Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy
    Go to Bond University

    Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy

    Bond University
    Bond University
    Australia
    Australia, Gold Coast
    University Rank:#587
    Go to Official Website
    Duration12 semester(s)
    Tuition Fee
    AUD 117,879 / total(s)
    Next IntakeMay 1, 2026

    Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy

    About

    Bond University’s innovative Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program offers a unique opportunity for eligible students to obtain a doctoral qualification in occupational therapy in four years of study.

    This includes the two-year, accelerated Master of Occupational Therapy program which leads to a professional registration as an occupational therapist in just two years.

    This internationally accredited program enables graduates to develop advanced clinical research and professional skills, enhancing career opportunities for leadership and management roles, locally and globally across health, education, and social care settings.

    The Bond OTD is the highest level of academic qualification in the field (AQF Level 10), which enables the application of evidence-based occupational therapy research and practice to address real-world issues in collaboration with industry partners.

    Through engagement in an industry-based doctoral capstone internship experience, students will build upon the comprehensive clinical, business, and research skills developed during the Master of Occupational Therapy program to design and implement an innovative and applied response to a current practice issue through doctoral-level research, contributing to the development of new knowledge in the field.

    Graduates of Bond’s OTD are eligible to apply to register to practice as occupational therapists in both Australia and North America and the program is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT).

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    Recognised 4 year Bachelor degree equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree 3.00

    4 year Bachelor degree - 4 point grading scale

    Students who are enrolled in Bond's Master of Occupational Therapy and who meet the requirements below may apply to progress to the Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at the completion of Bond's Master of Occupational Therapy program.

    Students applying to progress must meet the following criteria:

    • Successful completion of all requirements of Bond's Master of Occupational Therapy, including the Clinically-focused research pathway, AND
    • be in good academic standing, AND
    • have a minimum weighted average mark of 75%, AND
    • successful completion of all practice education fieldwork experiences on the first attempt.

    Admission is on the basis of an approved research proposal and successful completion of a Confirmation of Candidature presentation.

    Further information on how to apply can be found on the Research Degrees web pages.

    Recognised 4 year Bachelor degree equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree 3.50

    4 year Bachelor degree - 5 point grading scale

    Students who are enrolled in Bond's Master of Occupational Therapy and who meet the requirements below may apply to progress to the Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at the completion of Bond's Master of Occupational Therapy program.

    Students applying to progress must meet the following criteria:

    • Successful completion of all requirements of Bond's Master of Occupational Therapy, including the Clinically-focused research pathway, AND
    • be in good academic standing, AND
    • have a minimum weighted average mark of 75%, AND
    • successful completion of all practice education fieldwork experiences on the first attempt.

    Admission is on the basis of an approved research proposal and successful completion of a Confirmation of Candidature presentation.

    Further information on how to apply can be found on the Research Degrees web pages.

    English Program Requirements

    English language proficiency requirements

    Bond's programs are taught and assessed in English, so depending on your educational background and citizenship, you may be required to provide evidence that your English language ability meets our requirements. This may include submitting results from an approved English Language Test taken in the past two years - you can see the required results for the most common approved tests below. There are other ways to demonstrate English language proficiency and gain entry into this program, including demonstrating prior study in English, or other qualifications. If your qualification does not meet the English language requirements then you will need to provide an English proficiency test for admission.

    International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic
    International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Overall score 7.0 with no sub score less than 7.0
    Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
    Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic Overall score 65 with no Communicative Scores below 65
    Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
    Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) Overall score 94, no scores below 27 Writing, 23 Speaking, 24 for Reading and Listening

    Career

    Where will your degree take you?

    The Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program has been designed to prepare graduates with the research, leadership and professional capabilities to collaborate with industry to address current and future practice issues, locally and globally. 

    According to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook, future growth in the demand for occupational therapists is very strong. The roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia, has increased the demand for occupational therapists in recent years while globally, the focus on helping people to stay at home longer (‘ageing in place’) continues to drive demand for professionally qualified occupational therapists. The global demand for occupational therapists has also been accentuated by the pandemic. 

    Graduates will be qualified to apply to register to practice as an occupational therapist in Australia, North America, and many other countries. The Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy is fully accredited in the United States of America with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

    Outcomes

    Research and leadership

    Graduates of the Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy may be competitive for advanced leadership and/or management roles in health, education or social care settings as they have developed advanced skills and in-depth knowledge in one or more areas including clinical practice, research administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, or theory development.    

    Private and public health

    Graduates can look for work in either private or public health services. Services in both outpatient and inpatient settings within clinical areas such as paediatrics, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, chronic disease and mental health for example. 

    Community health

    Occupational therapists are highly employable in the following areas:

    • Workplace health and safety
    • Primary, secondary and tertiary education
    • Community health centres
    • Aged care
    • Organisations working with physically impaired clients
    • Organisations working with people recovering from a mental illness
    • Mental health services
    • Rehabilitation facilities

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee
    117,879 / total(s)

    Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy

    Bond University

    Bond University

    Australia

    Australia, Gold Coast

    Go to Official Website