Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy
If you're a practicing occupational therapist looking to advance your skills, this flexible doctoral program might be for you.
To meet the increasing demands of complex practice issues, upgrade your knowledge and skills at a doctoral level of expertise. The program is designed for those with a master's degree in occupational therapy or a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy with a master’s degree in another area.
Format
Offered entirely online, the program focuses on specialization and professional leadership in practice, and students can complete the course work while continuing to work in the profession.
The format combines synchronous (online course meetings held at specific times) and asynchronous learning (assignments and discussion board participation according to the student’s schedule). Prior to the first class, an online session will be offered to help students learn the technology associated with the classes and the nature of an online program.
Schedule and Curriculum
The OTD program is a minimum of 36 credit hours beyond a master's degree, and students typically take one or two courses per semester. If you take one course per semester including summer, it will take four years to complete the program. Learn more about the program curriculum.
Program Costs
Our competitive tuition rates and financial aid opportunities mean that quality education is within your reach. Take a closer look at our post-professional doctoral program costs and explore scholarships and aid you may be eligible for.
Program Faculty
Caitlin Lisk, Ph.D., LCSW
Lisk is an instructor in the post-professional occupational therapy and the therapeutic science doctorate degree programs at the University of Kansas. She also serves as manager of Ryan White Programs at The University of Kansas Health System, where she provides grant writing and management of HIV services for underserved populations.
After earning a master's degree in social work from the University of Missouri, Lisk completed a doctorate in therapeutic science from the University of Kansas. Her interests include studying the impacts of human-animal relationships for those with disabilities.
Kelly Andrasik McLeod, OTD, OTR/L, IBCLC, CNT, BCP
McLeod is a clinical instructor for the post-professional occupational therapy doctoral degree program and currently provides online continuing education courses for health care professionals entitled "Breastfeeding Assessment and Intervention for the Medically Fragile Infant" and "Tube to Breast: Navigating the Transition from Enteral Feeding to Breastfeeding."
A doctoral-trained occupational therapist, McLeod also works as the advanced clinical specialist for the occupational therapy department at a large Bay Area teaching hospital. She specializes in feeding and swallowing rehabilitation for infants in the NICU and is a certified neonatal therapist. Additionally, she is board certified in pediatrics, has her advanced practice certification in "Swallowing Assessment, Evaluation, and Intervention," and is an international board-certified lactation consultant.
"I chose KU’s post-professional OTD program for its curriculum that has a strong focus on teaching and leadership within the OT profession. I also appreciated how KU’s program allowed me the flexibility to prioritize my passion when choosing a capstone topic, especially as OT in the NICU is a niche area of practice."- Kelly Andrasik McLeod, OTD Class of 2019
Certification
The post-professional doctoral program in occupational therapy does not provide eligibility for professional licensing for employment. Students enter the program with a current state license to practice occupational therapy or NBCOT registration as an occupational therapist.