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2025-2026 Academic Bulletin (Review Copy) [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Occupational Therapy OTD
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The entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program combines academics and clinical/fieldwork experiences to develop highly skilled healthcare practitioners enabling them to assist clients in achieving health, wellbeing, and participation in life through engagement in occupation across the lifespan from infants to older adults. The occupational therapy doctorate curriculum combines graduate OT education and hands-on training with additional coursework focused on occupation and evidence-based practice, leadership, advocacy, and policymaking.
The OTD degree is designed for the student pursuing a first-time degree in the field of occupational therapy. Once accepted, students may enter the program as a “4+3” with a bachelor’s degree or “3+3” student. A previous bachelor’s degree is not required; however, applicants holding a bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply. Students entering the professional phase of the program as a “3+3” student must have completed 92 semester credits of specific college prerequisites. Students taking the appropriate prerequisites will earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology after successful completion of the first two semesters in the professional program and the OTD degree upon successful completion of the entire professional program. All core prerequisites must be completed within ten years prior to application. The OTD program is 9 full-time consecutive semesters and 105 credits total with 28 credits for 3+3 students counting towards both the bachelor’s and the OTD degrees.
Delivery: This program is offered face to face on the main campus.
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Additional Requirements
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree (BS or other).
- An earned minimum grade of “C+” (2.33) or “S” in each OTD program course.
- Maintain a cumulative OTD program GPA of 3.00.
- No more than a cumulative total of five points earned on the grade-point scale throughout the occupational therapy program (see OTD Student Handbook).
- Students must be able to perform skills listed in the Technical Standards of Performance and demonstrate professional behaviors as outlined in the OTD Student Handbook.
- Satisfactory completion of Comprehensives I, II, and III: OTH 604, OTH 701, and OTH 801.
- Satisfactory completion of a capstone experience and project presentation.
- Satisfactory completion of all Fieldwork experiences.
- Satisfactory completion of the Professional Development Portfolio (PDP).
- Satisfactory completion of the OTD Graduate Exit Survey.
Maintaining Academic Standing
- All coursework scheduled for each semester must be successfully completed prior to advancing to the next semester.
- Progressive enrollment in the occupational therapist education program requires successful completion of all Occupational Therapy program coursework including fieldwork and capstone experience as listed for the previous academic term.
- A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.00 in any given academic term is placed on academic probation. Students who do not increase their cumulative GPA to 3.00 during the academic term of probation academically disqualify themselves from the program.
- Students who receive less than a “C+” (2.33) or a “U” on a “S/U” course or fieldwork experience will be given “grade points” equal to the semester credit for the course and be required to remediate per the OTD Student Handbook. A student who accumulates six or more points will academically disqualify him/herself from continuing in the program. Student may be required to enroll in and pay tuition for OTH585 Remediation in: as part of their remediation plan determined by the OTD Faculty Council.
Admission Requirements
Graduate Application: Students must submit an application and all the required components through Occupational Therapy Centralized Applications System (OTCAS) GPA: A minimum science and core OT prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is required. - Proof of satisfactory completion with at least a “B-” grade from an accredited institution is required for each prerequisite course.
Clinical Observation: 20 hours of observation is strongly recommended. Personal Interview: Applicants who meet eligibility requirements are invited for a personal interview. Phone/virtual interviews may be acceptable, though not preferred. Recommendation Letters: Two recommendation letters from an occupational therapist, professor, or from an employer/supervisor, clergy, a second occupational therapist or any health care professional. Personal Statement: Submit a personal statement explaining why you chose Occupational Therapy as a career and how this degree aligns with your immediate and long-term professional goals. English Proficiency: Applicants who have been given any part of their education outside the U.S. or Canada or whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency by providing evidence through one of the following methods. Exceptions may be granted by the School of Rehabilitation Sciences on an individual basis. Test must be taken within one year prior to application. TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) is preferred. Official TOEFL scores must be sent directly to OTCAS from Educational Testing Service (ETS). The OTCAS ETS code is ______ Minimum Requirements | TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) (preferred) | 111 (minimum of 15 in Reading, 15 in Listening, 18 in Speaking, and 17 in Writing) | | TOEFL Paper-based test | 640 (minimum of 56 in each section) | | IELTS Academic Version | 8.0 | | PTE Academic Version | 72 | For Students Entering with a Bachelor’s Degree: - Natural Sciences: A full sequence of Anatomy and Physiology with labs
- Mathematics: One course (3 semester hours) covering basic statistics or research methods
- Social Sciences:
- Human Development- One course (3 semester hours) that covers human development.
- Psychology - One course (3 semester hours) covering introductory psychology or developmental psychology.
- Abnormal psychology
- Ethics: One course in ethics or biomedical ethics.
- Medical Terminology: One course in basic medical terminology.
For Students Without a Bachelor’s Degree on the 3+3 Track: The 3+3 program is designed for Andrews University students and affiliate partners who offer required pre-requisites for a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with pre-OT concentration. Applicants interested in the 3+3 option must work closely with the Andrews University Pre-OT advisor to ensure completion of all required coursework. Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will: - Model behavior which reflects Christian values, including an understanding of the role of prayer and faith in the complete healing process.
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences relevant to occupational therapy, both in their fundamental context and in its application within professional clinical practice.
- Provide primary care to patients/clients within the scope of occupational therapy practice.
- Demonstrate entry-level competency in clinical skills necessary to perform a comprehensive occupational therapy examination, and evaluation, establish a differential diagnosis, determine an appropriate prognosis, and establish an occupation and evidence-based intervention and/or prevention activities.
- Understand and value the capabilities of other health care providers and determine, whenever necessary, the need for referral to those other professionals.
- Participate in practice management including delegation and supervision of support personnel, financial management, business planning, marketing, and public relations activities.
- Possess the critical inquiry skills necessary to evaluate professional knowledge and competencies in relation to occupation and evidence-informed occupational therapy practice.
- Demonstrate legal and ethical behavior consistent with established professional standards.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to individual and cultural differences when engaged in occupational therapy practice.
- Demonstrate appropriate and professional behavior.
- Uphold the ethical standards, values, and attitudes of the occupational therapy profession.
- Understand the distinct roles and responsibilities of the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant in the supervisory process for service delivery.
- Be prepared to effectively collaborate with and supervise occupational therapy assistants in service delivery.
- Be prepared to effectively communicate and work interprofessionally with all who provide services and programs for persons, groups, and populations.
- Be prepared to advocate as a professional for access to occupational therapy services offered and for the recipients of those services.
- Be prepared to effectively consume the latest research and knowledge bases that support occupational therapy practice and contribute to the growth and dissemination of research and knowledge.
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of delivery models, policies, and systems related to practice in settings where occupational therapy is currently practiced and settings where it is emerging.
- Demonstrate active involvement in professional development, leadership, and advocacy.
- Demonstrate the ability to synthesize in-depth knowledge in a practice area through developing and completing a doctoral capstone in one or more of the following areas: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, and education.
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