Occupational Therapy Transitional Program OTD

About the Program

The post-professional transitional Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) is designed to attract recent Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program graduates, as well as licensed occupational therapists already working in the field and seeking to enhance their careers and advance to leadership positions in clinical and academic environments. This 21-credit doctoral program is offered fully online and designed to meet the needs of the working student.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 3 years

Campus Location: Online

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program must be completed on a full-time basis.

Ranking: In 2020, according to U.S. News & World Report, Temple University's OT program ranks as the 23rd best occupational therapy program out of 198.

Accreditation: Temple University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Job Prospects: As of 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17% growth in occupational therapy until 2030, much higher than average for all jobs.

Licensure/Certification: Applicants to the OTD program must be certified and licensed occupational therapists.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: OTD coursework is available only to matriculated students.

Financing Opportunities: Financial aid is available to students. For information on financial aid, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 215-707-2667.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: July 1

To apply for the tOTD program, the applicant must be a licensed Occupational Therapist.

All applicants apply via the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). The system can be accessed at https://otcas.liaisoncas.com/. All application materials listed below are required to be sent directly to OTCAS:

Official academic transcripts are required from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
Two professional/academic letters of recommendation are required.
A statement of goals is required and must be a minimum of one page in length. This personal statement reflects your capacity to engage in rigorous graduate education and practice and should inform on your capacity for mental flexibility, creativity, teamwork, contribution to a learning environment, and service to others. Your statement must include a reflection of your alignment with Temple's Occupational Therapy mission, philosophy and values. In addition, you must identify an area of interest you might pursue in clinical doctorate studies and describe a current OT faculty member's scholarly areas and capacity to advise in your area of interest. Submit the personal statement as part of the online application; a formatted copy may also be sent via e-mail to otadmissions@temple.edu.
A professional writing sample is required, which may include either a previously published article or an academic paper from previous coursework. If you do not have a professional writing sample, you may write a brief professional paper, one to two pages in length, based on a clinical question provided to you by the tOTD program.
A current resume is required.
A copy of your current state OT license must be submitted.
Standardized test scores:

GRE scores, if submitted, are preferred to be in the 50th percentile or higher on the verbal and quantitative sections and should be sent to Temple University OTCAS using code 1239. Otherwise, GRE scores are optional.
For applicants whose native language is not English, TOEFL or Duolingo scores must be reported. The acceptable minimum is 79 iBT for the TOEFL and 110 for Duolingo.

Questions about the application process should be directed to Occupational Therapy Admissions at otadmissions@temple.edu or 215-204-7213. International students are advised to first visit https://grad.temple.edu/admissions/international-applicants for general information about applying to Temple University.

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A master's degree in Occupational Therapy is required. Graduates of Temple's 80-credit MOT, in particular, are prepared for the research rigor of the tOTD.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: All applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree.

Laptop: Beginning in Fall 2020, all incoming students in the College of Public Health are required to have a laptop. Academic programs in the college are technology intensive. They incorporate statistical and database analyses; utilize specialized tools for athletic training, kinesiology and physical therapy; stream audio and video for communication sciences; facilitate online interactive counseling for social work; and foster clinical experiences and online assessments. The laptop requirement enables the College of Public Health to improve opportunities for active learning and provide greater access to specialized software and required tools in and out of the classroom, better preparing students for the workforce. Learn more about device specifications and suggested vendors. Students can use excess financial aid (i.e., funds that are reimbursed after all tuition and fees are paid) to meet student needs, including the purchase of a laptop. Scholarships may also provide funding.

Clearances: The Occupational Therapy program requires students to complete clinical/field education experiences at facilities both on and off Temple University’s campus. These placements require criminal background checks, Act 33/34 clearances, and perhaps a drug screen. The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options for the student, which can, in turn, result in an inability to meet graduation requirements. Additionally, conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or felonious or illegal act may prevent the student from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice occupational therapy.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required to Earn the Degree: 21

Required Courses:

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
HRPR 5001	Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions	0
OTHR 8509	Leadership in the Health Professions: The Art and Science of Influence	3
OTHR 8511	Clinical Education and Fieldwork Supervision	3
OTHR 8512	Studies in Outcome Measures and Analysis	3
OTHR 8513	Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Research	3
OTHR 8514	Occupational Based Theories and Participation	3
OTHR 8902	Capstone Project Inquiry	1
OTHR 8904	Capstone Project Implementation	1
OTHR 8905	Capstone Project	1
OTHR 9089	Field Study and Professional Portfolios	3
Total Credit Hours		21

Minimum Grade to be Earned for All Required Courses: B-

Culminating Event:
Capstone Project:
Students are assigned a faculty advisor to guide the capstone experience over a series of academic terms: OTHR 8902 Capstone Project Inquiry, OTHR 8904 Capstone Project Implementation, and OTHR 8905 Capstone Project. Outcomes from the capstone project are expected to be disseminated through presentations or publications and/or to be incorporated into clinical practice.