Department Website
Program Description
NYU Steinhardt’s 94-credit, three-year Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (EL-OTD) degree provides students looking to begin their careers in OT with a strong curriculum taught by leading occupational therapy educators. It offers a diverse range of fieldwork and research opportunities strengthened by its dynamic New York City location. NYU is ranked #7 among occupational therapy programs according to U.S. News & World Report.
Accreditation
The entry-level professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at:
c/o Accreditation Department
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
Tel: 301-652-AOTA
Fax: 301-652-7711
accred@aota.org | acoteonline.org
The program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete on 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 the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR).
Admissions
Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:
- Résumé/CV
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- Proficiency in English
See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.
See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
- Understand and identify how knowledge of body functions and structure, desired activities, cultural influences and social participation within personal and environmental contexts contribute to the provision of occupational therapy.
- Value and integrate philosophical beliefs and theoretical assumptions that guide occupational therapy practice.
- Plan and apply occupational therapy best practices that are grounded in ethical principles, theory and best available research findings.
- Analyze and perform clinical observations and assessments of human performance to construct contextually relevant occupational therapy interventions in order to establish, restore, maintain function, to reduce or prevent disability, and to promote health & wellness in everyday life activities.
- Define and promote the unique contribution of occupational therapy to the public and other stakeholders.
Policies
Program Policies
Fieldwork Placement
Be advised that fieldwork placement facilities that provide training required for your program degree, and agencies that issue licenses for practice in your field of study, each may require you to undergo general and criminal background checks, the results of which the facility or agency must find acceptable before it will allow you to train at its facility or issue you a license. You should inform yourself of offenses or other facts that may prevent obtaining a license to practice in your field of study. NYU Steinhardt will not be responsible if you are unable to complete program requirements or cannot obtain a license to practice in your field because of the results of such background.
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Steinhardt Academic Policies
Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.