Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy, OTD

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission into Binghamton’s online Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy, applicants must:

• Hold a master’s degree in occupational therapy or a related field from an accredited institution.

• U.S. applicants must have graduated from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program

• International applicants must have graduated from a World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) approved occupational therapy program.

• Applicants must satisfy the general conditions and procedures for admission to Binghamton University’s Graduate School.

  • There are two exceptions to the admissions requirements referenced above:

    • GRE scores are not required for this program.

    • The online PP-OTD program requires an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher to enter and a 3.0 GPA to graduate.

To apply to the program, the following is required: 

• Submission of the online application

• Submission of academic transcripts from each college or university attended

• A personal statement not to exceed 1,000 words or four double-spaced pages that addresses the applicant’s talents, experiences, and proposed professional goals that align with the completion of a capstone project that qualifies for acceptance to a graduate program at Binghamton University

• Résumé or curriculum vitae

• Two letters of recommendation

• A virtual interview with members of the OTD Admissions Committee may be required

International students must also submit the following once approved for admission:

• International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) form to certify that the applicant has enough funds for all tuition, fees, and personal expenses for at least one year of graduate study at Binghamton University.

• Supporting financial documentation that shows the applicant has enough funds for 1 year of graduate study. Most often, this means including official bank statements or official scholarship or sponsorship letters from agencies or governments.

• Proof of English proficiency (including TOEFL, IELTS and PTE Academic scores). The TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE Academic scores help demonstrate your proficiency in English at the college level.

  • TOEFL: Graduate Admissions requires a minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the Internet-based test.

  • IELTS: Graduate Admissions requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with no band below 5.0.

  • PTE Academic: Graduate Admissions requires a minimum PTE Academic score of 53.

Admission to the program is competitive and based on a holistic review of each applicant’s academic preparation, professional readiness, and alignment with the values and expectations of the occupational therapy profession. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Program Requirements

Additional Information About the Program

Academic Honesty Policy

Students in the PP-OTD program must adhere to the academic honesty standards of Binghamton University and Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Academic dishonesty includes plagiarism, fabrication, cheating, misrepresentation of work, and improper collaboration. Violations may result in academic penalties ranging from assignment failure to dismissal from the program. Students are responsible for understanding and complying with university academic integrity expectations.

Artificial Intelligence Use Policy

Limited use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is permitted for academic support activities such as brainstorming ideas, outlining assignments, improving grammar, or generating images. AI may not be used to write papers, create assignment content, or produce substantive academic work submitted for grading. Any use of AI must be clearly disclosed and cited according to APA guidelines. Improper or undisclosed AI use is considered a violation of the academic honesty policy.

Academic Standing Policy

Students must maintain satisfactory academic standing according to Graduate School requirements. Academic standing is determined by GPA, course performance, and successful progression through the program. Students who fail to meet academic standards may be subject to academic probation or other academic review processes that may affect continuation in the program.

Enrollment and Registration Policy

Students must follow Graduate School policies regarding course registration, continuous enrollment, add/drop procedures, withdrawal deadlines, and incomplete grades. Students are responsible for maintaining active enrollment during the program and meeting all university registration deadlines.

Leave of Absence Policy

Students who need to temporarily interrupt their studies may request a leave of absence through Graduate School procedures. Leaves must be approved and typically require documentation and a plan for returning to the program. During a leave, students are not actively enrolled but retain their place in the program if the leave is approved.

Graduate Student Severance Policy

The university maintains a policy regarding the severance of graduate students or removal of financial support when academic performance or professional conduct does not meet program expectations. Students have the right to due process and may appeal decisions through established university procedures.

Grievance and Appeals Policy

Students who believe they have experienced unfair treatment or academic decisions may utilize the university grievance procedures. These procedures provide a formal mechanism for resolving disputes related to academic evaluation, program decisions, or other concerns. The grievance process includes multiple levels of review and ensures students have the opportunity to present their concerns.

Capstone Project Policy

Completion of a doctoral capstone project is required for graduation from the PP-OTD program. The capstone must address a real-world occupational therapy issue and demonstrate integration of evidence, theory, and professional practice. The project culminates in a scholarly paper and formal dissemination presentation.

Capstone Scope and Project Type Policy

Capstone projects must be feasible within the program’s five-semester structure and focus on applied scholarship. Acceptable projects include program development, curriculum design, knowledge translation, policy analysis, advocacy initiatives, and quality improvement projects. Research designs requiring extensive timelines, such as randomized controlled trials or large-scale qualitative studies, are not permitted due to program constraints.

Capstone Mentorship Policy

Each capstone project involves collaboration among the student, a capstone instructor, and project mentors. The student is responsible for managing project development, scheduling meetings, implementing the project, and maintaining communication with mentors and faculty.

IRB and Research Ethics Policy

Capstone projects involving human participants may require Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to ensure ethical research practices. When IRB approval is required, a full-time faculty member typically serves as the Principal Investigator while the student retains primary authorship of the scholarly work. Students must follow ethical standards for data collection, participant protection, and research reporting.

Technology Requirement Policy

Students must maintain adequate technology to participate in the online PP-OTD program. This includes access to a computer with webcam capability, reliable internet access, and required software such as Microsoft Office. Students may be required to install additional software depending on course activities.

Academic Writing Standards Policy

All scholarly work in the program must adhere to professional writing standards and follow APA 7th edition formatting. Students are responsible for proper citation, attribution of sources, and maintaining scholarly writing integrity. Writing support resources such as the Writing Center and editing tools are available to assist students.

Student Support and Advising Policy

Each student is assigned a faculty advisor to support academic progress and professional development. Students are encouraged to communicate regularly with their advisor and utilize university support services including academic advising, writing support, disability services, and mental health resources.

For more information about the PP-OTD program, please visit the Division of Occupational Therapy website. To apply to the PP-OTD program, please visit the University Admissions website.