Occupational Therapy Doctorate Making the World Smarter, Safer and Healthier Request More Info Apply Now Attend an Info Session Contact Us Artificial Intelligence Biotechnology Computer Science Cybersecurity Data Analytics and Visualization Digital Marketing and Media Mathematics Occupational Therapy Physician Assistant Physics Speech-Language Pathology New York City's First Fully-Accredited Entry-Level Occupational Therapy DoctorateTranslate Research into Evidence-Based Practice Occupational Therapy Doctorate115 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: #63 in the U.S. by QS World and #1 Best Value in New York by U.S. News. Full Program Breakdown Occupational Therapy Doctorate115 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: #63 in the U.S. by QS World and #1 Best Value in New York by U.S. News. Swipe to learn more! Occupational Therapy Doctorate115 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: #63 in the U.S. by QS World and #1 Best Value in New York by U.S. News. VIEW CURRICULUM APPLY NOW Program Links About, Accreditation, & OutcomesCurriculumFacultyOT LabsTuition and FeesResearchStudent LifeFAQs Admissions & Financial Aid Contact Us 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 RequirementsCandidates must complete the online application and submit the following materials:Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended within the last 10 years.Résumé2 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 programVerification 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: 7Prerequisite 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 ScholarshipsClick 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 VaccinationPlease 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 ChecksPlease 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. Graduate Admissionskatzgrad@yu.edu646-592-4753General Inquirieskatz@yu.eduJoin our CommunityLinkedInInstagramYouTubeFacebook 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 RequirementsCandidates must complete the online application and submit the following materials:Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended within the last 10 years.Résumé2 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 programVerification 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: 7Prerequisite 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 ScholarshipsClick 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 VaccinationPlease 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 ChecksPlease 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. Contact Us Graduate Admissionskatzgrad@yu.edu646-592-4753General Inquirieskatz@yu.eduJoin our CommunityLinkedInInstagramYouTubeFacebook Meet our Students Adam Gavi GordonOTD, OTR/L CLASS OF 2024Capstone: "Mind Your Business" Mindfulness-based Education Program Arielle NyentyOTD, OTR/L CLASS OF 2023Capstone: Addressing Emotional Regulation through Interoception Miriam GrahamOTD, OTR/L CLASS OF 2023Capstone: A Multifaceted, Interactive Child Development Toolkit for Jewish Parents Yoheved ZionOTD, OTR/L CLASS OF 2023Capstone: Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Educator Training Harlee FeldmanOTD, OTR/L CLASS OF 2023Capstone: Play and Arts-Based Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Program News 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.Read the entire story in the Katz School blog. 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.Read the story in the Katz School blog. 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.Read the entire story in the Katz School blog. 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.Read the story in the Katz School blog. 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.Read the full story. 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.Read the entire story in the Katz blog. 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. Read the story in the Katz blog. 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.Read 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.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 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. 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 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.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 created a special finger splint.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).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.Read the entire story in the Katz blog. 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.Read the entire story in the Katz School blog. 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.Read the story in the Katz School blog. 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.Read the entire story in the Katz School blog. 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.Read the story in the Katz School blog. 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.Read the full story. 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.Read the entire story in the Katz blog. 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. Read the story in the Katz blog. 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.Read 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.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 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. 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 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.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 created a special finger splint.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).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.Read the entire story in the Katz blog.
