Occupational Therapy

Post-professional doctorate

Our post-professional occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) degree is designed exclusively for licensed OTs who hold a bachelor or master’s degree. This 100% online and self-paced program allows for maximum flexibility in completion of your terminal degree in occupational therapy while continuing to work as an Occupational Therapy practitioner.

A student sits in the lobby in front of a laptop. She is looking out the window and smiling slightly.
Best Grad Schools - U.S. News and World Report - Occupational Therapy 2021

Named a Best Occupational Therapy Program 2021 by U.S. News and World Report

In the latest graduate school rankings, U.S. News and World Report ranked Mizzou’s Occupational Therapy program in the top 18% in the nation.


Overview

Individuals will have the ability to customize their educational plans to meet their unique academic and professional goals, which may include, but are not limited to, advanced clinical practice, leadership and management, research and occupational therapy education. 

Course work

The post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral program utilizes flexible scheduling of coursework in order for students to complete their degree in timeframes that meet their professional and personal needs. A minimum of 2 years for completion of coursework is anticipated.

Students entering the post-professional OTD program with an entry-level bachelor’s degree in OT will complete 15 hours online before advancing to the 36 hours of online OTD coursework.

Students entering the post-professional OTD program with an entry-level master’s degree in OT will complete the 36-credit degree program online with flexibility in sequencing and credit hours per semester.

Admission and application

Learn more about the requirements for admission and deadlines to apply.

Start your application

Apply through the MU Graduate School website.

Graduate certificate options

Within the post-professional occupational therapy doctorate degree are elective hours that you can choose how to take those. One option is to utilize the nine elective credit hours plus the three credit hours for Professional Practicum towards completing a Graduate Certificate from the University of Missouri. There are many graduate certificates offered by the University for you to choose from. Depending on your availability, some are offered on campus. Graduate certificates within 12 credit hours can be included in your post-professional OTD degree program with no added time to complete the program. Graduate certificates over 12 credit hours will add time to degree completion.

Popular complimentary graduate certificate options

  • Public Health
  • College Teaching
  • Higher Education Administration
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Healthcare Project Management
  • Health Ethics
  • Public Policy
  • Youth Development Specialist
  • Administration & Management of Family & Community Services
  • Organizational Change & Conflict Management

Graduate certificate details

Learn more about the options that compliment your post-professional OTD program.

Accreditation

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.