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Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy

Program overview

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).   

Program code: CC-63061

CRICOS code: 111161D

Program overview

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).   

Program code: CC-63061

CRICOS code: 111161D

About this program

The Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Bond University offers the opportunity for advanced application of evidence-based occupational therapy research and practice in the industry. Through engagement in a doctoral capstone 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. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate and engage meaningfully with industry partners and experienced academic mentors to develop advanced skills and in-depth knowledge in their individual topic of interest in one or more areas, including clinical practice, research administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education or theory development.

The Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy is a higher degree by research program awarded for a combination of coursework, clinical placement, and internship followed by a doctoral thesis. The thesis represents a significant contribution to the knowledge or understanding of an aspect of occupational therapy and demonstrates the capacity of the student to carry out independent research at a doctoral level and generate new knowledge.

Professional accreditation

Australia

Bond University's Master of Occupational Therapy is approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.   

Upon completion of all requirements of the two-year Master of Occupational Therapy program, students who opt to pursue the Bond Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy are eligible to apply for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia

 Bond University’s entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy and Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy programs are accredited for 7 years by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) in the United States of America.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all United States require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Upon completion of all requirements of the two-year Master of Occupational Therapy program, students who opt to pursue the Bond Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy are eligible to apply for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia,while they are enrolled in the Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program.

Information for students planning to register to practice as an Occupational Therapist in the United States of America: 

The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association(AOTA), is located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is +1 (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org

Note: Students must successfully complete all requirements of the Master of Occupational Therapy, including coursework and 24 weeks of Level II Fieldwork Practice Education, within 4 years of commencement of the degree program.

Program features

  • Collaborate with industry

    This combined pathway provides over 1,600 hours of practice-based education and includes a doctoral capstone internship where you can apply your clinical research skills and gain valuable career development opportunities in a broad range of industry settings. Learn through individual supervision and mentoring by experienced occupational therapy clinicians and researchers. 

  • Evidence-based practice

    Extend your career opportunities in leadership and research roles by combining the Master of Occupational Therapy (Clinically-focused Research Pathway) with a professional doctorate to obtain the highest qualification in occupational therapy in four years of study.

  • Globally recognised

    Earn a globally recognised qualification in occupational therapy that enables you to apply for registration as an occupational therapist in Australia, the USA, Canada and many other countries.

  • Research opportunities

    Students who are accepted into the Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy are eligible to apply for a Research Training Program (RTP) and Bond Scholarships for Years 3 and 4 of the OTD pathway.

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Hear from our Bondies

  • The program is one-of-a-kind and provides an incredible opportunity for passionate and motivated students to gain a practical, industry-engaged Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy while being immersed in the Gold Coast lifestyle and culture.  

    It's the only program located outside of the United States to be accredited by the US accrediting body for OT, so graduates can transfer their qualifications around the globe and seek leadership roles in this diverse, rewarding and in-demand career. 

    Associate Professor Beth Mozolic-Staunton - Occupational Therapy
PreviousNext

Hear from our Bondies

  • The program is one-of-a-kind and provides an incredible opportunity for passionate and motivated students to gain a practical, industry-engaged Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy while being immersed in the Gold Coast lifestyle and culture.  

    It's the only program located outside of the United States to be accredited by the US accrediting body for OT, so graduates can transfer their qualifications around the globe and seek leadership roles in this diverse, rewarding and in-demand career. 

    Associate Professor Beth Mozolic-Staunton - Occupational Therapy
PreviousNext

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