The University of Tennessee Health Science Center now offers an Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degree in addition to the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree it has traditionally offered.
The OTD program was recently approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The first cohort is set to start in August.
“The launch of our new Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program represents a positive step forward in preparing future occupational therapists to lead with clinical excellence, innovation, and advocacy,” said Anne Zachry, PhD, OTR/L, chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy in the College of Health Professions. “The program is ideal for motivated individuals with a passion for helping others and a desire to make a lasting impact in health care.”
The 33-month program combines the coursework from the MOT program with two additional terms of courses that cover topics related to leadership, advocacy, teaching, learning, program development, and grant funding. The OTD program also requires 24 weeks of fieldwork and a 14-week capstone experience. A bachelor’s degree is required for entry.
With more than 500 fieldwork sites nationwide, the OT Department is ranked in the Top 25% nationally by U.S. News & World Report. The department operates the UT Health Science Center Rachel Kay Stevens Therapy Center, the only student-run, faculty-supervised, pro-bono pediatric OT clinic of its kind in the Mid-South. The clinic has served more than 1,000 children, families, and teachers since it opened in 2016.
The department also offers a Community Occupational Therapy Services Faculty Practice delivering developmental screenings, high-quality occupational therapy services to adults and children, training and assistance to caregivers, teachers, and families, and interventions to assist with modification needs at home, in classrooms, or in the community. OT faculty members have expertise in pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, assistive technology low vision, and other issues.
“Our Occupational Therapy Department is home to exceptional faculty and dedicated students who are deeply committed to serving the community,” Dr. Zachry said. “By offering both the MOT and OTD programs, we create flexible pathways for future therapists to gain the knowledge, skills, and leadership needed to make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and families.”
“This innovative program is designed to equip future occupational therapists with the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their field,” said Ashley Harkrider, PhD, interim dean of the College of Health Professions. “Dr. Zachry and the OT faculty’s commitment to excellence will undoubtedly inspire and empower our students to make significant contributions to health care. We look forward to seeing the positive impact our graduates will have on the communities they serve.”
The OTD program has been granted Candidacy Status accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). It must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an onsite evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist, which is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
More information on the OTD program is available here.