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- Email | ot.otd@nau.edu
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Licensure
NAU OT Program Overview
NAU’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program provides best-in-state occupational therapy education at the lowest cost in Arizona.
The mission of NAU’s Department of Occupational Therapy is to provide contemporary practice content and innovative instructional approaches to prepare graduates to be leading, inclusive, transformative OT practice scholars who advance the profession and improve community health and wellbeing, while our vision is to produce resilient learners who reflect the diverse populations of Arizona and who will become leaders, change agents, and practice scholars.
Our learning options, In-person and Hybrid, share a common mission and curriculum, and share same prerequisites, admission requirements, academic calendar, length of program, number of credits, and policies.
IN-PERSON OPTION Accordion Open
The In-person option is a full-time, cohort-based program that runs Monday through Friday at the state-of-the-art Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC) campus. One cohort of up to 45 students is admitted to the In-person option each year.
Selecting the right option for you
Many students select the In-person option because they thrive in structured environments and benefit from daily and direct interaction with faculty and peers. This model supports relationship-building, consistent in-person engagement, and real-time feedback—all of which contribute to a rich and supportive learning environment.
Delivery of instruction for the In-person option
In-person learning
All lab courses, including intervention courses, follow the in-person mode of instruction, with at least 75% of content delivered face-to-face. Students and faculty meet in person at designated locations and scheduled times. No more than 25% of instructional time may be replaced with asynchronous activities or technology-based alternatives.
Blended learning
Lecture-only courses may be designated as either in-person or blended, depending on what best supports the course content. In the blended learning format, up to 50% of the course may be replaced with out-of-class learning activities. Examples of blended learning activities include:
- Flipped classroom instruction
- Community-based asynchronous experiences
- Hands-on asynchronous learning activities
- Clinical hours
- Simulation technology platforms
- Synchronous online sessions
All blended content is integrated with weekly in-person sessions. Each course will include a clear rationale for the blended format, along with detailed expectations for time commitment and content alignment.
HYBRID OPTION Accordion Closed
The Hybrid option is a full-time cohort-based program that delivers lectures asynchronously (on-demand) and remotely (virtually). This is in combination with in-person labs that are scheduled during the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) eight times each semester at the state-of-the-art Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC) campus. One cohort of up to 30 students is admitted to the Hybrid option each year.
Selecting the right option for you
Many students select the Hybrid option because they value accessibility and flexibility. They enjoy being able to access the curriculum from their home learning environment, as some students in the Hybrid option live outside of Maricopa County. With participation in synchronous lab weekends, community experiential learning opportunities, and the same exceptional curriculum as the In-person option. Hybrid students are self-determined learners and problem solvers.
Delivery of instruction for the Hybrid option
Blended learning
Blended courses in the Hybrid option include lectures delivered asynchronously and remotely. Pre-recorded lectures, readings, and assignments accessible at any time. Ideal for flexibility and self-paced learning. This is combined with in-person content scheduled during weekend labs. Asynchronous learning is enhanced by the use of technology enabling flexible, personalized, and accessible education.
Online
Online courses in the Hybrid option are delivered virtually. Students access course materials, participate in discussions, and complete assignments online. They may include synchronous (real time) content, which requires completion at a specific time, for example, in person meetings, proctored exams and/or simultaneous online discussions, etc. It allows learners to access coursework, lectures, and assessments remotely, often using a combination of digital tools and platforms.