Dual Degree Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Dr.O.T.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program

The Occupational Therapy doctoral programs select students based on cumulative GPA, interviews and personal statements, letters of recommendation, and potential for success in the Dual-Degree Post-Professional Program.

Minimum Requirements:

• Applicants must have a minimum cumulative master’s degree or a professional doctoral GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
• Master's degree

1. Applicants must have a bachelor's or master's degree in occupational therapy from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized university or college and be eligible to practice within one year of initiating the program. If the applicant's bachelor's degree is in occupational therapy, then the applicant's master's degree may be in any field.
2. 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. Coursework taken at foreign institutions must be evaluated for U.S. institution equivalence by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) organization, such as one of the services listed below.
   • World Education Services, Inc.
     P.O. Box 745
     Old Chelsea Station
     New York, NY 10113-0745
     (212) 966-6311
     www.wes.org
   • Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
     P.O. Box 415070
     Milwaukee, WI 53203
     (414) 289-3400
     www.ece.org 
     It is the applicant's responsibility to have the course work evaluated. An official course-by-course evaluation with a cumulative grade point average must be sent directly from the evaluation service to NSU's Enrollment Processing Services.
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
5. Applicants must demonstrate writing proficiency, as determined by the program director.

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

Application Procedures

Dual-Degree Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Dr.OT) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program applicants must submit:

• A completed application along with a $50 non-refundable application fee and a letter of application. Entry point for the Dual-Degree Post-Professional Program is suggested to begin in the Fall semester (August)(see table below). Notice of acceptance or other action by the Committee on Admissions will be on a "rolling" or periodic schedule. Early completion of the application is therefore, in the student's best interest.
  

  Semester Start	Application Deadline	Classes Begin
  Fall 2026	Aug. 9, 2026	Aug. 17, 2026

• Three letters of recommendation from persons who can evaluate the applicant's potential for doctoral study. Letters of recommendation must be from an academic advisor, professor, supervisor, or health care professional. Letters from relatives, friends, or personal health care providers will not be accepted. The applicant will submit names and email addresses for each reference through the application portal. The reference will be sent a link with instructions to follow to submit the letter of reference.
• A letter of application stating goals and reasons for wanting to pursue doctoral work.
• A scholarly writing sample.
• Resume or CV
• Test of English as a Foreign language Examination (TOEFL) scores or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores (foreign applicants only).
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate, professional and graduate institutions attended sent directly from the institution.
• 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 
• 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 an interview. Interviews may be conducted online via Zoom video conferencing platform. No applicant will be admitted to the Dual-Degree Post-Professional 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:

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

Dual-Degree Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Dr.O.T.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program students must complete:

Satisfactorily complete 34 credits for the Dr.OT program and 62 credits for the Ph.D. program (the 34 Dr.OT. level credits and the 28 Ph.D. level credits) within eight years from the first day of classes.

*Students who decide to stop at the Dr.OT degree (34 credits) and not continue on with the Ph.D. degree, will be required to advise the program director prior to enrolling in OCT 7920 Capstone II course.

Note: A prospective student should consult the University catalog. Should any discrepancies exist between the catalog and this Web Page, the University catalog will be considered to be the official binding document.

Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.