Occupational Therapy

Why Should You Choose NSU?

Innovative Curriculum

NSU offers 2 entry level occupational therapy programs: Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) & Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD); NSU also offers 2 postprofessional occupational therapy programs: a Clinical Doctorate (Dr.OT) & Research Doctorate (PhD).

Entry Level Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

  • Earn your Master Degree in Occupational Therapy (MOT) at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in only two and a half years at NSU Fort Lauderdale-Davie campus.

  • Our curriculum enables its graduates to compete in the evolving health care market by building students' leadership skills, critical thinking, and resourcefulness through progressive coursework and innovative fieldwork opportunities.

  • NSU's MOT Program received an unprecedented 10-year accreditation beginning 2010.

Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

  • Earn your Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in only three and a half years at NSU Tampa - Student Education Center (SEC), a hybrid weekend/distance program.

  • Distance/weekend hybrid means that students will receive part of their education at the Tampa SEC during three- to four-day institutes taught by reputable faculty members once a month per semester. Students will take the remainder of each course in an online format, using state-of-the-art technology.

  • During the program, students will accumulate 1,680 hours of full-time clinical education. This will include a doctoral residency in a negotiated practice area in addition to classroom and distance learning.

  • NSU's OTD program is dedicated to preparing occupational therapists to serve as part of an interdisciplinary team of health professionals in a variety of practice settings, including hospitals, schools, outpatient, and home health, as well as in programs they develop where occupational therapists are not yet employed. Course activities promote clinical decision-making and problem solving skills at all levels of interaction with patients and clients, from initial examination to outcomes assessment.
Accessible, Distinguished Faculty
Our faculty members are leaders in the field of occupational therapy. Our faculty members have held offices in the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Society for The Study of Occupation USA, and other state and national professional societies. Our faculty members have widely published in books and national and international journals, and presented papers at state, national, and international conferences. A large percentage of our faculty has been recognized as fellows of the American Occupational Therapy Association for their leadership, scholarship, and contribution to the profession.
Small Classes
Classes at NSU provide students with optimal opportunities for learning interaction - via face-to-face and web-based technology. Our faculty/student ratios are generally one faculty member to 1:26 students.
Early Exposure to Employers and Hands-on Experiences Building Your Skills

Students participate in at least six clinical fieldwork experiences in the last 2 years of the curriculum, giving students considerable occupational therapy practice exposure and opportunity to network with at least six potential employers and settings. In addition, the entry level OTD program includes a 16-week doctoral residency in an approved specialized area of practice.

The NSU MOT program is housed with the College of Health Care Sciences of the Health Professions Division. Service to the community is a fundamental feature of professional education and development at NSU. As part of an interdisciplinary team of faculty and students in the health professions, MOT students provide community service at health fairs in suburban, urban, and rural areas, as well as other community service to children, adults, and seniors. Students have the opportunity to team with faculty helping the underserved as part of Health Professions Division's mission trips to Jamaica. These extracurricular experiences, along with several months of required clinical fieldwork experiences, build confidence and skills for today's and tomorrow's demanding OT practice.

Student Outcomes in NBCOT Certification and Employment

Results of National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Examination

YearNumber of Program GraduatesNumber of first-time takersNumber of first-time test takers who passed the examPercentage of first-time test takers who passed the exam
2010 35 30 25 83%
2011 32 29 23 79%
2012 32 33 27 82%
Total 3-year 99 92 75 82%
Direct Access (for MOT Students) to Advanced Doctoral Education

In the 20 months directly following graduation, alumni of NSU's MOT program are eligible for direct admission to the (Post Professional) Practice Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (DrOT) program if they maintain an overall GPA of 90 percent in the MOT program.

Note: Six credits of coursework are waived for NSU MOT students who graduated after 2009. If a student has a GPA below 90 percent in the MOT program, they may still apply to the DrOT program for consideration.

Post Professional - Distance Education (Online) Doctoral Programs
All of the Dr.OT courses are taught by distance education primarily utilizing online technology. Students usually attend part-time and take 6 credits (2 courses) per semester (Fall, Winter, & Summer). Dr.OT students have on-campus midsession classes once per term (three times per year) over a long weekend (Friday through Monday) for intensive face-to-face coursework. Ph.D students attend on-campus mid-session classes during most terms, plus a one week-long Summer Research Institute held on campus in their first summer term.
Internationally Diverse Student Population
Students come from throughout the U.S. and foreign countries to matriculate in both the Master's and Doctoral Occupational Therapy programs.
State of the Art Library and Classroom Facilities

NSU's libraries and classrooms contain state of the art educational technology and electronic data bases (accessible online). Libraries are equipped with student computer labs, extensive resources, textbooks, journals, online books, and data bases. In addition to the Alvin Sherman Library, which is the largest library in the state, the Health Professions Division's library serves all the health profession programs at NSU, including medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, nursing, and allied health.

The Tampa Student Education Center (SEC) serves students at a distance from the main campus with microcomputer labs and videoconferencing equipment. In addition, the center is staffed with full-time employees to help with registration, enrollment, and financial aid. The Tampa-SEC creates an on-campus atmosphere for students by offering chances to develop friendships, form study groups, and use videoconferencing equipment to connect with the NSU main campus. The best part is the center is convenient and accessible for many students who live at a distance from the main campus. The Tampa-SEC has established high-quality and efficient services that enable students to finish their degrees successfully and gain an experience that contributes to their personal and professional development.

Beautiful Suburban Campus, Minutes From the Beach

NSU main campus is located in a lovely suburban area west of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, just 30 minutes from the Everglades, and is one of several higher education institutions in the area. NSU has a 300-acre campus with lakes and palm trees gracing its landscape and buildings. Restaurants, shopping, beaches, and recreational facilities are conveniently located in close proximity to campus. The fabulous Fort Lauderdale beach is just 15 minutes away!

The Tampa Student Education Center (SEC) is located on the east side of Tampa and is conveniently located next to I-75 and I-4. Tampa Bay Area offers unique and exciting experiences for everyone, whether it is outdoor activities in beautiful natural settings, Gulf Coast beaches, professional sports, and attractions (i.e., Busch Gardens, Florida Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo, and most recently, LegoLand).