Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Empower and Improve the Lives of Persons, Groups, and Populations

Become a Leader in the Field of Occupational Therapy by Earning your OTD

Help clients function in their daily environments and become active participants in their lives by earning your Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) from East Tennessee State University.

Through this program, you will be prepared to impact well-being, health, and quality of life.>

In the classroom, you will focus on disease, body functions, and structure while integrating activity limitations, participation restrictions, and contextual factors. You will then have the opportunity to practice that knowledge in hands-on clinical courses and fieldwork opportunities.

You’ll develop appropriate skills and expertise in diverse practice settings that will set you apart as a leader in occupational therapy.

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Illustration of an occupational therapist showing someone how to walk up stairs
 

30 Students Admitted Yearly 

 

No GRE Required for Admission

 

3-Year Full-Time Program

 

Early Application Deadline: September 1
Final Application Deadline: December 15




Careers in Occupational Therapy

As a graduate of the OTD program, you will be prepared to work as a leader in a variety of occupational therapy settings, such as: 

  • Pediatrics
  • Mental Health
  • Neurological Disorders
  • Orthopedics
  • Geriatrics
  • Palliative and Hospice Care
  • Community Health
  • Rehabilitation Technology & Environmental Modifications
  • Home Health
  • Skilled Nursing
  • Assisted Living

Illustration of bar charts and pie charts illustrating points of data

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 12% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

ETSU Health: Improving Health in Northeast Tennessee and Beyond

The College of Health Sciences is part of the university’s Academic Health Sciences Center (AHSC), which offers a robust combination of health sciences programs and patient-care facilities.  

Currently, ETSU is one of fewer than 125 institutions worldwide that are members of the Association of Academic Health Centers. 

Our AHSC, known as ETSU Health, prepares the future health care workforce and is a major provider of primary, specialty, and tertiary care throughout the region with 30 clinical sites and more than 250 health care providers.  

  Learn More  



Take Your Next Step


Learn More about OTD at ETSU

  • Program Cost

    Current program cost (in-state and border county tuition cost)

    Year 1

     

    Summer 2025

    (11 credits)

    Tuition - $5,665
    Program Service Fees - $1,048                            Academic Health Fees -  $550
    Total - $7,263

    Fall 2025

    (16 credits)

    Tuition - $5,768
    Program Service Fees - $1,048                        Academic Health Fees - $800
    Total - $7,616       

    Spring 2026

    (13 credits)

    Tuition - $5,459
    Program Service Fees - $1,048                      Academic Health Fees - $650
    Total - $7,157

    Year 1 Total: $22,036

     

    Year 2

     

    no summer classes

     

    Fall 2026

    (16 credits)

    Tuition - $5,768
    Program Service Fees - $1, 048                               Academic Health Fees - $800
    Total - $7,616

    Spring 2027

    (17 credits)

    Tuition - $5,871
    Program Service Fees - $1,048                      Academic Health Fees - $850
    Total - $7,769

    Year 2 Total - $15,385

     

    Year 3

     

    Summer 2027

    (10 credits)

    Tuition - $5,150
    Program Service Fees - $1,048                          Academic Health Fees - $500
    Total - $6,698

    Fall 2027

    (11 credits)

    Tuition - $5,253
    Program Service Fees - $1,048                          Academic Health Fees - $550
    Total - $6,851

    Spring 2028

    (13 credits)

    Tuition - $5,459
    Prorgam Service Fees - $1,048                           Academic Health Fees - $650
    Total - $7,157

    Year 3 Total - $20,706

    Total Cost of Program
    (2025-2028)

    $58,127

    Current program cost (out-of-state tuition cost)

    Year 1

     

    Summer 2025

    (11 credits)

    Tuition - $5,665
    Program Service Fees - $1,048                      Academic Health Fees - $550
    Out of State Tuition - $9,251
    Total - $16,514

    Fall 2025

    (16 credits)

    Tuition - $5,768
    Program Service Fees - $1,048                      Academic Health Fees - $800
    Out of State Tution - $7,560
    Total - $15,176

    Spring 2026

    (13 credits)

    Tuition - $5,459
    Program Service Fees - $1,048                      Academic Health Fees - $650
    Out of State Tuition - $6,507
    Total - $13,664

    Year 1 Total: $45,354

     

    Year 2

     

    no summer classes

     

    Fall 2026

    (16 credits)

    Tuition - $5,768
    Program Service Fees - $1, 048                               Academic Health Fees - $800
    Out of State Tuition - $7,560
    Total - $15,176

    Spring 2027

    (17 credits)

    Tuition - $5,871
    Program Service Fees - $1,048                        Academic Health Fees - $850
    Out of State Tuition - $7,560
    Total - $15,329

    Year 2 Total: $30,505

     

    Year 3

     

    Summer 2027

    (10 credits)

    Tuition - $5,150
    Program Service Fees - $1,048                      Academic Health Fees - $500
    Out of State Tuition - $8,410
    Total - $15,108

    Fall 2027

    (11 credits)

    Tuition - $5,253
    Program Service Fees - $1,048                       Academic Health Fees - $550
    Out of State Tuition - $7,560
    Total - $14,411

    Spring 2028

    (13 credits)

    Tuition - $5,459
    Prorgam Service Fees - $1,048                        Academic Health Fees - $650
    Out of State Tuition - $7,560
    Total - $14,717

    Year 3 Total - $44,236

    Total Cost of Program
    (2025-2028)

    $120,095

    Illustration based on current 2024/2025 fees, however fees are subject to change. According to FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), cost of attendance is defined as total amount of attending the program, which includes tuition and fees, books, supplies, transportation, loan fees as well as fees associated with distance education. Please visit ETSU Tuition and Fees estimator page for meal plan, payment plan, and housing related costs.

    The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.

    Learn More About Program Cost

  • Program Outcomes
    Graduation Year Students Entering Withdrew for Non-Academic Reasons Students Graduating Graduation Rate*
    2025 (first cohort) 19 3 16 100%
    2026 27      
    2027 24      
    2028 29      
    Total 99      

    * Graduation rate is minus those who withdrew for reasons other than academic performance. 

    * Program performance data on the NBCOT certification examination is available for public viewing by state and program level by clicking on this link: https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance. TThe ETSU OTD program graduated its first class in May 2025.

  • Admissions Information

    HOW TO APPLY:


    1. Apply through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS) OTCAS login page

    2. Students must also apply for graduate admission to ETSU through the ETSU Graduate School application

    WHEN TO APPLY:

    Applications open on July 18, 2025 for the Summer/Fall 2026 application cycle.

    Early Admission Deadline: Applications for the Summer/Fall 2026 cohort will be due by September 1, 2025 for early admission consideration.  Applications must be submitted and completed by September 1st to be considered for the early deadline.
     
    Final Admission Deadline: Applications for the Summer/Fall 2026 cohort will close on December 15, 2025. 


    Learn More About Admissions Requirements

  • Accreditation

    The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited 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. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-6611 and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program 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. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. 

    Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork and an individual 14-week capstone experience within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework, Level II fieldwork, and preparatory activities defined in 2023 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3. 

     


      Learn More about Accreditation

If you have any questions about the OTD program, we’re here to help! Please reach out to our graduate counselor for more information. 

Melanie Falkenberg
Melanie Falkenberg

Graduate Admissions Counselor
College of Health Sciences 

falkenberg@etsu.edu
423-439-7112

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