Doctor of Occupational Therapy

A cohort of 8 students will be accepted from a pool of applications submitted by recent graduates of accredited undergraduate programs for Fall 2021 admission. All application materials must be filed through the Occupational Therapy Central Application Service (OTCAS).  These positions will be determined based on the level of qualification of each student. The admission requirements are:

1. A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable ACU Graduate application fee.
2. An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent. Admission decisions are made based on the assumption that applicants will have the bachelor’s degree by the time of matriculation. If not, the graduate school admission is void.
3. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2.
4. Two letters of recommendation. Recommendation forms are available through the OTCAS system. One letter should be provided from an occupational therapist and the other by a professional who has observed the applicant’s work. This includes individuals who have (a) observed the applicant during any healthcare-related volunteer or paid work, (b) previous or present instructors and/or advisors, (c) previous or present employers, or (d) health care professionals.
5. Applicants must demonstrate familiarity with the occupational therapy profession by documenting a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer/observation activity in a professional occupational therapy setting, 80-100 hours is preferable. Applicants are encouraged to complete observation hours in more than one clinical setting. Procedures for documentation are outlined in the OTCAS system. Due to the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic the ACU-MSOT program waives the observation/volunteer hour criteria as a requirement for application for Fall 2021 entry.  Please note however, that familiarity with the profession remains a selection consideration.  
6. Applicants must complete a Personal Statement as prompted by the OTCAS system and a supplemental question as part of the application process. The supplemental question includes spiritual and/or life experiences that influenced the applicant’s decision to apply to occupational therapy school, and clinical experience or observation that evoked passion about occupational therapy.
7. At the time of application, applicants must demonstrate the ability to complete all required prerequisite coursework prior to enrollment in the first semester of the program. Advance Placement (AP) or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit will not be accepted for any prerequisite course. All Occupational Therapy course prerequisites other than Medical Terminology must be taken at an accredited school and successfully completed with a grade no lower than a C. Credit/no Credit designations are not accepted for prerequisite courses. Medical Terminology may be taken as a certificate or continuing education course. All prerequisite coursework must be completed within 7 years prior to enrollment. A maximum of 6 credit hours of prerequisites can be pending at the time of application with the exception of Anatomy & Physiology I and II which must be completed at the time of application.
   
   Required prerequisite coursework includes: 
   
   6 Credit Hour Minimum     Anatomy & Physiology I & II
   3 Credit Hour Minimum     Statistics 
   3 Credit Hour Minimum     Abnormal Psychology
   3 Credit Hour Minimum     Life Span Development (or Developmental Psychology)
   Verification of Completion Medical Terminology
   
   
8. The OTD utilizes the online learning management system Canvas and online applications are used during class times for testing and learning activities. Students admitted into the program must have access to a laptop computer with internet and Word, Excel & PowerPoint capabilities throughout the entirety of the program.
9. In addition verification of required immunizations must be submitted prior to matriculation into the professional curriculum. Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training is required prior to fieldwork placement and will be provided during the program for a separate fee.

The ACU OTD is a new program and is in the application process for candidacy for approval to accept admission of its first class in the fall of 2021. Final accreditation decision will be made in August 2023. 

Dependent on a positive accreditation decision, 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 in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

The ACU OTD is NOT currently accredited. The ACU OTD is a new program and is in the application process for candidacy for approval to accept admission of its first class in the Fall of 2021. Final accreditation decision will be made in August 2023.