Elizabethtown College is offering a new pathway for students to earn their doctorate through the recently launched Post-Baccalaureate Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD).

This program is designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, including Etown, and who meet admission requirements. Students can complete the program in as few as three years of full-time study, culminating in a final year of off-campus fieldwork and capstone experiences.

“This new pathway expands access for students who are seeking to advance into a high-demand health profession,” Elizabethtown College Dean of the School of Sciences and Health Alan Utter said. “By aligning with evolving student needs and workforce demands, this model allows us to build on our 50-year legacy while providing a flexible, efficient route into our OTD program.”

Criteria for admission into the program include a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. College or University with a minimum 3.0 overall cumulative GPA. GRE scores are not required. 

In addition to the new post-baccalaureate program, Etown offers multiple pathways for students pursuing careers in occupational therapy. Students can begin and complete their education at Etown, earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and either a five-year, entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) or a six-year entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate. 

In addition, Etown offers an online Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PP-OTD) through its School of Graduate and Professional Studies. The program is designed for licensed occupational therapists seeking to earn a doctorate and allows candidates to design their own degree, selecting from two of eight concentrations across a variety of in-demand disciplines.

Occupational Therapy promotes health, well-being, and participation in daily life. Occupational therapists focus on the activities people want and need to do, using everyday tasks to support engagement in meaningful roles such as self-care, family responsibilities, work, school, and volunteering. They practice in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, community agencies, extended-care facilities, hospice, and other human service organizations.

Discover more about the Post-Baccalaureate Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program at etown.edu.