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Occupational Therapists (OTs) help people with physical, cognitive, or developmental challenges achieve greater independence by improving their ability to perform everyday activities. They work in a wide range of settings (hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, schools, private practice, and beyond), conducting assessments and developing comprehensive treatment plans that include adaptive tools and equipment, therapeutic activities and exercises, and even training for caregivers.
As the most highly trained and credentialed professionals in their field, Doctors of Occupational Therapy (OTDs) often enjoy expanded career opportunities that may include moving into senior leadership roles, designing programs, conducting research, leading policy and advocacy initiatives, teaching in academic settings, and more.
SCU’s California-based Doctor of Occupational Therapy program gives students the opportunity to enter the program with just 90+ college credits (i.e. no bachelor’s degree)—earning their doctorates and becoming OTDs in just over two years! The program is particularly ideal for those who are already licensed Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) and want to advance their careers and make an even greater impact.
Yes, you read that correctly! Most colleges require students to have a bachelor’s (and typically a master’s) before entering an OTD program. But at SCU, as long as you have 90+ qualifying college credits (and whether you are already an OTA or not), you can jump right in and earn your doctorate in just over two years—saving you significant time and money.
Our online-blended program makes it possible to pursue your dream of becoming a Doctor of Occupational Therapy without relocating. During Year 1, you’ll complete 80% of your requirements from home through live online coursework, and come to our campus in Whittier California for just three weeks at the end of each term, for hands-on clinical training. During the rest of the program, you’ll work on a capstone project of your choosing while completing on-site clinical rotations at one of our partner sites near your home (subject to availability) or in a new city within the U.S.
One of the most rewarding portions of your OTD program, your doctoral capstone project will give you the opportunity to explore and demonstrate innovative thinking in an area of particular interest to you. Your project will include written, experiential, and oral components and we’ll support you each step of the way through online capstone seminars and advisement from a Capstone Mentor who has expertise in your chosen topic. A Doctoral Capstone is an academic and professional milestone, often leading to publications, future research opportunities, and other career advancements.
As you pursue your doctorate with us, you’ll automatically be earning hours toward two additional certifications: Our Physical Agent Modality (PAM) courses can be applied towards the California PAM certification and our Wellness & Lifestyle Health course qualifies as a substitute for the 10-hour conference requirement for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ALCM) Certification Exam.
In addition to classroom lessons and hands-on clinical training, we support your learning through advanced teaching technology including:
Most of today’s healthcare colleges offer an “interprofessional education” through which students learn with, from, and about other disciplines. But at SCU, our Interprofessional Education is broader and, frankly, we think that makes it better. Unlike other colleges, we teach you about both conventional and complementary disciplines—not just one or the other—because we believe in both and we teach both, all under one roof.
All too often, healthcare providers “stay in their lanes” rather than building comprehensive care plans that include other disciplines, professionals, and approaches. In addition, they look strictly at the physical body as opposed to all the factors that may be influencing a patient’s health and well-being—genetics, lifestyle, mental health, relationships, physical environments, community support, and beyond. But at SCU, no matter what program you are in, you’ll learn to blend the best of conventional and complementary approaches (integrative healthcare) and to treat the entire mind, body, and spirit (whole health)—for true lasting wellness.
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program at SCU (California campus) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652- AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be 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. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
SCU’s Occupational Therapy program’s first cohort of students entered in the Spring of 2023 with a graduation year in 2025. The available program outcome data is limited at this time. Upon graduation of the first cohort, outcome data on NBCOT exam pass rate will be available on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) program data results page.
| Graduation Year | Students Entering/Graduating | Graduation Rate |
| 2025 | 18/NA | NA |
| Totals | 18/NA | NA |
Through an innovative approach to education, we prepare exceptional practitioners who are evidence-based, occupation-centered, and skilled in a lifestyle approach to integrative health. Our graduates are life-long learners who promote transformational occupational justice and health equity for diverse persons, groups and populations.
The time to join the occupational therapy revolution is now. Occupational therapy is the future of health and wellness at the local, state, national, and international levels. For OTA practitioners seeking a direct pathway to a doctoral degree, our OTD program at SCU is the only one in the country offering a primarily remote, hybrid structure. We focus on student success, the scholarship of ‘doing and learning’, interprofessional collaboration, occupational justice, lifelong learning, and evidence-based, occupation-centered care.
How do we deliver this? Our faculty come from highly diverse backgrounds, with expertise in neuro-rehabilitation, mental health, pediatrics, and clinic- and hospital-based practice. They are not only experts, but trailblazers in the development of novel and innovative programs for the future. Online interactive lectures in our cutting-edge curriculum support the needs of students who wish to live in their preferred residence. Students also have on-campus, face-to-face clinical and lab experiences. Those who wish to interact more with other students can take classes in integrative, whole-person health, join clubs, and participate in the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) and Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE) Occupational Therapy Honor Society.
Our state-of-the-art labs include pediatric and adult neuro-rehabilitation assessment and intervention materials. Students can readily access this equipment throughout the program. The Activities of Daily Living Lab, Modalities Lab, Pediatric/Adult Neuro Lab, and video recording software (VALT) provide extensive opportunities for training and teaching. These resources for students, to name a few, include a ‘mock’ apartment, hospital bed and Hoyer lift, Driving Simulator, 3-D Printer, and teleconference training area which all provide students with multiple training experiences to access throughout the program.
The aim of the OTD program at SCU is to provide each student with the skills, knowledge, and professionalism necessary to be confident, caring, and competent the very first day after graduation; that is, fully prepared to pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam and succeed in the OT workforce.
Program Director, Occupational Therapy
Southern California University of Health Sciences
Karen M Keptner, PhD, OTR/L
Capstone Coordinator, Doctor of Occupational Therapy - CA
OTD CA Core Faculty
Rachelle Murphy, DHSc, OTR/L, DipACLM
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Doctor of Occupational Therapy - CA
OTD CA Core Faculty
Heather Thomas, Ph.D., OTR/L, DipACLM
Program Director, Doctor of Occupational Therapy - CA
OTD CA Core Faculty
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program at SCU (California campus) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652- AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be 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. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at SCU provides information pertaining to professional licensure for the program. Students should refer to the information below and contact the appropriate licensing board to ensure they will meet the licensure requirements in the state(s) in which they intend to practice upon graduation.
The program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successfully completing this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy program meets the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Some states have requirements in addition to educational requirements – prospective and enrolled students are encouraged to research licensure requirements for the state that they intend to practice in. These licensure requirements vary from state to state.
Neither acceptance for admission into the program nor the subsequent earning of a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree guarantees that a state or a foreign country will grant a graduate a license to practice occupational therapy. Each state and foreign country, through its legislative and administrative process, defines the standards of competency and scope of practice of occupational therapy within its jurisdiction.
Please note that licensure requirements are always subject to change. Although SCU will confirm the licensure requirements on a routine basis, we strongly recommend that you inquire with the licensing agency to confirm that you understand and will meet the requirements for licensure before enrolling in your program of choice. Additionally, while progressing through the program, we recommend that you check licensing agency requirements regularly to monitor whether they have changed in a manner that impacts your licensure plans.
All international students are strongly encouraged to check the credentialing requirements in the country where they intend to practice.
Students must maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA and earn at least a GPA of 2.75 each term in order to progress through the program and retain their student status. Students are required to complete all didactic and experiential coursework including Level I and II Fieldwork, the Mentored Doctoral Experience and a Doctoral Capstone Project within 5 years of matriculation and achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.75..
Academic history is balanced by personal traits that reflect those needed within the healthcare environment and by skills and background characteristics to provide an opportunity for admission of students with a wide variety of strengths. This process promotes a learning community that can learn together and from each other, as we all focus on developing toward excellence while celebrating differences. All admissions requirements are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Meet all admissions requirements.
Gather the documents you need to apply.
Complete your application through OTCAS.
Applications may be submitted with pending requirements; however, applications will not be reviewed until all requirements are met. Eligible applications with all the completed prerequisite coursework, including transcripts for undergraduate credit hours, will be reviewed upon submission.
The OTD program admission standards do not allow advanced placement, transfer of credit or credit for experiential learning.
In addition to the other prerequisites listed below, you may apply for the OTD program if you have completed a minimum of 90 undergraduate credit hours with a combination of science and liberal arts coursework from an accredited institution. A U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher from a accredited college or university will also be accepted. A accredited college or university is an institution that holds active accreditation recognized by the Department of Education.
All prerequisite courses must be completed at an accredited college or university. Applications may be submitted with pending prerequisite courses; however, the application will not be reviewed until the official transcript for each pending course is uploaded by OTCAS. Official transcripts verifying successful course completion for all submitted applications must be uploaded to OTCAS by the recommended date of August 31, 2025.
Pass/fail grades will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, however, please note that pass/fail grades are not calculated into the OTCAS GPA.
Students who are missing a prerequisite course requirement or are looking to improve their GPA can choose to take an SCU Accelerated Science course and complete the requirements in as little as five weeks. SCU’s Accelerated Science courses are prequalified and guaranteed acceptance for this program. Click here to learn more.
Core science courses must be completed with a minimum 3.0 grade or above. Each course used to satisfy the requirements below must include a lab and have been completed no earlier than 7 years from the current admissions cycle. Introductory level courses are accepted, but upper-level courses are preferred. Online courses and labs are accepted.
*A combination human anatomy & physiology course will be accepted, however, you cannot use the same course to fulfill both the anatomy and physiology prerequisites. If not titled “Human”, a course description must demonstrate a human focus.
Online courses and labs are accepted.
*Any course not titled “English Composition” must be a writing-intensive course that includes instruction on comprehension, investigation, evaluation, explanation, and refutation.
*The core science prerequisite GPA includes human anatomy and human physiology.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate professionalism in their interactions with the program and our faculty and staff. Applicants who demonstrate unprofessional behavior at any time will not be considered for admission.
The following guidelines are recommended for letters of reference. It is imperative the persons providing references are able to provide specific examples of strengths and accomplishments. One reference should be from a person who can address intellectual and academic abilities. One reference should be from a supervisor in a professional or other work capacity who can address work performance, service commitment, or other areas of background that may be pertinent.
Academic or licensure infractions, misdemeanors, and/or felonies may prohibit participation in required supervised clinical practice, eligibility to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Exam and/or eligibility for state licensure. Due to this, all academic or licensure infractions, misdemeanors, and/or felonies must be disclosed on OTCAS and will be assessed by the Admissions Committee on a case-by-case basis. Failure to disclose the above will result in applicant denial and recension of an enrollment offer, if applicable. Additionally, programs are required to report an applicant’s failure to disclose this information to the American Occupational Therapy Association.
All admissions decisions are made in accordance with our program mission, vision, and goals. Additionally, preference is given to applicants with evidence of the following:
*SCU does not refund OTCAS application fees under any circumstance, including loss of accreditation during the application cycle.
Once the class is fully seated, information about additional requirements will be provided. These may include the following requirements which must be completed prior to matriculation.
*Any student that has resided or is currently residing in New York may be subject to additional fees for the criminal background check retrieval per state law of New York.
$110,090 tuition to complete the program.*
SCU’s Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee for degree programs allows you to plan your educational investment.
Benefits of our Fixed Tuition Guarantee:
If you would like to learn more about fixed rate tuition, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@scuhs.edu.
You can also visit the Office of Financial Aid website to learn more about available scholarships, loans, and more.
*Tuition rate reflected above represents the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on this website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information.
**Some limitations apply. View the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee page for more information.
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy Provost Merit Scholarship is available to incoming students who have demonstrated academic achievement. The scholarship award is $10,000 and will be awarded over 7.5 terms. To be eligible for consideration, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher and be continuously enrolled. Scholarships are limited.
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy Academic Achievement Merit Scholarship is available to incoming students who have demonstrated academic achievement. The scholarship award is $5,000 and will be awarded over 7.5 terms. To be eligible for consideration, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and be continuously enrolled. Scholarships are limited.
| Charges from SCU by Term | Charges from Third Parties by Term | ||||||||
| Term | Tuition* | Program Fees** |
EXXAT Fees |
OTu Subscription Fee |
Petition to Graduate Fee |
Background Check |
Medical Equipment Fee |
Total*** | |
| 1 | $17,440 | $262 | $263 | $99 | $150 | $50 | $18,264 | ||
| 2 | $17,440 | $262 | $17,702 | ||||||
| 3 | $16,350 | $262 | $16,612 | ||||||
| 4 | $14,170 | $262 | $150 | $14,582 | |||||
| 5 | $11,990 | $262 | $12,252 | ||||||
| 6 | $11,990 | $262 | $225 | $12,252 | |||||
| 7 | $11,990 | $262 | $12,252 | ||||||
| 8 | $8,720 | $262 | $9,207 | ||||||
| Totals | $110,090 | $2,096 | $263 | $99 | $225 | $300 | $50 | $113,123 | |
Per term tuition amounts listed above were calculated using the current curriculum plan for credit hours in the term shown times the rate per credit hour and assumes that the student stays on cohort and follows the normal academic progression.
*Tuition is charged at $1,090 per credit hour. Tuition is billed by credit hour and rates reflected above represent the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2024/2025 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on the website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information. Restrictions on our fixed rate tuition guarantee apply. To remain eligible for the fixed rate guarantee, students must graduate either on time or within one additional term of the published program length they are enrolled in. Refer to the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee section of the academic catalog for more information. Actual tuition per term will vary depending upon the number of credit hours enrolled.
**Program fees listed are for the 2024/2025 academic year and are subject to change. Program fees include charges for technology, malpractice insurance, student health, professional affiliation, and ASB, and are charged every term that a student is enrolled.
*** Books, supplies, and other equipment not included in this tuition and fee schedule may be required for this program. Total graduate indirect Cost of Attendance (COA) cost components for the 2024-2025 academic year are as follows: books/course materials $700, transportation $1,694, miscellaneous expenses $1,968, loan fees $414, living expenses $11,500. The actual COA varies and depends on multiple factors, including your program of study, when you entered your program, and whether you are a full-time student, among other things.
Occupational therapists (OTs) maximize health, well-being, and quality of life for all people, populations, and communities by facilitating participation in everyday living. Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.
As an occupational therapist, you’ll have many career options available to you across a wide range of environments, from home health to hospitals to assistive living and outpatient clinics (e.g., hand therapy) as well as many emerging and traditional practice areas including community-based service organizations, corporations, prisons, physician offices, schools, and academia.
The diversity of the occupational therapy field allows OT professionals to explore many career options. OTs are found in diverse areas of practice such as teaching in academia, consulting for large and small corporations for lifestyle health and ergonomic assessments as well as in traditional medical practice settings. These include Orthopedics, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Elite Sports, Tactical Sports, Family Medicine and in emerging practice areas inclusive of Community Mental Health Centers. OTs can also start their own business and fill state contracts for patients in need of occupational therapy services.
Your business can be as large or small as you like. You could be the only employee, or you could hire a team of interdisciplinary care providers (OTs, PTs, SLPs) and become an administrator overseeing clinical practice and office operations.
Expected growth between 2018 and 20281
U.S. News & World Report Best Health Care Jobs3
Median annual wage for occupational therapists in the Los Angeles area2
View the links below for additional career and job information.
If you are curious about what you can do with a degree in occupational therapy, watch What Can Occupational Therapy Do For You? This informative video was produced by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
SCU’s unique bridge program for Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) grants a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree without students having a bachelor’s degree. Other institutions often only provide a pathway to a master’s degree (MSOT/MOT). With SCU’s program, students spend roughly two and a half years earning a doctorate.
Occupational Therapy Assistant practitioners with a minimum of 90 credits (a bachelor’s degree is not required) from a U.S. Department of Education (USDE) recognized institution can apply for acceptance to the program. Student’s having an existing bachelor’s degree can also be accepted into the program.
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Financing Your Dreams
We are proud to offer a fixed tuition guarantee, federal financial aid for those who qualify, and a range of institutional and program-specific scholarship opportunities.
