Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Department of Occupational Therapy

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Our Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral (ELOTD) program is designed for students entering with a degree in a field other than OT. Students will experience an exciting program combining a diverse curriculum, research, service learning, and fieldwork.

Program Requirements and Policies

To receive an Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) degree in occupational therapy, students must satisfactorily complete (receive grades of B- or better) 106 semester hour units in the required courses.

In addition to the 106 required semester hour units, students may take six additional graduate level elective semester hour units in the department or wider university.

All students must successfully pass two three-month (or equivalent) Level II Fieldwork placements and complete a 14- week Doctoral Experiential Component.

You are encouraged to work closely with your advisor, the fieldwork coordinators and doctoral experiential component coordinator to ensure a smooth transition through your academic and fieldwork experiences.

We expect that students will complete the Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral program in nine semesters. 

Program Details

  • The ELOTD program is a 9-semester, full-time program
  • Students will experience a well rounded curriculum focusing on both research and occupational therapy practice.
  • Small classroom sizes and one-on-one faculty mentorships during the Doctoral Experiential Capstone allows for both academic and professional growth as you transition from student to clinician.
  • Students are exposed to a wide range of learning experience through classroom lectures, simulated labs, self-directed study, group projects, hands-on learning, community partnerships, and research presentations.
  • Students will graduate with an OTD, a professional/ clinical doctoral degree.
  • After the completion of your OTD degree, you will be eligible to sit for the NBCOT exam to become a practicing occupational therapist.

Course Requirements

  • OTS 102 Gross Anatomy
  • OTS 103 Neuroanatomy
  • OTS 104 Kinesiology
  • OTS 105 Assistive Technology
  • OTS 106 Occupation and Adaptation in the Child and Adolescent
  • OTS 107 Occupation and Adaptation in the Adult Years
  • OTS 137, 138 Fieldwork Seminar
  • OTS 202 Bio-Ethics in Practice (ELOTD only; Fall I)
  • OTS 204 Topics in Emerging Practice Areas (ELOTD only; Spring I)
  • OTS 205 Clinical Reasoning I: Observation and Interpretation
  • OTS 206 Clinical Reasoning II: Procedural Reasoning in the Practice of Occupational Therapy
  • OTS 207 Clinical Reasoning III: Interactive Reasoning in the Practice of Occupational Therapy
  • OTS 209 Clinical Research
  • OTS 210 Proposal and Methods (ELOTD only; Fall II; 3 credits; Grading: S/U)
  • OTS 211 Occupational Therapy Foundations (ELOTD only; Summer I; 3)
  • OTS 213 DEC Seminar I (ELOTD only; Spring I;)
  • OTS 214 DEC Seminar II (ELOTD only; Spring II)
  • OTS 215 DEC Seminar III (ELOTD only; Spring III)
  • OTS 216 Doctoral Experiential Component (ELOTD only; Spring III)
  • OTS 219 Group Theory and Community-Based Practice
  • OTS 224 Occupational Therapy Practice in Physical Dysfunction
  • OTS 226 Occupational Therapy Practice with the Pediatric Population
  • OTS 227 Occupational Therapy Practice in Psychosocial Dysfunction
  • OTS 229 Occupational Therapy Practice with Older Adults
  • OTS 232 Health and Community Systems
  • OTS 233 Occupational Therapy Management and Administration
  • OTS 237/238 Level II Fieldwork
  • OTS 242 Health Conditions: Pathology and Prevention I 
  • OTS 243 Health Conditions: Pathology and Prevention II
  • OTS 244 Health Conditions: Pathology and Prevention III
  • OTS 294 Mentorship. Fall II
  • OTS 295 Mentorship II. Spring II

Program Accreditation

Tufts Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

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 program 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. For state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure information.