The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program is a 109-credit hour program that prepares future occupational therapists for advanced level practice, leadership, education and scholarship. Valparaiso University is committed to students achieving their highest potential through facilitating intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth with an emphasis on liberal arts education.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork, as well as an individual 14-week capstone experience within 6 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork, as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
Graduates will be able to:
- Implement evidence-based practice strategies into daily practice to maximize target population outcomes
- Contribute to the occupational therapy body of knowledge through design and implementation of research
- Understand and implement strategies to address the ethics, policies, and laws that impact the practice of occupational therapy in the dynamic health care environment
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA. And its web address is acoteonline.org. The program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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.
Admission
Admission to the Valparaiso University Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program is detailed on the program’s website under the Program Admission guidelines.
The Admission Requirements and Frequently Asked Questions are found online.
Application Process
In addition to fulfilling the graduate admission requirements, invited applicants will be required to complete an on-site interview process and complete an on-site essay. All applications will be received using OTCAS at otcas.liaisoncas.com, or through directly applying through the Graduate Office at the University.
Admission Criteria
In addition to completing the graduate admission requirements, students applying to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program must meet the following criteria:
- Minimum of Bachelors of Science from an accredited institution
- Meet all admission requirements to Valparaiso University as a degree-seeking student with all required admission documents received by the Office of Admission
- Applicants will be notified of their admission status upon receipt of all required forms and information
- OTD program applications must complete the program application process which includes an invitation only writing sample and on-site interview
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or higher
- GRE, LSAT, or MCAT scores no older than 2 years as of date of application
- Letter of intent explaining why the candidate is seeking this degree and goals for using this degree (2-page maximum)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Complete all degree-specific prerequisite courses per the Valparaiso University Occupational Therapy handbook
Admission Pathways
Admit Pathway
Students who have obtained a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and completed the prerequisite courses or equivalents are eligible to apply to the OTD program. Application and acceptance through the Graduate Office are required in order to finalize admission to the OTD.
Admit Pathway with Priority
Students who are Valparaiso University alumni with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and meet the admission criteria are eligible for admittance into the OTD program. Application and acceptance through the Graduate Office are required in order to finalize admission to the OTD.
Students may choose to complete a Bachelor’s degree (BSHS) in 3 years to accelerate the education process at Valparaiso University.
Academic and student life policies as well as services for graduate students are listed in the Graduate Catalog, which is administered by the Graduate Office on behalf of the Graduate Educational Policy Committee.
Degree Completion Requirements
- Complete all requirements for didactic, fieldwork, and baccalaureate project per the occupational therapy handbook and ACOTE educational standards
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2
- Receive no more than two grades below a “B-“
- Demonstrate professionalism during interactions with faculty, supervisors, and peers in accordance with Valparaiso University policy
Please see tuition information in the Financial Policies section of the catalog.
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