The NAU OTD is designed to produce transformative, competent, entry-level practice scholars who innovatively and skillfully use meaningful occupation as the mediator and facilitator of participation between the person and environment. Graduates will meet specific learning outcomes stated as professional competencies in three major content areas: transformative service delivery; practice-scholar inquiry and servant leadership.
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
More Information
The NAU entry-level doctorate degree program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE). ACOTE c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449, (301) 652-6611 x2914, acoteonline.org
Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for certification by National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT), nbcot.org. Program results from the NBCOT can be found online at https://secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 138 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Comprehensive Exam | Comprehensive Exam is required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| Research | Individualized research is required. |
| Additional Fees/Program Fees | Required |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| Residency Required | Required |
Purpose Statement
The NAU OT program offers first-rate educational, service learning, practice scholar and fieldwork experiences culminating in an individualized 16-week residency to develop occupational therapists. Presenting transformative skills, beyond the generalist level, practice-scholar competencies in the areas of practice, research, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory predominate. As transformative practice scholars, our NAU OT graduates demonstrate the requisite skills and habits to use and create evidence to support practice, to facilitate change through leadership as well as to think critically and creatively as practice innovators.
The NAU OTD curriculum design reflects the essential concepts of the profession’s and contains ‘threads’ enacting the curriculum’s mission, vision and enabling belief’s about learning. The design will result in specific student outcomes that reflect both the generalist and post-generalist learning that needs to be included.
The program's curriculum design:
As a result, the curriculum design shows the scope (depth and breadth) of the program offered.
Student Learning Outcomes
In addition to the NAU Occupational Therapy Learning Outcomes below, the Doctorate program’s curriculum also achieves all competency standards set forth by their ACOTE accrediting agency.
NAU-specific Occupational Therapy Learning Outcomes
Occupational Therapy Core Philosophy Integration:
More Information
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Before students enter receive final admission for the first semester, the following pre-requisite requirements must be met:
Take the following 138 units:
Occupational Performance Perspectives (7 units):
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $11000 per year has been approved for this program.
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education granted the university permission to accept its first class in fall 2014. At its April 9-10, 2016 meeting, ACOTE reviewed the Report of On-Site Evaluation (ROSE) regarding the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program at Northern Arizona University. All Standards were found to be compliant and ACOTE voted to Grant a Status of Accreditation for a period of 7 years (though 2022/2023). Information regarding the program accreditation process and NAU’s current Candidacy Status can be obtained by contacting ACOTE c/o AOTA at (301) 652-AOTA or online at www.acoteonline.org. ACOTE is located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449.
Information regarding the program accreditation process and NAU’s current Candidacy Status can be obtained by contacting ACOTE c/o AOTA at (301) 652-AOTA or online at www.acoteonline.org. ACOTE is located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449.
With ACOTE accreditation, NAU graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). The student must make application with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy to sit for the national certification examination after graduation (nbcot.org). A fee must be paid for the examination process which, when successfully completed, permits the entry-level practitioner to use the ‘OTR’ credentials.
State Licensure: Students must apply for and pay a fee to be licensed in the state in which they desire to practice. To obtain a license, the graduate will need to:
Information on state regulatory agencies and processes for occupational therapy can be found through the state government or the American Occupational Therapy Association’s, “How to Get a License’ site.