Occupational Therapy: ��, Greater Cincinnati Region

Accreditation

THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROGRAM IS ACCREDITED BY THE ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EDUCATION (ACOTE) OF THE AMERICAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION (AOTA), LOCATED AT 7501 WISCONSIN AVENUE, SUITE 510E, BETHESDA, MD 20814. ACOTE’S TELEPHONE NUMBER IS (301) 652-6611, AND ITS WEB ADDRESS IS .

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status 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. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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). In addition, 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.

Admissions

Application Process

Application can be made to the program before completing all the requirements to begin classes. Please review the information below. Any admissions questions can be sent to andersont13@nku.eduJanuary

January 2026 Start Date

Apply Now for January 2026! Applicants who have a minimum of 5 completed prerequisite courses, 3 references, and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher can submit their application immediately through the Occupational Therapy Central Application System (OTCAS). Qualified applicants will be invited to an interview with OT faculty. Applicants who pass the interview will be invited to join the January 2026 cohort until the maximum number of students has been reached. Applications will remain open once the cohort is full and successful applicants will be placed on a wait list.

Submit Your Application

To be considered for the program, please submit your application for the Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program through OTCAS at https://otcas.liaisoncas.com/

* Please note OTCAS temporarily closes the application system in June/July each year. Applications will be accepted July to December 2025 for the January 2026 start date.

Requirements to Begin Classes

Minimum requirements to begin classes in the �� OTD program:

1. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Note: provisional admissions may be granted to applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA with approval of the OT Faculty.

2. Completion of 20 hours of observing occupational therapists in a variety of settings. Please click here for an OT observation record form template.

3. Submission of an application through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Admission System.

4. 4. A successful interview with �� OTD faculty.

5. Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C and no more than two attempts in each prerequisite course.

Human Anatomy and Physiology with Labs (BIO 208 & 209)
Advanced College Writing (ENG 102)
General Physics with Lab (PHY 211)
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 100)
Introduction to Sociology (SOC 100)
Lifespan Development Psychology (PSY 321)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 333)
Introduction to Statistics Methods (STA 205 or equivalent)
Medical Terminology (BIO 272)

6. Admission into the program

Submitting Additional Documents (Provisionally Admitted Students)

Applicants who need to submit additional documents as outlined in their “provisional admissions” letter should email the documents to graduate@nku.edu

Advantages of Attending �� Occupational Therapy Program

�� OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY students will experience a highly respected evidenced-based education in the engaging Health Innovations Simulation Center. The �� Center for Simulation Education utilizes advanced technology and thoughtfully designed spaces to create a safe learning environment where students can practice real-life healthcare situations. The center features eight inpatient simulation rooms including an operating room, and a multi-bed critical care room. In addition, the center has a simulated home health environment and eight outpatient examination rooms. The simulation spaces allow for a learner-centered education with endless exploration and is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. ��’s Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy offers a business focused framework delivered by experts in the field, along with simulated experiences integrated into evidenced based coursework based on current areas of practice.

��’s beautiful rural campus is just 7 miles from downtown Cincinnati. The student rec center has over 17,000 SF of state-of-the-art cardo, weight and circuit training equipment, a 1/9-mile track, Olympic size aquatic center, and hundreds of regularly scheduled exercise classes. Students can visit Starbucks for a latte or fuel up in many eateries available in the student union, and stroll through the beautifully landscaped campus or partake in many leisure and social opportunities. The energetic Norse campus offers endless opportunities to get involved, build lasting skills, and establish lifelong relationships.

��’s OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY faculty focus on being culturally responsive and understand the need for diversity in education. Instructors take the time to know each student’s name and explore individual learning styles. Students experience a one-one education yet benefit from the full university experience among a highly established regional institution.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING INFORMATION

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 GRADUATE WILL BE AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, REGISTERED (OTR). IN ADDITION, ALL STATES REQUIRE LICENSURE TO PRACTICE; HOWEVER, STATE LICENSES ARE USUALLY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE NBCOT CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION. A FELONY CONVICTION MAY AFFECT A GRADUATE’S ABILITY TO SIT FOR THE NBCOT CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION OR ATTAIN STATE LICENSURE.

cost to attend

Tuition and Fees

Curriculum

The Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) curriculum integrates foundational knowledge, basic theoretical constructs and perspectives, and technical skills development for implementing the Occupational Therapy Process with a focus on systems and settings that represent contemporary and emerging Occupational Therapy practice. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to become evidence-based practitioners in the Evaluation, Intervention, and Outcomes stages of the Occupational Therapy Process for individuals, families, organizations, and communities across geographic locations and cultural settings. The location of services can include schools, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, homes, communities, and workplaces.

Aligned with the College of Health and Human Services’ emphasis on interprofessional education students in the Occupational Therapy program will participate in collaborative interactions and simulation experiences that allow them to support and encourage the contributions of other team member in optimizing client outcomes. The integration of basic foundational knowledge with interprofessional simulated client experiences allows for deeper integration of knowledge and better preparation for clinical experiences.

Curricular Threads and Program Outcomes

1) Excellence in Occupation-centered Practice:

�� OTD students will achieve entry-level competency in occupation-based and evidence-based occupational therapy practice.
�� OTD students will achieve beyond entry-level competency in an identified area as evidenced by completion and dissemination of a doctoral capstone project and experience.
�� OTD students will engage in occupation-focused scholarship as evidenced by engagement in the research process culminating in a scholarly dissemination.

2) Collaborative Engagement

�� OTD students will actively engage with:

The occupational therapy curriculum to enhance content synthesis and skill
development.
Various community members to enhance occupational engagement and life participation.
Peers, occupational therapy professionals, and other professionals to develop collaboration and client-centered skills to enhance occupational engagement and life participation.

3) Professionalism:

�� OTD graduates will demonstrate appropriate
professionalism, collegiality, integrity, and leadership in all professional
interactions.

OTD Course Sequence

The majority of the �� OTD courses are a face to face or hybrid format. Three summer courses will be in an online format. Please click here for the sequence of courses.

Faculty

Terrance Anderson, OTD, MS, OTR/L

Dr. Anderson is the Inaugural Program Director for the Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at ��. A pediatric occupational therapist by training, he has expertise and experience in new occupational therapy program design and implementation in both academic and clinical settings. He designed and launched a post high school occupational therapy program for 18- to 21-year-old individuals transitioning from a special education high school to various adult living and working situations, a private practice social skills enhancement program for 9- to 15-year-olds, a diversity and inclusion cultural immersion service-oriented learning experience in Guatemala for American occupational therapy students, and an Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Degree program in Ohio. He has visited over 20 countries and all 50 US states and enjoys discovering places off the beaten path. For professional inquiries, please contact him at: andersont13@nku.edu

Nicole Atkins, OTD, OTR/L

Dr. Nicole Atkins is the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator for the Inaugural Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. Nicole obtained her bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy from the University of Toledo and her doctorate of occupational therapy at Kettering College. Nicole has 3 years of experience as a recreational therapist working in psychiatric adult care and 4 years of experience as an occupational therapist in pediatric care. Nicole also serves as a trusted board member for the Miracle League of Greater Dayton and is a member of the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association. Nicole is a licensed provider in Ohio and Kentucky. For professional inquiries, please contact her at: atkinsn2@nku.edu

Angela Boyd, OTD, MOTR/L

Dr. Angela Boyd is the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the Inaugural Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. With experience as an adjunct and associate professor at regional institutions, she has taught physical dysfunction, gerontology and developed pediatric lab simulations. She is the chair of the Northern District Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association and has 24 years of clinical experience in gerontology, pediatrics, outpatient and clinical management positions. Certifications include Stepping On fall prevention and AOTA Carfit training programs. She serves on the Cincinnati State Advisory Board for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. Her interest involves skiing, running and golf. She has been married for nearly 25 years and has three children, two in college and one in high school. For professional inquiries, please contact her at: boyda9@nku.edu

Rachelle Janning, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CAPS, CBIS

Dr. Rachelle Janning is an Assistant Professor in the Inaugural Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program where she teaches neuroscience and neuro intervention courses. She has over 25 years of clinical experience working with individuals with neurological conditions in multiple practice settings across the United States and is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS). Rachelle earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and a master's degree in allied health sciences from the Ohio State University. She also holds a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy with an emphasis in Neuroscience from Thomas Jefferson University. Rachelle is one of the founding clinicians of the NeuroRehab and Balance Center (NRBC), which is part of Kettering Health. She is a certified aging-in-place specialist and has completed a neurodevelopmental certification through the Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association (NDTA). Rachelle began teaching in 2015 at Kettering College in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) Program where she taught coursework related to adult neurological conditions and assistive technology. Her professional and research interests include neurorehabilitation after traumatic brain injury, unilateral spatial neglect after stroke, and bridging the research practice gap through utilizing knowledge translation theory and implementation science principles. Rachelle has presented at local, state, and national conferences on evidence-based neurorehabilitation for individuals diagnosed with acquired and traumatic brain injury. She is currently involved in a research study with the University of Dayton Brain Health Collaboratory that focuses on identifying barriers and facilitators related to concussion recovery for college-aged students. Outside of her professional life, Rachelle enjoys running, hiking, kayaking, and spending quality time with her husband and two children. For professional inquiries, please contact her at: janningr2@nku.edu

Mark Kirby OTR/L

Mark Kirby is an adjunct professor of intervention, lab, and evidence-based practice courses for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. He earned his Bachelor in General Studies from Indiana University Southeast and his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Spalding University. Mark’s 5 years of experience as an occupational therapist have been in acute care, where he has served patients in orthopedics, the ICU, stroke, and post op early mobility. He enjoys supervising occupational therapy fieldwork students and collaborating with all members of the patient care team. Mark grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and is licensed in Kentucky and Ohio. Prior to becoming an occupational therapist, Professor Kirby worked in business analytics. In his free time, Mark spends time with his wife, family, friends, and his cat and dog. He enjoys going to concerts, sporting events, golfing, baking, theatre, and festivals. For professional inquiries, please contact him at: kirbym4@nku.edu

Sara Kraus, OTD, MOTR/L

Dr. Sara Kraus is an adjunct professor for intervention and lab courses within the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. Sara obtained her bachelor's and master’s degree in health sciences and occupational therapy from The University of Findlay and her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Shawnee State University. Sara has fifteen years of experience as an occupational therapist in the Homecare setting. She has also worked in settings such as skilled nursing care and inpatient rehab with the adult and geriatric population. Sara has served as a professional mentor to occupational therapy students. She has certifications in group fitness and Pilates. She is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Beyond her academic and research pursuits, Sara enjoys spending time with family and friends, maintaining an active lifestyle through weight training, yoga, cycling and being outdoors. Sara is married with three children who keep her busy attending their numerous sporting events and extracurricular activities. For professional inquiries, please contact her at: Krauss3@nku.edu

Collin M. Nissen OTD, OTR/L, CPST

Dr. Collin Nissen is the adjunct professor for intervention and lab courses within the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. Collin obtained his bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Bowling Green State University and his Doctor of Occupational Therapy from the University of Toledo. Collin has four years of experience as an occupational therapist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center across a variety of settings such as acute care, inpatient psychiatry, and outpatient. Collin is currently working on the Neurobehavioral Unit at Cincinnati Children's which specializes in psychiatric care for patients with autism and developmental disabilities. Collin received his Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST) certification to provide education, conduct evaluations and complete installations on car seats and car harnesses for the population he serves. He is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). His interests include: Orangetheory, running, reading, hiking, spending time with friends, and watching Netflix/Hulu. For professional inquiries, please contact him at: nissenc1@nku.edu.

Laryn Knudson, PhD, OTD, OTR/L

Dr. Laryn Knudson is an assistant professor for the entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. In December 2023, she successfully earned her PhD in Health Sciences. Her research areas include occupational therapy education, assistive technology, and home safety. Laryn has presented her research at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Occupational Therapy Summit of Scholars, OT Education Summit, and the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). She holds a doctoral degree in occupational therapy from Huntington University and a bachelor's degree from the Ohio State University. She is also an editorial fellow for the Occupational Therapy Journal of Research. Laryn has practiced as a registered and licensed occupational therapist for three years, both full-time and part-time, in skilled nursing and home health practice settings. Beyond her academic and research pursuits, Laryn enjoys spending time with family and friends, maintaining an active lifestyle, and frequenting local coffee shops. For professional inquiries, please contact her at: odonnelll2@nku.edu

Fieldwork Educator Resources

�� Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Education Manual

�� Occupational Therapy Weekly Communication Tool For Student Success

Ozelie, R., Janow, J., Kreutz, C., Mulry, M. K., & Penkala, A. (2015). Supervision of occupational therapy level II fieldwork students: Impact on and predictors of clinician productivity. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(1), 6901260010p1-6901260010p7.

Golos, A., & Tekuzener, E. (2021). Student and supervisor perspectives on the effectiveness of community-based placements for occupational therapy students. BMC medical education, 21, 1-11.

Thomas, Y., Dickson, D., Broadbridge, J., Hopper, L., Hawkins, R., Edwards, A., & McBryde, C. (2007). Benefits and challenges of supervising occupational therapy fieldwork students: Supervisors’ perspectives. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 54, S2-S12.

Graduate Assistantships and Scholarships

Information Sessions

Join us in person or via zoom for an information session when we describe the �� Occupational Therapy Program and answer potential students' questions.

March 2025

3/11: 2 pm In-person or via Zoom (Boyd)

3/24: 3 pm In-person (Knudson)

3/24: 4 pm Zoom (Boyd)3/28: 10 am Zoom (Boyd)

April 2025

4/10: 12 pm In-person (Atkins)

4/14: 3 pm In-person (Knudson)

May 2025

5/28: 4 pm In-person (Anderson)

June 2025

6/23: 5 pm Zoom (Anderson)

July 2025

7/3: 1 pm In-person (Atkins)

September 2025

9/8: 3 pm In-person (Knudson)

October 2025

10/7: 5pm In-person (Anderson)

November 2025

11/4: 3 pm Zoom (Atkins)

For direction to the in-person sessions, the zoom link, or to schedule a one-on-one session with a faculty, please send a request to Dr. Terrance Anderson at andersont13@nku.edu

Mission and Vision

MISSION

Consistent with the mission and values of ��, and the College of Health and Human Services the faculty and staff of the Occupational Therapy Program promote an innovative environment to facilitate excellence in academics, entry-level occupation-based practice, collaborative engagement, professionalism, and leadership within a global context to promote health through occupational engagement.

VISION

To cultivate innovative occupational therapy professionals who promote occupation based health and wellness and foster dedication to inclusion, scholarship, collegiality, and service in order to improve quality of life across the lifespan.

Occupational Therapy as a Career

A Career as an Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a holistic profession that assists clients in functioning in life through focuses on remediating daily living tasks with creative and functional methods. Occupations are not just careers or one’s current job status, rather occupations refer to those everyday tasks that are deemed important for one’s quality of life such as: dressing, bathing, driving, playing, eating, and related demands of functional mobility (balance, strength, range of motion). The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has extensive information supporting the impact of OT in the community .

A career in Occupational Therapy (OT) can take you many exciting places but more importantly, enable you to become a change maker of functional independence for the clients you serve. OTs work in the school system, outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing rehabilitation clinics, the community, and many other emerging practice areas. U.S. News and World Report, January 2021, shows OT in the Top 10 of The Best Top Health Care Jobs 2021 supporting it as a vibrant healthcare profession. Refer to .

Advantages of an Entry-level OTD

Entry-level doctoral graduates are positioned to pursue more unique positions due to their advanced education. In some institutions, the acquisition of an advanced doctorate degree, may qualify an individual for an increase in salary.
Professionals with advanced degrees may be more desirable with the demands of a rapidly changing healthcare workforce, including positions of leadership.
Abundant career opportunities in research, academia, policymaking, and advocacy.

_Reference:

_{The American Occupational Therapy Association. (2015). Frequently Asked Questions About the Entry-Level Master’s and Doctoral Degrees for Occupational Therapists. Retrieved from .}

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status 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. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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). In addition, 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.

Pre-OT Pathways at ��

Any bachelor’s degree offered at �� meets the degree requirement for applying to the �� Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program (OTD). All �� OTD prerequisite courses must be completed even if they are not required for the undergraduate major. The links below provide the example degree programs with OTD prerequisites included for several common PreOT pathways at ��. To find out more about Four-Year Plans, visit the page.

For students who have an earned associate degree in a health discipline

Health Science - Transdisciplinary Track (79 – 83 credits)

For students entering college or transferring to ��

Biology BA or BS
Exercise Science BS
Neuroscience BS
Organizational Leadership BA
Psychology BA or BS
Sociology BS

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status 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. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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). In addition, 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.

Program Requirements

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

Please click here for the technology resources required for students enrolled in the program.

RETENTION REQUIREMENTS

Students enrolled will need to maintain the following in order to continue in the program:

Maintain an overall 3.0 GPA
Completion of all coursework with a B- or higher
No more than one repeated OTD course
Comply with AOTA Code of Ethics and �� Policies and Procedures

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students enrolled will need to complete the following in order to graduate from the program:

Completion of all coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Completion of all coursework with a B- or higher
Completion of the OTD capstone experience and project

Student Outcomes

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Dr. Terrance Anderson

Program Director for Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program

(859) 572-6933

Andersont13@nku.edu

��

College of Health and Human Services

Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program

Terrance Anderson, OTD, MS, OTR/L

Nicole Atkins, OTD, OTR/L

Angela Boyd, OTD, MOTR/L

Rachelle Janning, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CAPS, CBIS

Mark Kirby OTR/L

Sara Kraus, OTD, MOTR/L

Collin M. Nissen OTD, OTR/L, CPST

Laryn Knudson, PhD, OTD, OTR/L

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

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College of Health and Human Services

Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program

Terrance Anderson, OTD, MS, OTR/L

Nicole Atkins, OTD, OTR/L

Angela Boyd, OTD, MOTR/L

Rachelle Janning, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CAPS, CBIS

Mark Kirby OTR/L

Sara Kraus, OTD, MOTR/L

Collin M. Nissen OTD, OTR/L, CPST

Laryn Knudson, PhD, OTD, OTR/L

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

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