, or equivalent international documentation. This requirement is waived for Touro MSOT students transitioning to the OTD program.
• Two recommendation letters from employers and/or professors
• A 500-word essay and letter of intent that includes the following information:
  • Reason for applying for an advanced post-professional doctoral degree
  • Reason for selecting Touro College
  • Social area of concern to address in the Doctoral Capstone Project and why
  • Current or projected place and type of employment
  • Professional goals post-graduation
• Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts should be mailed directly from the issuing institutions to Ms. Jennifer Christie, School of Health Sciences of Touro College, OTD Admissions, 225 Eastview Drive, Central Islip, NY 11722 or submitted electronically to: enrollhealth@touro.edu

Apply Now

Reach out to the admissions office with any questions.

Office of Admissions - OTD Program
School of Health Sciences
Touro College
225 Eastview Drive
Central Islip, N.Y. 11722
(866) TOURO-4-U
enrollhealth@touro.edu