Marquette to offer Wisconsin's first entry-level Clinical Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree program

July 30, 2019

Enrollment now open for the OTD program at Marquette University

Lani StockwellMILWAUKEE — Marquette University today announced it is accepting applications for a new Clinical Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree program in the College of Health Sciences. The program is the first entry-level, clinical doctoral occupational therapy program the state of Wisconsin and will accept 35 to 40 students for its first class.

The inaugural class will begin in Fall 2020 and will graduate in 2023.

The Marquette OTD is a three-year professional course of study focused on occupational therapy theory, research and practice. The program will benefit from interprofessional teaching and learning opportunities with other health disciplines, as well as on-campus clinical education in the new Neuro Recovery Clinic, the Marquette Physical Therapy Clinic and the Speech and Hearing Clinic.

“The role of occupational therapists is expanding. Future occupational therapy practice needs leaders who can create and lead system change, engage in research to support the science of occupation and influence policy development,” said Dr. Lani R. Stockwell, chair of the Occupational Therapy Department in the College of Health Sciences at Marquette. “Marquette will meet this call by providing academic preparation at the doctoral level. Our graduates will be at the forefront of the profession, where currently just 12 percent of occupational therapy students are doctorally trained.”

“The program in occupational therapy joins our highly ranked clinical programs in physical therapy and speech pathology and audiology, positioning Marquette and the College of Health Sciences as an academic leader in these important health fields,” said Dr. William E. Cullinan, dean of the College of Health Sciences at Marquette. “We look forward to the opportunities for interprofessional education that will be available to our students with the addition of this new professional degree program.”

Marquette is now accepting applications to the Clinical Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program. More information on the admissions process and the application are available online.

About Jesse Lee

Jesse Lee

Jesse is a senior communication specialist for the College of Health Sciences in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Jesse at (414) 288-4984 or jesse.lee@marquette.edu.