Program-Specific Info / Q's Entry-Level OTD

[w.amanda96]

Hi all!

For current students/OTs, can you tell me what the benefits are of going into an entry level OTD program? Will this aid in having more options for becoming a professor/going into academics later on in a career? Would you guys be able to share what the degree plan and course program looks like?

Just wondering about what I am getting myself into! I’d love to know more about the entry level OTD, because everything is a little ambiguous right now.

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[IL-OTstudent 2019]

From my understanding, OTD will be the minimum qualifications to practice as an OT in about 8 years I think, so many programs are starting to transition to this now. Current MOT students will be grandfathered in, meaning they can still practice, but will not have the “doctorate” aspect.

The doctorate (from what I’ve been told by OT’s and professors) does not lead to more pay out of school. But, it does help if down the road you’re looking mote seriously into the research and education aspects of OT. If you look at faculty on school websites, all professors seem to have the OTD.

 

[w.amanda96]

Will the OTD make it "easier" for me to teach in the future? Or will that still require a PhD program?

 

[IL-OTstudent 2019]

When I was looking at faculty for some programs I’ve applied to, OTD was what most of the professors had. The directors and heads of departments seemed to have PhD’s. So it appears to teach, OTD is sufficient.

 

[OTnc2019]

I may be wrong, but I think as far as whether having an OTD will help you teach in the future depends on the school you want to teach at (and whether it's for an OT or an OTA degree). Many research universities will require or prefer to hire professors with a PhD. It seems like things will be changing over time with the new requirements, but I would assume that this will still be the case for some universities. I also got a very vague sense from some of the OTD programs, so I would suggest asking alumni and people who have been in the field for a while.

 

[w.amanda96]

Thanks for your input!
I'm very interested in the idea of becoming a professor after being a clinician for a certain amount of time, but all of the lines seemed to be blurred about the requirements, especially due to the doctorate shift in the near future.
Is it possible that there would be a case in which I would need to get a "post-prof OTD" in conjunction with the entry-level OTD? Seems like I just need to do more research on the subject matter.

 

[OTnc2019]

I'm also interested in that path! Funny enough, my mom is an OT and my dad is a college professor so I've grown up seeing how much they love their jobs and how well both seem to fit with my strengths and interests. As far as getting a post-professional OTD, that honestly could be case, but who knows. I think something to consider is how long from now you'll want to be teaching. I don't see myself entertaining that idea until later down the road, and before then I'd like to focus as much as possible on becoming a good practitioner. I think there's a serious disconnect in a lot of related fields between those who teach/do research and those who practice, and if I do want to teach in the future I'd like to use my experiences and expertise as an OT to teach others. I am currently waiting to hear back from my dream school where I interviewed two weeks ago (an MSOT program), and looking at their faculty page on the program's website, I saw that out of the younger faculty one professor has a masters AND an OTD (from USC), another only has a masters (from the same university where she now teaches), and another has a PhD (all the older professors and those directing the program have PhD's). This leads me to believe that it won't be determined just based on degrees but also on what the particular school is looking for and what experience you have to offer.

 

[c2902]

Thanks for your input!
I'm very interested in the idea of becoming a professor after being a clinician for a certain amount of time, but all of the lines seemed to be blurred about the requirements, especially due to the doctorate shift in the near future.
Is it possible that there would be a case in which I would need to get a "post-prof OTD" in conjunction with the entry-level OTD? Seems like I just need to do more research on the subject matter.

No, the post-professional OTD is for clinicians who already have a non-doctorate OT degree. The programs are just a bit shorter since some of what is covered in a Masters program would also be covered in the entry-level OTD. If you get an entry level OTD, it's the same. Honestly, I would just go ahead and apply for OTD programs rather than MS programs. Even though they won't get you more pay or better jobs, my biggest concern, as someone with a Masters (who got their degree juuuust before OTDs were everywhere), is that I will have a hard time getting a job if I ever leave my current one. Even though I am technically grandfathered in, I am concerned that OTDs will be the only ones to be hired in the future. But I will say that as long as you go to an accredited program, the specific program you go to doesn't matter as long as you pass the NBCOT exam, so find an affordable one.

 

[w.amanda96]

No, the post-professional OTD is for clinicians who already have a non-doctorate OT degree. The programs are just a bit shorter since some of what is covered in a Masters program would also be covered in the entry-level OTD. If you get an entry level OTD, it's the same. Honestly, I would just go ahead and apply for OTD programs rather than MS programs. Even though they won't get you more pay or better jobs, my biggest concern, as someone with a Masters (who got their degree juuuust before OTDs were everywhere), is that I will have a hard time getting a job if I ever leave my current one. Even though I am technically grandfathered in, I am concerned that OTDs will be the only ones to be hired in the future. But I will say that as long as you go to an accredited program, the specific program you go to doesn't matter as long as you pass the NBCOT exam, so find an affordable one.

Thanks for your input! Yeah that's exactly what I did, my top program will be switching to the entry-level OTD and I just wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting into, since I'll be taking on another year of school and $25K more in tuition. But I feel confident with my choice!

 

[deleted517237]

I would advise against getting an entry level OTD if you have the option to get just a MOT. I don't foresee there being a negative bias towards MOT vs OTD in the future. In my experience, employers just want to make sure you are licensed. If you want to pursue teaching or research, it would be a better option to get an OTD while you are working and making money. 25 k is a lot of money for something that might not happen for many years. As someone else mentioned, having solid work experience may outweigh any advantage of an OTD when trying to teach.

 

[w.amanda96]

My first choice program is transitioning into the entry-level OTD, and ultimately their program seems like the best fit for me. Luckily, the program is fairly reasonable cost-wise compared to some other universities. (50K for a doctorate vs 80K for an MOT) I'm a little weary of being in the "guinea pig" class, but hopeful for the opportunity to work in academia way down the road!