Why Pursue a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy (OT) addresses how we decide, navigate and manage our daily activities (occupations) in life. Those activities can be brushing your teeth, drinking a cup of coffee, driving to work, baking chocolate chip cookies, reading a book, riding the bus, hiking in nature, or holding hands with a loved one. Occupational therapy is a dynamic profession that plays a crucial role in helping individuals overcome physical, emotional, and cognitive barriers to daily living.  By earning a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD), you will position yourself in the forefront of a growing profession that helps people of all ages to thrive. Learn more about occupational therapists here.

Why Choose Seton Hill’s OTD Program? 

At Seton Hill, you will:

• Enjoy state-of-the-art facilities in a supportive, personalized, learning environment.
• Work closely with distinguished faculty.
• Participate in small classes, where you will learn to address challenges in all of the areas that can impact a person’s wellbeing - including physical, cognitive, emotional and environmental factors.
• Benefit from relevant fieldwork experiences with clinical and community partners.
• Become adept at delivering evidence-based, client-centered and occupation-focused care.
• Have access to a broad array of support services, from financial aid to academic services to career placement.
• Use your university supplied MacBook Air laptop to learn any time, anywhere.

Hallmarks of Seton Hill's Occupational Therapy Program

Hands-on Learning in Every Semester 

• All hands-on experiences require applying classroom learning to real-life situations. 
• All the practice experiences include structured learning. 
• All the experiences include reflection and feedback for professional growth.

Three-Day Condensed Class Schedule

• Classes are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to support students' well-being by providing time for leisure, working and caregiving.

Fewer Credits, Less Time, Less Cost – and a Clear Focus

• 90 credits, 3 years, $96,000.
• Seton Hill’s focus is real-world hands-on learning in every semester that prepares you to be an exceptional practitioner.

Occupational Therapy Program Mission and Values

Mission

The mission of the occupational therapy program is to prepare students to be occupation-based, person-centered practitioners providing evidence-based intervention to restore valued daily living activities and to be leaders creating new services promoting health and well-being in diverse settings.

Values

1. We believe that occupation is comprised of the ordinary and familiar activities of daily living through which human beings find meaning and purpose. We believe that human beings grow and develop through occupation to participate fully in life.
2. We believe that integration of experiences with theoretical knowledge and lifelong learning will prepare students to collaborate with clients and address the occupational needs of all populations served by occupational therapy.
3. We believe in creating learning environments that support collaboration and integration of knowledge, and that optimize motivation for learning and development of professional skills.
4. We believe that students bring different perspectives and life experiences to learning, thus strengthening excellence in learning. The program promotes a positive climate where all persons are welcomed and valued.

Occupational Therapy Program Format and Details

Format

Admission to the Seton Hill OTD program will be available on a full-time basis and will be delivered in an in-person format on Seton Hill's campus in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. This 3-year, 90-credit program begins in August (fall term) of each year. Seton Hill’s inaugural OTD class will begin classes in August 2026.

Courses

Career-relevant courses offered through Seton Hill's Occupational Therapy Program include:

• Occupation and Wellbeing
• Behavioral Practice
• Physical Disability Practice
• OT Practice for Children
• OT Practice for Older Adults
• Innovation and Emerging Practice
• Student Experiences in Practice (practicum, fieldwork, capstone)

Click here for a full list of courses, course descriptions, and course sequence information.

Accessibility of Learning Environments

Seton Hill University offers a variety of on-campus and online supports to engage students in the learning process, including:

• The Career and Professional Development Center
• The Center for Success
• Reeves Memorial Library and Learning Commons
• The Writing Center
• The Office of Disability Services
• Mobile Learning on the Hill

Cost of Program

Costs of the program include tuition, university fees (learning and technology resources) program fees (course and lab materials, AOTA membership, practice liability insurance, certification exam preparation resources), books (resources for learning, practice and exam preparation). Program costs, tuition and fees are subject to change. See below for tuition and fees by year.

Your Career as an Occupational Therapist

Becoming Licensed for Practice

Graduates of the Seton Hill OTD 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) pending accreditation with ACOTE. After successful completion of this exam, the graduate 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. For additional information about eligibility criteria for NBCOT, visit https://www.nbcot.org/get-certified

Career Opportunities

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment opportunities for occupational therapists to grow much faster than the national average.  In 2023, the median annual wage for occupational therapists was $96,370.

Award-Winning Seton Hill Career Support

Seton Hill's Career and Professional Development Center can assist you in finding that first job in your new field. The Center will also be here for you if you need help with career transitions in the future. The resources of the Center are a lifetime benefit for all Seton Hill graduates.

Program Accreditation

The Seton Hill University occupational therapy program is in applicant status 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, ℅ AOTA, is (301)652-AOTA, an its web address is www.ACOTEonline.org 

The intent of accreditation is to assure students that the program resources are adequate to proceed through each step of program development and that the program will meet their educational needs. The accreditation process, which takes approximately two years, is designed to start before the first class of students enters the program and complete before the first class graduates from the program. It is suggested that you speak with the program director regarding the accreditation status of the program.  If you have additional questions,, please feel free to contact the AOTA Accreditation Department at AOTA Accreditation or Accreditation School Directory.

Application and Admission 

Application Planning and Early Review

• Use the Application Planning Guide to map out a timeline for completing academic and application activities.
• Work with your academic advisor to plan for completion of a bachelor's degree and prerequisite courses.
• Draft a personal statement about your interest in occupational therapy. (Use the directions in the Application Planning Guide.)
• Email the Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator Rachel Popovich at rpopovich@setonhill.edu with any questions.
• Email your Application Plan to the Occupational Therapy Program (rpopovich@setonhill.edu) to get individualized feedback on any remaining requirements and to receive a projected date for beginning the program.

Application Submission 

• Prospective students submit their official application through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS).
• Students intending to begin their degree in August 2026 can submit their application through OTCAS beginning September 1, 2025.
• Deadline: June 30, 2026