Advance your Occupational Therapy career by earning your Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD).
Occupational Therapy, as a profession, needs practitioners with the leadership and evidence-based practice skills to meet the needs of our ever changing healthcare system and society. The OTD also provides licensed practitioners with advanced skills in scholarly inquiry and a foundation for a career as an academic faculty member.
Shenandoah University’s Division of Occupational Therapy offers an innovative online graduate program leading to a Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree.
This program is designed for practicing registered occupational therapists who have obtained a masters degree and want to advance in leadership and develop as evidence-based scholars. The focus of this interdisciplinary clinical doctoral program is to develop students’ knowledge in occupational science, leadership, and the application of teaching and learning strategies. The program is offered entirely online through asynchronous interaction with instructors and a cohort of students, allowing students the flexibility to earn this degree from any location.
“I love being a part of a school with supportive, understanding, and open-minded professors. I love the flexibility and I can be very intentional with my time. I would definitely recommend SU to anyone who wants to pursue higher ed.” – Mai Moua ’25/OTD-PP
Occupational Therapy at Shenandoah University
Welcome to Shenandoah University’s Division of Occupational Therapy. We offer three distinct programs in unique hybrid and online curriculum models to meet the needs of diverse learners. Our students graduate prepared to be a leader in the field of occupational therapy and make a difference locally, nationally, and abroad.
The Shenandoah Occupational Therapy program offers students the opportunity to learn all the skills they will need as an entry-level occupational therapist. These skills include evaluation of clients, treatment planning, being an evidence-based practitioner, and specific treatment interventions such as adaptations to the client’s environment, splinting and mobility skills.
Classes
The OTD-PP program is a cohort program, with students in each curriculum track beginning courses in the summer semester and proceeding through the program in the same sequence at the same time. Courses in the OTD-PP program are taken in fall, spring, and summer terms, with each course being offered only in a specific term each year.
The OTD-PP requires 30 credits to earn the degree. Students will earn a total of 21 credits through the Division of OT at Shenandoah University. Up to 9 graduate credits will be transferred from the student’s previous graduate degree.
The OTD-PP program is delivered online through a distance-based format. Course materials (lectures, tests, readings, etc.) are available online in Canvas, the university’s Learning Management System. Lectures are provided in a podcast format. Courses follow an asynchronous format, meaning that there are generally no requirements for students to attend the online courses simultaneously on a particular schedule, although regular participation is required throughout the entire term. Courses are structured to facilitate engagement, active learning, and regular interaction with classmates and instructors. A variety of assessment methods are employed, including discussion boards, independent and small group activities, quizzes, and exams.
Track I – One Year Option
Summer Semester 1 | Credits |
OT 765 Application of Learning Theories in OT | 1 |
OT 775 Leadership in Action | 3 |
OT 785 Occupational Science | 3 |
Semester Total | 7 |
Fall Semester 1 | |
OT 770 Advanced Practice and Writing in OT | 3 |
OT 780 Advanced Quantitative Methods | 3 |
Semester Total | 6 |
Spring Semester 1 | |
OT 783 Advanced Qualitative Methods | 3 |
OT 870 Post-Professional Capstone Design | 2 |
Semester Total | 5 |
Summer Semester 2 | |
OT 880 Post-Professional Capstone Implementation | 3 |
Semester Total | 3 |
Program Credits | 21 |
Track II – Two Year Option
Summer Semester 1 | Credits |
OT 765 Application of Learning Theories in OT | 1 |
OT 775 Leadership in Action | 3 |
Fall Semester 1 | |
OT 780 Advanced Quantitative Methods | 3 |
Spring Semester 1 | |
OT 783 Advanced Qualitative Methods | 3 |
Summer Semester 2 | |
OT 785 Occupational Science | 3 |
Fall Semester 2 | |
OT 770 Advanced Practice and Writing in OT | 3 |
Spring Semester 2 | |
OT 870 Post-Professional Capstone Design | 2 |
Summer Semester 3 | |
OT 880 Post-Professional Capstone Implementation | 3 |
Program Credits | 21 |
Application Information
Prerequisites
- Masters degree in Occupational Therapy or Bachelor degree in Occupational Therapy and Masters degree in a related field
Admissions requirements
- Graduate application
- Unofficial transcripts
- Copy of current NBCOT certification
- Resume/CV
Discounts are available for SUDOT alumni, employees of clinical sites for SUDOT, employees of Valley Health Systems, Inova Health Systems, and West Virginia University Hospital- East.
Important Information for COTA Applicants:
Contact Information:
Morghen Sikes, Ph.D., OTR/L
Director of OTD-PP
esikes@tif2005.com
International Opportunities
Our university and programs pride ourselves on our international opportunities for experiential learning. We regularly engage in interprofessional and intraprofessional abroad trips to Spain, Ecuador and Morocco for course credit. We are always open to new opportunities for expanding our collaborations abroad. Check out all the international opportunities at Shenandoah University!
Related Programs
Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) – Winchester
This program is for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree.
Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) – Online
This program is for occupational therapists who have a master’s degree and are interested in obtaining an OTD.
Entry Level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) – Loudoun
This program is for individuals who have bachelor’s degree and are interested in obtaining a master’s degree in Occupational therapy.
COTA Associates to Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) – Loudoun
This program is for Occupational Therapy Assistants who have an Associate’s degree or higher and are interested in becoming an occupational therapist.
Early Assurance Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) – Winchester
This program is for high school students who are interested in becoming an occupational therapist by attending Shenandoah University Undergraduate 3 years and then transitioning to the Entry Level Doctorate Program.
Shenandoah University Articulation Agreement
This articulation agreements provides a simplified, guaranteed admissions process for a limited number of undergraduate students from Shenandoah University.
NOVA Community College Articulation Agreement
This articulation agreements provides a simplified, guaranteed admissions process for a limited number of undergraduate students from NOVA Community College.
Get in touch with us!
Contact Us
OTD Post-Professional Program – Online
Morghen Sikes, Ph.D., OTR/L
Director of Post-Professional OTD Program and Adjunct Associate Professor
esikes@tif2005.com | (540) 542-6543