Skip to main content Skip to search
""

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Making the World Smarter, Safer and Healthier

""

Translate

Research
into Evidence-based Practice
""
Skeleton Demo

Forbes

Top 50
in Research in U.S. Universities
""
Otd Bed sling

Competitive & Diverse

Fieldwork
Placements
""
Bathroom

QS Rankings

#63
University in the U.S.
""

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

  • In our fully functional OT labs, gain hands-on experience with specialized equipment, simulate interventions and build the skills needed to become an expert practitioner
  • Focus on occupation-based practice, community health, resilience and well-being
  • Develop critical thinking skills, clinical reasoning, creativity, flexibility, adaptability and an understanding of diversity
  • Provide interventions, develop and evaluate community programs, and improve occupational engagement in a variety of practice settings for people of all ages
  • Engage in inter-professional learning by collaborating with students and faculty from multiple departments in the YU community
  • Build relationships with top clinical directors throughout New York and across the United States in competitive fieldwork placements
  • In an individually tailored 14-week capstone project, build on academic foundation, synthesize advanced occupational therapy knowledge, pursue areas of professional interest in depth, and gain advanced research and professional skills and experience

Events and Webinars

Full Program Breakdown

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

  • In our fully functional OT labs, gain hands-on experience with specialized equipment, simulate interventions and build the skills needed to become an expert practitioner
  • Focus on occupation-based practice, community health, resilience and well-being
  • Develop critical thinking skills, clinical reasoning, creativity, flexibility, adaptability and an understanding of diversity
  • Provide interventions, develop and evaluate community programs, and improve occupational engagement in a variety of practice settings for people of all ages
  • Engage in inter-professional learning by collaborating with students and faculty from multiple departments in the YU community
  • Build relationships with top clinical directors throughout New York and across the United States in competitive fieldwork placements
  • In an individually tailored 14-week capstone project, build on academic foundation, synthesize advanced occupational therapy knowledge, pursue areas of professional interest in depth, and gain advanced research and professional skills and experience

Events and Webinars

Swipe to learn more!

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

  • In our fully functional OT labs, gain hands-on experience with specialized equipment, simulate interventions and build the skills needed to become an expert practitioner
  • Focus on occupation-based practice, community health, resilience and well-being
  • Develop critical thinking skills, clinical reasoning, creativity, flexibility, adaptability and an understanding of diversity
  • Provide interventions, develop and evaluate community programs, and improve occupational engagement in a variety of practice settings for people of all ages
  • Engage in inter-professional learning by collaborating with students and faculty from multiple departments in the YU community
  • Build relationships with top clinical directors throughout New York and across the United States in competitive fieldwork placements
  • In an individually tailored 14-week capstone project, build on academic foundation, synthesize advanced occupational therapy knowledge, pursue areas of professional interest in depth, and gain advanced research and professional skills and experience

Interested in this program? Apply Now!

At a Glance

115-credit doctorate, 32-month program

Full-time, on-campus program in the Bronx, N.Y., where you'll get the individual attention you deserve

Leading clinical and research faculty

Competitive fieldwork placements in the New York City metropolitan area and beyond

Career support and professional networking opportunities

Enter with your bachelor's degree (no master's required)

Helpful Links

Webinars

Join Our Community

Contact Us

Jared Hakimi 
Director of Graduate Admissions
jared.hakimi@yu.edu
646-592-4722
Schedule an Appointment 

Shayna Matzner
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
shayna.matzner@yu.edu
646-592-4726
Schedule an Appointment

Xavier Velasquez
Associate Director of Graduate Admissions Operations
xavier.velasquez@yu.edu
646-592-4737
Schedule an Appointment

Linyu Zheng, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
linyu.zheng@yu.edu
+1-332-271-5865
Schedule an Appointment

Candidates for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program must have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and all prerequisite coursework outlined below. The last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework must meet a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Application Requirements

Candidates must complete the online application and submit the following materials:

  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended within the last 10 years.
  • Résumé
  • 2 letters of recommendation: at least 1 from a licensed occupational therapist; 1 letter may be from a faculty member/advisor. Letters from friends or family members will not be accepted.
  • Personal statement demonstrating a commitment to contribute to and complete the program
  • Verification of 40+ volunteer or observation hours from OT setting(s) of choice.
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores (for candidates whose bachelor's degrees were earned at a non-English-speaking institution)
    • NACES course-by-course evaluation (for degrees completed outside of the US and English-speaking Canada) 
    • Minimum TOEFL score on tests taken within the last two years: 100 (internet-based test)
    • Minimum IELTS score on tests taken within the last two years: 7

Prerequisite Coursework 

  • Two courses in the humanities or social sciences (anthropology, philosophy, religion, ethics, cultural studies, group dynamics) (3 credits each)
  • One course in statistics (3 credits)
  • One course in human anatomy, plus lab (3 credits)
  • One course in physiology, plus lab (3 credits)
  • One course in human development or lifespan (3 credits)
  • One course in abnormal or behavioral psychology (3 credits)

Applicants must have obtained an overall 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in program prerequisite courses (from accredited universities) within the last 10 years. Applications may be submitted during enrollment in an undergraduate degree program or during completion of prerequisite coursework. The last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework must meet a minimum 3.0 GPA. 

Tuition, Fees, and Scholarships

Click here to view estimated tuition and fees for the 2023-24 academic year. The Office of Student Finance maintains current tuition, fees, and refund policies and procedures for all graduate programs. 

All applicants are automatically considered for scholarships. You do not need to submit any additional information. Awards are determined during the application review process.  

Please schedule an appointment with an admissions director if you have questions about financial aid opportunities and financing your graduate degree. We can do a preliminary transcript review and discuss your admissions and financing options with the Katz School. 

Please note: Students may apply external scholarships (e.g., Fulbright, NSF, government support) towards their tuition but may not combine multiple scholarships from Yeshiva University or the Katz School.

COVID-19 Vaccination

Please note that the University requires its students to be fully-vaccinated against COVID-19. Students attending a program with a clinical training component are subject to this policy. Medical and religious exemptions generally are not available for students in a University clinical training program due to the requirements of external clinical sites and other circumstances which would place an undue burden on the University to provide the accommodation. You should bear this in mind when applying to the program. The University will not refund any fees or other payments if you are unable to enroll or otherwise complete the program.

Background Checks

Please note that a felony conviction or previous criminal record could affect eligibility for clinical training placement and, as a result, ability to complete the program requirements.  Clinical training sites often require a background check prior to placement. Additionally, a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the national certification examination, as well impact eligibility to obtain state licensure.

Applicants for the NBCOT exam are required to answer Character Review Questions and submit a background check. For more information on NBCOT’s policies see: www.nbcot.org/en/Students/Services.

Learn More

Helpful Links

Webinars

Join Our Community

Contact Us

Jared Hakimi 
Director of Graduate Admissions
jared.hakimi@yu.edu
646-592-4722
Schedule an Appointment 

Shayna Matzner
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
shayna.matzner@yu.edu
646-592-4726
Schedule an Appointment

Xavier Velasquez
Associate Director of Graduate Admissions Operations
xavier.velasquez@yu.edu
646-592-4737
Schedule an Appointment

Linyu Zheng, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
linyu.zheng@yu.edu
+1-332-271-5865
Schedule an Appointment

Admissions & Financial Aid

Candidates for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program must have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and all prerequisite coursework outlined below. The last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework must meet a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Application Requirements

Candidates must complete the online application and submit the following materials:

  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended within the last 10 years.
  • Résumé
  • 2 letters of recommendation: at least 1 from a licensed occupational therapist; 1 letter may be from a faculty member/advisor. Letters from friends or family members will not be accepted.
  • Personal statement demonstrating a commitment to contribute to and complete the program
  • Verification of 40+ volunteer or observation hours from OT setting(s) of choice.
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores (for candidates whose bachelor's degrees were earned at a non-English-speaking institution)
    • NACES course-by-course evaluation (for degrees completed outside of the US and English-speaking Canada) 
    • Minimum TOEFL score on tests taken within the last two years: 100 (internet-based test)
    • Minimum IELTS score on tests taken within the last two years: 7

Prerequisite Coursework 

  • Two courses in the humanities or social sciences (anthropology, philosophy, religion, ethics, cultural studies, group dynamics) (3 credits each)
  • One course in statistics (3 credits)
  • One course in human anatomy, plus lab (3 credits)
  • One course in physiology, plus lab (3 credits)
  • One course in human development or lifespan (3 credits)
  • One course in abnormal or behavioral psychology (3 credits)

Applicants must have obtained an overall 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in program prerequisite courses (from accredited universities) within the last 10 years. Applications may be submitted during enrollment in an undergraduate degree program or during completion of prerequisite coursework. The last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework must meet a minimum 3.0 GPA. 

Tuition, Fees, and Scholarships

Click here to view estimated tuition and fees for the 2023-24 academic year. The Office of Student Finance maintains current tuition, fees, and refund policies and procedures for all graduate programs. 

All applicants are automatically considered for scholarships. You do not need to submit any additional information. Awards are determined during the application review process.  

Please schedule an appointment with an admissions director if you have questions about financial aid opportunities and financing your graduate degree. We can do a preliminary transcript review and discuss your admissions and financing options with the Katz School. 

Please note: Students may apply external scholarships (e.g., Fulbright, NSF, government support) towards their tuition but may not combine multiple scholarships from Yeshiva University or the Katz School.

COVID-19 Vaccination

Please note that the University requires its students to be fully-vaccinated against COVID-19. Students attending a program with a clinical training component are subject to this policy. Medical and religious exemptions generally are not available for students in a University clinical training program due to the requirements of external clinical sites and other circumstances which would place an undue burden on the University to provide the accommodation. You should bear this in mind when applying to the program. The University will not refund any fees or other payments if you are unable to enroll or otherwise complete the program.

Background Checks

Please note that a felony conviction or previous criminal record could affect eligibility for clinical training placement and, as a result, ability to complete the program requirements.  Clinical training sites often require a background check prior to placement. Additionally, a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the national certification examination, as well impact eligibility to obtain state licensure.

Applicants for the NBCOT exam are required to answer Character Review Questions and submit a background check. For more information on NBCOT’s policies see: www.nbcot.org/en/Students/Services.

Program News

""

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.

“To celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of our inaugural class of OT scholar-practitioners, we melded the two traditions,” said Dr. Mindy Garfinkel, interim director of the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. “This pin may be worn in clinical practice to acknowledge the student’s new status as a practitioner.”

Read more

""

OT Student Opens New Worlds to Clients

Read about Amanda Brenner's impressive range of fieldwork

OT Student Opens New Worlds to Clients

Martin, a young man with autism, is known for being garrulous. He’ll regale you on various topics for as long as you let him. At the AFYA Foundation, he’s popular with the staff and other clients in the day program where Amanda Brenner is doing fieldwork as part of her Occupational Therapy Doctorate. Until Martin met Amanda, his passion got the best of him during job interviews, hindering his ability to get an offer. 

Read the story in the Katz blog.

""

Researchers Link Playfulness to Cognition in Award-Winning Study

Read more about the study

Researchers Link Playfulness to Cognition in Award-Winning Study

Dr. Amiya Waldman-Levi, clinical associate professor in the Katz School’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program, 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.

She and her co-authors Dr. Dana Shai, principal investigator of the research and a professor at the Academic College Tel Aviv Yaffo, and Dr. Anita Bundy, department head in occupational therapy at Colorado State University, will receive the award in April from the American Journal of Occupational Therapy at the AOTA INSPIRE 2023 conference in Kansas City.

Read the entire story on the Katz blog.

""

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, a student in the Katz School's Occupational Therapy Doctorate created a special finger splint.

Full disclosure: Jane isn’t real. Kaplan made her up for a case study as part of her four-credit course, Preparatory Methods II, which is designed to teach budding occupational therapists techniques they can utilize for injuries to the upper extremities. Kaplan created the scenario, determined a course of treatment, researched its application, and then presented a research poster in class, much like what scientific researchers are invited to do at conferences.

Read the entire story in the Katz blog.

""

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).

Dr. Mindy Garfinkel, a clinical associate professor and assistant director of the OT Doctorate program, received an award during NYSOTA’s president’s reception for her contributions to pediatric practice and the promotion of inclusive play spaces.

Read the story in the Katz blog.

""

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. “We’re always looking to see what clients can do and then build on that, to maximize their abilities. We analyze, assess and intervene to give clients the best life possible. It’s a very special role to play in a person’s life.”

At her husband’s encouragement and with her family’s support, Yoheved, a former schoolteacher, enrolled in the Katz program in September 2020. She said that going back to school at first was “scary,” given that she has six children ranging in age from infancy to elementary school. But her husband, Natanel, has pitched in, ferrying the children to and from school and social activities, tucking them in at night, and making sure that dinner is served. The Katz program, for its part, has also shown extraordinary flexibility.

“What I love most about our OT program is the faculty support,” she said. “Whether it was structuring a class a certain way or adjusting the timing of assignments, they’ve always been willing to work with me. One time Dr. Alexandra Wagner came in on a Friday just to give me a test.”

Read the entire story in the Katz blog.

""

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.

“To celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of our inaugural class of OT scholar-practitioners, we melded the two traditions,” said Dr. Mindy Garfinkel, interim director of the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. “This pin may be worn in clinical practice to acknowledge the student’s new status as a practitioner.”

Read more

""

OT Student Opens New Worlds to Clients

Read about Amanda Brenner's impressive range of fieldwork

OT Student Opens New Worlds to Clients

Martin, a young man with autism, is known for being garrulous. He’ll regale you on various topics for as long as you let him. At the AFYA Foundation, he’s popular with the staff and other clients in the day program where Amanda Brenner is doing fieldwork as part of her Occupational Therapy Doctorate. Until Martin met Amanda, his passion got the best of him during job interviews, hindering his ability to get an offer. 

Read the story in the Katz blog.

""

Researchers Link Playfulness to Cognition in Award-Winning Study

Read more about the study

Researchers Link Playfulness to Cognition in Award-Winning Study

Dr. Amiya Waldman-Levi, clinical associate professor in the Katz School’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program, 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.

She and her co-authors Dr. Dana Shai, principal investigator of the research and a professor at the Academic College Tel Aviv Yaffo, and Dr. Anita Bundy, department head in occupational therapy at Colorado State University, will receive the award in April from the American Journal of Occupational Therapy at the AOTA INSPIRE 2023 conference in Kansas City.

Read the entire story on the Katz blog.

""

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, a student in the Katz School's Occupational Therapy Doctorate created a special finger splint.

Full disclosure: Jane isn’t real. Kaplan made her up for a case study as part of her four-credit course, Preparatory Methods II, which is designed to teach budding occupational therapists techniques they can utilize for injuries to the upper extremities. Kaplan created the scenario, determined a course of treatment, researched its application, and then presented a research poster in class, much like what scientific researchers are invited to do at conferences.

Read the entire story in the Katz blog.

""

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).

Dr. Mindy Garfinkel, a clinical associate professor and assistant director of the OT Doctorate program, received an award during NYSOTA’s president’s reception for her contributions to pediatric practice and the promotion of inclusive play spaces.

Read the story in the Katz blog.

""

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. “We’re always looking to see what clients can do and then build on that, to maximize their abilities. We analyze, assess and intervene to give clients the best life possible. It’s a very special role to play in a person’s life.”

At her husband’s encouragement and with her family’s support, Yoheved, a former schoolteacher, enrolled in the Katz program in September 2020. She said that going back to school at first was “scary,” given that she has six children ranging in age from infancy to elementary school. But her husband, Natanel, has pitched in, ferrying the children to and from school and social activities, tucking them in at night, and making sure that dinner is served. The Katz program, for its part, has also shown extraordinary flexibility.

“What I love most about our OT program is the faculty support,” she said. “Whether it was structuring a class a certain way or adjusting the timing of assignments, they’ve always been willing to work with me. One time Dr. Alexandra Wagner came in on a Friday just to give me a test.”

Read the entire story in the Katz blog.

Skip past mobile menu to footer