Occupational Therapy, Post-Professional (PPOTD)

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Occupational Therapy, Post-Professional (PPOTD) Overview

This 100% online program is designed for domestic and international OT professionals seeking leadership roles in academia, healthcare, and advocacy as well as those looking to transition to teaching. Students earn their doctorate in 16 months by taking just two classes at a time and travel to campus is not required, making this one of the fastest-to-degree programs in the marketplace and allowing students to save time and money.

Chatham graduates are recognized for their commitment to scholarship and many have authored or contributed to peer-reviewed literature. Plus, all AOTA members receive a 20% reduction in tuition costs for the duration of the program.

Learn more by registering for a virtual session, which always feature live faculty and alumni perspectives and an open forum to ask your questions. All upcoming sessions are listed here.

Track Options

Unlimited

Flexible curriculum and diverse faculty help you tailor the program to your unique interests.

Did You Know?

Bridge Program

The Bachelor-to-OTD Bridge program is open to enrollment each fall. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply now. Learn more below.

Requirements

30 Credits / 16 Months

Our 100% online program is 30 credits and is completed over 16 months / 4 terms. Students can start in the fall or spring, and travel to campus is not required.

Investment

Special Pricing

All AOTA members who are currently practicing as an OTA can receive a 20% reduction in tuition costs for the duration of the program.

Explore the Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy Degree:

Admission Requirements:

  • Free, online application
    • Please list former last or maiden names that may appear on transcripts
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended sent directly from the institutions to Chatham University by emailing Admissions or sending by mail to this address:
    • Chatham University
      Graduate Admissions
      107 Woodland Road
      Pittsburgh, PA 15232
  • Current resume
  • Copy of OT license
  • Admissions Essay
    • In 500 words or less, explain your understanding of evidence-based practice versus research, and then describe an area of interest and/or potential problem you are interested in focusing your evidence-based capstone project on. Include why you are interested in this area and why it is relevant for occupational therapy practice. Note: The essay will help us understand your interests related to the capstone project, but in no way represents a firm commitment to any ideas that you share. Students are guided to confirm their capstone topics in the first semester of the program. 

To be considered for admission review, please note that either a master’s degree or undergraduate degree in occupational therapy is required. The GRE is not required.

International Applicants

International Applicants must submit additional documentation to the Office of Admissions. A list of these documents can be found on the International Admission web page.

Application Deadline (Fall & Spring):

We are always accepting applications for our fall and spring terms, but recommend submitting by August 1 for the fall term, and November 1 for the spring term. Submitting a complete application as soon as possible is helpful, as space in our cohort program is limited. 

All OTD students take the same courses in the same sequence. Here's what it looks like: 

OTD COHORT SEQUENCE BEGINNING IN FALL SEMESTERS
FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER THIRD SEMESTER FOURTH SEMESTER
FALL SPRING SUMMER FALL
OTD742 (3)
7 weeks
OTD751 (3)
14 weeks 
OTD752 (3)
7 weeks
OTD740 (3)
14 weeks
OTD741 (3)
14 weeks
OTD766 (3)
14 weeks
OTD761 (1)
14 weeks
OTD772 (5)
14 weeks
OTD760 (3)
6 weeks
  OTD750 (3)
7 weeks
 

 

OTD COHORT SEQUENCE BEGINNING IN SPRING SEMESTERS
   
FIRST SEMESTER
SECOND SEMESTER
THIRD SEMESTER
FOURTH SEMESTER
SPRING
SUMMER
FALL
SPRING
OTD742 (3)
7 weeks
 OTD751 (3)
14 weeks
OTD752 (3)
7 weeks
OTD740 (3)
14 weeks
OTD741 (3)
14 weeks
OTD766 (3)
14 weeks
OTD761 (1)
14 weeks
OTD772 (5)
14 weeks
OTD760 (3)
6 weeks
 
OTD750 (3)
7 weeks
 

View Course Catalog

The post-professional OTD curriculum allows students to explore their own area of professional interest and then directly apply their learning through the design and implementation of an evidence-based capstone project in their work setting. Students become a true community of learners, working together for the future of better healthcare.

—Jennifer Lape, ppOTD, Program Director

Photo of students in a lecture hall with a professor at the front of the class

Study On Your Own Schedule

"I work full-time as an occupational therapist, and I have a family with three busy teenagers. This program really fit in: it's completely online, you're working around your schedule. So to do it as a working, full-time mother, it's very feasible."
—Christine Daeschner, PPOTD '22

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Information Sessions

After exploring the website, attend one of our Post-Professional Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) prospective student webinars to talk with faculty and learn more about this program. At these online sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with faculty, get your questions answered, and learn more about the admissions process.

View OT Events : Checkerboard 1 - Information Sessions
Photo of a smiling man in black suit and tie, posing in front of poster presentation.

Capstone Projects and Publications

Over the four semesters of the program, each student designs and implements an evidence-based capstone project on a topic of interest. Projects can be completed in a work setting, community site, or emerging practice area. The project culminates with a formal presentation as well as drafting of a conference proposal and a peer-reviewed journal article. Chatham graduates have successfully published their work in peer-reviewed journals and been accepted for conference presentations post-graduation.

View Student Works : Checkerboard 2 - Capstone Projects and Publications
Photo of a Chatham University student looking at her laptop in Cafe Rachel.

100% Online

In an effort to save students time and money, Chatham’s PPOTD program is now fully online with no travel requirements. In place of former campus onsites, faculty have carefully designed meaningful virtual immersive experiences where students share capstone projects and posters with their peer community. These virtual immersive experiences started in April 2020, and student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. 

Photo of a smiling woman in front of a poster presentation, speaking with two women facing her

Bachelor-to-OTD Bridge Program

This program is designed for experienced occupational therapists who hold a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. The Bridge Program is 39 credits and starts in the fall term each year. It is completed over 20 months / 5 terms. The small size of each cohort allows for deep discussion and interaction.

Bachelor-to-OTD Bridge Program : Checkerboard 5 - Bachelor-to-OTD Bridge Program
Photo of students wearing masks, sitting around a room

Interprofessional Education (IPE)

Interprofessional education involves students from two or more health professions learning together during their training. The goal of IPE is to enhance communication and decision-making, allowing various domains of knowledge to complement each other.

Learn About IPE : Checkerboard 6 - Interprofessional Education (IPE)
Photo of a group of four Chatham University instructors, seated at a table indoors at Eden Hall Campus

AOTA Conference

Each year Chatham faculty, students, and alumni make a significant impact at the AOTA annual conference and expo, where we come together to network and catch up. Click here to view the accepted list of presentations by Chatham faculty, students, and alumni for a past conference.

Decorative image reading Faculty Listing

Program Faculty

Chatham’s OTD faculty members bring a wealth of clinical experience as well as teaching experience in a range of practice settings. They serve as mentors and advisors and are there for you every step of the way.

Meet the Faculty : Checkerboard 8 - Program Faculty

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy

Do you have questions?

We make it easy to get in touch:

Call Us

800-837-1290

Text Us

412-419-3772 (standard text/SMS rates will apply)

Email Us

graduate@chatham.edu

Request Information

Complete our Request for Information form

Or, answer a few questions and we will be glad to help.

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