The Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (DrOT) is a post-professional advanced practice degree offered through the College of Health and Human Services. Occupational therapists will advance skills and knowledge to enhance current practice and prepare you for leadership, education, research, and advocacy.
Maintain balance between life, work, and school and earn your post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) degree. The contemporary 30 credit hour, online format, cohort model engages you from virtually anywhere with experienced faculty and a budget-friendly tuition.
The DrOT will have one point of entry:
- Master of Occupational Therapy degree (MOT or MSOT) from an Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) accredited institution
Program Expected Student Outcomes
After graduation, students will have doors open for opportunities through:
- Enhanced ability to evaluate, apply and conduct research in occupational therapy
- Leadership capabilities developed for today’s healthcare environment
- Preparation to pursue employment in higher education
- Advocacy practices
Doors will open for opportunities in Leadership, Education and Research.
Admission Requirements and Process:
DrOT accepts a limited number of students per application cycle. Application materials will be reviewed by the Department of Occupational Therapy DrOT Admission Committee.
Applicants must submit:
- Application
- Evidence of an occupational therapy masters degree
- Provide transcripts from a masters degree from an occupational therapy program accredited by ACOTE; a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale;
- International students must have graduated from a masters level program accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT);
- Certification from National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT);
- Current state occupational therapy license;
- Application essay;
- Curriculum vita or resume;
- Three letters of recommendation; and
- A personal virtual interview with a graduate program faculty advisor/mentor.
Application for admission to the DrOT program is rolling allowing students to submit an application any time during the year. A cutoff date for applications, allowing for applications to be reviewed for admission, will be November 15. Admission decisions are made by December 1, for entry into the program in the Spring semester.
To apply to the Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program, follow the steps below:
- Complete the GSU online application (hyperlink)
- NBCOT Certificate (Upload in application portal)
- State Occupational Therapy License (Upload in application portal)
- A vitae or resume (Upload in application portal)
- Submit an application essay: a one-page, double-spaced essay addressing the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree
- Submit an official transcript indicating a completed master’s degree from an accredited program. 3.0 GPA or higher is required and should be sent to e sent to apotranscripts@govst.edu.
- Three letters of reference forms (one must be from an employer/supervisor; one from an OT colleague; and one from a person who can attest to your scholarly potential (Upload in application portal)
- Submit the Application Fee
Application Procedure:
Program Admission Committee will invite applicants to interview. Committee recommendation will be based on the review of the admission materials, recommendations, course work to date, essay and interview. The committee will recommend those candidates who are the best qualified to the DrOT Program Coordinator. Applicants will be notified of the decision.
