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Accreditation

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Nova Southeastern University (NSU), Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences, entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy in Fort Lauderdale and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy in Tampa Bay programs are 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.  NSU's entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program in Fort Lauderdale has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status 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. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.  Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 14-16 week capstone experience within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).  After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR).  In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.  Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (entry-level) program results from the NBCOT can be found online at:https://secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx. 

Students should note that requirements for professional licensure can vary drastically by state.  Because these requirements can change frequently and often without notice, it is strongly encouraged and is the responsibility of students to ensure that the degree they earn will meet requirements for licensure in the state in which they seek to be licensed. The Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences cannot confirm whether its Master of Occupational Therapy Program and Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program degrees meet all of the licensure requirements in a student’s state of residence.  Students should refer to their state licensing body for further information.  For licensing board contact information and approval status, these links will provide students initial contact information (https://www.aota.org/Advocacy-Policy/State-Policy/Licensure/StateRegs.aspx or https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/state-licensure-boards). 

NSU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097. Phone (404) 679-4501) to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees. For additional information please visit:  http://sacscoc.org/

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