ADMISSION AND TUITION

The OTD Program is designed for qualified individuals who wish to further their academic studies in the field of occupational therapy. The program specifically targets traditional and nontraditional students with the demonstrated potential to navigate the academic rigors of an accelerated, hybrid model OTD curriculum.

Students accepted into the OTD Program must meet the following criteria:

• Complete a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to classes beginning. Admission may be granted pending completion of the degree.
• Complete all required prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative prerequisite grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or greater on a 4.00 scale. Admission may be granted pending completion of prerequisite coursework.
  • Grades below 2.0 in prerequisite courses will not be accepted.
  • If a prerequisite course is repeated, the credit hours assigned to the course may be counted only once in fulfilling the required number of hours. The prerequisite GPA will be determined using the highest prerequisite course grade recorded on the transcript and in figuring the cumulative prerequisite GPA.
• Completion of an admissions interview. Applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting materials.
• Submission of two (2) letters of recommendation: one from a licensed occupational therapist and one from someone of the applicant’s choice. References cannot consist of family, friends, clergy, or politicians.
• Complete thirty hours (30) of shadowing or virtual training observing an occupational therapy practice with a minimum of ten (10) of those thirty (30) hours on-site with a licensed occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.
• Completion of a written essay based on one or more question(s) answered within a character or word count guideline.
• For all applicants for whom English is not their first language, or those who have completed a degree and prerequisite courses in a foreign country, demonstration of English language proficiency is required through completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (ILTS) within the last 5 years. The minimum preferred TOEFL scores are internet based > or = 80. computer based > or = 213. paper-based test or > = 550. The minimum preferred IELTS is 6.5. (Note: The NBCOT Exam is administered in English.)
• Ability to fulfill the Essential Functions of Occupational Therapy Students as identified in Section 1.8.3 and Section 4.1.1.
• Complete an approved Background Check and Drug Screening prior to matriculation.
  • Criminal background checks and drug testing are becoming mandatory at medical institutions as a requirement of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Individuals working in health care facilities often must consent to and be cleared to work through criminal background investigations and/or drug screenings This is also a common policy/requirement in many occupational therapy corporate entities and individual clinics.
  • The Hanover OTD Program requires all students to complete a criminal background check prior to formal enrollment or matriculation into the OTD Program. An additional background check and/or drug test may be required prior to beginning Level II fieldwork experiences in year two of the program. Applicants should be aware that a prior criminal background could restrict their ability to obtain professional state licensure. Acceptance into the OTD Program does not impl6 or guarantee that a student will be able to obtain such licensure.

• Human Development Across the Lifespan (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
• Kinesiology or Biomechanics (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology with laboratory (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours*
• Statistics 3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
• Any Psychology (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
• Abnormal or Developmental Psychology (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
• English Composition or Writing (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
• Medical Terminology (1 semester credit)

*Applicants must complete anatomy and physiology courses within the last five (5) years prior to application. If an applicant can demonstrate ongoing work experience that has kept this knowledge current, only three (3) semester/four (4) quarter hours are required to have been completed within the last five (5) years