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Doctoral-degree-level Occupational Therapy Program Admission Criteria
Direct Admission to the OTD (Rolling Admissions)
Qualified students who possess a baccalaureate degree and who have fulfilled the prerequisite courses for the graduate Program in Occupational Therapy may apply directly to the Doctorate in Occupational Therapy Program through the School of Health Sciences. In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the School of Health Sciences, at the graduate level the successful applicant to the OTD Program will demonstrate evidence of the following:
- Submit official transcripts of all previous undergraduate or graduate study.
- Earn a minimum 3.25 grade point average (GPA) in undergraduate study, including OT Program prerequisite courses. Note: courses and grades from all schools attended are used to calculate GPA for admission.
- OT Prerequisite courses: Anatomy & Physiology I and II (with labs), Introduction to Psychology (General Psychology), Human Development (Lifespan Development), Abnormal Psychology, Statistics, 3 credits of Sociology or Anthropology, and Medical Terminology
- Earn a Science GPA of 3.0 in OT Program prerequisite courses (Anatomy & Physiology I & II).
- Provide two letters of reference
- Provide current resume
- *Submit a career goals statement (your relationship to OT/what brought you to OT?)/personal essay to include information pertaining to the desire to complete the Doctoral Degree (~1-2 pages). This essay may address OT background, choice or history of desire for Major and the course of action towards an OTD.
- Provide documentation of at least 40 hours of clinical observation under the supervision of an occupational therapist before beginning the professional program with forms from packet listed below.
- Submit complete application by February 1 priority deadline with supplemental forms.
- Interview with Program Director, Capstone Coordinator and at least one other core faculty
Master’s Admission with OTD Progression Request
- Application deadline: March 1 of first year
- Submit official transcripts of all previous undergraduate or graduate study.
- Earn a minimum 3.25 grade point average (GPA) in undergraduate study, including OT Program prerequisite courses. Note: courses and grades from all schools attended are used to calculate GPA for admission.
- OT Prerequisite courses: Anatomy & Physiology I and II (with labs), Introduction to Psychology (General Psychology), Human Development (Lifespan Development), Abnormal Psychology, Statistics, 3 credits of Sociology or Anthropology, and Medical Terminology
- Earn a Science GPA of 3.0 in OT Program prerequisite courses (Anatomy & Physiology I & II).
- Provide two letters of reference
- Provide current resume
- *Submit a career goals statement (your relationship to OT/what brought you to OT?)/personal essay to include information pertaining to the desire to complete the Doctoral Degree (~1-2 pages). This essay may address OT background, choice or history of desire for Major and the course of action towards an OTD.
- Submit complete application by February 1 priority deadline with supplemental forms.
- Interview with Program Director, Capstone Coordinator and at least one other core faculty
AND Following the First or Second semester completion of Program of Study, the graduate student requesting transition to the OTD must:
- Demonstrate a minimum GPA in coursework of 3.25 within the first semester of the Program.
OTD Program Admission Essay
Please reflect on your motivation for pursuing an education and career in occupational therapy and in particular, your reasons for applying for the entry level OTD program. The entry level doctorate provides an in-depth exposure to the areas of clinical practice, research, advocacy, administration, leadership, program and policy development, education, or theory development. Please select one to two focus areas that you wish to learn more about or develop through your doctoral capstone work. Please develop a brief essay that discusses your motivation for enrolling in the OTD program and includes at least one to two in depth areas you wish to develop in further.
For more information
To learn more about the Occupational Therapy program, please attend an information session or contact us directly.
Doctor of OT