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 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), which 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 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
Submission of a 1,000-word personal statement is required. This statement should address why the applicant selected occupational therapy as a career and how this degree relates to the applicant’s immediate and long-term professional goals. Applicants should describe how their personal, educational and professional background will help them achieve their goals. This essay is an important part of the application and allows applicants to express themselves.
3 Letters of Recommendation (1 being from a practicing Occupational Therapist)

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.

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

Students wishing to pursue the OTD Entry Level Professional Program degree must satisfy the general conditions and procedures for Graduate admission. Further, they must adhere to all policies outlined in the Academic Guide.

Note: This program is not 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

Term 2 - Spring

Term 3 - Summer

Term 4 - Fall

Term 5 - Spring

Term 6 - Summer

Term 7 - Fall

OCT 640 - Fieldwork Lvl II: Internship A

Term 8 - Winter-Spring

OCT 641 - Fieldwork Lvl II: Internship B

Term 9 - Spring-Summer

Additional Information About the Program

The program’s published policies regarding admission criteria, admission policies, criteria for successful academic progression and retention, graduation policies, attendance, accessibility, student support services, and student advising by OT faculty are available on its website and align with the institutional mission and vision. They are accessible to prospective students and the public, they apply consistently and equitably, and they reflect efforts to recruit and admit a diverse student population. Program’s policies include criteria for successful completion of each segment of the educational program to ensure that students complete all graduation requirements in a timely manner, advisement policies, student support services throughout the didactic, fieldwork, and capstone experiences, regardless of educational delivery model, and graduation requirements.

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

Policies and Procedures

Academic Progression and Standing

Program Progression: EL-OTD students must complete all coursework in the required sequence to graduate on time.
Academic Standing: Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA each term and overall in accordance with Binghamton University Graduate School policies.
Course Repeats: Courses with a B- or lower may be repeated once with approval; repeating may delay graduation and is not covered by merit scholarships.
Academic Probation: Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 are placed on probation and must work with the program director on a plan to return to good standing.
Leave of Absence & Incompletes: Leaves are granted only for exceptional circumstances and must be approved through the Graduate School. Incomplete grades must be resolved within 6 months.
Fieldwork & Capstone Readiness: Students must be in good academic standing and demonstrate professional readiness before Level II fieldwork and capstone experiences.
Certification Eligibility: Graduates may apply for the NBCOT certification exam only after completing all program requirements and receiving an official transcript confirming the degree.

Academic Requirements (Grading System)

The Division of Occupational Therapy in Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences adheres to the general grading system of the Binghamton University Graduate School , which applies to all graduate-level courses across the University. Grades are on a letter scale: A through C- and F.

Student Advisement and Academic Coaching

The Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (EL-OTD) program provides a structured faculty-led advisement process to support students from orientation through graduation. Each student is paired with a faculty advisor who monitors academic progress, professional conduct, and readiness for both fieldwork and the doctoral capstone. This process includes mandatory initial meetings, term-based self-assessments, and individualized coaching to ensure students meet the competencies required for the profession.

For students facing difficulties, the program utilizes a “staged advisement” framework grounded in a growth-mindset and academic-coaching model. This ensures transparent documentation and timely intervention for academic or professional conduct concerns. Specialized support is also provided during Level II fieldwork and the capstone phase through coordination between faculty advisors and program coordinators.

Referrals to accessibility, wellness, and mental health services provide a parallel support pathway to ensure equitable access to resources and help students maintain their well-being throughout the rigorous doctoral curriculum.

Program Completion

Upon successful completion of all didactic coursework, students in the EL-OTD program must complete all Level II fieldwork (minimum 24 weeks full-time) and an individual doctoral capstone experience (minimum 14 weeks full-time) within 18 months. This timeline is in accordance with ACOTE standards and reflects best practices in professional health education. Extensions beyond 18 months may be considered only under documented, exceptional circumstances and must be approved by the Division of Occupational Therapy’s Academic Review Committee.

Graduation Requirements

Binghamton University degrees are conferred by the Office of Student Records and Registrar Services in December, May and August. Graduation requirements are published in the Entry-Level OTD Program Manual, which is posted to this website and given to students before the first day of classes. For full details, see the Occupational Therapy Policies and Procedures section.

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.