Occupational Therapy Program
Mission
The UNLV Occupational Therapy program provides graduates with the knowledge and skills required to become competent entry-level occupational therapists. This includes the ability to provide services as a direct care provider, consultant, educator, manager, leader, researcher, and advocate for the profession and the consumer. The program provides an evidence-based and sequenced curriculum that enables students to successfully achieve the competencies required for entry-level practice.
Vision
The UNLV Occupational Therapy program's vision is to provide outstanding student-centered occupational therapy education through an innovative curriculum and to be recognized nationally as a leading occupational therapy academic program for its’ contributions to research, education, and service.
Accredited OTD Program
The UNLV Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA®). ACOTE® is the accrediting agency for occupational therapy education and oversees the accreditation process for all new occupational therapy programs.
UNLV Academic Program Accreditation Information
For ACOTE® accreditation information, contact:
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®)
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, Maryland 20852-4929
Phone: 301-652-6611 x2042
Website
If you need to contact the program/institution directly call 702-895-1811 or email otd.admissions@unlv.edu.
A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification examination or to attain state licensure as an Occupational Therapist.
Exam Pass Rate
Find Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Database.
*Note: UNLV will not have data until 2024.
Program Outcomes
| Graduation Year | Students Entering / Graduating | Graduation Rate | Number of Students passing NBCOT Exam Certification Within 1 Year | NBCOT Exam Certification Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 34/36 | 95% | 32/34 | 94%* |
| 2024 | 31/31 | - | - | - |
| 2025 | 22/19 | - | - | - |
| 2026 | 31/32 | - | - | - |
**Two graduated students have yet to take the NBCOT exam
Degree Offerings
The UNLV Occupational Therapy Program is housed within the School of Integrated Health Sciences under the Department of Brain Health. Two Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degrees are offered within the program.
Occupational Therapy Doctorate (Entry-Level)
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program immerses students in an intensive 120 credit hour curriculum designed for entry-level competence. The curriculum includes coursework, clinical fieldwork, and a doctoral capstone project. The program admits 36 students each summer and spans three consecutive semesters (summer, fall, spring) for each of three years. Students will be eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational therapy (NBCOT®) exam after they successfully complete all program requirements, and the program receives full accreditation status. The UNLV Entry-Level OTD Program was granted accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) in 2022.
For general program information, please email occupational.therapy@unlv.edu.
For admissions/recruitment information, please email otd.admissions@unlv.edu.
Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PP-OTD)
The Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PP-OTD) is a fully online program for currently licensed occupational therapists seeking to advance their careers. The 36-credit program admits up to 15 students each summer and spans six consecutive semesters over two years. Students enrolled in this program develop their specialty knowledge through advanced coursework and a culminating capstone project in their area of interest. A Master’s Degree in any field is required prior to the start of the program.
Observation Hours
Applicants have the opportunity to complete the virtual ClinEdWeb Intro to OT: 20 Observation Hours module and submit the Certificate of Completion as part their application. Completing this module will meet the observation/volunteer hour application requirement.
HSC 103: Introduction to Occupational Therapy is an online course offered in the Summer II, Fall, and Spring semesters for students interested in occupational therapy. For more information, please visit the UNLV Undergraduate Catalog and UNLV Admissions.
Tuition and Fees
- UNLV Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate Cost Estimate (2022-2025)
- Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Cost Estimate (2022-2025)
*Tuition, fees, and other charges subject to change. Please contact the UNLV Cashier’s Office for more information.
Disability Resource Center
Accepted students who have a documented disability and require accommodations should contact the UNLV Disability Resource Center.
Additional Resources
Interested in the program?
For additional admissions information, contact:
Dr. Donnamarie Krause, PhD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapy Program Director
otd.admissions@unlv.edu
Interested in becoming a Fieldwork Educator?
For more information, contact:
Dr. Christina Bustanoby
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
christina.bustanoby@unlv.edu
