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Washington Square Arch in the spring

Student Experience

Entry-Level OTD

OTD, Professional Program
Patricia Gentile

As an OT student at NYU, you will get more than a degree—you will graduate with a solid foundation for a transformative and impactful career that changes lives.

Our program is fundamentally committed to the NYU OT mission: developing outstanding, ethical practitioners, leaders, and scholars who are prepared to respond to society's ever-changing needs. 

At NYU we are dedicated to providing a supportive, high-caliber academic environment that shapes the future of our field. We are looking forward to having you join us, and take the crucial step toward becoming a leader in client-centered care and professional innovation

— Patricia A. Gentile, Program Director & Clinical Assistant Professor

 

Day in the Life

In this video, Andie Ratilla goes behind the scenes of her day as a first-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy student. Her morning starts with a commute from Queens, grabbing coffee, and jumping into classes on Research Methods and Kinesiology, where she’s learning about hip movement and how to assess patients. After a quick pizza break, Andie spends her afternoon in lab testing hand muscles with a goniometer, followed by a workout at the campus gym to wrap up the day.

Cohort At A Glance

Maggie Elliott

This program taught me the value of listening, adapting, and empowering clients to reach their fullest potential.

Maggie Elliott, 2nd Year Student

 

"This program has helped me grow, build connections with peers, and introduced me to new perspectives in the OT lens." —Anna B.
Tess Vincent

The EL-OTD is preparing me to be a resilient advocate and create meaningful, lasting impacts on the lives of others.

Tess Vincent, 2nd Year

"The classes and fieldwork experiences have given me new skills, confidence, and a strong sense of purpose in the field." — Sofia V.
Andie Ratilla

Through my Capstone project, I'm seeing firsthand how OT impacts diverse communities and the meaningful difference it makes in people's lives.

Andie Ratilla, 2nd Year

"My experience in the program so far has challenged me to grow personally and clinically to think critically while finding my unique OT perspective." — Rachel K.

Program Highlights

Exceptional Faculty

Occupational Therapy faculty are accomplished experts, scholars and thought leaders. They bring a wealth of clinical and scholarly experience directly into the classroom. You’ll benefit from close mentorship and personalized guidance from faculty committed to both student success and advancing the profession.

Comprehensive Fieldwork

Theory comes to life through our extensive fieldwork component. We provide diverse and rigorous clinical placements that allow you to apply evidence-based knowledge in real-world settings. This essential experience ensures you develop the adaptability and professional judgment necessary to excel across varied healthcare environments.

The Capstone Experience

The program culminates in an innovative and focused Capstone experience. This project allows you to delve deeply into a specialized area of practice or an emerging professional issue, giving you the opportunity to develop advanced skills in leadership, program planning, and advocacy. Your Capstone is the final step in preparing you to become a leader and change-agent in occupational therapy.

Global Electives

Reflecting the global nature of society's needs, we offer global elective courses designed to broaden your perspective on international models of care. These courses prepare you to engage effectively with diverse populations and healthcare systems worldwide.