Enhance Abilities to Live, Work and Play
As an Occupational Therapist, you enhance an individual’s quality of life through your hands-on rehabilitative care and informed recommendations for meaningful activities, equipment and environmental modifications that empower people to live more independently. Occupational therapy is prescribed for people with a wide variety of illnesses, injuries and disabilities, including Alzheimer’s disease, sensory processing disorders, autism, limb loss, and mental health issues, just to name a few.
O.T. Job Demand: Much Faster Than Average
O.T.s not only change lives for the better: they enjoy a stable, financially comfortable career to support themselves and their loved ones. Federal labor experts project an 18% job growth rate through 2028, “much faster than average,” compared to other occupations.
Comprehensive O.T. Foundation
Nova Southeastern University’s professional, masters' and doctoral O.T. programs teach you to assess and treat in ways that best match each patient’s goals. You’ll build the comprehensive foundation you need to confidently treat patients in any setting: schools, private practices, community-based programs, nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, outpatient clinics, disability insurance companies, pediatric programs, prisons, work rehabilitation programs, sheltered workshops, homeless programs, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, and day treatment and other psychiatric programs.
NSU’s post-professional Dr.OT, Ph.D. O.T., and Dual Dr.O.T./Ph.D. programs will take your career to the next level in research, practice and academia. You will become a leader in your area of expertise.
Dual Admission Program
Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Programs
Occupational Therapy Post Professional Doctoral Programs
Greater Flexibility: Higher Pass Rates
NSU was one of the first universities in the world to introduce an accredited entry-level doctoral O.T. degree — and the program continues to excel today:
- 98-100% retention rate
- 98% NBCOT pass rate (far higher than 73% national average)
- One of the few offering blended online options: further your career without disrupting it
Career Outcomes
O.T.s Enjoy Diverse Career Opportunities
Assist Elderly or Injured Patients
Occupational therapists assist older adults or injured patients by helping them regain or maintain their independence, improve quality of life and adapt to changes in their abilities.
Return People to Productive Work
Occupational therapists play a crucial role in creating healthy work environments after injury, illness or disability. They focus on assessing the individuals' abilities, modifying the work environment and providing strategies and interventions to facilitate a successful return to work.
Help Kids with Disability
Occupational therapists work with children to help them develop, improve, or maintain the skills needed to participate in everyday activities, whether at home, school or in the community. OTs work with children who may have developmental delays, physical disabilities, sensory processing issues, cognitive challenges, or social-emotional difficulties. Their goal is to promote independence, enhance developmental milestones, and support children in achieving their full potential.
Treat At-Risk Infants
Occupational therapists (OTs) work with infants and toddlers to support their early development and help them achieve important milestones. For this population, OT interventions focus on promoting sensory, motor, and cognitive development and addressing feeding, self-care, or behavioral challenges.
Assist Patients with Mental or Emotional Issues
Occupational therapists (OTs) work with individuals who have mental or emotional issues and focus on helping them regain or improve their ability to engage in everyday activities with maximum autonomy in the context of their choosing. The role of OTs with this population involves a combination of therapeutic interventions, skill development, and environmental adaptations and incorporates advocacy and provision of education for equitable treatment of mental health conditions.
Advocacy
Healthcare is a continuously evolving profession, with changes in regulations, payment, and service delivery models. Occupational therapists play a crucial role in advocating for their clients, communities, and profession. Occupational therapists incorporate advocacy into everyday practice, whether through individual practice, research, engagement in national, state, and local initiatives, and participation in national, state, or local organizations.
O.T. Faculty: Leaders Respected Worldwide
Train with and be mentored by O.T. clinicians with deep experience and active influence in state, national and global O.T. communities. Our professors are sought-after keynote speakers at high-profile conferences in the U.S. and abroad. They review scientific journals, are quoted in top industry publications and shape the future of the O.T. profession through their contributions to international certification and assessment standardization initiatives. Most importantly, they are caring, supportive educators: genuinely inspired to see you succeed in your career.