Department of Occupational Therapy

Restoring independence

Occupational therapy is about helping people do the things that give life meaning, from daily tasks and mobility to work and connection. If you’re drawn to problem-solving and helping others, this field offers a path where science and humanity converge. As an occupational therapist, you could support children developing new skills, help adults recover from injury, empower older adults to maintain independence, or partner with communities to improve well-being.

Why study Occupational Therapy at NAU

NAU’s 28-month Occupational Therapy Doctorate is Arizona’s top-ranked OT doctorate program and designed to launch your career quickly without sacrificing quality. Flexible learning experiences (in-person and hybrid), extensive fieldwork, and a capstone aligned with your goals will all give you the depth of knowledge needed to excel in today’s healthcare industry. Located in the Bioscience Core, you’ll automatically be connected to world-class health organizations and research partners giving you an immersive, community-centric education that’s unlike any other OT program in the state.

Learning outcomes

While studying Occupational Therapy at NAU, you will:

• gain fundamental professional knowledge, therapeutic skills, and strategies that support the delivery of occupational therapy across contexts.
• understand the foundational human scientific and medical knowledge that supports OT practice. 
• apply evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches that support occupational performance.
• use scholarly work to inform practice, including the development of practice-scholar roles across a variety of contexts.

Student clubs and organizations

Engage with peers who share a passion for helping others through student clubs and organizations created to enhance your NAU experience.

Designed for your schedule and goals

NAU’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program is designed to meet you where you are. Choose the traditional in-person experience with classes and labs Monday-Friday at the Phoenix Bioscience Core or opt for the hybrid experience which mixes asynchronous coursework with intensive on-site weekend labs each semester. Both experiences follow the same rigorous curriculum and equally prepare you for clinical excellence.

Learning alongside world-class partners

You’ll be studying in a place where health innovation happens every day. Partnerships with the Phoenix Bioscience Core, Barrow Neurological Institute, and other leading organizations connect you to cutting-edge research, robotics labs, interprofessional collaboration, and community-based initiatives that expand your learning far beyond the classroom.

Experiential learning and training

From your first semester, you’ll apply classroom knowledge to real clients and communities. Two 12-week fieldwork rotations will give you experience across a variety of settings, while your doctoral capstone offers a chance to design a project that reflects your interests and emerging areas in OT.

Dedicated support

With individualized guidance, accessible resources, and strong professional connections, you’ll always have someone to collaborate with as you navigate fieldwork and research.

Faculty committed to your growth

OT faculty at NAU aren’t just instructors, they’re practicing clinicians and researchers invested in your success. With small cohorts, accessible mentorship, innovative partnerships, and a community grounded in compassion, you’ll always have someone to turn to for advice when you need it.

Start your career practice-ready

NAU prepares you for every stage of launching your OT career, from your first semester to the moment you apply for licensure. As an OT student, you’ll connect with potential employers through fieldwork placements, receive structured licensure exam preparation, and have the opportunity to present research at state and national conferences. Whether you pursue pediatrics, neurology, mental health, rehabilitation, aging, or other emerging areas of practice, a degree from Arizona’s top OT doctorate program will equip you to become a compassionate, community-minded practitioner.