Occupational Therapy (OTD)

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At a Glance

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Pitt prepares students to become clinicians that implement evidence-based practice, understand evolving health care delivery models and are agents of change in the field of occupational therapy.

Students are mentored by faculty who are renowned clinicians and researchers. They will guide students through didactic, fieldwork and capstone experiences that go beyond the generalist level of an occupational therapist. With their innovative leadership and focus on advocacy, graduates will be prepared to practice at the top of their license.

Rankings by U.S News & World Report. Tied for rank 1 with other programs.

Application

Start Term

Fall term (August)

Application Opens

July 15, 2024

Application Closes

June 20, 2025

Commitment
and Credits

Duration

2 years and 8 months
(8 terms, including 2 summer terms)

Commitment

Full-time

Credits

Degree

Type of Degree

Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Graduates of the OTD program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

The OTD program is designated as a Program of Merit (POM) in Gerontology by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education.

Format(s)

On-campus

Applied Skills

Students complete fieldwork experiences and a doctoral capstone experience at facilities external to the University of Pittsburgh.

Estimated
Program Costs

Program Outcomes

Earn your Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from a program with exceptional certification exam pass rates and on-time graduation rates!

The Pitt OTD program’s NBCOT outcomes can be found at NBCOT. To locate University of Pittsburgh program results, select Pennsylvania, OT Doctoral-Level Programs and a year.

Average Class Size

Certification
and Licensure

All states require NBCOT initial certification for occupational therapy state regulation (e.g., licensing).

Accreditation

The OTD 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 OTD program are 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: A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Student
Handbooks

2024 Doctor of Occupational Therapy Student Handbook

View/Download

2024-2025 Graduate Student Handbook

View/Download

Occupational Therapy (OTD)

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