Old Dominion University offers a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree in Occupational Therapy. Occupational Therapy doctoral program is a 105 credit, capstone-based, cohort-designed professional doctoral degree program culminating in student eligibility to sit for the national certification examination to obtain state licensure.
We provide an active learning, professional curriculum with blended didactic, clinical education (fieldwork), service-learning and capstone components designed to meet the accreditation standards of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
Program Highlights
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Occupation-centered curriculum focused on building practice scholars and leaders.
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Emphasis on active and engaged learning within the Hampton Roads community.
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State-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities designed for collaborative learning, simulation, and practice.
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Interdisciplinary rehabilitation clinic dedicated to advanced patient care and student learning.
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Holistic admissions process focused on diversity and inclusive opportunity.
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Faculty and community partners dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service.
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Opportunities for interprofessional learning and service as well as pathways to leadership and research.
Careers
Check out these ideas from ¾«¶«'s Center for Career & Leadership Development and the . A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector. Includes environmental protection officers.
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
Collect data on work environments for analysis by occupational health and safety specialists. Implement and conduct evaluation of programs designed to limit chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic risks to workers.
Occupational Therapists
Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. Use therapeutic techniques, adapt the individual's environment, teach skills, and modify specific tasks that present barriers to the individual.
Program Outcomes
Requirements
The Occupational Therapy program accepts 45 students annually.
Students entering the program must meet the minimum university admissions requirements.
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- A completed application through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) that includes transcripts, a statement of interest, and three professional and/or academic recommendations.
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- A bachelor’s degree and official transcripts from each regionally accredited institution or foreign equivalent undergraduate and graduate program attended. We accept students with a wide variety of undergraduate backgrounds
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- A minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework
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- Completion of the following prerequisite coursework with a B- or better:
- Anatomy and Physiology - 8 credit hours with labs; the course content must address the organization of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems in humans
- Developmental Psychology - 3 credit hour child development or a lifespan course that includes learning principles and motor, language, cognitive, emotional, and social development
- Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology - 3 credit hour course addressing psychopathology
- Social Science - 6 credit hours in courses that can include psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, public health, epidemiology, gerontology, and urban studies
- Statistics - 3 credit hour course addressing behavioral, educational, psychological, or mathematical statistics. Business statistics does not fulfill this requirement.
- Completion of the following prerequisite coursework with a B- or better:
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- Attestation of acknowledgment of the (page 8) eligibility requirements for certifying occupational therapy practitioners
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- No standardized achievement tests are required
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- A virtual interview with faculty and practitioners
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- Participation in the Occupational Therapy virtual
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- International students: Applicants born outside of the United States must provide proof of United States citizenship or Permanent Residency status with this offer of acceptance. We require one copy of either a Birth Certificate, Passport, Naturalization Certificate, Resident Alien or Green Card for residency.
For Admission to the Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.) Program
Immunizations
Please refer to thefor details.
This program adheres to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for immunizations and tuberculosis surveillance and the immunization requirements of Virginia law as described under theApplicants confirming acceptance on or before June 10, must have all health requirements completed by July 1. Applicants accepted after June 10 will have 3 weeks from the date of confirming acceptance to complete all health requirements.
* Online Pre-Orientation and Registration modules will be available in the Acceptance Portal. You will have access to this portal once your credentials are issued to you.
Cost of Attendance
We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance.
Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2025-26 academic year (subject to change). Other fees are assessed for special services and certain academic programs. Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
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