Cleveland State University

We  began offering the OTD Program beginning Fall 2020  Admission to the program is limited to 45 students each year. Applications are available electronically through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS) on or around August 1 of the year prior to admission. All applications, transcripts, and GRE scores must be submitted electronically through OTCAS no later than October 1st of the year prior to admission.

ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY: Occupational Therapists (OT) use everyday activities as the means to enable people to thrive, moving beyond disabilities or limitations, creating opportunities to maximize participation in life and quality of life. If you feel satisfaction from and enjoy helping others achieve competence, meaning, and self-fulfillment in their daily lives, then occupational therapy may be an excellent career choice for you.With anticipated growth of up to 23.8 percent between 2016 and 2026, the field of Occupational Therapy has been ranked by US News and World Report as one of the top 15 best jobs of 2019.

ABOUT CSU's OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROGRAM: CSU's OT Program has been in existence for 45 years, admitting its first Bachelor’s degree class in 1974. The program transitioned to an entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy degree in 2002. The Program is in the process of transitioning to the entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Degree. See below for more information about accreditation.

The Cleveland State University (CSU) Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program welcomes your interest in our academic program. The OTD Program is one of seven programs in the School of Health Sciences, offered within the College of Sciences and Health Professions. The occupation-centered curriculum is designed using an adult learning model, integrating didactic, laboratory, and clinical experiences, as well as the doctoral capstone through eight consecutive semesters. Students must complete a minimum of 103 credits, which includes 24 weeks (940 hours) of full-time fieldwork and a doctoral capstone in order to be eligible to sit for the national certification examination and to apply for state licensure. Students must complete Level II fieldwork and experiential requirements within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.

Graduates of the CSU OTD Program will be prepared to work in both medical and community-based settings. They assume diverse roles in clinical practice, consultation, teaching, management, research, and advocacy.

The Program offers unique occupation-based programs in the community that are designed to provide our students with an opportunity to participate in innovative and emerging areas of practice that enhance engagement in meaningful occupations to improve the quality of life and health of participants.

The experienced faculty provide high quality instruction and learning opportunities, preparing graduates to become skilled and ethical practitioners who provide occupational therapy services to diverse individuals, groups, communities, and populations within complex interdisciplinary systems using the best evidence. To learn more about Faculty & Staff , please visit their faculty profiles.