Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Career Pathways

What Is Occupational Therapy? physical therapist working with patients hand in a soft cast

Occupational therapists help individuals, groups, and communities develop and maintain the ability to perform everyday activities (occupations) central to health, identity, and well-being. From children with learning disabilities to adults recovering from an accident to older generations facing the struggles of aging, occupational therapy empowers people to reclaim their sense of freedom and individuality through the meaningful activities of life and living.

Why become an Occupational Therapist?

  • Enter a rapidly growing field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupational therapy field is expected to grow 11% by 2033.
  • Pursue a wide range of specialties—such as aquatic therapeutic exercises, mental health, physical rehabilitation, environmental modification, low vision, pediatrics, and feeding, eating, and swallowing—to work with specific populations.
  • Work with a diverse group of individuals in a variety of career settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and schools.
  • Help patients reclaim their sense of freedom and individuality.
  • Spend quality time with patients and improve their well-being in all areas.

Occupational Therapy Career Outlook

As a graduate, you will be well-prepared to work in the following job settings:

  • Hospitals 
  • Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists 
  • School systems 
  • Nursing care facilities 
  • Outpatient clinics 
  • Home healthcare services 
  • Mental health facilities
  • Community-based organizations

Career Outcomes

The University of Western States prepares you to make an impact in a variety of high-demand careers. Below, you will find possible career options and salaries associated with this degree.

Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this degree program*. The University of Western States is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.


*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions counselor.

Why choose UWS?

University of Western States has been at the forefront of whole person health since 1904. This foundation informs the approach of our Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Choosing UWS for your occupational therapy doctorate training offers opportunities to learn from and work alongside leading professionals in the field.

  • Students learn to evaluate the patient as a whole person—examining their lived experience, including medical history, socioeconomic status, and personal goals, to design personalized intervention plans that are unique to each individual they care for
  • The UWS OTD program promotes physical, mental, and emotional wellness that supports work/school/life balance
  • Labs for the OT program include:
    • Activities of Daily Living (ADL) lab with kitchen, bedroom, living room, bathroom, and dining room
    • Pediatric lab with climbing wall and swings
    • Musculoskeletal and neuromuscular lab with plinths and mat tables, hospital room simulation area, private assessment rooms, modalities, splinting, and SynDaver labs
    • A cadaver anatomy lab is near campus
  • Vigorous standardized patient program that includes physical and mental health clients
  • Offers a variety of unique opportunities for collaboration with other programs at UWS