Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Online)

Career Information

Students completing the PPOTD will have skills that position them to secure responsible leadership roles such as program director, professor, and others. Additionally, they can become a faculty advisor with a bachelor’s or master’s in occupational therapy degree and pursue this position after becoming a Doctor of Occupational Therapy.

Here are some examples of how a PPOTD program can benefit your career.

Apply Your Advanced Knowledge in Your Current Practice

Many graduates choose to stay in their current roles, driving positive changes within their workplaces. The assignments throughout the PPOTD program are designed for immediate implementation in your clinical practice. As you gain new insights and techniques rooted in the latest research, you can apply them to enhance client outcomes. Your capstone project will involve exploring and addressing a specific issue from your workplace.

Step Into Leadership Roles Within Your Field

Earning a PPOTD can pave the way to leadership positions in both clinical practice and administration. The curriculum offers a new perspective on organizational dynamics, encouraging strategic and critical thinking about systems and approaches to client care. As you collaborate with professionals from various healthcare disciplines, you’ll be better equipped to lead interprofessional teams, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists.

Pursue Academic or Administrative Roles in OT Education

The Faculty Certification in Academic Excellence in the PPOTD program equips you with the latest teaching strategies and curriculum development skills for both online and in-person education. You might also find fulfillment as a fieldwork educator, mentoring entry-level OTD capstone students or training new clinical hires.

Seek Publication Opportunities

As you build your research experience during the doctoral program, you might be inspired to delve deeper into an area of OT theory or practice, eventually publishing your findings, possibly in collaboration with other scholars. Use your PPOTD capstone project as a foundation to pursue scholarly publications and presentations.

Consider a Role in Publishing or Editing

You might also explore opportunities in writing for online or print OT journals, either as a freelancer or staff writer. Or, consider launching your own website, blog, podcast, or academic journal.

Take on Leadership Roles in State, National, or International Organizations

If you’re driven to advance the OT profession and contribute to its growth, consider taking on a leadership role in a state OT board or a national organization like the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Involvement in organizations that address broader healthcare issues can position you to influence OT-related policies at both the local and national levels.