Winter Weather Alert for Monday, February 23, 2026
More Info [posted 2/22/26 4:00 p.m.]
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 skills, research skills, administration, program development and evaluation, policy development, advocacy, education, and leadership. 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 107 graduate credits of coursework to develop professional knowledge and competencies.
Hear from Our Students
Shawn Sandels (he/him), is a student in the Class of 2026. He is a member 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.
Program News
Occupational Therapy-Industrial Design Collaboration Improves Quality of Life for Area Senior Citizens
Students solve real-world challenges through longstanding transdisciplinary university project.
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
Outcomes
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 OTD Fact Sheet contains additional institutional information. For questions, contact Financial.Aid@jefferson.edu
Technology Services Information
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.
