The program has a three-step application process.
OTCAS Application – Applicants must first apply using the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (http://www.otcas.org).
Verification of the OTCAS Application – OTCAS will then verify your application. This process can take up to six (6) weeks. OTCAS must verify applications before being reviewed and scored for consideration in Ohio State’s OTD program.
Ohio State’s Supplemental Application – Once the application has been submitted and verified by OTCAS, applicants will receive an email from Ohio State with instructions on how to complete the Ohio State supplemental application and pay the supplemental application fee. Contact HRS.Admissions@osumc.edu with any questions.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree (B.S. or B.A.) from an accredited North American college or university or a comparable degree from a recognized foreign college or university must be earned before the start of the program.
Prerequisites
Completion of prerequisite courses or acceptable approved equivalents with a grade of C or higher. Prerequisite courses must be completed before admission to the program. Course credit awarded through Advanced Placement (AP) exams may be applied toward direct equivalent prerequisites. Ohio State course numbers are shown below.
- Abnormal Psychology: PSYCH 3331
Note: Must be completed by the end of the fall semester before the start of the OTD program.
- Human Anatomy: ANATOMY 2300 or 3300
Note: Must be completed by the end of the fall semester before the start of the OTD program.
Lab sections of Physiology and Anatomy courses are recommended but not required. If Anatomy and Physiology courses are offered as a combined course, two courses of the combined anatomy-physiology content are required (ex: A&P I and A&P II).
- Human Physiology: EEOB 2520 or PHYSIO 3200
Note: Must be completed by the end of the fall semester before the start of the OTD program.
Lab sections of Physiology and Anatomy courses are recommended but not required. If Anatomy and Physiology courses are offered as a combined course, two courses of the combined anatomy-physiology content are required (ex: A&P I and A&P II).
- Introductory Sociology: SOCIOL 1101
- Introductory/General Biology: BIOLOGY 1101, 1102, or 1113
- Elementary or General Statistics: STAT 1350 or higher
- Intermediate/Technical Writing: ENGLISH 3305 or any 2367 course
- Medical Terminology: HTHRHSC 2500 or CLAS 2010
GPA
Academic achievement is demonstrated by the cumulative grade-point average and the grades earned in the program prerequisites. The GPA will be computed using all grades earned from all institutions attended, and only applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of application will be evaluated for possible admission.
Hours of Observation
All applicants are required to have completed twenty documented hours of practical experience (observation, volunteer, and/or work experience) in an occupational therapy setting in at least one of the following areas: acute-care, mental health, rehabilitation, pediatric, and or gerontology.
Personal Statement
All applicants must submit a personal statement as part of the general application on OTCAS. Your statement should reflect why you chose OT as a career, how an OT degree is related to your goals, and demonstrate the attributes and experiences described in the OTD “Admissions Vision.”
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required from all applicants. Recommenders should be professors, current or former employers, coaches from a collegiate sports team, or supervisors from a clinical or non-clinical volunteer experience. Applicants are not permitted to use family members or friends for evaluations.
Interview
An interview will be offered to qualifying applicants and are by invitation only.
TOEFL
International Students Only: A minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test (or 79 on the internet version) will be required of applicants whose native language is not English. An alternative English proficiency test, International English Language Testing System (IELTS), will also be accepted with seven or higher scores.
July 19, 2024 2024-2025 OTCAS application opens
September 3, 2024 Ohio State’s OTCAS submission deadline
May 27, 2025 Classes begin for the OTD Class of 2028
Summer (Foundations of Practice)
ANATOMY 6000 Advanced Anatomy (5 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6110 Occupational Therapy Foundations & Theory (2 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6140 Core Skills (1 credit)
8 credits total
Autumn (Foundations of Practice)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6120 Human Occupation, Performance, & Analysis (3 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6130 Use of Self & Groups (2 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6131 Use of Self & Groups Lab (1 credit)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6150 Neuroscience (3 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6160 Fundamentals of Biomechanics (2 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6730 Research Methods (2 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7440 Fieldwork Preparation I (1 credit)
14 credits total
Spring (Evaluation, Intervention, Outcomes for General Practice)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6189 Mental Health Fieldwork (1 credit)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6210 Physical Rehabilitation (3 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6211 Physical Rehabilitation Lab (1 credit)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6220 Mental & Cognitive Function (3 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6221 Mental and Cognitive Function Lab (1 credit)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6251 Physical Agent Modalities (1 credit)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7310 Occupational Therapy with Young Children (3 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7311 Occupational Therapy with Young Children Lab (1 credit)
HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCES 7910 Evidence-Based Practice II (1 credit)
15 credits total
Summer (Evaluation, Intervention, Outcomes for General Practice)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6230 Orthopedics in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6510S Service Learning (1 credit)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6740 Health Planning (2 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7260 Occupational Therapy for Older Adults Lecture (2 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7261 Occupational Therapy for Older Adults Lab (1 credit)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7320 School Age & Adolescents (2 credits)
11 credits total
Autumn (Evaluation, Intervention, Outcomes for General Practice)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6289 Level I Fieldwork (Physical Function) (1 credit)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 6389 Level I Fieldwork (Pediatrics) (1 credit)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7270 Performance, Environment & Context (3 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7271 Performance, Environment & Context Lab (1 credit)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7280 Acute Care & Chronic Conditions for Older Adults (1 credit)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7281 Acute Care & Chronic Conditions for Older Adults Lab (1 credit)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7411 Assistive Technology (2 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7447 Fieldwork Preparation 2 (1 credit)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7110 Capstone Exploration (0.5 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7920 Systematic Review & Guidelines (2 credits)
13.5 credits total
Spring Level II Fieldwork
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7189 Fieldwork II (9 credits)
9 credits total
Summer (Level II Fieldwork)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7189 Fieldwork II (9 credits)
HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCES 8998 Practicum (1 credit)
10 credits total
Autumn (Evaluation, Intervention, Outcomes for General Practice)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7250 Teaching and Curriculum in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7420 Management, Leadership & Advocacy (3 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7430 Supervision & Consultation (2 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7720 Capstone Project Proposal (2 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7721 Capstone Preparation (0.5 credits)
Select One:
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7350 Advanced Topics in Pediatrics (2 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7760 Advanced Topics in Mental Health & Community-Based Practice (2 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7770 Advanced Practice in Assistive Technology (2 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7780 Advanced Topics in Orthopedics (2 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7790 Advanced Topics in Neurorehabilitation (2 credits)
12.5 credits total
Spring (Capstone Project & Experience)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7389 Doctoral Capstone Experience (9 credits)
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 7730 Capstone Project Completion (2 credits)
11 credits total
Note: Return to campus for presentation & graduation
Ohio State academic programs are designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure and certification and state licensing board contact information for online programs and Professional Licensure & Certificate Disclosures for On-campus Programs.
The Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE can be reached at 301-652-AOTA.
Contact the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at 614-292-1706 or HRSGraduateStudentServices@osumc.edu
Degree requirements and course offerings are subject to changes.
Last updated on: July 1, 2024
