Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)

The Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PP-OTD) is designed for licensed occupational therapists with an earned master’s degree in occupational therapy. The interdisciplinary curriculum prepares students to explore new areas of interest and further develop advanced practitioner roles. The program options are selected by the student and are based on career goals and aspirations. There are various track options with the primary focus in supporting practitioners in direct pediatric practice, direct community wellness practice with select populations, healthcare management, entrepreneurship, and/ or leadership and advocacy. The program options related to Autism Support and Trauma Informed Practice are unique to Elizabethtown College. Every student must complete two tracks, post-baccalaureate certificate programs, prior to registering for the Post-Professional Scholarship and Post-Professional Capstone experience.  Students seeking to receive official certification and transcription of each certificate stack their certificate credentials toward the PP-OTD degreed program.   Students electing to enter directly into the PP-OTD program complete both tracks as embedded credentials.  This pathway transcribes only the earned PP-OTD degree.  Students entering directly into the PP-OTD are prohibited from reverting back to stacking standalone certificate programs retroactively.   Financial Aid is awarded based on pathway to program completion.  Students should consult with their academic advisor to ensure they select a pathway that supports their individual needs and academic goals. Courses will be offered on-line.   A minimum of 32 credits.

PPOTD Admission Criteria:

• Submit a current copy of your current, valid Occupational Therapy License with your application or prior to the start of the two PPOTD courses.

If you would like to accelerate the completion of the doctoral program and do not choose to receive any graduate certificate designations on your transcripts, please follow these instructions:

• Complete the graduate application via the online portal choosing the GPS Graduate Application, indicating the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy as your major, and designating the two certificate programs you plan to pursue as part of the PPOTD.
  • This portal will include the submission of a $25 nonrefundable application fee, waived for Elizabethtown College graduates.
  • You will also need to request official transcripts from institutions you have attended and upload your current resume.
  • Additionally, prepare a 1-2 page essay addressing your statement of professional goals, current approach to leadership/management, and long-term goals for the application of the PPOTD to your professional life.

If you prefer to receive certificate designation on your transcript for each of the areas you pursue within the PPOTD, it will require taking each graduate certificate individually. Please follow these instructions:

• Complete the graduate application via the online portal choosing the GPS Graduate Application, designating the first certificate program as your major and indicating that you plan to pursue the PPOTD and then designating your second certificate choice.\
  • This portal will include the submission of a $25 nonrefundable application fee, waived for Elizabethtown College graduates.
  • You will also need to request official transcripts from institutions you have attended and upload your current resume.
  • Additionally, prepare a 1-2 page essay addressing your statement of professional goals, current approach to leadership/management and long-term goals for the application of the PPOTD to your professional life. Instructions for these are available in the admissions portal.

Student Learning Outcomes for Post-Professional Occupational Therapy:

Students will be able to:

• Engage in advanced occupational therapy practice that integrates critical thinking, reflective practice, creativity, and ethical reasoning in the occupational therapy process.
• Demonstrate leadership in the management and delivery of occupational therapy services, evaluation of program effectiveness, and professional development.
• Recognize opportunities for and demonstrate principles and skills related to advocacy.
• Contribute to the body of evidence that supports traditional and emerging occupational therapy practice.