The Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PPOTD) is for occupational therapists who already have a master's degree. In the online Post-Professional Doctoral program, you'll prepare to fulfill leadership roles that will make an impact on individuals and groups in such areas as health, functioning, wellness, and quality of life.

Program Outcomes

As a student in the PPOTD, you'll build your skills in leadership and evidence-based assessment in your area of practice specialization. You will develop critical thinking to address advanced practice, policy, and professional issues. In addition, you'll work on communicating, interpreting, and disseminating the results of your learning and research to both internal and external audiences. Under the advisement of faculty sponsors, you'll plan and develop a comprehensive leadership project in an area of specialty that can be either community or clinically based.

Application Requirements

Application Fee
Resume/CV
Personal Statement: Guidelines for Personal Statement (limit 3 pages double-spaced): What are your plans for graduate study as related to your future career as a leader in occupational therapy? Please address your specialty focus.
- The Leadership Project is an important part of the OTD program. Please indicate your current ideas about your project.
- In what ways do your academic background and recent professional experience point to your potential for success as a doctoral student and as a leader in occupational therapy? Please give specific examples of relevant coursework and/or experience.
- Is there any further information we should consider in assessing your candidacy?
GRE General Test scores are not required for applicants who have a degree from an accredited U.S. institution by time of enrollment. GRE scores are required for applicants who received a degree from an institution outside of the U.S.
Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test, if applicable
Transcripts
Two Letters of Recommendation
Certificate of Hepatitis B Vaccination upon enrollment

Note: Applicants to the post-professional and certificate programs apply through Tufts' application.

Please contact Jill Rocca, Occupational Therapy Admissions Coordinator, if you have any questions about the application process.

Prerequisites

One course in Introductory Statistics and one course in graduate-level Research Methods. The prerequisite course must be passed with a grade of B- or better and taken at an accredited college.
Note: NBCOT credentialing before entry in the OTD is strongly recommended. Those not credentialed in occupational therapy at entry will be given provisional acceptance into the OTD Program and NBCOT credentialing must be achieved by the end of the first semester of the program. It is expected that all applicants are licensed or eligible for licensing in the United States.

Tuition & Fees

GSAS bills tuition using a per-credit billing model, meaning you are billed for the number of credits you take each semester. This billing model is used to provide students better flexibility so they may "pay-as-they-go".

Tuition*	$1,270 per credit
Total Credits Required	30

Estimating Tuition Costs for this Program

This example pathway outlines estimated tuition costs per semester using a typical full-time course load. This is one possible pathway to completion; actual credits, costs, and degree completion time may vary based on a student’s course load.

Part-Time Pathway	Fall	Spring	Total
Year 1	15 credits	15 credits	30 credits
Year 1	$19,050	$19,050	$38,100
Estimated Total Tuition*			$38,100*

Note: this example does not account for any scholarships that may be awarded at the time of admission. GSAS offers generous merit- and need-based tuition scholarships for qualified applicants. A list of funding opportunities is provided below.

*Estimated based on 2025-2026 tuition rates. Rates are subject to change each academic year. For further information about the full cost of attendance, including health insurance, fees, and estimated indirect costs (housing, transportation, etc.), visit Student Financial Services.

Financial Aid & Funding Opportunities

At Tufts University, we believe that every qualified applicant should have the opportunity to pursue graduate study, regardless of financial circumstances. We are committed to helping you navigate the financial aspects of your education and strive to make graduate school accessible through a variety of support options.

Scholarships and Awards Available for this Program

Merit- and need-based tuition scholarships for master’s programs: To be considered, be sure to indicate your interest within the Financial Aid section of your application.
The Bekenstein Family Endowment Scholarship Award is given to occupational therapy students who have demonstrated a trajectory for leadership in the profession of occupational therapy, strong academic standing, and financial need.
City Year Corps members, alumni, and staff are eligible to receive a minimum scholarship award of 25% off tuition.

Work Opportunities and Awards

There are various graduate assistantships and work opportunities available for Graduate students across Tufts.
The Graduate Student Open Access Publishing Fund provides financial support to students who want to publish their work open access.
The Graduate Student Research Competition provides funding for expenses including equipment, materials, and supplies; research participant compensation; and expenses of travel to conduct research.
The Graduate Student Conference Reimbursement Fund is available for students to travel to present or attend at a conference or professional meeting.

Visit our Graduate Financial Aid page for information on loans and financing options.