Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy, OTD

Location(s): Health Science Campus

The Division of Occupational Therapy at Binghamton University is designed to prepare reflective, motivated and disciplined occupational therapists for clinical scholarship mastery in the roles of practitioner, manager and contributor who are prepared for society’s ever-changing needs. The occupational therapy program will graduate practitioners who are innovative leaders in the field, clinically informed, grounded in the perspective of occupation, and demonstrate the ability to translate and apply research into clinical practice.

Binghamton University’s Division of Occupational Therapy, 106-credit full-time, in-person, OTD Entry Level Program will be offered in 9 continuous terms and is open to applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in any field who wish to pursue a clinical doctorate in occupational therapy and meet all admission requirements. The OTD Entry Level Professional Program curriculum is intended to promote clinical reasoning integrating clinical, theoretical and scientific evidence to foster enhanced professional clinical reasoning to think like an occupational therapist practitioner.

Doctoral students are required to adhere to all policies of the school pertinent to professional practice, grading policies, professional ethics and academic honesty. Doctoral students are also required to adhere to all policies and procedures found online in the Graduate School Manual.

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates are eligible to take the national occupational therapy exam (NBCOT) exam that is required for application for an OT license for each state to be able to practice as occupational therapists in the United States.

Admissions Requirements

For students who intend to pursue the OTD Entry Level Professional Program, the following are required and will be evaluated for admission:

Application to the Entry Level Professional OTD program is conducted via the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application System (OTCAS).
Applicants must have an earned bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 from an accredited college or university to be considered for admission.
Transcripts of prerequisite coursework completion, B- grade or higher, must be submitted for official admission into the program. Applicants must fully complete all formerly accepted prerequisite coursework to be formally admitted to enroll in the program:
- Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology, 3 Credits
- Developmental Psychology, 3 Credits
- Behavioral Sciences/Sociology/Anthropology, 3 Credits
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II w/dissection lab, 6 Credits\
- Statistics 3 Credits
Your personal statement should address why you selected occupational therapy as a career and how this degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. Describe how your personal, educational, and professional background help you achieve your goals. This essay is an important part of your application and allows you to clearly and effectively express yourself.
3 Letters of Recommendation: (1 being from a practicing Occupational Therapist)

Note: GRE scores are not required for Binghamton University’s OTD Entry Level Professional Program.

Students wishing to pursue a OTD Entry Level Professional Program degree must satisfy the general conditions and procedures for admission to Binghamton University’s Graduate School. Further, they must adhere to all policies outlined in the Graduate School Manual.

NOTE: This program is not yet authorized to issue immigration documents for international students seeking F or J status.

How to Apply: OTCAS

OTCAS will be sending your Final Official Bachelor’s Transcript to Binghamton University if submitted through the OTCAS system prior to the OTCAS application submission deadline. If you cannot meet this deadline, you are required to submit your Final Official Bachelor’s Transcript to Binghamton University’s Graduate School as soon as available. (If sending your transcript electronically, please send it to Binghamton University Graduate Admissions or code 2535)

You may upload and edit your documents on OTCAS until the OTCAS application submission deadline.. Please send all summer unofficial/campus transcripts showing prerequisite course grade(s) to bingOT@binghamton.edu AS SOON AS GRADES ARE AVAILABLE.

Program Requirements

Students in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Entry Level Professional program can complete the program in nine consecutive semesters as outlined below.

Course Requirements

Term 1 - Fall

OCT 600 - Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations of Occupational Therapy Practice
OCT 601 - Functional Anatomy for the Basis of Human Occupation
OCT 602 - Human Occupation Across the Lifespan
OCT 603 - Kinesiology & Functional Biomechanics

Term 2 - Spring

OCT 604 - Health Conditions: Epidemiology and Pathophysiology
OCT 605 - Neuroscience of Behavior
OCT 606 - Learning and Behavioral Change
OCT 610 - Mental Health Intervention
OCT 620 - Interpersonal and Interprofessional Communication in Healthcare
OCT 621 - Professional Reasoning I: Critical Inquiry and Decision-Making

Term 3 - Summer

OCT 611 - Development: Adulthood and Aging
OCT 622 - Fieldwork Level I Experience A & Seminar Part A
OCT 623 - Professional Reasoning II: Context and Participation
OCT 630 - Theories of Inquiry & Research Methodology in Translation Science

Term 4 - Fall

OCT 612 - Physical Rehabilitation: Orthopedics
OCT 613 - Physical Rehabilitation: Neurological Disorders
OCT 614 - Development: Working with Children
OCT 617 - Interprofessional Health Promotion and Health Advocacy
OCT 631 - Research Process I: Foundation & Scholarship Literature

Term 5 - Spring

OCT 607 - Group Process and Intentional Relationship in the Practice of Occupational Therapy
OCT 608 - Administration and Management
OCT 615 - Occupational Therapy Tool Kit for Assistive Technologies
OCT 624 - Fieldwork Level I Experience B & Seminar Part B
OCT 625 - Professional Reasoning III: Theory and Application
OCT 632 - Research Process II: Methods and Design

Term 6 - Summer

OCT 616 - Interprofessional Ethics and Analytical Reasoning
OCT 618 - Advanced Leadership in Innovative Practice
OCT 626 - Professional Reasoning IV: Integrated Seminar and Synthesis
OCT 633 - Research Process III: Implementation and Application in Translational Science

Term 7 - Fall

OCT 640 - Fieldwork Level II Internship A: 12 weeks full time

Term 8 - Winter-Spring

OCT 641 - Fieldwork Level II Internship B: 12 weeks full time

Term 9 - Spring-Summer

OCT 642 - Advanced OTD Capstone Experience: 14 weeks full time
OCT 643 - OTD Capstone Translation, Application and Dissemination

Additional Information About the Program

For more information on the Entry-Level OTD program, please refer to the Occupational Therapy website for more information. Application to the OTD Entry-Level Professional program is conducted via the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application System/OTCAS.