Career Options
An entry-level doctoral degree in occupational therapy prepares you to be a highly competent occupational practitioner, contributor to research, potential leader, future educator, and/or advocate for the profession.
Occupational therapists practice in a wide variety of settings:
- hospitals and clinics
- community programs
- schools and early childhood programs
- rehabilitation centers
- nursing homes
- senior centers
- home health care
- private practice
- military services
- government agencies
Examples of occupational therapy clinical activities include:
- evaluating children with developmental disabilities and working with their families to create daily routines and activities that help them grow socially, cognitively, and physically
- working with people recovering from stroke to help them resume important daily tasks at home, on the job, and in the community
- assisting groups of clients with psychiatric disabilities to identify effective strategies for challenging tasks at work
- suggesting changes in the layout, routines, and equipment of home, school, or workplace to support continued independence for aging adults
As your clinical knowledge and skills develop, you also can go on to pursue other roles:
- educator
- clinical specialist
- consultant
- researcher
- administrator