PhD in Occupational Therapy at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    PhD in Occupational Therapy at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    PhD in Occupational Therapy at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    The Occupational Therapy is a PhD degree offered by University of Nevada, Las Vegas at its main campus in Paradise , United States of America. The program is delivered on campus as a Full Time course in English and requires approximately 4 years to complete. Students study at the university's main campus while gaining the knowledge and practical experience expected for this area of study. The next intake is available from August 28, 2027.

    About PhD in Occupational Therapy

    UNLV School of Integrated Health Sciences offers an Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree program. The program has a cohort size of 36 students and comprises 120 credit hours of graduate-level classroom, fieldwork, and research learning activities. The coursework will be offered during three consecutive semesters each year for three years. Students will be eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam after successfully completing all coursework and fieldwork.

    The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association has granted pre-accreditation status to the Occupational Therapy Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

    Upon completion of the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degree, students should be prepared to:

    • Demonstrate professional behaviors on Level I fieldwork as measured by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Level I Fieldwork Competency Evaluation for OT and OTA Students (2017) and as outlined in the Program Handbook of the UNLV OTD Program.
    • Engage in the ethical practice of occupational therapy as outlined by the AOTA Code of Ethics (2015) as measured on the Self-Assessment of Professional Behavior during each Professional Development Seminar class.
    • Achieve entry-level competence in clinical practice as measured by achieving a score of at least 122 points on the AOTA Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (2002).
    • Select and pursue leadership and advocacy activities through the use of an annual Professional Development Plan.
    • Utilize evidence-based occupational therapy interventions to address the physical, cognitive, functional, psychosocial, sensory, and other aspects of performance in a variety of contexts and environments to support engagement in everyday life activities that affect health, wellbeing, and quality of life in individuals across the lifespan.
    • Demonstrate competence in critically evaluating research in each of the three research and evidence-based practice courses in the OTD curriculum, as evidenced by completing Critical Reviews of Research Studies assignments in each course.
    • Achieve entry-level competence in evaluating patient performance through performing standardized and non-standardized assessments in classroom and clinical observations.

    Disciplines

    School of Integrated Health Sciences

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for PhD in Occupational Therapy at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    Entry Requirements

    While each graduate program has unique admissions standards, the Graduate College maintains minimum standards for graduate admission. All advanced degree and certificate program applicants must meet these eligibility requirements to be considered for admission. Immigration status does not impact admission to UNLV.

    1. Bachelor’s Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or an approved international equivalent.
    2. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for your bachelor’s degree, or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester hours).
    3. Additional Requirements – Factors that may also be considered by the academic department to which you are applying include test scores (like the GRE or GMAT), the type of course work completed during undergraduate studies, letters of recommendation, writing samples or portfolios, and any other supporting documents your department/program may ask you to submit to complete your application.
    4. International Applicants: Proof of English Proficiency – The application process for international students is the same as for domestic students, with the exception of submitting proof of English Proficiency.
    5. Transcripts – All applicants are required to submit a transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. If the institution is outside the U.S., a foreign credential evaluation may be required. Please review our foreign credential evaluations page for additional guidelines, information, and requirements.
      Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

    Credentials from China: Students who have completed a degree in China must provide copies of the original language transcripts and a copy of their Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate. Documents verified by the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) or the China Academic Degree and Graduate information Center (CDGDC) are also accepted. 

    Credentials from India: Consolidated marks sheets are acceptable if yearly mark sheets are not available. Mark sheets must also be issued by the degree-granting institution. Mark sheets from affiliated colleges, are not acceptable or considered official. Students who have completed a degree in India must also provide a copy of their Provisional Certificate.

    Please note that the aforementioned requirements are the minimum requirements established and monitored by the Graduate College. Meeting the minimum admissions requirements is a necessary but not sufficient condition of admission. Admission decisions are based on applicants meeting the minimum Graduate College requirements and a more extensive and holistic departmental review, which considers a combination of factors, including indicators of success based upon academic degrees and records, the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, test scores, relevant work experience, and the like.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 65
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 80

    Career Opportunities after Completing PhD in Occupational Therapy

    The occupational therapy profession has been growing steadily since its inception in 1917. In the past few years there has been increased demand for occupational therapists due to the changing demographics in the country and changes in the healthcare delivery system. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook states that employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 17% from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations. It also states that about 10,000 openings for occupational therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace current workers. Occupational therapists work in many areas of practice with populations across the lifespan in various settings such as:

    • Hospitals – general, psychiatric, pediatric, cancer, neurologic, orthopedic
    • Schools providing K – 12 education
    • Private practice agencies
    • Home health agencies, mobile outpatient care
    • Outpatient rehabilitation clinics
    • Hand therapy clinics
    • Skilled nursing facilities and other residential care settings
    • Correctional facilities
    • Industrial settings
    • Academic institutions
    • Research

    Tuition and Fee Information for PhD in Occupational Therapy at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    Application Fee 95

    How to Apply for PhD in Occupational Therapy at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    1. Review Admission Requirements – Review requirements for advanced degree and certificate program applicants. Be sure to check your department of interest as well because departmental requirements vary. Please note that only degree-seeking students are eligible for I-20/student visas and graduate assistantships. Certificate programs are not considered degree-seeking. However, with proper approval students may be enrolled concurrently in both degree and certificate programs.
    2. Application Procedures – To apply to the Graduate College, submit the following admission materials for consideration:
      • A completed application. Complete the application online.
      • A nonrefundable admission application fee of $95, payable online by credit card or by check/money order, to the Board of Regents, UNLV.

        *Note: Applications and materials will not be processed until the application fee is received. Applicants to any UNLV graduate program must pay the admission application evaluation fee for each application filed. Denied applicants, who later seek admission to the same or other UNLV degree program, are required to pay an additional application fee.
    3. Additional Graduate College Application Materials – If needed, send any additional Graduate College admission materials (for example: your admission receipt with your check payment; your transcripts if you did not upload them into your online application; or your official transcripts upon admission; etc.) to:

      Office of Admissions

      University of Nevada, Las Vegas
      Mail Stop: 1021
      4505 S. Maryland Pkwy.
      Las Vegas, NV 89154

    4. Additional Materials for your Department & Degree Program Application – Submit any additional department-required admission materials by uploading them into your online application. Please check with your graduate program of interest and refer to the application checklist on the Home tab of your Grad Rebel Gateway account in order to determine their specific admission requirements prior to submitting your online application.
    5. Financial Certification Requirement – Submit Financial Certification form and Bank Letter to the Graduate College.
      Before an I-20 can be issued, all international students must submit a completed Financial Certification form and bank letter. Even if you anticipate receiving a Graduate Assistantship, you must submit the Financial Certification form and bank letter.
      • Confidential Financial Certification
    PhD in Occupational Therapy at University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    United States of America

    United States of America, Paradise

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