Baylor University's hybrid Entry-level OTD academic program—the #1 U.S. News & World Report-ranked 2-year occupational therapy doctorate program in the country—provides an innovative contemporary curriculum that is student-focused to promote professional and scholarly excellence.
Hybrid Occupational Therapy Education
As the very first hybrid Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, Baylor University is leading the field in delivering high-quality, accessible occupational therapy education. Through Baylor's hybrid delivery model, we reduce the financial burden of relocation and long-term living expenses by combining the flexibility of online coursework with periodic, immersive on-campus labs. This approach gives students across the country the ability to experience a world-class Baylor education while in their own communities.
Students in the Baylor OTD program learn through a combination of interactive online content, regular engagement with faculty, hands-on lab immersions in Waco, real-world fieldwork experiences, and a meaningful doctoral capstone project—all designed by faculty who are revolutionizing the field of educational delivery.
Accelerated, Two-Year OTD
The Baylor OTD curriculum is designed to get students into practice—and ready to practice successfully—as quickly as possible, with just 24 months to program completion. As opposed to a traditional 3-year program, Baylor graduates enter the profession faster, earning a full salary a year earlier than their peers.
Spanning six consecutive trimesters, the Baylor curriculum combines the best aspects of online instruction, hands-on laboratory sessions, and fieldwork/capstone experiences to ensure students are well equipped to enter the field of occupational therapy, as demonstrated through Baylor’s impressive and consistent NBCOT exam pass rates.
Baylor University's OTD Program
What to Expect in the Baylor OTD Program
Year One: Foundational Learning and Hands-On Labs
In the first year of the program, students build a strong foundation in occupational therapy through a blend of online learning and in-person lab experiences. Online coursework includes both learning activities—such as recorded lessons, readings, and interactive exercises—and weekly live sessions with faculty and peers. Students travel to Waco, Texas twice each trimester for immersive lab experiences, where they practice hands-on skills and apply course concepts in a supportive, faculty-guided environment. These lab immersions are paired with early fieldwork to begin developing clinical reasoning and professional skills.
Year Two: Fieldwork Education and Doctoral Capstone
The second year focuses on real-world application and entry-level skill development. Students complete two full-time, 12-week fieldwork rotations in diverse practice settings such as physical rehabilitation, mental health, or pediatrics. Following fieldwork, students complete a 14-week doctoral capstone experience and project. This individualized experience allows students to explore areas such as advanced clinical practice, research, leadership, education, advocacy, or program development—preparing them for leadership and innovation in the profession.