Doctorate of Occupational Therapy
Doctorate of Occupational Therapy
Elizabethtown College’s Post-Professional Occupational Therapy
Doctorate (OTD) is a highly customizable program designed for licensed occupational therapists with either an earned bachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy. Our interdisciplinary curriculum prepares students to explore new areas of interest and further develop advanced practitioner roles.
Program Outcomes
- Engage in advanced practice that integrates critical thinking, reflective practice, creativity, and ethical reasoning in the occupational therapy process.
- Demonstrate leadership in the management and delivery of occupational therapy services, evaluation of program effectiveness, and professional development.
- Recognize opportunities for and demonstrate principles and skills related to advocacy.
- Contribute to the body of evidence that supports traditional and emerging occupational therapy practice.
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Program Formats:

Credits Required: 32 - 35
Tuition:
- $525/Credit
(depending on certificate options) - 15% Alumni Scholarship
- 15% Affinity Partner Scholarship
Tuition and fees are reviewed and subject to change annually.
Concentrations:
- Interdisciplinary Autism Support
- Trauma Informed Practice
- Strategic Leadership
- Health Care Administration
- Family Business and Entrepreneurship
- Medical Spanish
OTD Degree Requirements
Two graduate certificates are required to complete the didactic portion of the program (24-27 credits based on certificate selection). In addition, all students will complete a scholarship course culminating in a proposal for the capstone experience (4 credits) as well as a final capstone experience (4 credits).
Application Requirements
Application Requirements
To be eligible to apply to Etown's OTD program, you must:
- be a licensed, occupational therapist. Official transcripts conferring a master’s or bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited college or university.
- have successfully completed two graduate certificate programs through SGPS. Graduate certificates can be in any of the following designated areas: Autism Support, Trauma Informed Practice, Strategic Leadership, Health Care Administration, Family Business and Entrepreneurship, or Medical Spanish.
- have time to devote to your coursework; in an accelerated program, time spent outside of class is considerable.
Application Deadlines: This program has rolling admissions. See the SGPS academic calendar for registration deadlines.
Application Process
Please feel free to contact or meet with our admissions team at any point during the application process. Our admissions counselors are not only a great resource to guide you through the process and answer questions, they are skilled at helping our applicants find the best program and options to help them reach their goals!
How to Apply: Complete the graduate application process via the online portal which includes:
There are TWO ways to enter to Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program:
- If you would like to accelerate the completion of the doctoral program and do not choose to receive any graduate certificate designations on your transcripts, please follow these instructions:
Complete the graduate application process via the online portal which inculdes the following steps:- Choose GPS Gradaute Application
- Indicate the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy as your major
- Designate the two certificate programs you plan to pursue as part of the OTD
- Submit a $25 nonrefundable application fee (Waived for Elizabethtown College graduates)
- Upload your current resume
- Upload a 1-2 page essay addressing your
- statement of professional goals
- current approach to leadership/management
- long-term goals fo the application of the OTD to your professional life
- Order copies of your official transcripts to be sent to your admissions counselor
- If you prefer to receive certificate designation on your transcript for each of the areas you pursue within the OTD, it will require taking each graduate certifciate individually. Please follow these instructions:
Complete the graduate application process via the online portal which inculdes the following steps:
- Choose GPS Graduate Application
- Designate the first certificate program as your major
- Indicate that you plan to pursue the OTD
- Designate your second certificate choice
- Submit a $25 nonrefundable application fee (Waived for Elizabethtown College graduates)
- Upload your current resume
- Upload a 1-2 page essay addressing your
- statement of professional goals
- current approach to leadership/management
- long-term goals for the application of the OTD to your professional life
- Order copies of your official transcripts to be sent to your admissions counselor
Selected applicants will be invited to complete an interview. Final admissions decisions will be determined after the interview.


Meet Your
Program Director

Dr. Kerri Hample, OTD, OTR/L, FMCHC
Dr. Hample serves as Director of Elizabethtown College’s Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate program as well as an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Hample is a clinical expert providing occupational therapy services for children and their families in early intervention, schools, aquatic programs, and outpatient clinics for more than 16 years. Her specialty focus is on feeding and eating, childhood nutrition, sensory processing as it relates to feeding and sleep, and aquatics. Dr. Hample currently serves as Chairperson of the PA State Board for Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure. She continues to practice Occupational Therapy with a Lancaster County early intervention company. Her other passion is partnering with OT students and alumni to coach Special Olympics swimming.
Our experienced Admissions staff is here to help. Fill out a brief contact form and we will reach out to help you get started.