Learn More – Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Train to Become an Occupational Therapist
Prepare to help people participate more fully in everyday life through a hybrid OTD program that combines online learning with immersive, hands-on training in Chicago.
Take Your Next Step Toward Becoming an Occupational Therapist
The OTD application portal opens January 2027.
Hybrid Online Format
Online coursework with six on-campus immersions in Chicago
Program Length
Three years
Entry Term
Fall
An Experiential Entry-Level OTD Program
The Chicago School’s entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program prepares you for modern occupational therapy practice by combining evidence-based education with progressively advanced, experiential learning.
You will develop practical experience and work with real people and communities through simulation labs, fieldwork, on-campus immersions, and your doctoral capstone project.
Along the way, dedicated faculty mentorship and individualized support will help you grow from student to confident emerging practitioner.
What Sets Our OTD Curriculum Apart
Five key focus areas woven throughout the program:
- Human-Centered Technology and Digital Health
Explore telehealth, assistive and adaptive technology, digital health tools, wearables, and emerging technologies while learning how to use them to support access, independence, and quality of life. - Interprofessional Practice and Team-Based Care
Build the communication, collaboration, and decision-making skills to work effectively across healthcare, educational, community, and organizational settings. - Equity, Inclusion, and Occupational Justice
Consider the barriers that can affect participation in meaningful everyday activities and learn to advocate for more equitable opportunities. - Holistic Health and Well-Being
Understand how physical, psychological, social, cultural, environmental, and systemic factors influence occupational performance across the lifespan. - Leadership, Advocacy, and Professional Identity
Develop the leadership and advocacy skills to strengthen OT practice, support clients, and help improve systems of care.
Career Pathways
The future is bright for occupational therapists, with a median annual wage of $100,330* and employment projected to grow 15% from 2025-2035, much faster than average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Your occupational therapy career can take you into a wide range of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient clinics
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Nursing homes
- School systems
- Early intervention programs
- Mental health and community health organizations
- Home healthcare
- Private practice settings
*Salary and wage data reflect national or regional averages and may vary based on location, employer, experience, and other factors. The Chicago School does not guarantee that graduates will obtain a particular job or earn specific wages.
Accreditation and Licensure
Accreditation
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Telephone: 301-652-AOTA
Website: www.acoteonline.org
The program must be granted Candidacy Status, have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Locations
Chicago
Our flagship location offers an unrivaled education along with field experience and networking opportunities.
Our Approach
The Chicago School Approach is an immersive, applied learning model focused on developing professionals who can address present challenges and anticipate future needs. It combines four core elements of The Chicago School experience—education, innovation, community, and impact—to give students a practical and solutions-oriented education.
Education
Preparing tomorrow’s integrated health professionals.
Education
Innovation
Embracing next-gen learning and practice.
Innovation
Community
Creating connection, inclusion, and belonging.
Community
Impact
Supporting individuals, organizations, and communities.
Impact
Take the Next Step Toward Becoming an OT
Connect with an admissions representative to get your questions answered, learn more about the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, and explore your next steps.