Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy

Now accepting applications for FALL 2012

The recommended application deadline for the Fall 2012 cohort will be July 15, 2012. We will be able to accommodate new applicants for a short period after the recommended date has passed. Please contact us at (412) 365-1498 for an updated admission status.

Chatham University offers you the opportunity to earn a Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD). This low-residency program is for occupational therapy clinicians and/or academicians who want to enhance their career and be a professional leader.

Apply principles of evidence-based practice as a basis for clinical decision making
Gain advanced knowledge of occupational therapy practice through the study and application of occupational science literature and occupation-based intervention
Design, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of innovative occupation-based programs in your chosen area of interest
Develop skills in areas of professional advocacy, education, and business
Your professional interest determines your specialization in the program
Content from each course can be directly applied to your practice setting
No GRE scores required

Each course is intricately connected to the professional student's practice focus. Student growth is not simply academic; what is learned in the classroom can be applied directly to the student's work setting. The student will grow into an advanced clinician. The professional student's practice focus may be the setting in which they work, or may extend into the community or an emerging practice area.

The OTD program is a 24/7 online experience so you are able to study with convenience and flexibility. You can study when and where your schedule permits, interact online with other students, share ideas, ask questions and exchange information. And to ensure success your online faculty advisor provides one-on-one guidance and feedback.

This online program is completed in 16 months on a part-time basis. Students are enrolled in 2 to 3 courses per term, allowing you to maintain work status. Students visit the Chatham University Shadyside Campus for two 4-5 day residencies.

Bachelor's Degree-to-OTD Option

Experienced Occupational Therapists who hold a Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy but hold no Master's degree have the option to bridge into Chatham's OTD program. For more information, please review the OTD Curriculum page

Testimonials

Chatham has exceeded my expectations in so many ways. Once I decided to do the OTD and not the PhD, I am grateful that I met someone who so strongly recommended Chatham. She was a friend of a friend...no one that I really knew and yet her endorsement was overwhelmingly positive. It seemed like everything took me back to Chatham as an option. Continued positive reputation...and rightly so! The faculty and my fellow cohort members are amazing, talented practitioners and it has been a pleasure to work beside you all. I never thought that an online program would offer me the quality of education that Chatham has provided.

- Tammy Bickmore, Class of 2011

My MOT degree was 30 years old...I was excited to try some new directions, but lacked entrepreneurial skills, 21st century teaching competencies, and the computer skills required for effective evidential searches in support of best practice interventions. Chatham University's online OTD program provided me the framework, timetable, resources, inspiration and collegial support necessary to further pursue my professional passions. Coursework was easily connected to practice, opened new access to current professional theory and evidence, and built logically toward completion of my capstone project. Chatham University is true to its mission of preparing students to excel and engage in their professions, to be globally conscious, and to be lifelong learners and citizen leaders!
- Ann Stuart, OTD, Class of 2010

Chatham University’s OTD program is very “do-able” for the busy practitioner. The asynchronous format allows you to work in your own place and time. Once you identify an area of interest in your practice area that you want to explore in depth, you will be able to develop and follow through with that interest to produce a highly relevant and useful evidence based project.
- Cyndy Goodwin, Class of 2007

The OTD program at Chatham was rigorous, but well worth it! I graduated from OT school just 10 years ago and boy have things changed in the field. Working full time, I was able to immediately use and practice things that I learned while studying the night before. The OTD program at Chatham provided me with the much needed flexibility to study and "attend" courses on my own schedule, (which was often after the kids were off to bed). The teachers there are rock solid, and leaders in their respective fields. I highly recommend the OTD program at Chatham, they are developing future leaders in the field of OT!
- Doug Cicero, OTR/L, OTD, Class of 2007

Chatham University’s Occupational Therapy Program is top notch. No other program compares to its’ level of innovativeness and overall quality. Students are exposed to the most current trends and ways of thinking, while learning the basic tenets of the profession. The faculty is of the highest caliber, always willing to provide assistance and support as needed. Only at Chatham University will you find both a strong faculty and curriculum working towards educating future clinicians. All I can say is that I love Chatham University’s Occupational Therapy Program... hands down it is the best!
- Kellianne K. Martin, OTD, OTR/L
MOT Class of 2001
OTD Class of 2007