We do not require the GRE and have streamlined our admissions requirements to make the application process as easy as possible. Click on the Admissions Requirements link to the right for more details.
Do you want to learn more about the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.) – Tampa Bay program? Join us for an on-campus or virtual event.
Backstage Pass
Ask an OT Student
Join us for a tour of our campus and O.T. lab facilities hosted by an O.T. faculty member and one of our current O.T.D. students. Includes optional classroom observation opportunity.
Hear firsthand from a current OT Student! Join us for this virtual, monthly series where we will highlight and feature different groups of students in our O.T.D. – Tampa Bay program.
Take the O.T. Fast Track: Graduate in Just Three Years
If you strive to be a standout O.T. practitioner, NSU’s rigorous Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.) program is designed with you in mind. Your virtual and face-to-face didactic, research and clinical training prepares you to excel as a skilled interdisciplinary health care team contributor across diverse practice settings.
You’ll not only graduate sooner with our accelerated 3 ⅓ year curriculum – you’ll also have the opportunity to learn from professors considered by many O.T.s and other medical professionals as leaders in the profession.
NSU O.T. Faculty: Globally Known and Respected
NSU O.T. professors have specialized expertise that keeps them in high demand as keynote speakers, consultants, thought leaders and published authors in the U.S. and abroad. You’ll gain valuable insights on specific O.T. topics and have the chance to explore those areas more deeply than in many O.T.D. programs.
Our Blended Format
Class Format
Blended (approx. 70% online and 30% on-campus)
On-Campus Requirement
Monthly 4-day institute
Location
Clearwater, FL
The Tampa Bay Doctor of Occupational Therapy program is offered in a blended format which generally combines three (3) weeks of interactive online learning and four (4) days of on-campus, hands-on experiences each month at NSU’s Tampa Bay Regional Campus in Clearwater, Florida.
Embrace the challenge of NSU’s O.T.D. degree program — and emerge a confident, standout O.T. practitioner.
NSU's O.T.D. degree is a three and one third year program: 122 credit hours total.
Get the NSU Edge
98% NBCOT Pass Rate
NSU OTD Tampa Bay graduates enjoy a 98% NBCOT pass rate — far surpassing the 73% national average. (2019 data)
ACOTE® accredited
NSU’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy Entry Level Program in Tampa Bay is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s contact information: (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org.
98-100% Retention
The NSU OTD Tampa Bay degree program continues to earn strong retention rates of 98-100%.
Train with OT Leaders Known and Respected Worldwide
NSU OT faculty are well-known throughout the profession, with specialized expertise that keeps them in top demand as keynote speakers, consultants, and thought leaders. Topics and areas of focus include:
Sensory Processing Theory, Practice, Research and Education
Occupational Science; Sexuality in Occupation
International certification and assessment standardization initiatives
International OT practice (Ireland, Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, South/Central/North America)
Scientific journal review
Published works (chapters/books/scientific articles), addressing topics on Marketing and Business of Health Care, Blended Education, Wellness and Therapeutic Use of Self, Hand Therapy
Nova Southeastern University participates in the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service, known as OTCAS. OTCAS may take up to six weeks verifying supporting documents. Therefore, early application is highly recommended.
Interview
The NSU TBRC OTD program conducts the interview portion of the application process through the Kira Assessments platform. This platform supports a virtual interview, whereby applicants record their responses to questions. All applicants are required to record their Kira Assessment as part of their completed OTCAS application.
Decision Timeline
Verified OTCAS applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the application cycle with decisions typically released mid-month.
If Accepted into the O.T.D. Program
If accepted into the program, you will receive a phone call followed by an official offer letter via email. This letter will include an Intent to Enroll (ITE) form which must be completed and returned to NSU. Additionally, you will have six weeks from the date of your acceptance letter to pay a non-refundable deposit of $1,000.
Character Review/Early Determination
Graduates of the Nova Southeastern University entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program are eligible to apply to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Board Exam ® (NBCOT). Applicants should be aware that a character review is part of the certification process. Prospective or enrolled students who have a disciplinary record with law enforcement are encouraged to utilize the Early Determination review to learn if they will be eligible to sit for the exam once they have completed all other eligibility requirements. Please go to NBCOT Early Determination Reviewfor more information on how to request a review. A felony conviction/charge may affect a graduate’s eligibility to sit for the NBCOT exam and/or apply for state licensure.
The entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.) program selects students based on a number of admission requirements, as described below, as well as an interview for qualified candidates.
Please note that the GRE is not required.
All applicants must:
Complete an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for the last two years of study.
Applicants must have a grade of 2.0 (C) or better in all prerequisite courses and a combined GPA of 3.0 or better in all pre-requisite coursework, including post-baccalaureate courses.
COURSE PREREQUISITE NAME/SUBJECT
SEMESTER HOURS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Human Anatomy and Physiology or Human Anatomy AND Human Physiology
4-8
Human Anatomy & Physiology now requires a lab for a total of 4 credits. If enrolled in separate anatomy and physiology courses, 8 semester hours will be required.
Psychology
6
Human Growth and Development or Developmental Psychology
3
Must be from birth through aging.
Other Social Sciences
3
English Composition
6
Writing courses or literature courses can fulfill this requirement
Other Humanities
6
Mathematics
3
Statistics or any other math course college algebra or higher.
Medical Terminology
0-1
This course must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university. Please note that certificates or continuing medical education credits do not fulfill this requirement.
Observation Hours: Though we do not require observation hours, we encourage prospective applicants to have exposure to and familiarity with the profession of occupational therapy and the various populations with which OTs work, so that they are prepared to effectively articulate their interest in the field. This can be achieved by shadowing OTs, research and readings, prior occupational therapy college coursework, or personal experience.
Submit a personal statement in the OTCAS system.
Submit three letters of recommendation in OTCAS.
Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Scores (If applicable)
Still have courses or requirements in progress?
Prospective students who have not yet met all admissions requirements can apply and may be reviewed pending completion of some of these requirements. Individuals in this situation must have no more than two prerequisite courses in progress during the Spring semester and must be in compliance with all other admissions requirements at the time of application. Additionally, all outstanding coursework must be completed with acceptable academic standards prior to the start of the Summer semester.
Throughout the program, students must have access to and demonstrate proficiency in computer skills such as word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software. It is recommended that students have coursework or self-study to meet these requirements.
Additional Information
If you have any questions about NSU's entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.) program or application process, please contact:
The following course sequences weave into the curriculum for the entry level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program designed to meet current standards for doctoral occupational therapy education, and provide consistency throughout the curriculum. These curriculum sequences are:
Basic Sciences
Foundations in Occupation
Occupation Science & Technology
Occupational Interventions
Evidence Base & Exploration
Leadership & Globalization
Clinical Competence
Doctoral Transformation
The OTD curriculum model illustrates didactic-to-clinical experiences designed for the Nova Southeastern University Tampa doctoral student. Review our model here.
First Year Courses
Course #
Course Title
Credit Hours
Summer Semester
OTD 8100
Functional Anatomy for Occupational Therapy
5
OTD 8101
Introduction to Didactic, Clinical and Research Experiences
3
OTD 8102
Foundations of Occupational Therapy
3
OTD 8141
Development of Occupation Across the Lifespan
3
TOTAL
14
Fall Semester
OTD 8103
Kinesiology in Occupations
4
OTD 8142
Occupational and Contextual Analysis
3
OTD 8151
Human Conditions and Occupations I
3
OTD 8161
Evidence in Occupational Therapy Practice/Qualitative Design
3
TOTAL
13
Winter Semester
OTD 8104
Neuroscience of Occupational Therapy
3
OTD 8152
Human Conditions and Occupations II
3
OTD 8143
Therapeutic Use of Self
3
OTD 8262
Research Design, Quantitative (Proposal)
3
TOTAL
12
Second Year Courses
Course #
Course Title
Credit Hours
Summer Semester
OTD 8271
Occupational Therapy Interventions I: Psychosocial & Community
6
OTD 8291
Level I Fieldwork Experience, Occupational Therapy Interventions I, Psychosocial and Community
2
OTD 8244
Innovations and Technology in Occupational Therapy
3
OTD 8262L
Research Design Lab, (IRB)
1
TOTAL
12
Fall Semester
OTD 8272
Occupational Therapy Interventions II Children & Youth
8
OTD 8292
Level I Fieldwork Experience, Occupational Therapy Interventions II, Children and Youth
2
OTD 8263
Research Project I - Implementation
1
OTD 8281
Business of Practice and Management
3
TOTAL
14
Winter Semester
OTD 8273
Occupational Therapy Interventions III, Physical Disabilities
8
OTD 8293
Level I Fieldwork Experience, Occupational Therapy Interventions III, Physical Disabilities
2
OTD 8282
Professional Leadership
3
OTD 8263L
Research Project I - Lab - Analysis, Interpretation & Paper
1
TOTAL
14
Third Year Courses
Course #
Course Title
Credit Hours
Summer Semester
OTD 8391
Level II Fieldwork Experience
9
TOTAL
9
Fall Semester
OTD 8392
Doctoral Certification & Capstone
2
OTD 8311
or
OTD 8312
Doctoral Seminar: Occupational Science
or
Doctoral Seminar: Wellness in Occupational Therapy
3
OTD 8313
or
OTD 8314
Doctoral Seminar: Applying Measurement Theory to Evaluation
or
Doctoral Seminar: Sensory Processing Basis of Occupational Performance
3
OTD 8315
Doctoral Seminar: Topics in Contemporary and Emerging Practice
3
OTD 8364
Research Project II - Dissemination
2
TOTAL
13
Winter Semester
OTD 8393
Level II Fieldwork Experience II
9
TOTAL
9
Fourth Year Courses
Course #
Course Title
Credit Hours
Winter/Summer Semester
OTD 8494
Doctoral Capstone, Reflections & Exit Colloquium
12
TOTAL
12
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 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.
A Health Professions Division General Access Fee of $145 is required each year. An NSU student services fee of $1800 is also required annually.
Acceptance Fee is $1000. This fee is required to reserve the accepted applicant's place in the entering first-year class. This advance payment will be deducted from the tuition payment due on registration day, but is not refundable in the event of a withdrawal. It is due within six (6) weeks of an applicant's acceptance or by April 30, whichever comes first.
The financial ability of applicants to complete their training at the university is important because of the limited number of positions available in each class. Applicants should have specific plan for financing three and a half years of professional education. This should include tuition, living expenses, book equipment, fieldwork, residency, travel, and miscellaneous expenses.
The first semester's tuition and fees, less the $1000 previously paid, are due on or before registration day. Tuition for each subsequent semester is due on or before the appropriate registration day. Students will not be admitted until their financial obligations have been met.
Undergraduate and graduate course work taken at a foreign institution must be evaluated for U.S. institution equivalency. Please refer to the OTCAS Foreign and French-Canadian Transcripts page for more information.
Learn more about the program from OTD Tampa Bay faculty, staff, and current students during a virtual information session. Hear from other prospective students and their questions about the program.
Topics and Trends in Occupational Therapy
In this series of presentations we highlight key topics and trends in the occupational therapy field, gain insight from O.T.D. Tampa Bay faculty members and current students, and explore how the NSU Edge can help you gain a competitive advantage in your career, your community, and your life.
Community Practice & Mental Health (1 hour 17 minutes)
Clinical Experiences/Fieldwork (1 hour 7 minutes)
Learning to Treat Humans as Occupational Beings (1 hour 2 minutes)
NSU's entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program in Tampa Bay is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. 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 complete academic fieldwork requirements as well as sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. Program performance on the NBCOT certification exam is provided by state and program, please visit https://www.nbcot.org/en/Educators/Home#SchoolPerformance to learn more about the excellent pass rates for the Tampa Bay OTD program.
The total number of graduates from Nova Southeastern University's Tampa Bay Regional Campus Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.) program during the 3-year period of 2020 - 2022 was 94, with an overall graduate rate of 98%.
Graduating Year
# Students Entering
# Students Graduating
Graduation Rate
Class of 2020*
31
30
97%
Class of 2021
29
28
97%
Class of 2022
36
36
100%
Class of 2023
37
N/A
N/A
*Class of 2020 delayed graduating by one term due to Covid-19, May 2021.