Occupational Therapy Doctorate FAQ Making the World Smarter, Safer and Healthier Contact Us Artificial Intelligence Biotechnology Computer Science Cybersecurity Data Analytics and Visualization Digital Marketing and Media Mathematics Occupational Therapy Physician Assistant Physics Speech-Language Pathology How many credits will I complete in the program? The program is 115 credits. How long will the program take to complete? The program is completed over eight (8) 15-week semesters. Where are classes held? Classes will be held at the Resnick Campus (1165 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461). Are all courses in-person? Yes, all courses will be in-person. What days and times are classes held? Our classes are scheduled throughout the day and, at times, in the evening -- Monday to Thursday, and Friday until 2 p.m. The schedule each semester depends on the availability of clinical faculty. Can I work while studying in this program? The curriculum of this full-time program is very rigorous and requires significant work outside of classes, so holding a job is discouraged. Do I need a master’s degree to apply to this program? No. This is an entry-level doctorate program, and you may begin after completing your bachelor’s degree and all required prerequisite courses. Visit Admissions to learn more about admissions requirements. What makes the Occupational Therapy Doctorate at the Katz School of Science and Health unique? The Katz Occupational Therapy Doctorate program has a state-of-the-art facility that complements the program’s intensive and personalized curriculum. Even more important, the program is taught by faculty who are clinical experts in their fields and bring the most current, evidence-based education to students, and managed by administrative staff committed to each individual student’s professional and personal success. Another advantage of the entry-level doctorate is that it equips students to develop occupational therapy services in a way that broadens the populations we serve and expands the profession’s intellectual boundaries. What does the fieldwork look like in this program? In the first semester, there will be didactic courses to introduce professional behavior and practice settings. In each of the second, third, and fourth semesters, students will complete one week of full-time fieldwork (totaling 3 weeks). In each of the fifth and sixth semesters, students will complete 12 weeks of full-time fieldwork (totaling 24 weeks). What are the immunization requirements for clinical fieldwork? Full-time participation in fieldwork and doctoral capstone experiences is a required component of the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. Many sites have certain health requirements for students including, but not limited to, proof of COVID-19 vaccination and proof of immunization or immunity against influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and hepatitis B. The program cannot guarantee a placement for exempted students. How do I apply? Visit the Admissions website for more information or to schedule an appointment with an admissions director. Are there prerequisites? If so, what happens if I don’t have them? Yes, there are prerequisites. You can apply to the program if you are still completing outstanding prerequisites; however, your application will not be reviewed if you are missing more than two of these courses. Visit the Admissions website for more information or schedule an appointment with one our admissions directors to do a preliminary transcript review. Prerequisite Coursework Two (2) courses in the humanities or social sciences (Anthropology; Philosophy; Religion; Ethics; Cultural studies; Group dynamics) (3 credits each) One (1) Statistics course (3 credits) One (1) courses in Human Anatomy plus lab (3 credits) One (1) course in Physiology plus lab (3 credits) One (1) course in Human Development or Lifespan (3 credits) One (1) course in Abnormal or Behavioral Psychology (3 credits) Applicants must have obtained an overall 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) of program prerequisite courses (from accredited universities) within the last ten years. Applications may be submitted during enrollment in an undergraduate degree program or during completion of prerequisite coursework. The last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework must meet a minimum 3.0 GPA. Do I need a specific undergraduate degree to attend the program? There is no required undergraduate degree so long as the prerequisites are completed. However, we commonly find individuals with backgrounds in kinesiology, social studies, psychology, and sociology working in the field of occupational therapy. What is the cost to attend the program? The Office of Student Finance maintains current tuition and fees for all graduate programs. Are there any additional costs other than the tuition and fees posted on the Office of Student Finance website? Yes, there will be additional costs for books, uniforms, a lab kit and CPR trainings. In some cases, fieldwork sites may require additional background checks, and there may be a nominal fee for biometric screening. Students are also required to have a laptop. What types of academic, career, student support services do you provide? The Katz School organizes academic supports, including academic and business English language courses, writing and math tutoring, and professional development workshops, lectures and events exclusively for its students. The university’s career center also provides a variety of services, including one-on-one appointments, resume and cover letter reviews, workshops, job fairs and online resources to help with job searching and interviewing. In addition, Katz students can access all services including disability services, counseling services, international student services, and more. Who do I contact if I have more questions about the program? Jared Hakimi Director of Graduate Admissions jared.hakimi@yu.edu 646-592-4722 Shayna Matzner Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions shayna.matzner@yu.edu 646-592-4726 Xavier Velasquez Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions xavier.velasquez@yu.edu 646-592-4737
