Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program

Dual Degrees

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate and the Doctor of Philosophy


Are you interested in becoming a faculty member in an occupational therapy educational program? Would you like to discover new knowledge through a research career? To prepare you for a faculty position in academia or as a researcher, we offer the dual degree of Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with majors in exercise science or in health education. The dual degree is designed to meet the growing need for occupational therapy faculty members who are prepared to conduct and mentor research. The graduates of the dual degree program will have the credentials and skills to practice as occupational therapists and to succeed in careers in academia.

Admission to the OTD/PhD is a two-step process. The first step is admission to the OTD program. In the first, second or third year of the OTD program, the student completes the second step by applying for admission to the PhD program. If selected for admission, students may apply up to 18 credits of their OTD program for credit in the PhD program in exercise science or up to 19 credits in the PhD program in health education. This is the first such dual degree in the country and an exciting opportunity for students interested in pursuing an academic career path. More details are available from the Occupational Therapy Program.

Last Updated: 6/27/22