Absolutely!
Occupational therapy is the science of rehabilitation that enables physically, emotionally, mentally, or neurologically disabled and challenged people to lead everyday lives. An occupational therapist helps people with disability, injuries, or illnesses or has special needs develop the skills to manage their daily work.
Occupational therapists work with patients to understand their needs and draft plans (from entry-level to the time they are independent). The goal is to rehabilitate the patients to a level where they can lead a self-sufficient lifestyle.
Occupational therapists work in various professional institutions, from hospitals and clinics to schools and nursing homes.
So, is occupational therapy worth it? This comprehensive guide on occupational therapist doctorate (OTD) provides the necessary information to help you decide about this career option.
Table of Contents
START YOUR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY CAREER
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ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE
MASTER'S DEGREE
POST-PROFESSIONAL DEGREE
Why Pursue an entry-level OTD program
If you have a calm and pleasant personality and are good at helping and interacting with people, this profession may be for you. To succeed as an occupational therapist, one needs an interest in and passion for helping people improve their lives.
There are numerous benefits to completing an entry-level OTD program from a reputed OT school – getting tremendous job opportunities, making valuable connections, and gaining the required experience.
According to U.S. News, occupational therapists have one of the highest levels of job satisfaction. Occupational therapy is ranked 11th among the best healthcare jobs and 31st among the best 100 jobs.
Entry-Level Vs. Post-Professional OTD
The entry-level occupational therapy degree teaches evidence-based and client-centered concepts and theory to help students start as occupational therapy assistants. After completing the program, students can enter clinical practice confidently and gradually gain experience as an assistant or an apprentice.
The post-professional doctoral degree in occupational therapy will help you develop advanced skills for leadership positions, practice, management, and education. If you are an entry-level occupational therapist, OTD offers a better career path and opportunities for further advancement.
OTD students work closely with faculty members and specialize in one area of occupational therapy.
The entry-level occupational therapy degree teaches evidence-based and client-centered concepts and theory to help students start as occupational therapy assistants. After completing the program, students can enter clinical practice confidently and gradually gain experience as an assistant or an apprentice.
The post-professional doctoral degree in occupational therapy will help you develop advanced skills for leadership positions, practice, management, and education. If you are an entry-level occupational therapist, OTD offers a better career path and opportunities for further advancement.
OTD students work closely with faculty members and specialize in one area of occupational therapy.
Are You Made for a Career in Occupational Therapy?
Before you apply for an occupational therapy degree, consider if you love doing these things.
- You love to add value to people’s lives:
Occupational therapists are required to provide more than just medical advice to their patients. They pull out everything in their arsenal to help their patients overcome their post-traumatic cognitive disabilities and return to their normal lifestyle.
They assist their clients with value, compassion, and care at every level and search for theories and visions that help patients manage their needs. If this excites you, consider taking an occupational therapy (OTD) degree from a renowned institute like the New England Institute of Technology.
- If you value a flexible and diverse work environment:
An entry-level occupational therapist has the advantage of working in different environments. You can start your career as an occupational therapy assistant by helping older patients and shift into a school setting.
Occupational therapists may work in various settings, including schools, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient pediatric clinics, and adult outpatient clinics, to mention a few.
You can also work with cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printing of functional prosthetics. By getting an entry-level or doctoral OTD, you learn new skills, theory, and medical technologies.
Salary of an Occupational Therapist
Professional occupational therapists are among the most highly paid professionals in the industry.
The salaries of occupational therapists depend on job location, employer, experience, skills, and talent. For example, OTs who practice in cities have more value and earn more than the ones in rural areas.
Top paying states in the U.S. are:
- Nevada – $109,010
- California – $105,760
- New Jersey – $100,140
- Texas – 96,100
- New Mexico – $95,060
The type of industry you are in can also determine your income. Industries that pay the highest salaries to occupational therapy degree holders are:
- Home Health Care Services – $102,640
- Management of companies and enterprises – $100,700
- Other Ambulatory Health Care Services – $98,120
- Child Day Care Services – $97,980
- Continuing care retirement communities & assisted living facilities – $97,620
Organizations or Associations to Join When Working in Occupational Therapy
As an occupational therapist, you should be a part of The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The benefits of being an AOTA member are:
- Get access to webinars and online courses, and national occupational therapy conferences.
- Subscribe to the American Journal for Occupational Therapy, SIS Quarterly Practice, OT Practice magazine, AOTA’s newsletter, and OT practice Pulse e-newsletter.
- Access AOTA’s evidence-based practice resources, Wilms L. West occupational therapy library, forums and groups, and networking opportunities for career development.
- Get up to 30% discount on new books and literature.
- Contribute to protecting the occupational therapy profession through advocacy and the American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC).
The annual AOTA membership fee is as follows:
- Practicing licensed occupational therapists – $225
- Occupational therapy assistants – $131
- Students – $75
- First-year occupational therapist practitioner – $95
These rates are affordable compared to the value you get, and the membership incentives generally pay for themselves over time.
Is a Doctorate/Doctoral Required for Occupational Therapy?
As per the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), all entry-level occupational therapy professionals will require doctoral degrees starting July 1, 2027.
Only the students who graduate after the given date must follow the mandate. Although it doesn’t affect current students or those planning to enroll and graduate before July 1, 2027, a clinical doctorate in occupational therapy helps you qualify for the highest professional roles.
As per the ACOTE mandate, OTs who currently practice with a master’s or bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy can continue to practice and will not need a doctoral degree. Only the new practitioners after July 1, 2027, will require a doctor of occupational therapy degree (OTD).
American occupational therapy association (AOTA) is a national professional association that safeguards the interests of occupational therapists and other related health professions. AOTA educates the public as well as promotes quality health care treatment.
AOTA maximizes healthcare value and research and sets standards and solutions for patients’ and OTs’ well-being.
How Does Life Change After an OT Doctorate?
Once you earn the OT doctoral (OTD), there is an array of entry-level and advanced job opportunities.
You can work in a new environment or apply for a higher position in your current workplace. After completing your OT doctorate, you will be well-versed in the advanced technologies and methods you can use to provide therapies to patients. This also means more earnings.
Your education helps you value this profession and inspires you to evolve your career in the direction of your choice. The institute you choose must prepare you for future leadership positions and growth opportunities, not just entry-level jobs.
Benefits of a doctorate in OT
The numerous benefits of an occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) are:
- Earn a higher income than those with bachelor’s or master’s degrees in occupational therapy.
- Demonstrate your seriousness and commitment to employers who can trust you for leadership roles.
- Open new career paths, such as an occupational therapy professor or teacher.
- Use your knowledge and experience to open your clinic or become the head of the department in a hospital.
- Get holistic job satisfaction of earning, career opportunities, and the opportunity to make a profound difference in patients’ lives.
Interested in Occupational Therapy Program? Your Search Ends Here – Earn Your OT Doctorate Online
Whichever occupation you may opt for, overall job satisfaction is always important. Client interactions, interpersonal relationships with coworkers, and other benefits of this profession make it one of the most sought-after professional options.
If occupational therapy is the type of profession you have been looking out for, your search ends here. Students can earn their doctorate of occupational therapy online from a reputed institute by learning from the comfort of their home with NEIT.
NEIT school of occupational therapy provides a broad range of entry-level and doctoral online occupational therapy programs and courses. Having an occupational therapy (OTD) degree from a reputable college is always better than a mere master’s degree.
Offering an entry-level OTD program at NEIT, students can make maximum use of the university campus for any program they enroll in. You are always welcome to email us. Our program holds accreditation with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
This association, as mentioned above, represents the interests of occupational therapists, other related health professions, research-based health care sciences, and health care programs. American occupational therapy association or AOTA accredited courses help students develop the vision to practice and gain valuable education and research in this field.
Occupational therapists enjoy their work, get good salaries, and have a wholesome career! Given that you want to go the extra mile and work hard, an occupational therapist can be an excellent career option. Drop us an email for more information about this degree.
START YOUR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY CAREER
Earn your degree in ot from NEIT and begin your new career path today!
ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE
MASTER'S DEGREE
POST-PROFESSIONAL DEGREE
FAQ’s
Do you call an OTD a doctor?
No, you can’t call an occupational therapist (OT) a medical doctor. OTs are clinicians who have a bachelor, master, or doctoral level education.
Is occupational therapy a Ph.D.?
No, to practice occupational therapy you need to have a Master of Science in OT. In case the requirement changes to entry-level doctorate, the minimum requirement for practicing OT would be a Clinical Doctorate in OT.
How many years does it take to get a doctorate in occupational therapy (OT)?
It usually requires 2 to 3 years of post-graduate study, depending on the school and the student’s educational preparation to get a doctorate in OT.
How much does an OT with a doctorate make?
Research suggests that occupational therapists with a doctorate make approx. $86,849 – $91,105. This may change depending on the economic and geographic conditions.
What Are the Alternatives to Doctorate Degree in Occupational Therapy?
If you are interested in the medical field but are unsure about OT, you can consider being a doctor of physical therapy, physician assistant, or master’s in speech pathology.
What Is the Financial Return on Investment for Most Occupational Therapists?
The cost of an OT doctorate can vary depending on the institute, mode of instruction, and area. Online and hybrid doctoral degrees are cheaper than classroom programs.
Online doctoral degrees allow you to push your career further while working a day job. It is best to check with the institute about the fee structure and assess the ROI based on the salaries as per the BLS.
As an Occupational Therapist, What Is the Work Environment Like?
Most occupational therapy settings are demanding and require you always to be attentive to the patient’s needs. On becoming an occupational therapist, you not only have to take care of the physical but also mental health, developmental disabilities, and motor skills of the patients. The goal is to help them live independently with high self-esteem.
What Does the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Curriculum Typically Include?
The doctoral degree covers many topics to prepare you for therapist and leadership positions. Topics may include:
- Activity/Context adaptation
- Clinical reasoning
- Health policy and advocacy
- Critical appraisal of evidence
- Body anatomy
- Developmental theory and practical
- Human performance analysis
- Leadership and management practice
- Neurobehavioral science
- Aging theory and practice
- Psychological/Cognitive theory and practice
- Therapeutic approaches
Conclusion
If you want a job that requires a lot of responsibility and caregiving, occupational therapy might be for you. Occupational therapists enjoy their work, are well compensated, and have a fulfilling career!
An occupational therapist can be an excellent career choice if you are willing to go the extra mile and work hard. You get the satisfaction of improving someone’s life while earning a good living.
The doctor of occupational therapy program at NEIT offers you an opportunity to enter this immensely satisfying and rewarding career. Drop us an email for more information about this degree or call us at 401-739-5000.