Occupational Therapy, Entry-Level (ELOTD)

Occupational Therapy, Entry-Level (ELOTD) Overview

Chatham is proud to offer the entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (ELOTD) program for students wishing to obtain this credential who hold a bachelor’s degree. At Chatham, you can earn your OTD in only 28 months—one term beyond the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT). The OTD provides more real-world experience through a doctoral project in your area of interest. Through this project, you’ll increase the scope of your career to include paths such as leadership, advocacy, research, program development, and advanced clinical practice.

Program School

College of Health Sciences

Application Deadline

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.

Credits Required

99 (7 terms)

This full-time cohort program begins each fall and is completed in only 28 months, just one term past what is required for a master’s degree.

Learning Opportunities

Leadership Focus

The ELOTD program provides students with opportunities to engage in a variety of leadership activities throughout the curriculum. Learn more below.

Important Information

Accreditation

Chatham’s ELOTD program has been granted Accreditation Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the AOTA. Click here to visit our accreditation page.

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

Information Sessions

After exploring the website, attend one of our Entry-Level Occupational Therapy (ELOTD) prospective student webinars to talk with faculty and learn more about this program. At these online sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with faculty, get your questions answered, and learn more about the admissions process.

View OT Events

Photo of a smiling woman working on a laptop

Courses & Curriculum

Chatham's entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (ELOTD) is a seven-term, 99-credit-hour degree program. Click the button below to learn more about the curriculum progression and courses.

Explore ELOTD Curriculum

Photo of two students practicing occupational therapy techniques on each other in a classroom

Our Mission

To prepare and empower innovative, compassionate occupational therapy practitioners, scholars, and leaders to promote sustainable health and well-being among individuals, populations, and communities through the power of occupation.

Photo of a group of 18 Chatham students posing together in a train station.

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.

Photo of ten physical therapy students posing together in front of a painted mural in an Ecuadorian childcare facility.

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.

Explore Highlights & Community Outreach

Photo of students wearing masks, sitting around a room

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

Decorative image reading Faculty Listing

Program Faculty

Chatham’s OTD faculty members bring a wealth of clinical experience as well as teaching experience in a range of practice settings. They serve as mentors and advisors and are there for you every step of the way.

Meet the Faculty

Photo of a woman in yellow sweater sitting in a lecture hall, smiling and taking notes during a class.

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 by clicking here and searching for 'Pennsylvania', and 'OT Doctoral-Level Programs'.

Photo of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania skyline featuring tall buildings, rivers, bridges, and blue skies

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.

Photo of two young women speaking animatedly at a table outside

LAST Project

The Leadership, Advocacy, Supervision Training (LAST) Project is a collaborative two-year Health Services & Resources Administration funded grant that provides fellowship stipends to OTD and PsyD students.

Explore the LAST Project

Photo of a group of students seated in a lecture classroom, paying attention to an offscreen instructor

Tuition & Funding

The cost of a graduate degree consists of university tuition, fees, and any other personal expenses you may require to earn your degree. Our Financial Aid and Admissions offices will also work with you to understand loan and financing options for which you may qualify. For a detailed breakdown of ELOTD tuition and fees, please click here to download the PDF.

Explore Tuition & Funding

A student works diligently on a laptop in class

Admission Requirements

Learn more about Chatham's ELOTD program admission process and requirements, as well as an admitted student profile.

View Admission Requirements

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

Rolling grassy hills, historic red brick buildings, and multicolored autumn trees decorate Chatham University's Shadyside campus in Pittsburgh.

Accreditation & Student Outcomes

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 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is 301-652-6611 and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

View Full Accreditation & Student Outcomes

Photo of two young Chatham University students demonstrating physical therapy techniques.

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