Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences/ Doctorate of Occupational Therapy

New York Institute of Technology

Earn two degrees in just six years with our combined degree program focusing on research, evidence-based clinical practice, leadership, program and policy development, and advocacy. Complete your entry-level Doctorate in Occupational Therapy faster, saving time and money. Throughout the program’s coursework and fieldwork, you’ll:

• Learn how to teach daily living skills to patients using adaptive equipment and state-of-the-art assistive technology.
• Design and fabricate custom prosthetic and orthotic devices.
• Develop activity-based interventions to enhance occupational performance.
• Administer and interpret standardized assessments.
• Adapt environments for persons with disabilities.

Gain real-world experience through 24 weeks of hands-on fieldwork. You’ll also acquire scholarly competencies and in-depth exposure that will address and advance socio-political initiatives, inform clinical practice, generate high-impact teaching and learning, and be disseminated via research within the inter-professional, cross-disciplinary practice, and delivery models.

Your program concludes with a 14-week student-driven doctoral capstone project focusing on a specific area of interest, including clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, or theory development. You’ll partner with faculty, practitioner experts, and community stakeholders from local and national organizations to create evidence-based programs that promote and advocate for the profession of occupational therapy and explore innovative, actionable means for delivering and evaluating occupation-based services.

Once you graduate, you’ll be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After the successful completion of this exam, you’ll qualify for certification as a registered occupational therapist. Most states also require licensure in order to practice eligibility for state licenses is usually based on the results of the NBCOT examination, in addition to other requirements.