VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY
POST-PROFESSIONAL DOCTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Elevate your career with Valparaiso University’s post-professional doctor of occupational therapy (DrOT). Enhance your expertise and emerge as a prominent figure in the field.

Increase Your Public Health Knowledge with Valpo

Learn how getting your master of public health can help you get ahead in the field of healthcare.

100% Online

Faculty-Sponsored Capstone

Accelerated & Flexible Schedule

An MPH will provide you the opportunity to work in a wide range of positions in public health such as:

• Epidemiologist
• Health Educator
• Biostatistician
• Public Health Policy Analyst
• Healthcare Administrator
• Environmental Health Specialist
• Global Health Specialist
• Infectious Disease Specialist
• Maternal and Child Health Specialist

ADVANCING YOUR CAREER

Valparaiso University's 100% online post-professional Doctor in Occupational Therapy program is designed to empower busy professionals with the flexibility to advance their education while balancing work and life. Our accelerated program, which includes four semesters and a capstone project, provides hands-on field experience through faculty mentorship, enabling completion in as few as 18 months.

This program prepares you to give back to the profession by educating and guiding the next generation of occupational therapists. With a tailored curriculum, you'll develop the technical expertise, teaching skills, and leadership abilities needed to advance the field and contribute to the public good, fostering meaningful impact in communities and beyond.

VALPO POST-PROFESSIONAL DrOT PROGRAM OVERVIEW 

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 
CAREER OUTLOOK

• Esteemed Faculty: Learn from experts who emphasize ethical leadership and holistic care. 

• Service Learning: Engage in hands-on experiences that keep the human at the core of healthcare work. 

• Field-Ready Curriculum: Build interdisciplinary skills in leadership, finance, marketing, and ethics for impactful careers. 

• Broad Focus: Prepare for diverse roles in healthcare.

 
Accreditation
Valparaiso University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

WHY VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY?

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

CURRICULUM

Required Courses
OCTH 750 - Occupational Therapy Theories, Models, and Frameworks (Credits: 6)
OCTH 755 - Research Methodologies (Credits: 6)
OCTH 760 - Educational Principles in Occupational Therapy (Credits: 3)
OCTH 765 - Leadership in Healthcare (Credits: 3)
OCTH 785 - Capstone Discovery and Design (Credits: 3)
OCTH 790 - Capstone (Credits: 6)

One Course From the Following Options:
OCTH 770 - Advocating for the OT Profession (Credits: 3)
OCTH 775 - Current Trends in Advancing Emerging Practice Areas (Credits: 3)
OCTH 799 - Independent Study in Occupational Therapy (Credits: 3)
IPE 518 - Global Health Issues (Credits: 3)

Total: 30 Credit Hours

Can international students apply to the DrOT program?
The DrOT program accepts students who are United States-based, licensed/board-certified, and currently working in the U.S. in the OT field.

How long does it take to complete the DrOT program?
The post-professional doctor of occupational therapy program allows for completion in as few as 18 months. It requires 30 completed hours, broken down into four semesters and a capstone. This flexible learning pace makes it easier for students to balance their personal and professional lives while maintaining excellent academic standing.


How do I apply to Valpo’s post-professional doctor of occupational therapy?
To apply for Valpo’s DrOT, click here.


Are there scholarships or financial aid available?
Yes, to learn more about the financial assistance available, request more information here.

FAQs

Valparaiso, IN 46383
219.615.6868

Privacy Policy | Copyright ©️️️️ 2025 Valparaiso University, powered by Relearnit, Inc. | All rights reserved

Valparaiso, IN 46383
219-615-6868

Privacy Policy | Copyright ©️️️️ 2024 Valparaiso University, powered by Relearnit, Inc. | All rights reserved

Elevate your career with Valparaiso University’s post-professional doctor of occupational therapy (DrOT). Enhance your expertise and emerge as a prominent figure in the field.

POST-PROFESSIONAL DOCTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A DrOT DEGREE?

Earning a post-professional doctor of occupational therapy unlocks numerous career possibilities within the healthcare sector, including:

• Clinical Occupational Therapist
• Occupational Therapy Educator
• Occupational Therapy Consultant
• Clinical Supervisor or Manager
• Researcher or Research Coordinator
• Policy Advocate and Healthcare 
• Administrator
• Entrepreneur or Private Practice Owner
• Program Developer or Coordinator

Those seeking entry into the post-professional doctor of occupational therapy program must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy from an accredited institution
• Current state licensure as an occupational therapist in good standing
• Current proof of registration with the NBCOT
• Minimum of one year work experience as an occupational therapist preferred
• Letter of intent explaining why the candidate is seeking this degree and goals for using this degree (two-page maximum)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently projected that jobs in occupational therapy will grow by 12% over the next decade, a much faster rate than other occupations (3%). Pursuing an advanced degree allows occupational therapists to easily become leaders in this rapidly growing field, advancing their careers in healthcare or academia as occupational therapy professors.

Valparaiso University's 100% online post-professional Doctor in Occupational Therapy program is designed to empower busy professionals with the flexibility to advance their education while balancing work and life. Our accelerated program, which includes four semesters and a capstone project, provides hands-on field experience through faculty mentorship, enabling completion in as few as 18 months.

This program prepares you to give back to the profession by educating and guiding the next generation of occupational therapists. With a tailored curriculum, you'll develop the technical expertise, teaching skills, and leadership abilities needed to advance the field and contribute to the public good, fostering meaningful impact in communities and beyond.