Doctor of Occupational Therapy

KU School of Health Professions

Doctorate in Occupational Therapy Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the occupational therapy degree, graduates will:

• Demonstrate clinical competence in evaluation, intervention planning, and implementation of occupational therapy services.
• Apply evidence-informed decision-making to improve client and population outcomes.
• Integrate theory, research, and professional standards into practice.
• Collaborate effectively within interprofessional teams.
• Design, implement, and evaluate scholarly or practice-based projects that advance the profession.
• Exhibit ethical reasoning and culturally responsive care across diverse contexts.

Students in the entry-level pathway demonstrate competency across clinical practice domains, while post-professional students emphasize advanced leadership, scholarship, and systems-level contributions.

What Careers are Possible with a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy?

Graduates of this occupational therapy degree are prepared for licensure and practice in a variety of healthcare and community settings. According to Lightcast, employment for occupational therapists is projected to grow faster than average over the next decade, reflecting strong demand across medical, educational, and community-based environments.

Common employment settings include:

• Hospitals and acute care facilities
• Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation centers
• Schools and early intervention programs
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Community health organizations
• Private practice

Compensation varies by geography, experience, and setting. National data indicate that the doctor of occupational therapy salary typically reflects competitive earnings within the healthcare sector, with strong long-term growth potential.

Post-professional graduates often pursue expanded leadership roles, clinical specialization, academic teaching, program development, or administrative positions within healthcare systems.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Admission Requirements

To apply for the occupational therapy degree program at the University of Kansas, you must meet the following criteria:

Entry Level

• A bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution, including official transcripts.
• Prerequisite coursework in: abnormal psychology, lifespan development/developmental psychology, research methods, ethics, human physiology, human anatomy with a lab, a social science course, and medical terminology.
• A passing grade of “C” or higher is required in all prerequisite courses and an overall 3.0 (4.0 scale) GPA for prerequisite courses.
• A 500-word (or less) statement of interest in which he or she provides information about the reasons why the program at the University of Kansas is of interest
• All accepted students must submit copies of current, valid CPR and First Aid certifications prior to the program start date and maintain certification while in the program. Students need to complete the Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers training through the American Heart Association.

Post-Professional

• A master’s degree in occupational therapy OR a bachelor’s degree in OT with a master’s degree in another area, including official transcripts
• Cumnulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
• Applicants must provide documentation of current state licensure to practice OT or NBCOT registration (NBCOT in the USA, or equivalent in a country recognized by WOTF)
• Resume/CV

Both Programs Require

• Statement of purpose describing why occupational therapy is their chosen career, and how a degree in OT will support the applicant’s personal and professional goals.
• Three letter of reference
• Background check

For detailed admission instructions and deadlines, visit KUMC Admissions.

Student Life and Learning Experiences

Students enrolled in the occupational therapy degree benefit from robust academic and professional development opportunities. Entry-level students participate in classroom instruction, simulation experiences, community partnerships, and supervised fieldwork placements that promote clinical excellence.

Post-professional students engage in advanced coursework emphasizing leadership, innovation, and applied scholarship. Many complete capstone or scholarly projects that address real-world challenges in practice environments.

Research engagement is a hallmark of this OTD occupational therapy experience. Faculty-led initiatives span assistive technology, participation-focused interventions, rehabilitation science, and community-based practice. Students may contribute to ongoing projects or design independent inquiries aligned with professional goals.

Professional networking and leadership development are supported through student organizations and collaborative events. These experiences strengthen graduates’ readiness to contribute meaningfully to healthcare systems and professional organizations.

Doctorate in Occupational Therapy Sample Courses

The entry-level OTD degree curriculum integrates foundational science, occupational therapy theory, and applied practice. Representative courses include:

• Foundations in Occupational Therapy
• Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology to Support Occupational Performance
• Neuroscience Foundations to Support Occupational Performance
• Occupational Performance and Participation Across the Lifespan

The curriculum culminates in doctoral capstone preparation and implementation experiences that demonstrate advanced competencies expected within leading OT doctorate programs. For a full list of courses, please refer to the KU Catalog.

Accreditation & Notes