Program Distinctives
The Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) is a three-year, full time program. This 97 credits program includes 24 weeks of fieldwork and 14 weeks of a Capstone Experience. You will be part of an intimate cohort of students with individualized advising. You will learn the fundamentals of occupational therapy best practice with values emphasizing cultural responsiveness, ethics, collaboration, and social justice. Coursework is primarily in person, but incorporates both online and field experience.
Our courses are organized into four main threads:
- Practice – Occupation-centered and evidence-based
- Research – Critical application and participation in clinically relevant research
- Leadership – Respectful advocacy, influence and transformation
- Wellness – Promoting health in self and others
What Sets UW–Madison Apart?
You will learn alongside experts in their field and receive mentorship from distinguished research faculty. Fieldwork experiences include working with diverse patient populations and community-based active learning. UW–Madison also provides you a strong foundation in state-of-the-art intervention theories and the critical use of evidence to support practice decisions.
Focusing on the Well-Being of Our Students
Student well-being is one of our top priorities. We help you apply the Occupational Therapy concepts of health and wellness to your own lives. This equips you to authentically practice the values of the profession. You will be able to maintain a healthy routine even while supporting clients, peers, and coworkers.
Please explore our website to learn more about our Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate. Feel free to contact our team at any time to learn more about the application process.
Try our FREE online Occupational Therapy observational experience course
Deadline to apply for Summer 2026 cohort is November 15, 2025, 11:59 p.m. CST
**The Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program begins every year in Summer**
Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, Phone: 301-652-AOTA, Email: accred@aota.org
Program Overview
Format
Full-time, primarily in-person
Program Type
Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Commitment
3 years
Credits
97
Prerequisite Courses
Lifespan Development (6 credits)
Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
Statistics (3 credits)
Human Physiology with LAB (3-5 credits)
Human Anatomy with LAB (3-5 credits)
Tuition
Tuition, Scholarship, and Financial Aid information
Application Deadline
November 15, 2025
Outcomes
- 100% pass-rate (2024) for National Board Certification Exam (NBCOT)
- 97% graduation rate (2024), 30 total graduates.
- 100% employment within one year of graduation (MSOT)
- Program Learning Outcomes
Offered By
Degree Conferred
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Meet Me on Mondays
Learn more about the OTD program and get your questions answered by our Admissions Coordinator, Alexia Rebne!
Every Monday 12:00-1:00 pm CST
June – October
Request more information and signup for our newsletter.
**The Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program begins every year in Summer**
ACCREDITATION DISCLOSURE
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program 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. Graduates of the program
will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam,
the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, 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 sit for the NBCOT certification
examination or attain state licensure.