Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Online)
Overview
As the most highly trained and credentialed professionals in their field, Doctors of Occupational Therapy (OTDs) enjoy expanded career options that often take them beyond direct patient care to include moving into senior leadership roles, designing programs, conducting research, leading policy and advocacy initiatives, teaching in academic settings, and more.
SCU’s 100% online Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) program enables licensed occupational therapists who already have a bachelor’s or master’s degree to advance their careers by becoming OTDs in just 16 months.
Program at a Glance
- 100% online program (16 months)
- For licensed OTs who have bachelor’s or master’s degrees in occupational therapy
- Degree customization opportunities through six Advanced Certification Tracks
- Fixed tuition guarantee, federal financial aid for those who qualify, and a range of institutional scholarship opportunities
Upcoming Start Dates
- Spring: January 5th, 2026
- Summer: May 4th, 2026
What Sets Our Program Apart?
FLEXIBLE FORMAT FOR WORKING OTs
Our fully online program makes it possible to earn your OTD and accelerate your career without relocating or giving up your current job. Our online courses are taught and facilitated by seasoned faculty members, yet they are almost entirely self-paced or “asynchronous”—meaning you can watch lectures and complete your weekly assignments when it works best for you within a given week. The courses for your advanced elective certification track will take place live online (“synchronous”) but during weekend hours.
DEGREE CUSTOMIZATIONS
As an SCU Post-Professional OTD student, you’ll have the opportunity to focus on the area that best aligns with your career goals, by selecting one of the following Advanced Certification Tracks: Advanced Practice in Hand Therapy, Advanced Integrative Behavioral Health, Advanced Musculoskeletal Management of the Pelvic Girdle, Faculty Certification in Academic Excellence, Therapeutic Pain Specialist, and Advanced Geriatric Practice. Your track coursework will directly support the development, implementation, and completion of your Doctoral Capstone Project.
STUDENT-LED CAPSTONE PROJECT
One of the most rewarding portions of your OTD program, your Doctoral Capstone project will give you the opportunity to explore and demonstrate innovative thinking in an area of interest that is related to your chosen elective certification track. Your project will include written and oral components, and we’ll support you each step of the way through online capstone coursework facilitated by a Capstone Mentor who has expertise in your chosen topic. A Doctoral Capstone is an academic and professional milestone, often leading to publications, future research opportunities, and other career advancements.
BROADER INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
Most of today’s healthcare colleges offer an “interprofessional education” through which students learn with, from, and about other disciplines. But at SCU, our Interprofessional Education is broader and, frankly, we think that makes it better. Unlike other colleges, we teach you about both conventional and complementary disciplines—not just one or the other—because we believe in both and we teach both, all under one roof.
AN INTEGRATIVE, WHOLE HEALTH APPROACH
All too often, healthcare providers “stay in their lanes” rather than building comprehensive care plans that include other disciplines, professionals, and approaches. In addition, they look strictly at the physical body as opposed to all the factors that may be influencing a patient’s health and well-being—genetics, lifestyle, mental health, relationships, physical environments, community support, and beyond. But at SCU, no matter what program you are in, you’ll learn to blend the best of conventional and complementary approaches (integrative healthcare) and to treat the entire mind, body, and spirit (whole health)—for true lasting wellness.