OTA/PTA to OTD Bridge

The OTA/PTA to OTD Bridge Program is tailored for certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) who are looking to advance their education and careers by earning a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Designed with working professionals in mind, the program offers a flexible online learning format, complemented by on-site experiential learning days scheduled throughout each semester. The entry-level doctoral degree in Occupational therapy (OTD), provides students with the highest level of preparation in the area of leadership, research, and advocacy in the field of occupational therapy.

Our goal is to provide a Christian learning environment where compassionate care is part of serving the health and wellness needs of others. Our graduates enter the workforce equipped with advanced knowledge and hands-on experience across the full spectrum of the occupational therapy profession.

The Bridge Program offers a dynamic, three-phase journey designed to prepare future OTD professionals for success:

1. Academic Foundation (24 months / 6 semesters): Begin your journey with a flexible, yet structured academic experience. The coursework is delivered asynchronously, allowing you to study on your own schedule while meeting weekly deadlines set by your instructors. Recorded lectures and course materials are available for you to access anytime, giving you the freedom to learn at your convenience without sacrificing academic rigor.
    
2. Fieldwork Experience (2 semesters): Apply your learning in real-world settings with supervised fieldwork placements, gaining practical experience and professional confidence.
    
3. Capstone Semester: In your final term, you'll design and complete a capstone project that showcases your expertise, innovation, and readiness to lead in the field.

Every academic semester includes three immersive, in-person learning sessions held on campus. These sessions span two full days—Friday and Saturday—and are designed to provide hands-on experiences that enrich your understanding and application of course content. Attendance is required, and to support your planning, we provide an annual calendar outlining all scheduled in-person dates so you can coordinate with your work and family commitments in advance.

Our current students recommend maintaining a work schedule of 20–30 hours per week to successfully manage the academic demands of the program. While some students do work full-time, those juggling a 40-hour workweek alongside their academic responsibilities often find it challenging. We encourage you to consider a schedule that allows you to stay engaged, focused, and successful throughout your journey. 

During your fieldwork and capstone semester, you'll be assigned a full-time placement—typically 40 hours per week during standard business hours. This immersive experience is a critical part of your professional development. To ensure success, students are advised to limit outside work commitments during this time, as your site schedule will require your full attention and availability.

Effective August 1st, 2025, tuition per credit hour is $932 (106 total hours) and a three-year program completion plan with fees can be viewed here.

Student and Program Outcomes (A.4.2)
 

Our OTD Bridge program is currently in its first year of existence. All program data results will be available after the completion of our first cohort at the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) by visiting this link. For reference, Huntington University, Peoria program results can be found by selecting Arizona > OT Doctoral-Level Programs > Year

ACOTE Accreditation Status (A.4.3)

Huntington University’s Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program in Arizona is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

ACOTE Location: 
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E 
Bethesda, MD 20814.

Phone number, c/o AOTA:
(301) 652-AOTA

Website:
www.acoteonline.org.

Email: 
accred@aota.org

Policies:
acoteonline.org/accreditation-explained/policies/

Huntington University’s Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program in Arizona is located at:

Huntington University Arizona:
8385 W Mariners Way
Peoria, AZ 85382

Policies and Procedures (A.4.4)

Huntington University’s Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program in Arizona has the following policies and procedures documented in accordance with section A.4.4 of ACOTE Accreditation:

• Policy and procedures for processing and maintaining student grievances and other complaints against the program: OTD Arizona Academic Catalog, pages 13-14

• Student withdrawal and refunds of tuition and fees: OTD Arizona Academic Catalog, page 17
   
• Student probation, suspension, and dismissal: OTD Arizona Academic Catalog, page 12
   
• Appropriate use of equipment and supplies and for all educational activities that have implications for the health and safety of clients, students, and faculty (including infection control and evacuation procedures): Manuals and safety information available onsite.
• Graduation requirements: 
  The OTD Bridge program requires the completion of 106 credit hours in a sequenced three-year sequence. For the first two years, the course loads range between 40-47 hours. The final year involves 24 hours total for fieldwork and capstone requirements and a three-hour online course. (OTD Arizona Academic Catalog, page 11)
   
• Total cost of attendance: 
  Tuition per credit hour is $946 (106 total hours) and a three-year program completion plan with fees can be viewed here.

Progression, retention, graduation, certification, and credentialing requirements (A.4.5)

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.

All candidates for admission must have:

• Graduate with an associates degree as an occupational or physical therapy assistant
• Initial certification as an occupational therapy assistant or successful completion of the National Physical Therapy Examination or a state-specific exam for physical therapy assistants
• One year of experience as an occupational therapy assistant or physical therapy assistant
• Completion of 90 undergraduate credits or a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate
• Attainment of a grade of B- or higher in all prerequisite courses listed below which may be met from the OTA or PTA associates degree programs. 
   

  • Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, 4 credits

  • Anatomy and Physiology II with lab, 4 credits

  • Lab Science (Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry), 3 credits

  • General Psychology, 3 credits

  • Abnormal Psychology, 3 credits

  • Social Science, 3 credits

  • Statistics or Research, 3 credits

  • Medical Terminology, 1 credit