Pursue a meaningful, fast-growing, and high-paying career with one of the most affordable online doctorate in occupational therapy.
In one of the nation's fastest-growing occupations, occupational therapists assist people with physical or mental health challenges while they e-engage in daily activities. These activities may include eating, socializing, driving, bathing, caring for others, and much more.
Occupational therapists are employed in hospitals, outpatient clinics, mental health settings, schools, home health, and academia. They develop individualized care plans so people can successfully complete the activities they need and want to do.
Are you an occupational therapist looking to advance your current practice? These programs can help you develop an area of expertise, innovate existing methods, and secure a leadership role in OT. Each of these programs are affordable and online, so you can continue working in the field while building advanced skills and knowledge.
Recommended Online Programs
What kind of doctorate in occupational therapy should you get?
Post-Professional doctorate programs are the most common, but you can also find entry-level doctorate programs. However, post-professional doctorate programs are shorter and often online. Most entry-level programs are on campus and involve extensive field experience requirements.
Whichever route you go, it's likely that you can find both online and on campus options. Online programs offer you the flexibility to balance school, work, family, and other obligations. They can also be completed from anywhere, with no need to relocate. If you're looking for an affordable online program but not sold on OT, check out our list of the 50 Most Affordable Online Graduate Schools.
How much money do people make with a doctorate in occupational therapy?
Your salary will depend on what occupational therapy field you decide to work in. A doctorate is not required to practice occupational therapy, so you may receive the same salary as someone with a master's degree.
However, some organizations will pay more for your advanced degree. You can also pursue opportunities in leadership, research, and academia that may result in a higher salary.
Let's look at a few career options and the median salary for each, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Occupational Therapist: $83,200
Medical research scientist: $82,090
Medical/health service manager: $98,350
Health specialties professor: $122,890
In the next 10 years, occupational therapy jobs are expected to increase by 24 percent. That's triple the average job growth rate. Occupational therapy is a high-paying career that's also in high demand.
What can you do with a doctorate in occupational therapy?
A doctorate in occupational therapy prepares you to become a healthcare manager or to continue practicing occupational therapy in a school, clinic, hospital, or other medical setting.
Other options include becoming a college professor or a medical research scientist.
Your doctorate study will prepare you to evaluate and analyze existing programs and outcomes and develop innovative programs that benefit your practice, community, and the OT profession as a whole.
What are the requirements for a doctorate in occupational therapy?
To pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy, you will need a master's degree. Some programs require that your master's is in OT, while others do not. Post-professional doctorate programs accept only licensed occupational therapists in good standing. Some require at least 2-3 years of experience in the field.
Most of these programs are about 35 credits and take 2-3 years to complete on a part-time basis. You will take courses on current trends in OT, research and best practices, program evaluation, and more. Some programs allow you to create an individualized study plan or take additional electives in a chosen area of specialty.
You will likely be required to complete a capstone project, and you may be asked to visit campus at the beginning and end of your program. Some programs have field experience requirements that you can complete at your current workplace.
What are the most affordable doctorate in occupational therapy programs?
We've compiled a list of the most affordable doctorate in occupational therapy programs based on net tuition costs. Of course, you also want a program that will provide a high-quality education. That's why each program on our list is also accredited, meaning they've met rigorous academic standards.
All College Choice data and information comes from trusted sources such as:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
PayScale
U.S. News and World Report
Princeton Review
Official college and university websites and course catalogs
You can rest assured that every program on this list provides a high-quality, affordable, and flexible education. Whatever your aspirations in Occupational Therapy, these programs can help you achieve them without breaking the bank.
Ranking
See our rankings methodology page.
