Occupational Therapy

King's offers three distinct programs based on your goals, whether you are an undergraduate student committed to a future in occupational therapy, a college graduate working towards a more rewarding healthcare career, or a licensed occupational therapist seeking advancement with a doctoral degree.

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Program Overview

Human beings live and learn through meaningful occupations that evolve across our lifespan and are essential to our well-being and quality of life. Daily occupations like bathing, eating, working, traveling, and socializing are just some of the activities that shape our personal development and nurture our physical and mental health.

However, injuries, chronic health issues, and disabilities can prevent us from enjoying even the most basic activities that many take for granted every day. Helping people overcome those limitations lies at the very heart of the occupational therapy profession.

Whether you are a first-time student coming out of high school, a college graduate, or a licensed occupational therapist, we welcome you to explore the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) programs at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

elderly person walking with the help of two students

For High School Graduates

Our accelerated 3+3 B.S./O.T.D. program allows you to earn your bachelor’s in exercise science (with a minor in neuroscience and psychology) and doctorate in occupational therapy with a specialization in leadership in just six years—saving you a full year of additional study and tuition costs.

For Students with a Bachelor’s Degree

As a student who already holds a bachelor’s degree, you’ll complete three years of academic study, taking courses in everything from neuroscience and clinical leadership management to ethics, advanced human anatomy, and mentoring in our PBOTD program. You’ll also participate in six months of clinical fieldwork and complete a 14-week doctoral capstone before being awarded your clinical doctorate with a specialization in leadership. Students may choose an additional specialization in Innovation, Social Justice, Neurodiversity, or Trauma Informed Care.

For Licensed Occupational Therapists

Designed for licensed occupational therapists who hold a master’s degree, our part-time, hybrid post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy offers two unique tracks not offered anywhere else: Academic, Leadership, & Diversity and Clinical Leadership. Both can be completed in 15 to 18 months and allow you to customize your online and in-person coursework to fit your goals and work schedule.

What can you do with a Doctor of Occupational Therapy?

A Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree from King's College opens numerous occupational therapy careers in the healthcare sector and beyond. Graduates can specialize in advanced clinical areas like pediatrics or geriatrics, offering tailored care and intervention. The degree also leads to opportunities in healthcare administration, where OTD professionals manage departments, shape policies, and oversee operations.

For those interested in academia, an OTD can lead to teaching and conducting research, allowing them to make significant contributions to the occupational therapy field. It also prepares graduates for consultancy roles, providing expert advice to healthcare organizations. Interested OTD holders can even start their own practices or drive innovation in healthcare services and products.

An OTD degree enables graduates to engage in policymaking and advocacy, focusing on the rights and needs of people with disabilities. They can lead the development of therapy programs in community settings, address specific needs, and even participate in global health initiatives.

Occupational Therapy helps people across the lifespan engage in healthy practices and participate in the things they want and need to do in everyday life despite injury, illness, or disability.

American Occupational Therapy Association

What makes the King’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program different?

Cutting Edge Facilities: Immerse yourself in hands-on learning with access to a live human cadaver lab and innovation lab. Study in our state-of-the-art 60,000 square foot building, designed to enhance your educational experience with the latest technology and equipment.
Doctorate Level Occupational Therapy Education: This degree positions you as a leader in the field, empowers you to contribute to the advancement of OT through research, and future-proofs your career to help you remain competitive and adaptable to future changes in the profession.
Specialized Expertise: Broaden your knowledge through graduate electives with unique specializations in social justice, innovation, neurodiversity, or trauma informed care.
Valuable Mentorship: Engage with top clinicians, leaders, and businesses through our Leadership Program, which offers unique and valuable mentorship opportunities.
Global Experience: Gain global insights through collaborative online international learning, fieldwork, and capstone opportunities.
Dedicated Faculty: Learn from experts who are not only leaders in their fields but also approachable and committed to helping you become the best practitioner you can be.

Occupational Therapy Program Description

Our mission is to develop highly competent, innovative, and ethical practitioners who can use evidence, critical inquiry, clinical reasoning, and leadership to serve the occupational needs of a diverse and dynamic world. We foster a learning environment where students, faculty, and clients learn from each other.

Our faculty and occupational therapy curriculum encourage a passion for lifelong learning, community leadership, mentorship, and advocacy. We believe in a “learn by doing” philosophy that gives you access to courses and fieldwork that will test your skills in both academic and clinical settings. Lastly, our collaboration with local, national, and international partners helps our students understand cultural and global dynamics and how to work in a client’s best interests across a variety of settings.

The King’s College OTD programs meet the requirements for graduates to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Once the NBCOT is passed, graduates who pass the NBCOT are eligible for licensure in all 50 states.

3+3 BS/OTD Program

Read about out 3+3 BS/OTD program here.

Program Description

The 3+3 BS/OTD program requires six years of academic studies, including six months of clinical fieldwork and a 14-week doctoral capstone experience. This accelerated degree program leads to an entry-level Clinical Doctorate after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a Minor in Neuroscience and Psychology from King’s College.

Admission Criteria for High School Students

Admission to the program is competitive within the criteria below, and space is limited. Upon admission, a student will be in the Exercise Science-Occupational Therapy Track (OT Preprofessional Phase). Progression to the Professional and Advanced Professional Phase is guaranteed if the student meets the progression criteria.

Occupational therapy requirements for admission:

Test score requirements: SAT score submissions are optional but encouraged. Recommended to have received a composite SAT score (critical reading and math) minimum of 1050 OR Composite ACT score of 22 (with a minimum sub score of 22 each in English and Reading)
Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.2 or better.
Class rank is at least top half (if ranked).
Successful completion of at least a 500-word essay that addresses the following:
- Why you are choosing to major in occupational therapy
- Why you are interested in the occupational therapy program at King’s College
- Other information you wish to share which will assist the committee in understanding you as a person
Documentation of five to 10 shadowing hours with a registered occupational therapist or a certified occupational therapy assistant. If shadowing is not available, you must complete a before starting classes. Applications can be reviewed/accepted for admission if documentation is pending.
A minimum of two letters of reference. At least one from a previous teacher is highly recommended.
A formal interview with an occupational therapy faculty member is not required. However, meeting with a faculty representative is recommended during the admissions process.

Other Resources

Flatsheet

Post Baccalaureate Entry Level Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy

Read about our PBOTD program here.

Program Description

The post-baccalaureate entry into the OTD program (OTD only) requires three years of academic studies, including six months of clinical fieldwork and a 14-week doctoral capstone. Students will enter the Professional Phase of the program and earn an entry-level Clinical Doctorate with a specialization in Leadership.

Admission Criteria for Students Who Hold a Bachelor’s Degree

A limited number of competitive openings exist depending on space availability. Successful applicants will have met all of the following occupational therapy requirements:

Test score requirements: None
Minimum cumulative GPA from bachelor’s degree of 2.8 or better.
Successful completion of at least a 500-word essay that addresses all the following:
- Why you are choosing to major in occupational therapy
- Why you are interested in the occupational therapy program at King’s College
- Other information you wish to share which will assist the committee in understanding you as a person
Documentation of five to 10 shadowing hours with a registered occupational therapist or a certified occupational therapy assistant. If shadowing is not available, you must complete a free online program offered by King’s before starting classes. Applications can be reviewed/accepted for admission if documentation is pending.
A minimum of two letters of reference. At least one from a previous college professor is highly recommended.
A formal interview with an occupational therapy faculty member is not required. However, meeting with a faculty representative is recommended during the admissions process.
Completion of a bachelor’s degree and the following prerequisite courses within the last seven years with a C- grade or better:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II (6 credits)
- Physics (3 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
- English Composition (3 credits)
- Psychopathology (3 credits)
- Sociology (3 credits)
- Lifespan Human Development (at least 3 credits, suggest 6 credits). The Lifespan Human Development requirement is met by either:
  - Taking a one human development, psychology that covers the entire lifespan of human development from birth to death.
  - Completing both a child development course and an adult/gerontology/psychology of aging course

PPOTD Program

Read about our PPOTD program here.

Program Description

Our part-time, hybrid post professional doctorate in occupational therapy (PPOTD) program is for licensed occupational therapists that have a master’s degree and wish to obtain their doctoral degree.

Graduate students can choose between two unique tracks not offered at other institutions: Academia, Leadership, and Diversity (ALD) or Clinical Leadership, both consisting of 26 credits:

Academic, Leadership, and Diversity Track: Prepare to teach the next generation of occupational therapists or become a leader in the field of DEI with our Academic, Leadership, & Diversity track. Available fully online or through a hybrid approach, this 26-credit track can be completed in just 15 months.
Clinical Leadership Track: Prepare to lead within a specific area of practice, or simply hone your clinical and leadership skills with our Clinical Leadership track. This hybrid, 26-credit track includes two to three on-campus weekend courses and can be completed in 15–18 months.

Visit our Graduate Tuition rates page for current costs per credit here.

Admission Criteria

All program applicants must meet the following occupational therapy requirements:

Master’s degree from an accredited institution
Proof of valid state occupational therapy license

Program Resources

Accreditation

King’s College has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) for an entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. The program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates are 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. Note that 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 as well as 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 and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3. Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association is located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

OTD in the Community

In Fall 2023, students and faculty from the King's College occupational therapy and engineering departments formed the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of Go Baby Go. Find out more about how our volunteers and community partners are coming together to modify toy vehicles to help children with disabilities move around independently and socialize more easily with other children.