Online Program Overview

Our online Post-Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD) is the right program for registered occupational therapists interested in expanding their practice.

This specialized, student-centered occupational therapy program includes evaluating innovative responses to occupational performance and societal participation. Our specialized PP-OTD program is also perfect for students preparing for a new role in academia or research in occupational therapy.

Using reflective practice analysis combined with advanced knowledge in research, global health, entrepreneurship, and innovation, you can reach the pinnacle of your career in 15 months. In our online post-professional OTD program, students participate in an engaging and highly supportive online learning environment throughout successive ten-week academic terms, with the ability to study at their convenience.

Our PP-OTD degree program is ideal for working professionals, as we also offer the option to study part-time and earn your degree over a period of two years.

Graduates of our PP-OTD program can work in traditional medical, research, and academic environments to develop and recommend intervention methods for the recovery and rehabilitation of their patient’s physical, mental, and psychosocial problem areas.


Mental Health

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Full Description

You will participate in an incredibly engaging and supportive online learning environment throughout successive ten-week academic terms, with the ability to study at your convenience.  Our online PP-OTD program also grants you the freedom to study part-time and earn your degree over a period of two years.

The PP-OTD program at NEIT is well-suited for the schedules of working practitioners who have previously earned their master’s in occupational therapy and achieved OTR certification status to practice as an occupational therapist by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

This program is forward-thinking and focused on completing an individualized doctoral project on a very specific area of practice that you choose to explore. Your doctoral project is at the core of this post-professional program.

The project will allow you to utilize your unique background and knowledge and pair it with the expertise of a chosen mentor, our accomplished faculty, and the collective experience of fellow students.

You will gain knowledge in assessing program development, meeting the needs and wants of your clients using successful contemporary tactics, and receive extensive support in developing and defining your mode of inquiry. This includes advanced knowledge of post-graduate research, quantitative and qualitative methodologies, as well as the ability to apply a range of research tools to plan and organize your research.


occupational therapy doctorate program online

You will learn to incorporate evidence-based practice for the management of clients in all areas of occupational therapy with a broadened perspective on wellness and health promotion, population health, and global initiatives. Our students study advanced practices in occupational therapy interventions that include helping children with disabilities, assisting in recovery and rehabilitation from injuries, and creating support plans to assist older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.

We have designed a curriculum that emphasizes the theories and research to promote and preserve wellness lifestyles in client populations using epidemiological principles, disease risk appraisal and reduction, and other tools. The curriculum also identifies and explores the roles in advanced occupational therapy practice that relate to the health of diverse populations.

After completing their PP-OTD program, learners can present new research-based perspectives on individualized evaluation, customized interventions, and outcome evaluations that improve the ability of individuals to recover and perform their routine activities. Our students can also be a part of professional organizations such as the American Occupational Therapy Association for access to resources, information, leadership and volunteer opportunities, and further professional development.

Our online occupational therapy doctoral program welcomes practicing therapists worldwide who seek to investigate and broaden their knowledge in a focused study area. International students must have completed a WFOT-certified program at the bachelor’s degree level with an earned master’s degree in any related field.

Potential Career Opportunities

After completing your PP-OTD, you can secure responsible leadership roles such as a program director, professor, and others. Additionally, you can become a faculty advisor with a bachelor’s or master’s in occupational therapy degree and pursue this position after becoming a Doctor of Occupational Therapy.

As a PP-OTD, you can specialize among nine different healthcare specialties, such as:


Gerontology

Mental Health

Pediatrics

Physical Rehabilitation

Driving and Community Mobility

Environmental Modification

Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing

Low Vision

School Systems

FAQ

  • What is a Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy?

    A post-professional occupational therapy (PP-OTD) doctorate program provides advanced skills and knowledge to help professionals enhance their current practice. Students will have the opportunity to further develop their clinical and research skills throughout the course of study. This enables them to pursue administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, or theory development.


    Occupational therapy otd online

  • Is an OTD a doctor?

    An OTD is not a medical doctor and therefore cannot prescribe medications to patients. Occupational therapists are clinicians with a doctoral, bachelor’s, or master’s level education.

  • How long are online Post-Professional Doctorates in Occupational Therapy Programs?

    You can complete NEIT’s PP-OTD program in as few as 15 months, through successive ten-week academic terms. Students can also study part-time and complete their degree program over a period of two years.

  • How is OTR different from OTD?

    An OTR/L credential signifies that an occupational therapy professional has passed their registration (R) by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), while the “L” shows that they have obtained their licensure to practice in a particular state. In comparison, professionals who complete their doctorate in occupational therapy earn the designation of an OTD.

Related Programs

Program Mission, Goals, and Outcomes

Program Mission

The mission of the Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy Program is to allow registered occupational therapists to expand their academic and clinical experience and become advanced practitioners promoting health, wellness, and participation across many populations and groups, as well as become advanced leaders in their profession.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the PP-OTD degree program will be able to successfully demonstrate the following learning outcomes as they become:

  1. Global citizens specializing in the promotion of health, wellness, and participation across the lifespan.
  2. Innovators of contemporary practice both in emerging and traditional settings.
  3. Engaged in scholarship in any area of practice or a leadership role.
  4. Leaders in occupational therapy practice through entrepreneurship, academia, or research.

occupational therapy otd

NEIT Course Catalog

 

NEIT is proud to offer a modern, practical, immersive curriculum for our unique degree programs. Our career-focused education brings learning to life.

 


PP-OTD program

The PP-OTD program at NEIT is spread over four semesters. Students have to complete their doctoral project’s preliminary study, project design and proposal, implementation, and defense to obtain their degree.  

We also offer courses on qualitative and quantitative analysis, entrepreneurship, and issues with contemporary practice. The project and courses in our online occupational therapy doctoral program are spread over a total of 38 quarter credit hours.

 

View the latest listing of courses offered!