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Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy

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Achieve the next level in Occupational Therapy

Become a leader in occupational therapy, contributing to advancements in research, practice, and service delivery. We offer two fully-online options for the Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD) program - for BS and MS prepared practitioners. With experienced faculty and industry leaders committed to your success, receive personalized mentorship, guidance, and support as you advance your clinical expertise, leadership skills, and research capabilities.

Semester Starts: Fall | Spring | Summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Time to Complete: 20 months (Post-Master's) | 28 months (Post-Bachelor's)
Format: Online
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Why this Program?

This is an advanced degree for practicing occupational therapists seeking to gain advanced knowledge. You will develop skills and immediately apply them to influence your practice setting. In addition, you will experience a clinical process of defining, building, and solving problems through a scholarly Innovation Project of your choosing, guided by 1:1 mentorship. 

100%

of graduates achieved career advancement within months

The IHP Difference

  • We share 50% of our course work with the Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology program - mirroring real-world scenarios and collaboration.
  • Individualized mentorship model - we match you only after we get to know your interests.
  • The interprofessional focus throughout the curriculum is an innovation not seen in other post-professional programs.

 

Program Outcomes

  • 100% of graduates have achieved job promotions or advancements in their respective roles within months of graduation.
  • 75% successfully transitioning to part-time or full-time academic roles.
  • 90% of our alums present or publish within a year of graduation.

 

Program Overview

The Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy program (PP-OTD) is an advanced degree for practicing occupational therapists seeking to gain knowledge and skills to inform their careers as practice scholars, leaders, health care administrators, and educators.

The MGH Institute offers two fully-online options for the Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy program:​

  • 32-credit option is for those who are master’s-prepared occupational therapists. (Fall or Summer entry)
  • 44-credit option is for those who are bachelors-prepared occupational therapists. (Spring entry only)

An interprofessional emphasis is woven into the entire curriculum. In fact, we share 50% of our course work with the Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology program - mirroring real-world scenarios and collaboration.

Learning outcomes are guided by 5 defined semester themes: Discover, Build, Design, Improve and Inform.

Mentorship is individualized. Rather than matching students right at the start of the program, we get to know students first, and utilize our extensive network of practitioners to match individual students with a mentor who mirrors their needs and goals.

PP-OTD Curriculum

We offer two curriculum plans for BS and MS prepared practitioners. The MS to OTD curriculum consists of nine 3-credit core courses and five 1-credit Innovation Project courses. The core courses are six weeks long and are taken one at a time. The Innovation Project courses span the entire 14-week semester and run concurrently with core classes. The Innovation Project sequence provides an opportunity to individualize the student’s learning experience by allowing the student to target a specific skill set to immediately apply to practice.

The BS to OTD program requires 4 additional 3-credit courses.

Course content is delivered via our online learning platform and available in written, video, and auditory modes to meet all learning styles. In addition to self-directed learning, a weekly live session occurs to collaborate with peers and further expand opportunities to apply new knowledge.

View Curriculum Plans

Overview of the Application Process

Our professional staff is here to provide information and answer questions you might have during the admission and financial aid process, and to offer ongoing information throughout the application process.

Please contact Sarah McKinnon, Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy, for questions related to our Post-Professional Clinical Doctoral programs.

 

For admission to the PP-OTD program, applicants must be an occupational therapist, having earned a:

bachelor's degree (in any field) and a master’s degree* 
OR 
bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy 

from one of the following:

  1. A regionally accredited U.S. college or university
  2. An accredited college or university (for those educated outside the U.S.)

*A Masters degree in the following areas will be accepted: Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Education, Master of Health Administration.

GRE

The GRE is not required for Masters-prepared applicants.

TOEFL/ IELTS

The language of instruction and clinical education at the MGH Institute is English and a high level of proficiency in both written and spoken English is required. Applicants who have not completed either an undergraduate or graduate program where English is the language of instruction must demonstrate English Language proficiency as part of their application to the MGH Institute of Health Professions. If you have questions about the language requirements, please contact the Office of Admissions.

  • Applicants who are citizens of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Guyana, an Anglophone country of Africa, or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
  • Applicants who are candidates for graduation from an accredited degree-granting program in the United States or at an English-speaking school in one of the countries listed above are also not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Acceptance to the IHP will be contingent upon the successful completion of this degree prior to matriculation.

Please note that in some circumstances, demonstrating English language proficiency may be required by the academic program even if you are a citizen of a country in which the (or one of the) national language(s) is English. Decisions about the need for TOEFL or IELTS scores are at the discretion of the academic program to which you are applying in coordination with the department of OES.

The IHP accepts either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The test must have been taken within two years of the application deadline and official score reports are required. The minimum TOEFL (internet-based) score accepted is 89 and the minimum IELTS score accepted is 6.5.

  • To forward your TOEFL score please contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The MGH Institute of Health Professions code is 3513.
  • For IELTS, a Test Report Form may be mailed to MGH Institute of Health Professions and score information will be verified by the IHP directly. You may designate up to 5 schools to receive Test Report Forms at the time you register for the test. To request additional Test Report Forms, contact your test center.

Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have any questions about the MGH Institute’s English Language requirements.

Applicants are required to submit a transcript from each college and/or university attended, even if a degree was not received from that institution. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted throughout the application process, and official transcripts will only be required prior to enrolling in the program.

The Office of Admission strongly encourages the use of online electronic transcript ordering which can be sent directly via email to admissions [at] mghihp.edu (admissions[at]mghihp[dot]edu). If this is not an option and your institution does not participate in electronic transcript delivery, please request official transcripts be sent to the mailing address listed below:

Admission Office
MGH Institute of Health Professions
36 First Avenue
Boston, MA 02129

Applicants that have earned a degree from a non-US institution are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from one of the following NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) members: Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, World Education Services (WES), or the Center for Educational Documentation. If you earned your bachelor's degree outside of the U.S. this credential evaluation must document the minimum equivalency of a US baccalaureate degree or higher.

Essay/Goal Statement

All applicants are required to compose an essay that addresses the following:

The mission of the MGH Institute of Health Professions Post-Professional OTD program is to develop highly effective leaders who draw upon cutting-edge clinical expertise and critical thinking abilities to advance the impact of our profession. MGH IHP highly values having a diverse student population as a key element in the educational experience of its students. Diversity presents itself in many different social identities, such as: socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality or place of origin, ability, unique life or work experience, etc.

During the program, students will complete an Innovation Project based on a topic area or skill set that aligns with their unique learning goals. Using 5,000 characters or less:

  1. Describe your short and long-term career goals and how they relate to your current clinical practice area.
  2. Describe how you anticipate your academic pursuits at IHP will help you achieve these goals, and lastly,
  3. Reflect and share how your social identities, experiences, and/or perspectives might advance the impact of our profession on patient outcomes.

(Optional) Recommendation Letters

Letters should address the applicant’s potential for graduate education/scholarly study and the applicant’s potential for leadership within the profession.

All recommendations will be processed electronically through our online application. Please provide contact information for each recommender within the online application.

Resume or CV

Please upload your most recent resume or CV. At a minimum this document should include:

  • Undergraduate and any graduate institutions, degree(s), major, minor/concentration (if applicable)
  • Your OT License information (state and number), if licensed in the United States.
  • OT Certifications and Professional Designations
  • Employment Experiences

Who do I contact for more information about the application process, my application status, or what documents to submit?

You are welcome to admissions [at] mghihp.edu (email the admission office), or call (617) 726-1304 on weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Time.

What is your mailing address?

MGH Institute of Health Professions
Office of Enrollment Services
36 1st Ave.
Charlestown Navy Yard
Boston, MA 02129

Skyrocketing Employer Demand 

Occupational Therapists ranked 23rd in U.S. News and World Report's list of the 100 Best Jobs. Did you know there has been a 297% increase in employer demand for doctoral-level OT professionals since 2017 and a 400% growth in entry-level OTD programs this decade? The Institute supports your path toward obtaining a post-professional degree to meet this employer's demand. Tuition reduction is available to MGB employees, preceptors, and alumni. 

Resources for Tuition & Aid

Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Billing

Discover special tuition benefits available for:

  • Mass General Brigham employees, affiliates, and their families.
  • Employees and preceptors at over 600 clinical affiliation sites.
  • Institute alumni.

Learn about eligibility and benefits

Upcoming Events

There are no events at this time, please check back soon.

Meet our Faculty & Staff

"As a former online post-professional student, I know firsthand the importance of linking new learning to clinical practice. Our program at the IHP integrates all coursework into practice with interprofessional threads designed to prepare graduates to be exceptional interprofessional leaders." - Sarah McKinnon, Program Director

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Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP

Associate Professor Chair, Occupational Therapy Program Director, Post-Professional OTD Program Program Director, Doctor of Health Sciences Program

Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP

See Our Faculty

PP-OTD Frequently Asked Questions

Our value proposition is simple: We’re an innovative, integrative and interprofessional post-professional online program. The curriculum is designed to elevate practitioners to a new level of practice while providing modalities that meet the needs of busy adult learners. The interprofessional focus throughout the curriculum is an innovative piece not seen in other post-professional programs.

The Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD) is an advanced degree for practicing occupational therapists seeking to gain advanced knowledge and skills to inform their careers and implement clinical change as practice scholars, leaders, health care administrators, and educators. Graduates will develop skills and immediately apply them to influence their practice setting. Graduates will experience a clinical process of defining, building, and solving problems through a scholarly Innovation Project. Graduates from the MGH IHP PP-OTD program will be positioned to assume advanced professional roles including, but not limited to, advanced clinicians, occupational therapy department supervisors, health care administrators, and educators, or prepare themselves for roles as change agents in non-traditional settings​.

In addition to our 1:1 mentorship and social supports from other mentors within the program, students have access to student services offered for our on-campus programs. These include but are not limited to, Student Assistance Programs (SAP), writing tutors and tutorials, access to library databases and literature search tutorials with 1:1 librarian support, and IT help desk assistance. Additionally, the personalized feel of the online program also allows for close access to faculty throughout coursework.

The MGH Institute PP-OTD program is accredited by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Although the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) does not accredit any post-professional OTD programs, our entry-level OTD program was the first accredited Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree program in New England.

Students are required to attend one on-site visit; at the end of the program to present scholarly work. The visit date will be in May of your graduating year and linked to commencement. The visit will be two days on campus, located in the historic Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts. You will be responsible for your travel and lodging.

All students will require access to a computer that has webcam capability. See requirements in our IT section.

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