Innovative hybrid/weekend format addresses shortage of occupational therapists in New York region; inaugural cohort to begin Spring 2027.
Mercy University has launched an Entry-Level Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program, positioning the institution to help fill the growing demand for occupational therapists across the New York region. Designed with working professionals in mind, the new program’s hybrid/weekend model directly addresses the workforce shortage while opening pathways to doctoral education for individuals who might otherwise be unable to pursue advanced degrees.
“This program represents Mercy University’s continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality healthcare education,” said Kristin Curry Greenwood, PT, DPT, EdD, MS, FNAP, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Mercy University. “Traditional full-time programs simply aren’t compatible with working adult lives. Our hybrid/weekend model changes that equation entirely allowing students to continue earning income, supporting their families and maintaining their careers while gaining the advanced training our communities need.”
The 85-credit, full-time program features classes scheduled approximately every other weekend over nine trimesters, with state-of-the-art hands-on learning experiences complemented by synchronous and asynchronous coursework. This innovative structure allows students to complete their doctoral education in as little as three years.
Building on 30 years of occupational therapy education at Mercy, the OTD program prepares graduates to work with people of varying diagnoses including people living with spinal cord injuries, cancer, stroke, autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delay and many other conditions and illnesses. Graduates are prepared as generalists, enabling them to work in a variety of practice settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers and schools.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational therapy careers are expected to grow 17% through 2028, with occupational therapists in the New York region earning an average salary of $88,000.
Applications for the Spring 2027 term are currently being accepted, with a deadline of October 30, 2026. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and complete prerequisite coursework including anatomy and physiology, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology and statistics.
For more information or to apply, visit https://mercy.edu/academics/programs/occupational-therapy-doctorate-details.