Entry-Level OTD Accreditation, Certification, and Outcomes

Since 1962, Boston University Sargent College has offered educational programs to prepare entry-level occupational therapists. Over the years, the programs have been one of most respected programs in the county and have consistently received and maintained accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Accreditation

Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College’s entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. AOTA’s phone number is 301-652-2682, and their website is http://acoteonline.org.

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). All 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.

Students must complete Level II fieldwork and Doctoral Capstone requirements within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.

Institutional Accreditation

Boston University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc (NEASC). The University was most recently granted continuing accreditation in October 2009.

Outcomes

Graduation Rates

The Graduation and Retention rates for the EL-OTD program are: 

*The student took a leave of absence or decided to do a part-time capstone experience but has already graduated from the program

Certification

Once the entry-level OTD program receives accreditation status from ACOTE, graduates of the Boston University OTD program will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Upon successfully completing the exam, the graduate will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states require licensure to practice. However, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

NBCOT Eligibility

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) may disqualify students with felony convictions/charges from becoming certified. The Qualifications Review Committee (QRC) will review the qualifications of examination candidates who have been convicted of or charged with a felony to determine if the circumstances appear to relate directly to the safe, proficient, and/or competent practice of occupational therapy. For students entering an OT program, the QRC may give an early determination for approval to take the certification exam. For more information, please contact the NBCOT directly.

NBCOT Pass Rate

Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at https://secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx

State Licensure Requirements

For more information regarding state requirements, please visit the State Authorization & Distance Education website.