Program highlights
- Accelerated program. Earn your OTD degree in two years. Most doctoral – and even some master’s OT programs – take up to three years to complete. The two-year OTD model allows you to enter the workforce and start earning a salary sooner.
- Flexible, hybrid curriculum. Our approach combines the best practices of distance learning with the invaluable hands-on experience of on-campus, immersive labs. Pursue your degree from anywhere while staying connected to our vibrant academic community at BGSU.
- Academically rigorous. Our OTD program maintains high standards of quality and rigor. It is designed to prepare you for success in today's dynamic occupational therapy landscape.
- Cutting-edge technologies
- Diverse fieldwork placements
- Student-centered curriculum
- No GRE or on-campus interview required.
- Outstanding faculty. Learn from experienced educators who have practiced all over the country in a variety of settings. Our faculty has created a program that prepares you to practice in today’s environment, while advocating and working to change the profession for the better.
- Academic support. Occupational therapy doctoral students are placed on a team of your peers and matched with a faculty member who will serve as your academic coach. Academic coaching is integral to academic success. Your coach will support you in achieving your goals, maintain clear and effective communication and create a collaborative and professional culture.
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Career opportunities
The need for occupational therapists is expected to increase as the large baby-boom generation ages and people remain active later in life. Jobs in the field are projected to grow 12% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts about 9,600 job openings a year over the decade.
The median annual salary for occupational therapists was $96,370 in 2023. (Salaries vary based on a degree, location and other factors.)
Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, traumatic brain injury or the loss of a limb.
Career settings
- Home and community settings
- Hospitals
- Long-term care
- Mental and behavioral health settings
- Outpatient clinics
- Academia
- Schools, early intervention and other emerging settings
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Curriculum
The OTD curriculum is designed to:
- Equip entry-level occupational therapists with the required knowledge, skills and competencies for roles in occupational therapy
- Provide a comprehensive and evidence-based education
- Integrate theoretical foundations with practical experiences to prepare graduates for the challenges of modern healthcare
- Prepare students to practice as generalists with broad exposure to current and emerging practice areas
The OTD curriculum is delivered across six semesters in two calendar years using an accelerated, hybrid learning delivery model.
The hybrid nature of the curriculum demands motivation, active engagement and openness to diverse learning methods from students.
- One year of full-time didactic education
- 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork experiences
- 14 weeks of the capstone experience
About half of our curriculum is made up of online synchronous and asynchronous courses. The other half is comprised of face-to-face lab immersion sessions.
Year One
You will come to campus for two weeks in every eight-week class session for hands-on psychomotor skill development in immersive lab experiences and Level I Fieldwork.
Year Two
You will come to campus two or three times. The final phase of the curriculum involves Level II Fieldwork placements and Capstone projects.
Attendance also is required at weekly sync sessions. We strongly recommend that students work no more than 10-12 hours/week given the demands of the accelerated delivery model.
Sample courses
- Foundations in OT Practice
- Research I: Foundations to Scholarly Review
- Functional Anatomy
- Human Development and Occupation Across the Lifespan
BGSU Rehabilitative Science Service Scholars Program
This engaging, hands-on learning community offers students in the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy a unique opportunity to enhance their academic experience.
Currently open to students enrolled in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs, this on-campus, 1-credit-hour elective is designed to complement the hybrid nature of these graduate programs by providing an in-person, small-group seminar format focused on applied research and service-learning projects.
Each week, students participate in experiential learning that involves research and literature reviews, data collection and analysis, community needs assessments and collaborative service initiatives. Participants can gain exposure to real-world challenges in the fields of physical and occupational therapy, while working on projects that benefit local populations.
It’s an opportunity for students to distinguish themselves professionally, strengthening their resumes with valuable service-learning experience that showcases leadership, research skills and community impact. It also offers a supportive community for hybrid students who want to experience a more traditional in-person learning environment.
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Creating Opportunity for All
BGSU’s School of Physical and Occupational Therapy is committed to establishing a supportive and welcoming community for all of its students, educators, and staff. Creating an environment where we are able to respectfully consider various perspectives, and how they apply to our curriculum and core values, will successfully prepare students to meet needs of the physical and occupational therapist workforce and patients they serve. We believe that communities are stronger by providing opportunity for all.
BGSU and the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy seek to create opportunity by empowering student success. Our programs are committed to addressing health disparities and social determinants of health. All BGSU DPT/OTD students will be introduced to issues related to healthcare in medically underserved areas. This service not only advances the core values of the profession but allows students to gain valuable educational experiences. Understanding the unique healthcare needs of various communities helps create public good.
The Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program is part of the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy in the BGSU College of Health & Human Services.
Updated: 10/28/2025 11:51AM