Occupational Therapy (Dr. OT)

Dr. O.T. program applicants must submit:

1. A completed application along with a $50 non-refundable application fee and a letter of application. Notice of acceptance or other action by the Committee on Admissions will be on a "rolling" or periodic schedule for fall, winter, and summer semester start. Early completion of the application is therefore in the best interest of the student.

   Semester Start	Application Deadline	Classes Begin
   Winter 2026	Dec. 8, 2025	Jan. 5, 2026
   Summer 2026	April 19, 2026	May 11, 2026
   Fall 2026	August 9, 2026	August 17, 2026

2. Resume or CV
3. Test of English as a Foreign language Examination (TOEFL) scores or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores (foreign applicants only).
4. Official transcripts from all undergraduate, professional and graduate institutions attended sent directly from the institution.
5. Undergraduate and graduate course work taken at a foreign institution must be evaluated for U.S. institution equivalence by one of the three services listed below. It is the applicant's responsibility to have this course work evaluated, and an official evaluation must be sent to NSU. You should contact:
   
   
   • World Education Services, Inc.
     P. O. Box 5087
     Bowling Green Station
     New York, NY 10274-5087
     (212) 966-6311
     www.wes.org
   • Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
     P.O. Box 415070
     Milwaukee, WI 53203
     (414) 289-3400
     www.ece.org
6. Confirmation of initial certification, or eligibility for certification, by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). (Candidates without occupational therapy certification must complete all courses required to take the national certification examination and take the exam within one year of beginning the program. International students must present their country of residence’s equivalent documentation.)

Upon receipt of the completed application and required credentials, the Committee on Admissions will notify, in writing, applicants who are selected for interview. Interviews may be conducted by telephone for applicants to the distance doctoral programs. No applicant will be admitted to the Occupational Therapy Program without an interview, but an invitation to appear for an interview should not be construed by the applicant as evidence of acceptance. 

Send your transcripts and evaluations to NSU's Enrollment Processing Services at:

Enrollment Processing Services
Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Avenue-P.O. Box 299000
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33314-9905

For more information, please contact Rebecca Johnson, Assistant Director Graduate Admissions (954) 262-1111 or rjohnso2@nova.edu.

The occupational therapy doctoral programs select students based on cumulative GPA, and potential for success in the program.

1. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or master's degree in occupational therapy from a regionally accredited college or university or internationally recognized university or university and be eligible to practice within one year of initiating the program. If applicant's bachelor's degree is in occupational therapy, the applicant must have a master's degree which may be in any field or 30 graduate credits. International applicants must present the equivalent of a bachelor's degree and evidence of successful completion of an O.T., educational program approved by WFOT. All foreign course work must be evaluated by World Education Services, Inc., Josef Silny and Associates or Educational Credential Evaluators.

2. Minimum Requirements:

   • GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

3. International applicants also must take the test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and obtain a score of 550 or higher for written or 213 or higher for the computer-based test.

4. All students will be required to have a computer that meets the recommended minimum specifications

The dean is empowered to evaluate the total qualifications of every applicant and to modify requirements in unusual circumstances.

The Dr. OT program is offered through NSU's online learning management systems, a distance learning course format. Students complete two courses per semester traveling to campus once a year for two to three days of intensive coursework. The rest of the semester's work will be completed from the student's home through readings, writing, community experiences, online assignments, and discussions, with the professor as facilitator.

All applicants must have completed an entry-level occupational therapy program and be eligible to practice as an occupational therapist within one year of starting the program. The following courses are required to complete the program.

 

All Dr. OT students must successfully complete the required core courses and select their remaining courses, in consultation with the Dr. OT Program Director, based upon their professional interests and goals. Through your practice experience and coursework and by working closely with a faculty mentor you will develop and complete a capstone project that will add value to your organization, the community, and the occupational therapy profession as a whole.  Your capstone will also be facilitated by a residency experience with experts in your area of interest.

Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.