Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate, OTD

Program at a Glance | What You'll Learn | Program Details | Career Outcomes | FAQ

Why Belmont's Post-Professional OTD Program?

Belmont’s one-year format sets it apart from most Post-Professional OTD programs, allowing you to advance your academic career quicker without putting your professional life on hold. With a Post-Professional OTD from Belmont, you can invest in your long-term career goals as an occupational therapist, making the transition from clinical settings to academia.

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Program at a Glance

Belmont’s Post-Professional OTD 30-credit-hour program can be completed in just one year, allowing you to further your education and career efficiently. The flexible, fully online asynchronous coursework, combined with an in-person capstone experience, ensures a comprehensive, well-rounded learning experience that will prepare you for your future endeavors as a Doctor of Occupational Therapy.

100% online, asynchronous coursework
In-person Capstone
Credit Hours: 30
Program Length: 3 terms | 12 months
ACOTE-accredited
Transition to OT education in one year

Program Distinctions

Accelerated Timeline: Belmont’s Post-Professional OTD program allows you to earn your doctorate in just one year, compared to the two-year model offered by many other institutions.

Research-Centered: At Belmont, you will develop strong research practices using ethical research methods to produce an individualized, education-focused, occupation-based scholarly project.

Online Learning, Real-World Connection: Graduate with a Post-Professional OTD through this online doctorate program, which allows you the flexibility of asynchronous learning with the benefits of in-person touchpoints at our Nashville campus.

Individualized Mentorship: Receive supportive, personalized and transformative mentorship that empowers you to grow confidently into an emerging OT educator.

Embedded Leadership Training: Built-in curriculum that supports and develops educational leadership and administrative capabilities to advance students into program director and administrative roles.

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Is the Post-Professional OTD the Right Fit for You?

The Post-Professional OTD serves professionals seeking to pursue OT education at every career stage:

Career Advancer: Mid-career professionals in occupational therapy who are seeking to deepen expertise, move into leadership, expand their academic credentials or transition into roles such as program director, clinical administrator or advanced practitioner.
Career Launcher: Early-career professionals or recent MOT/ entry-level OTD graduates looking to strengthen their teaching, research and leadership skills to stand out in competitive academic or specialty practice roles.
Career Pivoter: For clinicians who want to transition out of direct patient care and move into occupational therapy education, where you can extend the longevity of your career through teaching, academic fieldwork coordination, program leadership and scholarly work.

What You’ll Learn

Through a focused post-professional doctoral experience that builds the core competencies needed for success in occupational therapy academia, you will advance from clinician to educator.

By program completion, you’ll be able to:

Confidently practice and lead in OT education
Apply OT and educational theory to design effective learning experiences
Evaluate and improve academic programs using systematic, occupation-based methods

Through this program, you will also strengthen your ability to collaborate across interprofessional teams and develop the leadership and administrative skills needed to support students, colleagues and the growth of OT academic programs.

Program Details

Curious about your coursework? View requirements for this degree in the course catalog.

Online and Asynchronous: Learn on your schedule without pausing your practice as a clinician. All coursework is available online with no required campus visits outside of the final capstone presentation.

Industry-Expert Faculty: Our faculty’s broad clinical backgrounds, spanning pediatrics, seating and mobility, aging in place and assistive technology, ensure that your education is grounded in real-world practice and emerging trends in occupational therapy.

Capstone Presentation: All students present their capstone projects on the Belmont University campus, sharing insights and accomplishments with peers and faculty.

All students must complete the following before entering the program:

Candidates must possess a master's degree in occupational therapy and a valid occupational therapy license or be in the final term of an accredited occupational therapy master's degree program and eligible to obtain licensure prior to enrollment.
Three letters of recommendations: including references who can speak to the applicant's professional experience, and at least one reference who can speak to the applicant's past academic performance and his or her academic readiness for graduate studies *This requirement will be waived for current Belmont MSOT students.
A professional resume that includes educational background and professional experience
An interview with a representative from the School of Occupational Therapy Post-Professional OTD Admissions Committee
The GRE is NOT required
Submit your completed application through the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service

	Cost
Tuition	$1,250 per hour
Student Fee (12+ Credit Hours)	$675 per semester

Belmont graduates are eligible for a 20% reduction in tuition through the Belmont Bruin Alumni Grant.

Download the Graduate Cost Estimator (PDF)

Explore Tuition & Financial Aid

Students must satisfactorily complete all required coursework (30 credit hours) from the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate program to which they have been admitted. Additionally, candidates must satisfactorily complete a capstone project under the supervision of a faculty member in Belmont University’s School of Occupational Therapy to graduate. Students in the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy program must adhere to the graduation requirements outlined in the Belmont University graduate catalog for effective for the academic year.

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Where This Degree Can Take You

Graduates qualify for roles including:

Professor of Occupational Therapy
Clinical Educator
Program Director/Coordinator
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Healthcare Administrator

Morgan Shobe

Class of 2026

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program

Acute Care OT at a Level 1 Trauma/Stroke/Burn Certified Hospital

“The asynchronous format allowed me to work and be in Kansas throughout the program. This program has prepared me to become an educator with a full picture outlook at instructional design for classroom setup, whether it be in the classroom, online or hybrid.”

Learn from Experienced Faculty

At Belmont, you will engage with a robust faculty team who represent various practice areas and specialties, bringing real-world expertise into the classroom. Several faculty hold advanced certifications in pediatrics, seating and mobility, aging in place, and assistive technology, ensuring you receive a comprehensive and innovative education. Their diverse backgrounds and commitment to hands-on learning prepare you to excel.

College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Belmont Global

Missy Bryan

MSOT Program Director & Associate Professor

Phone: 615-460-6711
Email: missy.bryan@belmont.edu
Office Location: Inman Center 302D

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