Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Plan Description

The mission of the UNLV post-professional OTD Program in Occupational Therapy is to provide practicing occupational therapists with advanced knowledge and skills so that they can advance in their respective careers to positions in leadership, advanced clinical practice, or higher education. The proposed program will provide an evidence-based and sequenced curriculum that will enable graduates to transition into leadership, advanced clinical practice, and/or higher education positions.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements

Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

Admission Requirements:

1. A degree in occupational therapy from an entry-level educational program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
2. Initially certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) 
3. An earned Master’s degree from an accredited academic institution
4. Current licensure as an occupational therapist (OTR)
5. Minimum overall grade point average of 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years of your academic coursework (60 credits).

Application Process:

1. Students must complete a UNLV Graduate College Application via the Grad Rebel Gateway portal.
2. Submit a nonrefundable admission application fee, payable check, money order, or online by credit card of $60 ($95 if you are an international student) to the Board of Regents, UNLV. *Note: Applications and materials will not be processed until the application fee is received. Applicants to any UNLV graduate program must pay the admission application evaluation fee for each application filed. Denied applicants, who later seek admission to the same or other UNLV degree program, are required to pay an additional application fee.
3. Submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. *Note: Only transcripts sent directly from the institution and delivered unopened to the UNLV Graduate College are considered official. Failure to disclose all course work and/or degrees awarded will result in rescission of admission.
4. Submit the following additional admission materials required by the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program (PP-OTD) degree program:
   1. Current curriculum vitae or resume.
   2. Statement of purpose addressing the applicant’s objectives for their doctoral education, including area of clinical expertise, and potential areas of research focus. Statement should be 2-3 pages in length.
   3. Copy of initial certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) or, if international student, other national certification agency.
   4. Copy of current occupational therapy license within a jurisdiction in the United States (if applicable).
   5. Three letters of recommendation attesting to your ability to successfully engage in and complete doctoral level work (e.g., critical thinking, communication skills, ability to use therapy literature to guide practice), capacity to be a leader in the occupational therapy profession, and ability to work collaboratively to achieve professional outcomes. The letters must be signed and dated, and letterhead should be used when available. References may be from a supervisor, a colleague, or professor; one of these letters must be from an occupational therapist.
   6. For International Students, submit:
      1. Copy of initial certification from the national certification agency/board in the country received.
      2. Proof of English Proficiency if English is not the applicant’s first language.
      3. Transcripts from academic institutions outside the U.S. may require a foreign credential evaluation. 

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements. 

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements

Plan Graduation Requirements

1. Candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 throughout the 36 credit program.
2. The student must submit and successfully present their final research project, professional paper, or case report by the posted deadline. The presentation must be advertised and is open to the public.
3. The student must electronically submit a pdf copy of their approved, properly formatted thesis, doctoral project, or dissertation to the Graduate College for format check.
4. Once approved, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline. Deadlines can be found here.
5. Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.