Occupational Therapy (OTD)
The 90/91-credit doctoral program in occupational therapy, designed for students who have earned a bachelor's degree in another field, goes beyond the basic curriculum in a master's degree program. The program provides additional training and expertise in specialized areas, such as clinical practice, research, administration, program and policy development, advocacy, education and/or theory development.
Students who successfully complete the program and graduate are eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT). All graduates must pass the NBCOT exam and be credentialed as a Occupational Therapist Registered OTR. More information on NBCOT credentials can be found at https://www.nbcot.org/certification
All states require a OT license (credential) to practice occupational therapy. The issue of state license requires graduation from an accredited OT program and passing the NBCOT Certification Exam.* State License requirements can be found here.
*Note that a felony conviction may affect a student's ability to graduate, sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain a state OT license.
The occupational therapy doctoral program prepares students to take the national certification exam administered by NBCOT.
Other programs you might be interested in
NBCOT Pass Rate
Upon successful completion of academic preparation and level II fieldwork experiences, students are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT) exam. For more information on NBCOT visit https://www.nbcot.org/
To explore NBCOT Pass Rate for OT programs click NBCOT Performance Rate
| Year | # Test takers | Passed Test | Failed Test | NBCOT Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 100%
|
| 2023 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 100% |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 100% |
| Total | 17 | 17 | 0 | 100% |
3-Year Graduation Rate
| Graduation Year | # of Students Enrolled | # of Students’ Graduated | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 7 | 70%** |
| 2024 | 11 | 5 | 45%* |
| 2023 | 11 | 5 | 45%* |
| 2022 | 7 | 7 | 100% |
| Total | 39 | 24 | 65 % OTD + MS 4 graduates |
Kean’s Department of Occupational Therapy is unique in that it has facilitated students’ persistence to graduation and ability to sit for the NBCOT exam given the two programs that are offered- MS and OTD. This is reflected in the student graduation rates noted above.
*For 2023 and 2024- The OTD program has a 100% graduation rate for the 2020 incoming cohort. The 2023/2024 graduation rates are a result of the program sequence change. Students in the program at the time of the change had the option to complete the program with either the original or revised sequence. Of the 11 students admitted in 2020- 1 changed to the MS program, 5 graduated in August 2023 and 5 graduated in January 2024. So, all students graduated from the OT department (OTD=10; MS=1) and were eligible to sit for the NBCOT exam.
** For 2025- The OTD program has a 100% graduation rate for the incoming 2021 cohort. There was a total of 10 OTD students admitted in 2021, however, 3 students requested change in curriculum to MS and persisted to graduation. Seven remaining OTD students persisted to graduation in January 2025. So, all students graduated from the OT department (OTD=7; MS=3) and were eligible to sit for the NBCOT exam.
Cougars Climb Higher
At Kean, we believe learning and professional growth extend far beyond the walls of our classrooms. That's why we encourage you to take advantage of a variety of research opportunities, internships and more that we offer to advance your career and set the stage for continued success.
Fieldwork
Students complete at least six months of fieldwork in an approved clinical setting.
Research
Opportunities for research are an important part of an education at Kean.
Community
Beginning in their first semester, students gain clinical experience in community settings such as schools, senior centers, hospitals, nursing homes and camps.
Careers
Occupational Therapy graduates have found rewarding positions in a wide range of settings:
- Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
- JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute
- FOX Rehabilitation
- Encore Rehabilitation Services
- Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital
- HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital
- University Hospital
- Intensive Therapeutics
- Abilities In Action
- Children's Specialized Hospital
- Woodbridge Township School District
- P.G. Chambers School
100%
National certification exam pass rate of Kean graduates for the past several years
Accreditation
The Occupational Therapy program 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) 652-6611, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
Tuition and Fees
In-state
| Current Cost | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 3.5 residency | Total Cost of Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $32,999.58 | $29,525.94 | $13,026.15 | $13,894.56 | $89,446.23 |
| Student Fees | $3,208.34 | $2,870.63 | $1,266.45 | $1,350.88 | $8,696.30 |
| Books and Supplies | $550 | $400 | $250 | 0 | $950 |
| Background checks, etc. | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150 | $300 |
| Distant Education Fee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| $36,907.92 | $32,946.57 | $14,692.6 | $15,395.44 | $99,392.53 |
Out-of-state
| Current Cost | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 3.5 Residency | Total Cost of Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $52,276.2 | $46,773.4 | $20,635.35 | $22,011.04 | $141,695.99 |
| Student Fees | $3,210.24 | $2,872.32 | $1,266.45 | $1,350.88 | $8,699.89 |
| Books and Supplies | $550 | $400 | 0 | 0 | $950 |
| Background checks, etc. | $150 | $150 | 0 | 0 | $300 |
| Distant Education Fee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | $56,186.44 | $50,195.72 | $21,901.80 | $23,361.92 | $15,1645.88 |
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