Welcome to Nova Southeastern University

NSU’s entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.) program is dedicated to providing opportunities that prepare graduates for real world practice as occupational therapists who serve as a part of an interdisciplinary team of health professionals in a variety of practice settings.  We proudly train our students to become skilled and compassionate health care providers.

Program Format

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy program is offered in a blended format which combines three (3) weeks of interactive online learning and four (4) days of face-to-face experiences each month.  Face-to-face coursework is offered at NSU’s Tampa Bay Regional Campus in Clearwater, Florida.  The blended format meets the need for occupational therapy education beyond a master’s degree by students who want flexibility.

The O.T.D. program begins once per year in May and is completed in three and one third years (39 months).

Mission and Values

In alignment with our mission, the program uses a variety of instructional delivery models to prepare qualified students to become successful occupational therapy practitioners, managers, and leaders.

Characteristics of a Successful Candidate

The O.T.D. program at NSU welcomes applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.  We look for applicants who:

• have a strong academic background, curiosity for scholarly information, and a readiness for independent learning
• apply critical thinking skills towards creative problem-solving
• are effective and efficient in communicating both verbally and in writing
• have flexibility to different living, working, and clinical environments
• are compassionate and willing to advocate on behalf of their patients

Application Process

• Complete the OTCAS application
• Request official transcripts from all US institutions attended be sent to OTCAS
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) for each of the last two years of study.
• Minimum 3.0 prerequisite Grade Point Average
• Submit minimum GRE scores that are less than five years old for all three areas of the general test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing)
• Upload a written essay in the Documents section of OTCAS
• Request three (3) letters of recommendation be sent through the OTCAS recommender portal(at least one should be from a licensed Occupational Therapist)
• Documentation of 40 volunteer hours in at least two different occupational therapy settings
• Completed Nova Southeastern University application and fee
• International Applicants:  Request official evaluations of transcripts from all foreign institutions be sent to OTCAS.  A list NACES evaluation services can be found here.

For a complete listing of admissions requirements, visit our OT website.  If you have any questions about NSU’s entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.) program or application process, feel free to contact Mr. Jason Barshay at (813) 574-5286 or barshay@nova.edu.