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An occupational therapist is a unique individual. The type of person that makes a great occupational therapist understands the value of the “small things” that someone who is well and able-bodied may take for granted. Some of the small things include waking up, showering, putting on clothes, and getting ready for work and doing so without high levels of anxiety or other barriers to success. Occupational therapists are patient, hardworking, and compassionate. These individuals put a high value on the small things and because of this make big changes.
An occupational therapist may see a group of clients for years working patiently through a disability, teaching patients new ways to adapt to their life reality, make a child’s transitions in the morning more smooth, or help an individual who uses a wheelchair find greater mobility. There are many people who require the help of an occupational therapist. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 25% growth over the course of 10 years. That being said, many individuals choose to specialize. As a healthcare professional you know that there is a tendency to spread yourself “too thin” and quickly. One way to combat fatigue in the workplace is to hone your caseload to match your passions.
Pursuing your passions is more than just a nice thing to do, it helps individuals find longevity in their career and the perseverance to keep going even when things get tough. Psychologists like Angela Duckworth call on traits like grit and indicate evidence that shows that following a passion in a career can lead to a lifetime of fulfillment.
This is why after a few years on the job, many individuals look to head back to pursue a Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD). This degree is an opportunity for individuals to pursue a curriculum that helps them to hone their research to match their passions and can lead to better-paying positions in the field.
PPOTDs and OTDs both include curricula on evidence-based practices in the field, research, methods of engaging the community, classes with specific specialization in mind (i.e., upper extremities, geriatrics, pediatrics, autism) and course material on leadership in a variety of settings.
We examined all online occupational therapy doctorates in the nation. To determine which programs to rank we considered the following methodology:
- Academic Quality of Parent Institution (33.3%): a multivariate metric including student success and support metrics such as acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, financial aid offerings, research rank of the university, and more.
- Academic Quality of Program in Question (33.3%): range of electives, research rank of faculty, and overall support services for careers in health science.
- Flexibility of Program (33.3%): a measure of a variety of offering types that enable those juggling work, life, and school to obtain the education they desire.
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is a public 4-year university located in Richmond, Kentucky. There are 16,612 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits EKU to award comprehensive degree programs and professional certifications.
When it comes to occupational therapy, things change with the times. That includes online offerings. Today you can find dozens of online occupational therapy degrees. The majority of programs are for master’s-seeking and doctoral-seeking candidates. Although, you may be able to complete an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program.
An accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy takes about five years to complete. You can expect to study a variety of topics including anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, psychology, neuroscience, child-specific classes, adult-specific classes, research, policy and ethics and more.
Medical University of South Carolina
University of Southern California
While a doctorate is not required to become an occupational therapist, many professionals choose to pursue a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program after a few years in the profession. These candidates are often looking to advance into a leadership role in their field or after a few years of experience are looking to deepen their knowledge and hone their skills in a specific specialty area.
According to PayScale, the average OTD makes about $90,000 per year. That being said, a doctoral program does not guarantee a particular salary. Rather, the advanced studies open doors to more specialized higher level professions. To quote the AOTA “Preliminary informal surveys of entry-level doctor doctoral graduates indicate that the doctoral degree does not guarantee advanced salaries. However, many entry-level doctoral graduates are able to pursue and fill unique positions due to their advanced education.”
The types of jobs that pay a salary of $90,000 require both the doctoral degree and time spent on the job. So, if you are looking to pursue an OTD, you may first wish to consider what job you hope to secure. Does this position’s requirements for years of experience match yours? This is likely a good time to pursue your OTD.
