Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Making the World Smarter, Safer and Healthier
New York City's First Fully-Accredited Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Translate Research into Evidence-Based Practice
Occupational Therapy Doctorate
115 Credits I On-Campus in New York City I Full-Time (32 months)
Occupational therapists help people of all ages manage the daily activities, or occupations, they need and want to do; prevent or live better with illness, injury and disability; and promote personal health and well-being.
The Katz School’s entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate, the first fully accredited entry-level OT doctoral program in the New York metropolitan area, trains caring and competent scholar-practitioners to develop and deliver holistic services through the integration of theory, research and knowledge-based practice and clinical skills.
As one of these scholar-practitioners, you will be a lifelong learner, as well as a leader and an advocate for the profession in diverse local and global communities. In state-of-the-art laboratories, nationally and internationally renowned faculty will assist you in applying the knowledge that you've acquired toward building the critical skills that will enable you to promote health, well-being and resilience through occupational engagement.
Demand for qualified occupational therapists continues to increase. With YU’s hands-on, entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate, you’ll graduate in under three years with the expertise to help clients gain greater independence and confidence in performing the tasks of everyday living. Occupational therapy is ranked in the top 20 in U.S. News & World Report's Top Health Care Jobs. For more information about occupational therapy, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association website here.
Program Highlights
Enter with your bachelor's degree (no master's required).
State-of-the-art labs: Neurosensory, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Modalities and Dr. Waldman Levi's Playfulness, Growth and Development Lab.
Competitive fieldwork placements throughout New York City and across the United States.
Interprofessional learning opportunities with students and faculty from departments across the YU community.
Individually tailored 14-week capstone project where you'll pursue an area of interest in depth and gain advanced research and professional skills.
Top-ranked university in the heart of NYC: Top 100 University by U.S. News; #63 in the U.S. by QS World; and #1 Best Value in New York City by U.S. News.
Full Program Breakdown
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Occupational Therapy Doctorate
115 Credits I On-Campus in New York City I Full-Time (32 months)
Occupational therapists help people of all ages manage the daily activities, or occupations, they need and want to do; prevent or live better with illness, injury and disability; and promote personal health and well-being.
The Katz School’s entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate, the first fully accredited entry-level OT doctoral program in the New York metropolitan area, trains caring and competent scholar-practitioners to develop and deliver holistic services through the integration of theory, research and knowledge-based practice and clinical skills.
As one of these scholar-practitioners, you will be a lifelong learner, as well as a leader and an advocate for the profession in diverse local and global communities. In state-of-the-art laboratories, nationally and internationally renowned faculty will assist you in applying the knowledge that you've acquired toward building the critical skills that will enable you to promote health, well-being and resilience through occupational engagement.
Demand for qualified occupational therapists continues to increase. With YU’s hands-on, entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate, you’ll graduate in under three years with the expertise to help clients gain greater independence and confidence in performing the tasks of everyday living. Occupational therapy is ranked in the top 20 in U.S. News & World Report's Top Health Care Jobs. For more information about occupational therapy, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association website here.
Enter with your bachelor's degree (no master's required).
State-of-the-art labs: Neurosensory, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Modalities and Dr. Waldman Levi's Playfulness, Growth and Development Lab.
Competitive fieldwork placements throughout New York City and across the United States.
Interprofessional learning opportunities with students and faculty from departments across the YU community.
Individually tailored 14-week capstone project where you'll pursue an area of interest in depth and gain advanced research and professional skills.
Top-ranked university in the heart of NYC: Top 100 University by U.S. News; #63 in the U.S. by QS World; and #1 Best Value in New York City by U.S. News.
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Program Information
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Graduate Admissions
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Graduate Admissions
General Inquiries
Join our Community
Meet our Students
Adam Gavi Gordon
OTD, OTR/L
CLASS OF 2024
Capstone: "Mind Your Business" Mindfulness-based Education Program
Arielle Nyenty
OTD, OTR/L
CLASS OF 2023
Capstone: Addressing Emotional Regulation through Interoception
Miriam Graham
OTD, OTR/L
CLASS OF 2023
Capstone: A Multifaceted, Interactive Child Development Toolkit for Jewish Parents
Yoheved Zion
OTD, OTR/L
CLASS OF 2023
Capstone: Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Educator Training
Harlee Feldman
OTD, OTR/L
CLASS OF 2023
Capstone: Play and Arts-Based Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Program News
Five OT Doctorate Alums Publish in AOTA Magazine
Read about their experience
Five OT Doctorate Alums Publish in AOTA Magazine
Five OT Doctorate alums, with the help of Dr. Amiya Waldman-Levi, director of scholarship and research of occupational therapy at the Katz School, they co-authored the article “Developing a Scholar-Practitioner Mindset: Grounded in Research Informed by Practice, Rooted in Care,” published in the AOTA OT Practice magazine in December.
OT Researchers Showcase Their Impactful Work
Read more about their work
OT Researchers Showcase Their Impactful Work
In collaboration with faculty mentors and other academic partners, 12 OT Doctorate students presented 11 diverse and impactful projects, showcasing creative approaches to service, research, education and professional advocacy, at national conferences.
Jewish OTs Address Trauma's Haunting Legacy
Read more about what they had to say
Jewish OTs Address Trauma's Haunting Legacy
In the aftermath of the October 2023 attack on Israelis, Jewish occupational therapists from the Katz School and other universities gathered at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Inspire 2024 Annual Conference & Expo to reflect on how occupational therapy can address intergenerational trauma and promote diversity.
Professor Redefining OT's Role in End of Life Care
Read more about Melanie Evangelista
Professor Redefining OT's Role in End of Life Care
The phenomenon of death hasn't been frequently explored through the lens of occupational therapy. Melanie Evangelista, a clinical assistant professor in the Katz School’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate, is working hard to address that.
Play Helps Children With Trauma-Exposed Mothers
Read about Dr. Amiya Waldman-Levi's study
Play Helps Children With Trauma-Exposed Mothers
A Katz School study has found that while a mother’s exposure to traumatic experiences can hinder her child’s psychological development, strong family relationships and involvement in play and leisure activities can help lessen these negative effects.
Study Links Manual Dexterity and Cognitive Decline in MS Patients
Read more about the study
Study Links Manual Dexterity and Cognitive Decline in MS Patients
The study, conducted by Katz School researchers and colleagues under the leadership of Dr. Mark Gubesblatt of NYU Langone South Shore Neurologic Associates, found a moderate negative correlation between manual dexterity and cognitive function—better manual dexterity was associated with better cognitive performance.
100% of OT Grads Pass National Exam a 2nd Time
Read more about their exam performance
100% of OT Grads Pass National Exam a 2nd Time
The first two graduating classes of the Occupational Therapy Doctorate have achieved a 100% pass rate in the national certifying exam, according to the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
67 Health Sciences Graduates Take an Oath
Read about the Health Sciences Celebration.
67 Health Sciences Graduates Take an Oath
On May 16, after participating in the school’s main commencement exercises, 67 students from the M.S in Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Doctorate celebrated at their own special Health Sciences Celebration, in which they received white coats marking the completion of their education and transition to professional clinical practice.
Student Talks to Seniors about Avoiding Falls
Read about Judy Chalouh-Benjamin's presentation
Student Talks to Seniors about Avoiding Falls
Inspired by an Occupational Therapy Doctorate credo to identify a societal problem and solve it, Judy Chalouh-Benjamin, who graduated last year, created an educational series for those 65 and older on how to avoid slips, trips and falls, and even on how to fall the right way.
Read the story here.
At Symposium, OT Research Addresses Societal Problems
Read about the research
At Symposium, OT Research Addresses Societal Problems
While the core function of an occupational therapist is to help people live their lives to the fullest by supporting their independence, the Katz School’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate takes that mission a step further by asking students to consider the wider implications of their scholarship—to fill an urgent societal need or a yawning gap in the academic literature.
Health Sciences Graduates Take a New Oath
Read about the white coat and pinning ceremonies
Health Sciences Graduates Take a New Oath
64 students from both the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy Doctorate who graduated with their classmates in the Katz School’s main commencement exercises and then congregated afterward to celebrate at their own special white coat and pinning ceremonies.
OT Student Opens New Worlds to Clients
Read about Amanda Brenner's impressive range of fieldwork
OT Student Opens New Worlds to Clients
At the AFYA Foundation, Martin is popular with the staff and other clients in the day program where Amanda Brenner is doing fieldwork as part of her OT Doctorate. Until Martin met Amanda, his passion got the best of him during job interviews, hindering his ability to get an offer.
Researchers Link Playfulness to Cognition in Award-Winning Study
Read more about the study
Researchers Link Playfulness to Cognition in Award-Winning Study
Clinical Associate Professor Amiya Waldman-Levi has been awarded the 2022 Cordelia Myers AJOT Best Article Award for her study linking the development of playfulness in infants to the cognitive functioning of toddlers.
Straightening Bent Fingers, No Surgery Necessary
Read about Brynna Kaplan's case study
Straightening Bent Fingers, No Surgery Necessary
Jane, a 20-year-old flag football player, jammed her left pinkie finger during a game with her college club team. The injury bent her finger at the middle joint, where it got stuck in that position because of swelling due to ligament damage. In order to facilitate Jane’s healing, Brynna Kaplan created a special finger splint.
Faculty Play Key Role at NYSOTA conference
Read more about their participation
Faculty Play Key Role at NYSOTA conference
Several faculty members of the Katz School Occupational Therapy Doctorate program played a key role at the recent annual conference of the New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA).
For This OT, Empathy is Another Pair of Hands
Read how Yoheved Zion helped her patient recover
For This OT, Empathy is Another Pair of Hands
Yoheved Zion likes that occupational therapy is client-centered and that she is able to tailor her interventions to whatever her clients want or need. “I love that it’s a strength-based profession,” she said.
Five OT Doctorate Alums Publish in AOTA Magazine
Read about their experience
Five OT Doctorate Alums Publish in AOTA Magazine
Five OT Doctorate alums, with the help of Dr. Amiya Waldman-Levi, director of scholarship and research of occupational therapy at the Katz School, they co-authored the article “Developing a Scholar-Practitioner Mindset: Grounded in Research Informed by Practice, Rooted in Care,” published in the AOTA OT Practice magazine in December.
OT Researchers Showcase Their Impactful Work
Read more about their work
OT Researchers Showcase Their Impactful Work
In collaboration with faculty mentors and other academic partners, 12 OT Doctorate students presented 11 diverse and impactful projects, showcasing creative approaches to service, research, education and professional advocacy, at national conferences.
Jewish OTs Address Trauma's Haunting Legacy
Read more about what they had to say
Jewish OTs Address Trauma's Haunting Legacy
In the aftermath of the October 2023 attack on Israelis, Jewish occupational therapists from the Katz School and other universities gathered at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Inspire 2024 Annual Conference & Expo to reflect on how occupational therapy can address intergenerational trauma and promote diversity.
Professor Redefining OT's Role in End of Life Care
Read more about Melanie Evangelista
Professor Redefining OT's Role in End of Life Care
The phenomenon of death hasn't been frequently explored through the lens of occupational therapy. Melanie Evangelista, a clinical assistant professor in the Katz School’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate, is working hard to address that.
Play Helps Children With Trauma-Exposed Mothers
Read about Dr. Amiya Waldman-Levi's study
Play Helps Children With Trauma-Exposed Mothers
A Katz School study has found that while a mother’s exposure to traumatic experiences can hinder her child’s psychological development, strong family relationships and involvement in play and leisure activities can help lessen these negative effects.
Study Links Manual Dexterity and Cognitive Decline in MS Patients
Read more about the study
Study Links Manual Dexterity and Cognitive Decline in MS Patients
The study, conducted by Katz School researchers and colleagues under the leadership of Dr. Mark Gubesblatt of NYU Langone South Shore Neurologic Associates, found a moderate negative correlation between manual dexterity and cognitive function—better manual dexterity was associated with better cognitive performance.
100% of OT Grads Pass National Exam a 2nd Time
Read more about their exam performance
100% of OT Grads Pass National Exam a 2nd Time
The first two graduating classes of the Occupational Therapy Doctorate have achieved a 100% pass rate in the national certifying exam, according to the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
67 Health Sciences Graduates Take an Oath
Read about the Health Sciences Celebration.
67 Health Sciences Graduates Take an Oath
On May 16, after participating in the school’s main commencement exercises, 67 students from the M.S in Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Doctorate celebrated at their own special Health Sciences Celebration, in which they received white coats marking the completion of their education and transition to professional clinical practice.
Student Talks to Seniors about Avoiding Falls
Read about Judy Chalouh-Benjamin's presentation
Student Talks to Seniors about Avoiding Falls
Inspired by an Occupational Therapy Doctorate credo to identify a societal problem and solve it, Judy Chalouh-Benjamin, who graduated last year, created an educational series for those 65 and older on how to avoid slips, trips and falls, and even on how to fall the right way.
Read the story here.
At Symposium, OT Research Addresses Societal Problems
Read about the research
At Symposium, OT Research Addresses Societal Problems
While the core function of an occupational therapist is to help people live their lives to the fullest by supporting their independence, the Katz School’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate takes that mission a step further by asking students to consider the wider implications of their scholarship—to fill an urgent societal need or a yawning gap in the academic literature.
Health Sciences Graduates Take a New Oath
Read about the white coat and pinning ceremonies
Health Sciences Graduates Take a New Oath
64 students from both the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy Doctorate who graduated with their classmates in the Katz School’s main commencement exercises and then congregated afterward to celebrate at their own special white coat and pinning ceremonies.
OT Student Opens New Worlds to Clients
Read about Amanda Brenner's impressive range of fieldwork
OT Student Opens New Worlds to Clients
At the AFYA Foundation, Martin is popular with the staff and other clients in the day program where Amanda Brenner is doing fieldwork as part of her OT Doctorate. Until Martin met Amanda, his passion got the best of him during job interviews, hindering his ability to get an offer.
Researchers Link Playfulness to Cognition in Award-Winning Study
Read more about the study
Researchers Link Playfulness to Cognition in Award-Winning Study
Clinical Associate Professor Amiya Waldman-Levi has been awarded the 2022 Cordelia Myers AJOT Best Article Award for her study linking the development of playfulness in infants to the cognitive functioning of toddlers.
Straightening Bent Fingers, No Surgery Necessary
Read about Brynna Kaplan's case study
Straightening Bent Fingers, No Surgery Necessary
Jane, a 20-year-old flag football player, jammed her left pinkie finger during a game with her college club team. The injury bent her finger at the middle joint, where it got stuck in that position because of swelling due to ligament damage. In order to facilitate Jane’s healing, Brynna Kaplan created a special finger splint.
Faculty Play Key Role at NYSOTA conference
Read more about their participation
Faculty Play Key Role at NYSOTA conference
Several faculty members of the Katz School Occupational Therapy Doctorate program played a key role at the recent annual conference of the New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA).
For This OT, Empathy is Another Pair of Hands
Read how Yoheved Zion helped her patient recover
For This OT, Empathy is Another Pair of Hands
Yoheved Zion likes that occupational therapy is client-centered and that she is able to tailor her interventions to whatever her clients want or need. “I love that it’s a strength-based profession,” she said.
