Temple University’s College of Public Health proudly announces that its Occupational Therapy Entry Level Doctoral Program (eOTD) has been awarded full accreditation for the maximum term of seven years by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). This recognition highlights the program’s dedication to excellence in education, leadership, and community impact. 

Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) signifies that an occupational therapy program meets or exceeds the rigorous standards established by the accrediting body. Students who graduate from an ACOTE accredited Occupational Therapy program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam. 

ACOTE is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education. 

"This accreditation is a meaningful milestone for our program and a reflection of our promise to students, employers, and the communities we serve. It ensures our students receive an education rooted in excellence,” said Kimberly Pachik, OTD, OTR/L, Occupational Therapy Program Director and Associate Professor of Instruction.

Pachik continues, “Temple’s eOTD program stands apart as the only program in Philadelphia housed within a College of Public Health and an R1 research university, uniquely aligning our mission with service to the North Philadelphia community. Our innovative focus on community practice, service, and occupation as a social determinant of health sets us apart. We are proud of our outstanding faculty, whose dedication to supporting our students and advancing the field ensures that Temple OT continues its legacy of impact and leadership." 

A three-day comprehensive on-site visit from ACOTE during September 2024 identified several outstanding strengths during their evaluation, highlighting the commitment, innovation, and leadership demonstrated by the program’s administration, faculty, and students:

Exemplary Leadership 
Dean Jennifer Ibrahim, and College administration received commendation for their unwavering support of the Occupational Therapy program and their exemplary leadership. The Dean’s efforts to promote faculty participation in committees and leadership roles—such as the capstone coordinator overseeing the Community Engagement Committee—were specifically noted.  The administration demonstrates commitment to the occupational therapy program, and expanding interdisciplinary experiences as evidenced by funding a new building that includes simulation spaces and opportunities for collaboration.

“We are deeply committed to providing our students with the best possible resources to succeed," said Jennifer Ibrahim, PhD, MPH, MEd, Dean of the College of Public Health. "Our new home in Paley Hall, with its state-of-the-art simulation spaces, is a reflection of that commitment. This investment not only supports the growth of our Occupational Therapy program but also creates a collaborative environment where students across disciplines can come together to learn, innovate, and thrive in today’s ever-changing healthcare landscape." 

Collaborative Vision  
Occupational Therapy Program Director, Kimberly Pachik, was recognized for her collaborative and visionary leadership in developing the Temple University Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. The faculty praised the director’s ability to thoughtfully guide the creation of course content that aligns with the program’s philosophy while integrating essential curricular threads. 

Innovation and Impact 
The faculty were commended for their development of an innovative, community-based curriculum that prepares graduates to lead in diverse and non-traditional occupational therapy contexts. This forward-thinking approach has earned graduates a strong reputation in the community, with students creating impactful capstone projects that open doors to entrepreneurial opportunities and meaningful community engagement. 

“The Temple OT program has a long history of being a committed partner with the North Philadelphia community. Our students and our alumni are found working throughout the region and across the globe. We view occupational therapy through a lens of inclusion, equity and access; from pioneering new approaches to empowering our students to create meaningful solutions to address critical challenges such as accessibility for individuals with disabilities, fostering independence and enhancing quality of life for people across all stages -- we are proud to lead the way in advancing the field of occupational therapy,” shared Susan Connor, OTD, OTR/L, CCHP, Assistant Professor of Instruction and Doctoral Capstone Coordinator at the College of Public Health. 

Areas of Non-Compliance 
There were no areas of non-compliance. 

View the school directory for ACOTE-accredited schools here.

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652- AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.