Occupational Therapy, D.O.T.
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) program in the College of Health and Human Services was established in 2008 and received approval from the Illinois Board of Education and the Higher Learning Commission to grant the degree. The DrOT is a post‑professional advanced practice degree. The DrOT program prepares you to evaluate and produce research, collaborate as a leader in the field, prepare to teach, and act as an advocate in healthcare through knowledge building with real‑life applications aligned with your current professional roles or anticipated professional goals.
Register for Information Sessions
To learn more about our post‑professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, attend our monthly virtual Information Sessions on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.
After you register for your session, return here and use the link below to join your virtual session:
Meeting ID: 287 252 548 133
Passcode: ex7ER9wM
Improving Lives Through Advanced Practice
The dynamic nature of health and human services offers challenging opportunities for advanced and specialized occupational therapy practice. There is a compelling need for the practice scholar—the advanced practice occupational therapist—who will actively enrich current clinical practice through knowledge building and skill development to align with current or anticipated professional needs.
Consider the College of Health and Human Services’ Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) program if you are ready to take your expertise to the next level. Students in our program explore, apply, and develop the best practice models, knowledge, and expertise they will need to take on leadership, education, research, and advocacy roles in the profession. The DrOT program will prepare you to be an innovator in both traditional and emerging areas of occupational therapy using real-life applications.
Welcome Enrichment
If you are a certified and licensed occupational therapist with a master’s degree in occupational therapy (or a bachelor’s in occupational therapy and a master’s in another field) and are looking for a way to progress in your field, consider our program. Refine your current clinical practice and begin to welcome new opportunities by further developing your education in occupational therapy.
The Governors State University DrOT sequence of courses provides you with the knowledge and skills that will open opportunities in leadership, education, and research.
Reach Your Career Goals
After completing the program, you will have doors open for opportunities through:
- Enhanced knowledge and the ability to evaluate, apply, and conduct research in occupational therapy
- Leadership capabilities developed for today’s healthcare environment
- Preparation to pursue employment in higher education
- Advocacy practices
Helpful Information
Required DrOT Courses (30 credit hours)
OCCT 9205 Advanced OT Models, Concepts, and Application (3)
OCCT 9210 Advanced Research in OT (3)
OCCT 8705 Seminar I (1)
OCCT 9340 Leadership & Advocacy in OT (3)
OCCT 9345 Evidence-based Practice & Innovation (3)
OCCT 8710 Seminar II (1)
ONTL 6101 Introduction to Online Teaching (3)
ONTL 6201 The Role of the Online Instructor (3)
OCCT 8715 Seminar III (1)
OCCT 9992 Applied Scholarship I (3)
OCCT 9995 Applied Scholarship II (3)
OCCT 9999 Capstone (3)
OCCT 9997 Direct Scholarship(3)(if needed-repeatable)
APPLICANTS WITH AN ENTRY-LEVEL MASTER OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DEGREE MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
- Graduation from an occupational therapy program accredited by the American Council on Occupational Therapy Education. International students must have graduated from a World Federation of Occupational Therapy program and have received certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
- A minimum graduate GPA of 3.0, on a 4.0 point scale.
- Evidence of current certification from NBCOT.
- Evidence of current state occupational therapy license.
- An application essay.
- Curriculum vita or resume.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- A virtual interview with a graduate program faculty advisor/mentor.
- Pay the $75 Application Fee.
Application for admission to the DrOT program is rolling, allowing students to apply at any time during the year. A cutoff date for applications, allowing for applications to be reviewed for admission, will be November 15. Admission decisions are made by December 1 for entry into the program in the spring semester.
The Program Admission Committee will invite applicants to be interviewed. The committee’s recommendation will be based on the review of the admission materials, recommendations, essay, and interview. The committee will recommend those candidates who are best qualified to the DrOT Program Coordinator. Applicants will be notified of the decision.
To apply to the Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program, follow the steps below:
- Complete the GovState online application Apply Now
- These items are required to complete your application:
- NBCOT Certificate (Upload in application portal)
- State Occupational Therapy License (Upload in application portal)
- A vitae or resume (Upload in application portal)
- An application essay: a one-page, double-spaced essay addressing the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree (Upload in application portal)
- An official transcript indicating a completed master’s degree from an accredited program. 3.0 GPA or higher is required may be sent to apotranscripts@govst.edu
- Three letters of reference forms (one must be from an employer/supervisor; one from an OT colleague; and one from a person who can attest to your scholarly potential (Upload in application portal)
- Pay the $75 application fee
What You'll Study
Our academic catalog has detailed information about what you'll study, including courses, hours needed for completion, and other requirements.
How to Apply
You'll need certain documents and need to meet certain requirements in order to apply. Read about them on our admissions pages.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Governors State’s mission is to offer accessible and exceptional education, which is why GovState offers the most affordable tuition rates in the Chicagoland area, all while maintaining our top accreditations.
As a student at Governors State University, you have many available ways to cover the cost of your tuition.
Contact Us
- Cynthia Carr, Doctor of Occupational Therapy program coordinator
- Department of Occupational Therapy
- Governors State University
- 708-534-7292
- ccarr@govst.edu