Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Program Description
NYU Steinhardt’s 94-credit, three-year Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (EL-OTD) program prepares students to launch successful careers in occupational therapy through a rigorous curriculum taught by nationally recognized educators. The program offers a wide range of fieldwork and research opportunities, enriched by its location in the dynamic and diverse setting of New York City.
Accreditation
The entry-level professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program has been granted Preaccreditation 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 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.
Program Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| OT-GE 2000 | New Student Seminar in Occupational Therapy | 0 |
| OT-GE 2002 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
| OT-GE 2010 | Neuroscience | 3 |
| OT-GE 3307 | Foundations of OT | 4 |
| OT-GE 2707 | Activity Group Process | 3 |
| OT-GE 2709 | Performance/Development Across The Life Span | 3 |
| OT-GE 2739 | Survey of Mental Health Conditions | 2 |
| OT-GE 3309 | Human Anatomy Lab | 2 |
| OT-GE 2025 | Research Methods for Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| OT-GE 2030 | Theoretical Bases for The Scope of Practice | 3 |
| OT-GE 3303 | Survey of Medical Conditions | 2 |
| OT-GE 3314 | Professional Issues I | 0.5 |
| OT-GE 3232 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| OT-GE 2750 | Health Advocacy & Administration | 3 |
| OT-GE 2745 | Mental Health Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 3302 | Introduction to Evidence-Informed Practice | 3 |
| OT-GE 3811 | Capstone I: Needs Assessment in Healthcare and Community Practice | 2 |
| OT-GE 3321 | Level I Fieldwork: Experience 1 and 2 | 1 |
| OT-GE 3332 | Research Seminar I | 2 |
| OT-GE 2738 | Emerging Practice Areas in Occupational Therapy | 1 |
| OT-GE 2741 | Orthopedic Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 2743 | Neurological Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 2748 | Pediatric Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 3812 | Capstone II: Program Development & Evaluation | 2 |
| OT-GE 3305 | Emerging Leaders in the Occupational Therapy Profession | 3 |
| OT-GE 3315 | Professional Issues II | 0.5 |
| OT-GE 3322 | Level I Fieldwork: Experience 3 | 1 |
| OT-GE 2726 | Research Seminar II | 2 |
| OT-GE 3134 | Work and Ergonomics | 2 |
| OT-GE 2742 | Rehabilitation Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 2744 | Cognitive Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 2749 | Geriatrics Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 3813 | Capstone III: Doctoral Capstone Proposal | 2 |
| OT-GE 3323 | Level II Fieldwork: First Placement | 3 |
| OT-GE 3324 | Level II Fieldwork: Second Placement | 3 |
| OT-GE 3810 | Doctoral Capstone Experience | 3 |
| OT-GE 3814 | Capstone IV: Doctoral Capstone Project | 2 |
| Electives | ||
| Elective credits by advisement | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 94 | |
Additional Program Requirements
Capstone
The degree places a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and applied research and requires a doctoral capstone as an integral part of the program’s curriculum design. The goal of the doctoral capstone is to provide in-depth exposure to a specific area of interest and prepare students with more advanced knowledge and skills in an area of leadership, scholarship, advocacy, and clinical competence. The doctoral capstone consists of a capstone project and experience. During the doctoral capstone, students will work with a faculty and site mentor to apply the knowledge and skills developed in courses and during fieldwork to design, implement, and disseminate an innovative response to an identified practice or professional need.
More information on the Capstone can be found on our Fieldwork and Capstone webpage.
Sample Plan of Study
| 1st Semester/Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| OT-GE 2000 | New Student Seminar in Occupational Therapy | 0 |
| OT-GE 2002 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
| OT-GE 2010 | Neuroscience | 3 |
| OT-GE 3307 | Foundations of OT | 4 |
| OT-GE 2707 | Activity Group Process | 3 |
| OT-GE 2709 | Performance/Development Across The Life Span | 3 |
| OT-GE 2739 | Survey of Mental Health Conditions | 2 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| 2nd Semester/Term | ||
| OT-GE 3309 | Human Anatomy Lab | 2 |
| OT-GE 2025 | Research Methods for Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| OT-GE 2030 | Theoretical Bases for The Scope of Practice | 3 |
| OT-GE 3303 | Survey of Medical Conditions | 2 |
| OT-GE 3314 | Professional Issues I | 0.5 |
| OT-GE 3232 | Kinesiology | 3 |
| OT-GE 2750 | Health Advocacy & Administration | 3 |
| Credits | 16.5 | |
| 3rd Semester/Term | ||
| OT-GE 2745 | Mental Health Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 3302 | Introduction to Evidence-Informed Practice | 3 |
| OT-GE 3811 | Capstone I: Needs Assessment in Healthcare and Community Practice | 2 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| 4th Semester/Term | ||
| OT-GE 3321 | Level I Fieldwork: Experience 1 and 2 | 1 |
| OT-GE 3332 | Research Seminar I | 2 |
| OT-GE 2738 | Emerging Practice Areas in Occupational Therapy | 1 |
| OT-GE 2741 | Orthopedic Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 2743 | Neurological Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 2748 | Pediatric Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 3812 | Capstone II: Program Development & Evaluation | 2 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| 5th Semester/Term | ||
| OT-GE 3305 | Emerging Leaders in the Occupational Therapy Profession | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| 6th Semester/Term | ||
| OT-GE 3315 | Professional Issues II | 0.5 |
| OT-GE 3322 | Level I Fieldwork: Experience 3 | 1 |
| OT-GE 2726 | Research Seminar II | 2 |
| OT-GE 3134 | Work and Ergonomics | 2 |
| OT-GE 2742 | Rehabilitation Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 2744 | Cognitive Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 2749 | Geriatrics Evaluation & Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 3813 | Capstone III: Doctoral Capstone Proposal | 2 |
| Credits | 16.5 | |
| 7th Semester/Term | ||
| Elective Credits, by advisement | 6 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| 8th Semester/Term | ||
| OT-GE 3323 | Level II Fieldwork: First Placement | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| 9th Semester/Term | ||
| OT-GE 3324 | Level II Fieldwork: Second Placement | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| 10th Semester/Term | ||
| OT-GE 3810 | Doctoral Capstone Experience | 3 |
| OT-GE 3814 | Capstone IV: Doctoral Capstone Project | 2 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 94 | |
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
Level II Fieldwork: First Placement
Students must complete one 3-credit elective prior to taking OT-GE 3323 Level II Fieldwork: First Placement.
Length of Program
In accordance with University policy, professional students MUST successfully complete the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree (coursework, fieldwork, and capstone experience) within six years from their start date in accordance with their matriculation agreement. A medical leave of absence does not automatically stop the clock.
In addition, our program requires that students successfully complete Level II Fieldwork in OT: First Placement (OT-GE 3323), Level II Fieldwork in OT: Second Placement (OT-GE 3324), Capstone IV (OT-GE 3814), and Doctoral Capstone Experience (OT-GE 3810) no later than 26 months after completion of the academic coursework.
Grade Point Average and Grading Scale
Grade Point Average
Graduate students enrolled in doctoral level study must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in the 94 credit EL-OTD curriculum. This applies to all EL-OTD students. Students who do not maintain a satisfactory GPA will have their transcripts reviewed by the Department of Occupational Therapy’s Committee on Student Progress who will recommend appropriate action. Such action may range from the issuance of a Notice of Academic Alert to placement of the student on Notice of Academic Concern to dismissal from the program or school.
*Students must have a 3.0 GPA before beginning Level II, and as per School policy, a minimum of a 3.0 GPA is required for graduation.
Computing Your Grade Point Average for the Professional Level Program
- A = 4.0 credits
- A- = 3.7 credits
- B+ = 3.3 credits
- B = 3.0 credits
- B- = 2.7 credits
- C+ = 2.3 credits
- C = 2.0 credits
- C- = 1.7 credits
- F = 0.0 credits
Note: There are no A+, or D+/D/D- grades. P [Pass], N [Not recorded], and I [Incomplete] are not included in the grade point average.
To compute your grade credit average, add the total number of credits completed with the grade of "A." Do the same for the total credits for each other grade. Multiply each of those totals by the appropriate credit value of the grade. Then divide the total credit value by the total number of credits.
Grading Scale
Specific methods for computing grades will be outlined by the course instructor in the course syllabus.
The Department of Occupational Therapy uses a uniform grading scale for converting numerical scores into letter grades:
- A: 94.0 - 100.0
- A-: 90.0 - 93.9
- B+: 87.0 - 89.9
- B: 84.0 - 86.9
- B-: 80.0 - 83.9
- C+: 77.0 - 79.9
- C: 74.0 - 76.9
- C-: 70.0 - 73.9
- F: 0.0 - 69.9
The Department of Occupational Therapy uses a uniform grading scale for converting letter grades into numerical scores:
- A = 97
- A- = 92
- B+ = 88
- B = 85
- B- = 82
- C+ = 78
- C = 75
- C- = 72
- F = 50
Departmental Standards Regarding Grades for the Professional Level Program
- Students must take all courses in sequence as designated by the Departmental curriculum.
- Students who withdraw from a course must repeat that course before continuing the program sequence, because required courses are offered once per year.
- Course grades are calculated to the exact number and are not rounded up or down.
- Pass/fail grading is restricted to Department courses specifically designated as Pass/Fail Only.
- Students should be aware that the accumulation of several C range grades may place them in academic jeopardy. Students are responsible for monitoring their GPAs.
- Students cease to be considered in good academic standing when they earn either:
- One F grade; or
- A GPA below 3.0
Please note: As per University policy, F grades cannot be removed or changed. The F grade will remain on your transcript and will be included in your GPA calculation.
Full or part-time students who earn a grade of F in a required Department of Occupational Therapy EL-OTD course will be required to step out of the regular program progression and repeat the failed course when it is offered again.
A failed course may be re-taken only once, and the following two conditions must be met:
- The repeated course grade must b a B or better.
- The repeated course grade must elevate a student's GPA to a 3.0 or better.
In the event the repeated course grade cannot or will not elevate the student’s GPA to a minimum of 3.0 for the EL-OTD student, the student will meet with their advisor to discuss their status in the program.
A student who fails an elective may be permitted to substitute a different elective for the failed course. However, please note that the failed course grade will remain on the transcript and affect their GPA.
Final Grade Appeals
- Students may only appeal final course grades.
- Students wishing to appeal a course’s final grade must first speak with the course instructor, who will determine whether there is any procedural reason for the change of grade. If a grade change is not granted by the course instructor, and the student wishes to pursue the appeal request, the student then must consult with their academic advisor to consider the feasibility of an appeal to the Department of Occupational Therapy Student Appeals Committee.
- An appeal must be made in writing to the Department of Occupational Therapy Student Appeals Committee via email (occupational.therapy@nyu.edu). The appeal must be submitted within 15 business days after the grade in question has been officially posted on Albert.
- When students appeal a failing “F” final grade they are not permitted to continue the course sequence (and must drop all courses) while the appeal is in process. Therefore, students would be well advised to submit a letter of appeal as promptly as possible.
- The formal appeal should be addressed to the Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy Student Appeals Committee.
- The formal appeal for a final grade change must establish policy and procedural error directly affecting the issue in question. The student’s letter of appeal should clearly state the reasons for appealing the final grade and include all relevant supporting documentation.
- Appeals are reviewed by the Department of Occupational Therapy Student Appeals Committee. The Committee may require the student to present and appeal to the Committee in person.
- The Chair of the Appeals Committee will notify the student of the Committee’s decision within 10 business days of the initial filing date of the appeal.
- If the student disagrees with the decision of the Appeals Committee, the student may file an appeal to the Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy within 10 business days from the date of the Appeals Committee’s decision. The decision made by the Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy is final.
Incomplete (I) Grades
The grade of Incomplete (I) is a temporary designation indicating that, due to extenuating circumstances, a student has not yet completed all required coursework, but is likely to pass the course once the remaining requirements are completed. A student may request an “I” grade from the professor providing a rationale for the request. There must also be a documented agreement between the student and the professor outlining the remaining course requirements and the deadline by which these must be completed. Professors can update an “I” grade via Albert SIS once the student has successfully completed the outstanding coursework. Should a grade of “I” not be changed to a final grade by the established deadline, it will automatically convert to an “F” grade.
When an Incomplete grade is received in a course that serves as a prerequisite to a course in the following semester, the student may continue in the curriculum sequence with approval from the course instructor of the subsequent course. However, the incomplete grade must be resolved satisfactorily within the first three weeks of the new semester. If the incomplete grade is not resolved within this three-week period, the student will be required to withdraw from all courses that depend on the incomplete course as a prerequisite, and the Incomplete grade will convert to an “F.” Please note: In accordance with NYU’s Policy, a final grade of “F” cannot be removed from a transcript, and will be included in the GPA calculation.
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.