Doctor of Occupational Therapy in Kalamazoo United States | Western Michigan University

This 34-month doctoral program in occupational therapy (OTD) blends academic coursework with clinical training, designed for individuals holding a bachelor's degree who aspire to practice as occupational therapists. The curriculum comprises 98 graduate-level credit hours. Students can pursue this professional graduate program at two Michigan sites: WMU's main campus in Kalamazoo and the downtown Grand Rapids location.

The entry-level OTD program has achieved Candidacy Status from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), headquartered at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. Contact ACOTE through AOTA at (301) 652-AOTA or visit acoteonline.org. Before graduates can take the national certification exam administered by NBCOT, the program must undergo a preaccreditation review, pass an on-site evaluation, and receive full accreditation. Passing this exam grants the Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) credential. While all states mandate licensure for practice, most base licensure decisions on NBCOT exam results. Important note: Felony convictions could impact eligibility for both the certification exam and state licensure.