
Occupational Therapy, Entry-Level (ELOTD)
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Occupational Therapy, Entry-Level (ELOTD) Overview
Rolling
Completed applications must be e-submitted to OTCAS and are now being accepted on a rolling basis. Additional information can be found in the Admission Requirements section below.
117 (8 terms)
This full-time cohort program begins each fall and is completed in only 32 months, just two terms past what is required for a master’s degree.
$11,883
Cost consists of program tuition (cost per term times number of terms) as well as any applicable University and degree-specific fees. Additional details regarding fees can be found here.
Accreditation
Chatham University’s entry-level OTD program has been granted Accreditation Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). More information can be found by visiting our accreditation page.
Explore the Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Degree:
Occupational therapy has joined the number of health-related professions that have been transitioning to the entry-level doctorate. In some settings, this has impacted hiring practices, salary differentials, and leadership appointments.
The program guides students through introspection and self-reflection to develop individualized, authentic leadership skills, and prepares them with the tools and knowledge to be leaders within the OT profession and society at large. Students are provided opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to explore and apply cutting-edge theories and intervention approaches. They gain an understanding of professional responsibilities and advocacy through engagement in various personal and professional leadership and scholarship opportunities.
—JODI SCHREIBER, OTD, OTR/L, C/NDT, associate professor of occupational therapy

Our Vision
The vision of the ELOTD at Chatham is to cultivate personal and professional growth as globally-minded citizens and as leaders in healthcare. At its core, the program promotes sustainable health and wellness for all persons, communities and populations.

Focus on Leadership
Chatham’s entry-level OTD program provides students with opportunities to engage in a variety of leadership activities throughout the curriculum. They are assigned a leadership advisor, and take part in a leadership advising group. In addition, there are multiple opportunities to engage in advocacy and leadership roles throughout the program, including program committee positions to foster the development of professional service and leadership skills.

Program Highlights & Community Outreach
Students benefit from a range of extracurricular opportunities, including participating in student-run organizations, professional organizations, international connections, experiential opportunities, the sensory garden at Eden Hall Campus, multigenerational living opportunities, and applying for fellowships and scholarships.
Program Highlights & Community Outreach : Checkerboard 3 - Program Highlights & Community Outreach
Interprofessional Education (IPE)
Interprofessional education involves students from two or more health professions learning together during their training. The goal of IPE is to enhance communication and decision-making, allowing various domains of knowledge to complement each other.
Learn About IPE : Checkerboard 4 - Interprofessional Education (IPE)
Board Eligibility
Chatham ELOTD graduates can sit for the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) exam, which certifies them as an OTR®. State licensure is required by most states and is usually based on the results of the NBCOT® exam. Chatham’s OT Program results from the NBCOT® exam can be found online at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance by searching for “Pennsylvania”, “OT Doctoral-Level Programs”.

ELOTD Accreditation Status
Chatham University’s Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Degree Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
View Full Accreditation & Student Outcomes : Checkerboard 6 - ELOTD Accreditation Status
Location in Pittsburgh
Chatham's location allows for access to a network of resources from surrounding colleges and universities. The many nearby hospitals, clinics, and community agencies offer a wide variety of opportunities for observation and fieldwork experiences. There’s lots of opportunity to network with local OT clinicians through guest lectures and panel discussions.

Support an OT Student
The Class of 2018 created the Joyce Salls Occupational Therapy Student Award, which honors Dr. Salls’s dedication to her students and the field of Occupational Therapy. The purpose of this award is to provide recognition and financial assistance to a deserving occupational therapy student at Chatham University’s School of Health Sciences.
Give Now : Checkerboard 8 - Support an OT Student
InTouch Newsletters
Learn about occupational therapy student and faculty accomplishments, alumni achievements, and various activities that occurred over the last academic year—in Pittsburgh, and all over the country.
Read the Newsletters : Checkerboard 9 - InTouch Newsletters
Frequently Asked Questions
Want more details? Download our PDF for answers to the most frequently asked questions about Chatham's Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.
Download PDF : Checkerboard 10 - Frequently Asked Questions