An accelerated way to earn your doctorate

Alvernia University’s post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) is the highest level of formal education available to entry-level occupational therapists. The doctorate, which focuses on program development, prepares therapists to address the occupational needs of people of all ages with a broad exposure to traditional and community-based practice settings and areas.


This OTD program is designed for students who have earned a master's degree in Occupational Therapy and have completed all prerequisites. The OTD is offered over 10 mods requiring 20 months of study, including foundational, professional and fieldwork. It follows a year-round curriculum sequence: fall, spring, summer, fall, spring.
 

Estimated Program Length20 months
Credit Hours34
Course Length13 weeks
Transfer Credits AcceptedTBD
Cost per Credit$1,080/credit

 

In This Section
Graduate Programs

Getting Started

 

Where You Can Get a Degree

The post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy program is available:

  • Online
Admissions Requirements
  • Graduate of an ACOTE accredited Master’s OT program. Students may apply before their program is completed
  • Cumulative GPA of at least a 3.00 in MOT or MSOT degree, and a “B” or higher in all graduate Occupational Therapy courses
  • Must have received initial NBCOT certification to begin coursework
  • Eligible for occupational therapy license in state of residence
  • Admissions Essay - Students will identify their idea for program innovation or development
  • No GRE or interview required


Capstone

At the conclusion of the Post-professional OTD students will:

  • Have implemented a new service or program
  • Collected outcome data to support the efficacy of the new service or program


Disseminated information about the program to:

  • The service setting
  • An audience of health care professionals
Application Instructions
  • To apply for the OTD program beginning Fall 2023, please use OTCAS.
  • Submit your transcripts.
  • Complete your financial aid paperwork.
  • Register for classes.
Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our financial aid page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

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Program Overview

Why Alvernia?
  • Alvernia University is a nationally ranked comprehensive regional university that has been a leader in adult education for over 35 years.
  • Flexible scheduling with evening classes and in-person, hybrid and online formats meets the needs of the busy adult learner.
  • Programs are offered at a growing number of convenient locations in Reading, Pottsville, and Philadelphia.
  • With world-class facilities and resources and a dedicated advisor team to help you balance your studies, family, financial and work demands, Alvernia is the ideal choice for your personal and educational comeback.
Curriculum

Note: Alvernia schedules 6 mods over a 12-month period.

Mod 1+2- Fall (7 credits)

  • OTD 602 Understanding Contexts: Service Delivery Systems (3 credits)
  • OTD 604 Healthcare Policy and Advocacy: Ethics, professional values, & occupational Justice (3 credits)
  • OTD 606 Capstone Development I (1 credit)


Mod 3+4 - Spring (7 credits)

  • OTD 608 Using Evidence to support Program Development (3 credits)
  • OTD 612 Leading Change and Entrepreneurship (3 credits)
  • OTD 614 Capstone Development II (1 credit)


Mod 5+6 - Summer (7 credits)

  • OTD 702 Needs Assessment: meeting the needs of diverse populations (3 credits)
  • OTD 704 Funding programs/Grant Writing/Service Delivery Finance (3 credits)
  • OTD 706 Capstone Development III (1 credit)


Mod 1+2 – Fall (7 credits)

  • OTD 712 Program Outreach: Promoting and marketing to connect with audiences (3 credits)
  • OTD 714 Measuring Success: Outcomes measures and program assessment (3 credits)
  • OTD 716 Capstone Development IV - IRB Application Submitted (1 credit)

 
Mod 3 & 4-Spring (6 credits)

  • OTD 802 Capstone Implementation (3 credits)
  • OTD 804 Capstone Report & Dissemination (3 credits)
Experiential Learning Opportunities
  • Alvernia OT program has partnerships with:
    • Hannah's Hope
    • Hope Rescue Mission
    • IM Able
    • BOG Turtle Farm
    • Abilities in Motion
    • Opportunity House
    • All Abilities Fitness Center
    • Paramount Recovery House
    • Rock Steady Boxing program with Tower Health and Body Zone
    • Reading Housing Authority
    • Olivet Boys and Girls Club
    • Dayspring Homes
    • Liberty High School - Trauma Informed Care Program
  • Students have completed Level II fieldwork in countries such as Ecuador, Belize, Haiti, Uganda and the Dominican Republic.
  • Students create prosthetics using a 3-D printer and send them to those in need across the globe. Alvernia students have connected with patients in Indonesia, Canada and the U.S. through e-Nable, an online global community of “Digital Humanitarian” volunteers.
Accreditation
Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 14 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for occupational therapists in 2021 was $85,570.

  • Clinical Director
  • Faculty Specialist
  • Rehabilitation Manager
  • Fieldwork Coordinator
  • Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Doctoral Capstone Coordinator
  • Entrepreneur
OT/PT Pro-bono clinic
OT Program Offers Pro-bono Clinic
Students provide services free of charge to persons who cannot afford traditional services, have exhausted their insurance or would like help with their daily living skills.


Get To Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 610-796-5187 or gradandadult@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Program Director Jayme Ober, OTD, OTR/L, MSCS, CNMI at jayme.ober@alvernia.edu.