Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree is designed for occupational therapists who wish to move into roles as leading clinicians, managers, leaders and educators. At UIC, students are immersed in a rigorous curriculum composed of the following:

• Advanced coursework
• Practicum experience
• Field exam
• Project involving applied scholarship

The program stresses a strong mentorship model in which students work closely with a faculty member to complete a program tailored to the student's career goals.
Students may matriculate full or part time.

Why complete a professional doctorate in occupational therapy?
As the field of occupational therapy continues to grow, many occupational therapists find themselves needing advanced therapeutic skills, knowledge and expertise to manage people and programs, and greater ability to convey their knowledge effectively to others using educational methods. Entry-level degrees in occupational therapy focus on developing generalist practitioners. By comparison, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) focuses on developing advanced practitioners with special expertise, advanced knowledge and skills, and the ability to take on leadership and educational roles in the field. For the currently practicing occupational therapist, an OTD offers opportunities for career development and advancement. For a currently enrolled master’s student, an OTD offers the opportunity to enter the field with more specialized knowledge.

Differences between an OTD and a PhD
An OTD focuses on developing advanced professional skills, while a PhD focuses on developing skills to conduct research and become an independent investigator. Although the OTD program will provide an introduction to research, it will focus on using existing research knowledge to inform professional practice. The research training of PhD students is much more extensive, with the expectation that they will actively engage in developing new knowledge through independent inquiry. Your career goals should determine which of these advanced degrees you pursue.

If you would like guidance on which degree would be a better match for your career goals, please contact the Department of Occupational Therapy.