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Occupational Therapy Doctorate, Center City

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  1. Return to Home
  2. Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences
  3. Departments, Divisions, & Programs
  4. Department of Occupational Therapy
  5. Degrees & Programs

Explore this Section

  • Curriculum
  • Outcomes
  • Admissions Information

At a Glance

  • College

    College of Rehabilitation Sciences

  • Degree

    Doctor of Occupational Therapy

  • Campus

    Center City

  • Format

    On Campus

  • Credits

    108

  • Duration

    3 Years

  • Starting Term

    Fall

The Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) is an entry-level professional doctorate designed to prepare students to enter the field of occupational therapy at the doctoral level.  Students with a bachelor’s degree, or higher, in a field other than occupational therapy and who are in the process of completing, or have successfully completed, the prerequisite courses are eligible to apply.

The OTD program is designed to prepare occupational therapists with in-depth knowledge of one or more of the following: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development. Our graduates may engage in collaborative research and practice as direct care providers, consultants, educators, managers, leaders, researchers, and advocates for the profession and the consumer. The OTD program is completed in three years and consists of  108 graduate credits of coursework to develop professional knowledge and competencies.

Hear From Our Students

Shawn Sandels (he/him), is a second year OTD student in the Class of 2026. He is a part of the 3+3 OTD joint program with the University of Delaware, where he spent his first three years of school, and now Thomas Jefferson University, where he is spending his last three years pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy. Shawn has a minor in Disability Studies and experience working as a certified personal trainer. He is also enrolled in the GA/GRA program at Thomas Jefferson University, where he leads groups in emotional literacy for local Philadelphia youth at the Honickman Learning Center. 

Shawn completed his First Level II Fieldwork experience at the Arc of Philadelphia, where he worked with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. His time at Thomas Jefferson University up to this point has been incredibly enriching, thanks to his invaluable fieldwork experiences that have allowed him to apply the foundational knowledge gained from his coursework and further develop his skills as a future practitioner. 

Dariana (Dari) is an occupational therapy student completing her third year at Thomas Jefferson University (Class of 2025). She is Latina and was born on the border of Texas and Mexico, so she grew up being bilingual and experienced both cultures present in her life. Dariana is interested in creating opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and believes it is important to expose this population to the wonderful qualities of occupational therapy.

Hear from Dariana and her father about her professional and personal growth during her experience in the Jefferson OTD Program.

Curriculum

The OTD program consists of three years of training:

Year 1

September-May: fall and spring semester coursework

May-June: summer session coursework

Year 2

September-December: fall semester coursework

January-June: two full-time Fieldwork Level II rotations (full-time) and online coursework

July-August: summer session coursework fully online

Year 3

September-December: minimum of 280 hours doctoral capstone experience and doctoral capstone project and fall session coursework

January-May: minimum of 280 hours doctoral capstone experience and doctoral capstone project, spring session coursework, and completion of scholarly project suitable for publication & oral presentation

OTD Curriculum for each year

Outcomes

Learn about the graduation rates from our OTD program

Cost of Attendance

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program is a year-round, three-year program comprised of classroom, laboratory, exams, and clinical education rotation. 

The Fact Sheet contains additional institutional information. For questions, contact Financial.Aid@jefferson.edu

Technology Services Information

Technology Services & Requirements

Accreditation Information

The entry-level Doctoral program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

ACOTE, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD  20814 
Phone: 301-652-6611  |  https://www.acoteonline.org/

ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. NBCOT Program Data Results.

For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Get in Touch

Leadership

Name: Mary Muhlenhaupt, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Position:
  • Director, Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program
  • Associate Professor
Email: Mary.Muhlenhaupt@jefferson.edu
Contact Number(s):
  • 215-503-6947
  • JCRS Facebook

Contact Admissions

Email: enroll@jefferson.edu
Contact Number(s):
  • 215-951-2800
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Jefferson holds itself accountable, at every level of the organization, to nurture an environment of inclusion and respect, by valuing the uniqueness of every individual, celebrating and reflecting the rich diversity of its communities, and taking meaningful action to cultivate an environment of fairness, belonging & opportunity.