Entry-level doctoral programs in occupational therapy are on the cutting edge of changing the direction of professional graduate education and influencing healthcare practice. More than a robust and extensive curriculum, doctoral study provides the opportunity to acquire a depth of knowledge about occupational therapy that is guided by research evidence and applied critical thinking, and that motivates engaged learners toward exemplifying professional autonomy and identity in practice. Beyond the acquisition of entry-level skills, the OTD program at Western New England will provide students with advanced graduate skills to enable them to transform OT practice in healthcare settings of today and tomorrow.
Faculty in entry-level master’s degree programs may have doctoral degrees, but it is not required of all faculty. Faculty in entry-level doctoral programs must have doctoral degrees. Our program provides the security of knowing that you will receive instruction from faculty with doctoral preparation who are highly qualified to: exemplify theory-driven teaching perspectives; model best-practice interprofessional clinical skills; and provide a high quality research mentorship experience as you evolve as a practice-based scholar.
Because graduates of OTD programs will have more to offer, they will be more in demand in a competitive job market. In addition, salary differentials in workplaces that are based upon highest degree earned will benefit those with an OTD degree over an MSOT degree.
Our Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program is completed in just 8 consecutive semesters, including summers—less than 3 years! Our dynamic curriculum integrates hands-on experience with five semesters of Level I Fieldwork, 24 weeks of Level II Fieldwork, and a transformative 14-week doctoral capstone project.
With just two additional semesters as compared to most entry-level master's programs, our OTD program provides an extended timeframe for a comprehensive curriculum, allowing you to learn and apply advanced skills. At WNE, as an OTD graduate, you emerge as a practitioner-scholar, equipped to lead and explore diverse career paths. Whether it's clinical practice, healthcare management, or higher education, you'll be prepared to excel as a leader.
Traditional fieldwork in our OTD program is completed through two levels of on-site clinical practice: Level I and Level II Fieldwork. Our program follows a structured approach, integrating course content with five Level I Fieldwork experiences in Semesters 1-5. This builds a solid foundation for more advanced Level II Fieldwork in Semesters 6 and 7.
After completing Level II Fieldwork, in Semester 8, students embark on a 14-week Doctoral Experiential Capstone Project. Before this, in Semesters 3-5, they participate in mentorship courses where they collaborate with faculty mentors to create a personalized scholarly capstone project focused on an area of occupational therapy about which they are passionate. The Doctoral Experiential Capstone Project also requires a community partner and site mentor who assists with the development and implementation of your project. The capstone projects are tailored to individual interests, allowing students to focus on program development, advanced practice, advocacy, education, or leadership. It's a hands-on journey of exploration and application!
No, students entering with an undergraduate degree will complete the 8-semster program and earn the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree.
All undergraduate degrees, regardless of the type, will be considered for admission. However, the applicant must have earned the baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education with a preferred minimum GPA of 3.0. All applicants will be required to successfully complete prerequisite coursework prior to admission to the OTD program.
The one exception to this is for WNE’s 3+3 dual degree pathways during which students will earn a BS in Health Studies or Neuroscience, or a BA in Psychology after their first year of the OTD program.
No, program graduates are required to successfully pass the certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), to be able to practice as 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.
No, the entry-level OTD program at Western New England will prepare you for generalist practice in the field of occupational therapy, but will not provide you with specific skills required of practicing occupational therapists who desire to become specialized in a practice area. Occupational therapists select specialty areas of practice to pursue following graduation, and seek the specialized knowledge and credentials appropriate to those areas that are offered through AOTA’s or other professional organization’s specialty certification process.
A student’s decision to seek employment while matriculated in the OTD program at Western New England is a personal one. However, students are encouraged to minimize outside work given the rigor of the OTD curriculum, and the expectation for study outside of the classroom. Students should expect that successfully completing the OTD degree will be challenging, and as such, may not be conducive to the demands of outside employment.
