Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)
An online doctorate for practicing occupational therapists — about 16 months, three start dates a year, no residency required.
Program Overview
The Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PP-OTD) at Shawnee State University is designed for practicing occupational therapists who are ready to take the next step in their careers. Offered through our Online Campus, the program emphasizes clinical excellence, leadership, and scholarly practice, all within a flexible, no-residency format that fits the schedule of working professionals.
With 3 start dates per year, asynchronous coursework, and an estimated completion time of just 16 months, you’ll receive advanced education without putting your life or work on hold. The curriculum expands your knowledge in key areas such as occupational justice, evidence-based practice, clinical leadership, policy, and entrepreneurship. A personalized capstone project allows you to make a lasting impact in your field — based on your own professional goals and passions.
Whether you’re seeking to teach, lead, consult, or elevate your clinical role, SSU’s PP-OTD equips you with the knowledge and credentials to move forward — affordably, efficiently, and with purpose.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, no fee, about 15 minutes.
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Contact an Enrollment Counselor
Please prepare your needed resources ahead of time. See the requirements listed below for a list
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy online program must have:
- An entry-level master's degree in occupational therapy or an entry-level bachelor's degree in occupational therapy with a post-professional masters with an overall graduate school GPA of 3.0. Either entry-level degree must be earned from an ACOTE-accredited institution.
- Occupational therapy state licensure in state(s) currently practicing and certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®)
- A minimum of 60+ graduate hours are required upon entry to the program. If additional credits are needed, additional graduate credits will be made available on a case-by-case basis.
After you Apply
To apply for Shawnee State's post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy online program, please contact an enrollment counselor and prepare to submit the following:
- Completed application
- Transcripts of an entry-level, ACOTE-accredited master's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited institution showing an overall 3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale OR an ACOTE-accredited, entry-level bachelor's degree in occupational therapy with a post-professional masters with an overall graduate school GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A copy of your current occupational therapy license
- A reflective personal essay
- A resume
- Two letters of recommendation from educational or professional sources
Contact
Graduate Admissions
Phone: (740) 351-3177
Email: gradadmissions@shawnee.edu
Ebenezer Asiaw
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
(740) 351-3258
easiaw@shawnee.edu
At A Glance
Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)
Class Size
12:1
Location
Online — no campus visits or residency required
Start Date
6 entry points; next start date October 19
Why Study Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) at Shawnee University
Fully online and asynchronous. No campus visits, no residency — coursework fits around your clinical schedule.
Finish in about 16 months. Three start dates each year mean you can begin when it works for you. Affordable. Estimated total program cost is about $20,039 (based on 31 credits at $646.43 per credit).
A capstone built around your work. You design a project tied to your clinical specialty, leadership focus, or research interest — with faculty support.
Open to international students. Licensed OTs outside the U.S. can enroll and complete coursework from their home country.
The program is 13–14 courses totaling 31–34 credit hours, focused on advanced practice, leadership, and scholarship.
- Evidence-based occupational therapy practice
- Health policy and advocacy
- Occupational justice
- Clinical leadership and entrepreneurship
- Research literacy and methods
- Personalized capstone project
Because you stay in practice while you study, the program is built to make your current clinical work part of the learning. Assignments connect to your real cases, and your capstone is structured so you can implement actual change in your clinical or academic setting.
Graduates of the PP-OTD are prepared to:
- Lead initiatives in clinical practice, academia, or policy
- Apply evidence-based knowledge to improve patient and population outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced advocacy, ethical leadership, and community impact
- Conduct and translate research into actionable OT strategies
Fully online, with no campus visits or residency required.
PP-OTD graduates use the credential to step into:
- Clinical leadership and program director roles
- Academic appointments and teaching positions in OT programs
- Specialized clinical practice and consulting
- Policy, advocacy, and community health roles
- Research and scholarship in OT
The post-professional doctorate is increasingly expected in leadership and academic OT roles.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Scholarship opportunities are available through these organizations: Ohio Occupational Therapy Association and Adams County Regional Medical Center.Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Frequently Asked Questions
Practicing occupational therapists who hold an entry-level master's, or a bachelor's plus a post-professional master's, in OT.
Yes. International students living outside the U.S. can enroll and complete coursework from their home country.
The program can be completed in as little as 16 months. The pace is flexible, so it can also be extended to fit your work and life.
No. The program is 100% online and asynchronous.
Program handbook
Contact the program director for the current handbook.
For Graduate Enrollment & Admissions, contact:
Bobbi Madden
(740) 351-3177
Accreditation
Shawnee State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The PP-OTD is designed for licensed occupational therapists and meets standards for advanced post-professional education.
