Differences in Masters vs. Doctorate Degree

All students are initially accepted into the Masters of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program, with the program goal of developing exceptional occupational therapists, primarily in the clinical role. Didactic and experiential coursework in the 5-term MOT program is focused on gaining entry-level knowledge and skills to deliver occupational therapy services across the lifespan as well as across different types of conditions and practice settings. All students are engaged in evidence-based scholarship, and skills in clinical reasoning and professionalism will be facilitated and demonstrated through a variety of instructional methods.

MOT students who pursue the entry-level doctorate degree (OTD) will build on the skills demonstrated during the primary phase of the program, as they engage in an additional two terms of education. In addition to excellence in clinical skills, OTD students will advance their scholarly outcomes through additional learning opportunities in an individualized capstone project and experience as well as additional courses that align with the student's professional goals and practice interests. The four primary areas of the community-focused capstone experiences are clinical practice, education, program development, and research.