Back to Nova Southeastern University
Occupational therapists assist older adults or injured patients by helping them regain or maintain their independence, improve quality of life and adapt to changes in their abilities.
Enhance Abilities to Live, Work, and Play
As an Occupational Therapist, you enhance an individual’s quality of life through your hands-on rehabilitative care and informed recommendations for meaningful activities, equipment, and environmental modifications that empower people to live more independently. Occupational therapy is prescribed for people with a wide variety of illnesses, injuries, and disabilities, including Alzheimer’s disease, sensory processing disorders, autism, limb loss, and mental health issues, just to name a few.
O.T. Job Demand: Much Faster Than Average
O.T.s not only change lives for the better: they enjoy a stable, financially comfortable career to support themselves and their loved ones. Federal labor experts project an 18% job growth rate through 2028, “much faster than average,” compared to other occupations.
Comprehensive O.T. Foundation
Nova Southeastern University’s professional and doctoral O.T. programs teach you to assess and treat in ways that best match each patient’s goals. You’ll build the comprehensive foundation you need to confidently treat patients in any setting: schools, private practices, community-based programs, nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, outpatient clinics, disability insurance companies, pediatric programs, prisons, work rehabilitation programs, sheltered workshops, homeless programs, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, and day treatment and other psychiatric programs.
NSU’s post-professional Dr.OT, Ph.D. O.T., and Dual Dr.O.T./Ph.D. programs will take your career to the next level in research, practice and academia. You will become a leader in your area of expertise.
Dual Admissions Program
A Dual Admission program is available to qualified freshman enrolled at NSU, allowing them to complete a combined bachelor's degree and doctoral degree in a total of seven-and-a-half-year period (4+3.3) or a six-year period for the acclerated track (3+3.3). Save a year and start practicing even sooner with our innovative accelerated pathway program.
After successfully completing the dual degree requirements at NSU, students are eligible to immediately start their Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy.
Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Programs
These two entry-level programs are intended for students who want to become occupational therapists.
Fort Lauderdale - Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.)
In-Person Program
Tampa Bay - Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.)
Hybrid ProgramOccupational Therapy Post Professional Doctoral Programs
These post-professional programs are intended for current Occupational Therapy practioners.
Dr. O.T. Occupational Therapy
Make A Difference
Ph.D. In Occupational Therapy
Ph.D. Program
Dual-Degree Dr. O.T. and Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy
Learn Clinical Practice and the Science of ResearchDual-Degree Dr. O.T. and Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy
Online Dual Degree Post Professional Program
Learn Clinical Practice and the Science of ResearchGreater Flexibility: Higher Pass Rates
NSU was one of the first universities in the world to introduce an accredited entry-level doctoral O.T. degree — and the program continues to excel today:
- 98-100% retention rate
- 98% NBCOT pass rate (far higher than 73% national average)
- One of the few offering blended online options: further your career without disrupting it
O.T.s Enjoy Diverse Career Opportunities
Assist Elderly or Injured Patients
Occupational therapists play a crucial role in creating healthy work environments
after injury, illness or disability. They focus on assessing the individuals' abilities,
modifying the work environment and providing strategies and interventions to facilitate
a successful return to work.Return People to Productive Work
Occupational therapists work with children to help them develop, improve, or maintain
the skills needed to participate in everyday activities, whether at home, school or
in the community. OTs work with children who may have developmental delays, physical
disabilities, sensory processing issues, cognitive challenges, or social-emotional
difficulties. Their goal is to promote independence, enhance developmental milestones,
and support children in achieving their full potential.Help Kids with Disability
Occupational therapists (OTs) work with infants and toddlers to support their early
development and help them achieve important milestones. For this population, OT interventions
focus on promoting sensory, motor, and cognitive development and addressing feeding,
self-care, or behavioral challenges.Treat At-Risk Infants
Occupational therapists (OTs) work with individuals who have mental or emotional issues
and focus on helping them regain or improve their ability to engage in everyday activities
with maximum autonomy in the context of their choosing. The role of OTs with this
population involves a combination of therapeutic interventions, skill development,
and environmental adaptations and incorporates advocacy and provision of education
for equitable treatment of mental health conditions.Assist Patients with Mental or Emotional Issues
Healthcare is a continuously evolving profession, with changes in regulations, payment,
and service delivery models. Occupational therapists play a crucial role in advocating
for their clients, communities, and profession. Occupational therapists incorporate
advocacy into everyday practice, whether through individual practice, research, engagement
in national, state, and local initiatives, and participation in national, state, or
local organizations.Advocacy
O.T. Faculty: Leaders Respected Worldwide
Train with and be mentored by O.T. clinicians with deep experience and active influence in state, national and global O.T. communities. Our professors are sought-after keynote speakers at high-profile conferences in the U.S. and abroad. They review scientific journals, are quoted in top industry publications and shape the future of the O.T. profession through their contributions to international certification and assessment standardization initiatives. Most importantly, they are caring, supportive educators: genuinely inspired to see you succeed in your career.
Our Mission
Through its innovative curricular design, the NSU's Occupational Therapy Department prepares students to go beyond entry-level practitioners through the program's vision and mission.
The entry-level OTD program's vision is to lead the profession and community through its contributions in educational leadership, community and professional service, life-long learning, and scholarly endeavors.
The entry-level OTD program's mission is to prepare qualified students to become successful occupational therapy practitioners, managers, and leaders to lead the profession and community through its contributions in educational leadership, community, and professional service, life-long learning, scholarship, and research.
The NSU Occupational Therapy Department philosophy views occupation and occupational performance as core for organizing curriculum, community interactions, teaching/learning processes, and student outcomes for successful practice as occupational therapists. Occupation is a core construct of the curriculum. Defined as a complex process of doing, being and/or becoming, it provides a foundation, and primary focus for all matters associated with departmental functioning. The following statements further identify the critical aspects of occupation to the occupational therapy department.
- Occupation as a product is the group of activities and tasks humans need, want and/or are obliged to do for participation in life
- Occupation involves a continuing process of adaptation
- Characteristics of occupation include, but are not limited to the following:
- Basic human need
- Determinant of health
- Source of meaning
- Source of purpose
- Source of choice and control
- Source of balance and satisfaction
- Source of pleasure
- Source of restoration
- Source and means of adaptation
- Means of productivity
- Means of organizing time
- Means of organizing materials and space
- Therapeutic medium
Occupational therapy is a health profession that optimizes participation in life. We believe that occupational therapy:
- integrates knowledge from the arts and sciences
- provides a holistic and balanced perspective for practice to meet client needs
- promotes well-being through engagement in occupation
- incorporates client-centered assessment and intervention based on strengths, needs and goals, to facilitate occupational performance
- Humans are unique in nature and influence their own occupational performance.
- Humans are considered open systems who are influenced and changed through interactions with the human and non-human environment.
- Humans have their own unique values, goals, desires, culture etc. which influence their occupational performance.
- Humans have the right to make personal choices, engage freely in society and self-determine their life path.
- Humans adapt their habits, routines and roles throughout their life course.
- A human being's strengths and needs are an integral part of his/her meaningful occupations.