- Students in the final year of completion of a Bachelor's degree or who have completed a Bachelor's degree may apply to the program.
- Studies must include three or more years of undergraduate or graduate coursework.
- All Bachelor's coursework is to be completed before the start of the program.
- GPA: Cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 on a scale of 4.00.
Why Earn A Doctorate In Occupational Therapy?
“OTDs stand out- They are clinical practitioners and educators; they are more likely to own their own businesses and be involved in scholarly research and presentations/publications, and many receive awards and grants for their work." (Smallfield, Flanigan, & Sherman, 2019)
- Occupational therapists (OTs) treat patients across the lifespan who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through therapeutic use of everyday activities or “occupations."
- OTs are interactive, non-sedentary professionals who work in hospitals, clinics, home health services, universities, industries, or private practice.
- Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 18% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- The median annual wage for occupational therapists was $86,280 in May 2020 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Want more information about this program?
Download a program guide with detailed information on cost, courses, and outcomes
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Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program In Rochester, NY
Program Outcomes
Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) can be found online at https://www.nbcot.org/en/educators/home#schoolperformance, and will be available in May of 2024.
| Graduation Year | Students Entering/Graduating | Graduation Rate |
| 2024 | 8/8 | 100% |
| 2025 | Available in 2025 | |
| 2026 | Available in 2026 | |
| Total | 8/8 | 100% |
Cost of An Occupational Therapy Doctorate
$102,224
Total Program Sticker Price
$20,000
one-time scholarship applied over the 3 years in the program
$82,224
actual price after scholarship
(Fees subject to change)
Courses
OTD students will develop competence and confidence in the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become spiritually mature occupational therapy practitioners that will meet the needs of all persons, groups, and populations served.
View the course schedule by clicking below.
I love preparing students to be capable in all management functions, including roles like consulting. Because of the small class sizes, I can tailor my coursework to the students.
Admission Requirements
The Admissions Committee looks for candidates with a strong liberal arts background and completion of the following prerequisite coursework with grades of B minus (B-) or better and from within the last ten years:
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (4 credits)
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4 credits)
- General Science with lab (4 credits)
- Introduction to Psychology, Lifespan or Human Development (3 credits)
- Anthropology or Sociology (3 credits)
- Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Medical Terminology (at least 1 credit) recommended
- Research Methods (3 credits) recommended
- CLEP exam can be used for one prerequisite, not including the sciences. More than one CLEP exam can be considered on an individual basis.
No Standardized Test Score Required!
If you choose to submit GRE scores, indicate Roberts Wesleyan University's GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code, 2759, as a score recipient.
Evidence of a minimum of 30 hours of clinical observation or comparable experience, volunteer work, and/or work with an occupational therapy practitioner.
A personal statement addressing why the candidate is selecting occupational therapy as a career and how this degree relates to their immediate and long-term professional goals. The candidate should describe how their personal, educational, and professional background helps them achieve their goals.
NOTE: An essay of two (2) or more pages (double spaced) would be considered competitive.
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
From professionals or college professors who can speak to the candidate’s academic capabilities.
Interviews will be offered on a rolling basis.
Early Acceptance Program
- Eligible candidates who meet the OTD Admissions Criteria at partner institutions are encouraged to apply!
- Each partner institution has limited spots allotted for each EAP enrollment cycle (September - March). Roberts will select top applicants each academic year.
- Those who successfully interview and hold a 3.0 GPA will be offered conditional acceptance to the OTD program.
- To move from conditional to full acceptance, EAP students must have completed their bachelor's degree, observation hours, and subsequent prerequisite work prior to the start of the program. (See Admissions Requirements section.)
- Students will be awarded the degree of Doctor of Occupational Therapy by Roberts after successful completion of the program curriculum
- Students who are not granted a reserved seat could still be considered for admission in the next EAP cycle or their final year of undergraduate education.
- Students may apply directly to Roberts for free at https://apply.roberts.edu/apply/.
- For EAP consideration, students must initially submit:
- Online application
- Official transcripts
- Short-answer essay
- Academic recommendation
- Applications open early September and close March 1 of each year.
- Interviews are offered on a rolling basis. Students will be notified of their EAP Admission status by March 1 or sooner, after the student has completed their interview.
Accreditation Information
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree 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 program will be 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 to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I choose the doctorate degree?
OTD graduates are more likely to be educators, own their own business, and be involved in scholarly research and professional presentations and publications. These graduates are also more likely to receive awards, and grants, and teaching positions (Smallfield, Flanigan, & Sherman, 2019). As an OTD, you are prepared for professional engagement and advancement to leadership.
A doctoral degree pushes you further than generalist practices. The capstone sequence involves in-depth knowledge exposure in an area of interest which can be clinical practice, research, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development.
How many students are accepted into the program each year?
Our average cohort size is typically 10 students.
Our facilities are capable of allowing a maximum of 32 students in each cohort.
Do you offer scholarships or other financial aid?
As our acknowledgment of your hard work, we award every accepted student with a $20,000 OTD Scholarship.
A limited number of on-campus graduate assistantships are also available. Students typically fund tuition through loans or private sources. You will be billed at an equal rate throughout the program.
Our office of Student Financial Services is available to answer all your questions and to discuss your unique degree affordability plan! Email studentfinancial@roberts.edu or call 585-594-6150.
How do I make my application stand out?
We look for students with strong communication skills, a firm grasp of time management, an admirable work ethic, and a genuine passion for the field of occupational therapy.
One tip to stand out is to submit a two-page application essay where you can demonstrate those skills.
No, you may apply with a bachelor’s degree in several different disciplines, as long as you meet certain prerequisite requirements.
For example, some of our students enter the program with these majors: Psychology, Biology, Education, Physical Therapy, Exercise Science, Pre-Med, and more.
Can I apply while my prerequisites are “in progress”?
Yes. It is common to have “in progress” prerequisite courses when you apply. Students may be accepted on a conditional basis until all prerequisites are met.
Mark the prerequisite as being “in progress” in your OTCAS application and inform your admissions coordinator. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the program in August and require official transcripts to be submitted as soon as they are available.
Acceptance to the OTD program is contingent on you earning a B- or higher in all prerequisite courses.
Can I enroll as a part-time student?
The OTD program is a full-time, in-person program. It is designed as a cohort group where students complete a series of courses in sequence.
Due to the sequential nature of the program and graduation requirements, part-time enrollment is not available.
Where is Roberts located and what is it like?
Roberts’ campus is in the city of Rochester, New York. We’re proud to share small-town accessibility with big-city services, a thriving cultural and food scene, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. The cost of living in Rochester is below the national average and offers affordable housing options.
Rochester is a healthcare industry hub with opportunities for occupational therapy in many different settings. We are home to two major health-care systems and Roberts has a well-known and reputable presence within this industry.
How is faith integrated in the Roberts OTD program?
Imagine learning in a place where you're constantly surrounded by faculty and staff who genuinely care about you and your individual goals and who continuously pour their time and expertise into helping you succeed. As a community committed to a rich Christian heritage and God-honoring diversity, we believe the best education addresses each person in his or her entirety—as a physical, psychological, social, rational, and spiritual being.
Our students come from many faith backgrounds and have different religious and spiritual perspectives. As a Roberts student, you can trust and know that you are welcome and that your thoughts, faith perspective, and/or worldview will always be respected, whatever your path at Roberts. There is no religious requirement to the graduate program. Besides considering spirituality as part of occupations, religion is not integrated into the program. If you desire, you may use all of our on-campus resources.
We aim to be a place of safety and comfort, whatever that might look like for you. You will never have to face anything alone at Roberts.
Is there on-campus graduate housing available?
Yes! We encourage you to reach out early as we have a limited number of on-campus graduate housing spots and find they book quickly. Contact student_life@roberts.edu or visit: https://go.roberts.edu/age-grad-housing-offer.
Questions?
Meet Your Enrollment Representative!
Jim Sheets
Director of GPS Recruiting and Strategic Initiatives