On August 21, the Department of Occupational Therapy welcomed the first class to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. Students participated in an orientation, including a tour of the Health Science Center and an afternoon reception where they met with faculty. The 46 first-year students will spend 10 semesters in the OTD program, including coursework at UF, fieldwork at practice sites across Florida and the nation, and a culminating capstone experience in which they will receive in-depth training in an area of practice.
The OTD program is the first and only entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy in the Florida State University System. The program was approved by the Board of Governors last year and will graduate the first class in 2021. The program will facilitate students’ clinical knowledge and skills, professional development, leadership and advocacy skills, and advanced knowledge base to inform high-quality, evidence-informed practice in occupational therapy.
