Doctor in Occupational Therapy Program
About Our Program
Occupational therapy is a holistic, client-centered healthcare profession working with individuals across the lifespan to engage in occupations that give their lives meaning, bringing health and well-being into reality.
The UNLV occupational therapy program prepares students to be competent occupational therapists and clinical scholars leading change in the communities in which they live and serve.
Using a competency-based curriculum sequence students actively engage and use classroom knowledge throughout the program practicing skills needed on clinical rotations. Our program’s core curriculum focuses on mental health, adults/geriatrics, and pediatrics populations with capstone opportunities in specialty settings and research opportunities.
Each summer, 36 students are admitted into our three-year program. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational therapy (NBCOT®) exam.
Program Efficiency Data
Our Curriculum and Focus Areas
Our curriculum includes foundational courses in occupational science and occupational therapy with a focus in mental health, adults/older adults, and pediatric populations. Students also are offered several sets of electives to build specialized clinical skills all using a competency-based approach. Electives may focus on topics such as:
- Mental Health Interventions and Application Across the Lifespan: Hands-on community application for this core part of our curriculum. Learn assessments, interventions, diagnoses and behavioral strategies that influence our psychosocial health and wellbeing.
- Leadership and Management: Establish a foundation for skills that will serve you for leadership and management opportunities in healthcare settings, advocacy, and governmental positions.
- Neurological Interventions Across the Lifespan: Develop screenings, assessments, intervention, and documentation skills for this large injury population seen by occupational therapists. Interventions address cognition, perception, vision, and sensory/motor dysfunctions.
- Driving and Community Mobility: Explore driving behavior theories and screenings using a driving simulator located in our on-campus Skills Lab.
- Pain Management: Investigate the physiological, psychosocial, and environmental components of the pain experience and holistic intervention options available.
- Fundamentals of Hand Therapy: Become more prepared for this sought after placement.
For a complete description of our program and curriculum, visit the Degrees Directory.
“The UNLV Occupational Therapy Program has fostered a positive and supportive learning environment, one where I know that my voice is heard and validated. This open and welcoming environment makes me proud to call this program my second home.”Kaleigh Quinlan, Current Student, Class of 2026
Career Outlook
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, the job employment outlook for occupational therapy is expected to rise by 16% from 2019 to 2029. In 2023, the median salary for occupational therapists in Nevada was $107,070 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Completing this degree will also open of career opportunities and environments that you can practice in, including:
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Home Health
- Mental/Behavioral Health
- Skilled Nursing
- Hand Therapy
Tuition and Fees
View our Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate Cost Estimate (2025-28) for more information about tuition and fees.
Please note that tuition, fees, and other charges are subject to change. Contact the UNLV Cashiering & Student Accounts Office for more information.
Financial Assistance
- The OTD program currently has graduate assistantship opportunities. Students can also apply to graduate assistantships in other UNLV departments while being an OTD student.
- Students can also explore program scholarships, Grad College scholarships, financial aid, and student loans to help fund their tuition.
- Out-of-state students can apply for Nevada residency after 12 months. Visit the Nevada Residency page for more information.
Admission Information
Please note the following to best prepare your application for the program:
- The Graduate College’s Application Deadlines page is the source for all graduate program deadlines. Please review the page and plan accordingly.
- All admission requirements, including course prerequisites and supplemental application materials, are listed in the Degrees Directory.
- As part of the application process, you must complete both the OTCAS online application and the UNLV Supplemental Grad College Online Application
- On the OTCAS application, indicate University of Nevada Las Vegas to receive the application.
Additional Information
Receive Guidance from Our Exceptional Faculty
Our program’s faculty members are researchers and experts in a range of occupational therapy disciplines. Their expansive knowledge, collective experience in all clinical settings, and willingness to serve as mentors helps guide our students as they advance through the program and start their careers.
Additional Resources
Accredited OTD Program
The UNLV Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA®). ACOTE® is the accrediting agency for occupational therapy education and oversees the accreditation process for all new occupational therapy programs.
Phone: 301-652-6611 x2042
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814.
Contact
Prospective Students
Donnamarie Krause, Ph.D., OTR/L
Occupational Therapy Program Director
otd.admissions@unlv.edu
Potential Fieldwork Educators
Christina Bustanoby, OTD, OTR/L
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
christina.bustanoby@unlv.edu
Licensure Exam and State of Nevada Licensure Requirements Disclosure
After successfully completing the occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) program, students become eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy examination (NBCOT®). Graduating students must take and pass the NBCOT® to become a licensed occupational therapist. In addition to taking and passing the NBCOT exam, graduating students must apply for licensure to practice as an occupational therapist in each U.S. state or territory where they will work.
The UNLV OTD Program encourages all prospective and current students to fully explore the licensure requirements in each state(s) where they wish to practice in the future. For more details regarding state licensure, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association website. The AOTA website provides students and current licensees with contact information for the respective occupational therapy licensing boards for all U.S. states and U.S. territories, as well as useful tools to determine state by state licensing requirements.
- Nevada Occupational Therapy Licensure - Educational Requirements
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program at UNLV has determined that the UNLV occupational therapy doctorate program meets the educational requirements for state licensure in Nevada as outlined in NRS 640A and NAC 64OA. - Nevada Occupational Therapy Licensure - Non-Educational Requirements
Non-Educational requirements, as outlined in NRS 640A and NAC 640A (as of July 2020), include the following: Must pass NBCOT exam; must provide an official transcript from an accredited occupational therapy program; must take and pass The Nevada Occupational Therapy Jurisprudence Examination; must submit an application and pay a fee; and, be a citizen of the U.S. or otherwise have a legal right to work in the U.S.
Those planning to apply for a license to practice occupational therapy in Nevada are encouraged to review the relevant Nevada statues and regulations regarding the practice of occupational therapy. Contact the Nevada Board of Occupational Therapy.