OTD Admission

Admission Requirements

• Conferral of a Bachelor's degree (or higher) prior to matriculation
• Completion of all required prerequisite courses
• Cumulative and prerequisite Grade Point Average (GPA) of a 3.0 on a 4.00 scale is preferred. GPAs lower than a 3.00 but greater than or equal to a 2.75 may be considered on a case-by-case basis
• Submission of three references
• Completion of a personal statement through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS)
• Demonstrate English proficiency through completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam for applicants for whom English is not their first language or those who have completed a degree and prerequisite courses outside of the United States.
• Demonstrate the ability to fulfill the Technical Standards for admission
• Augustana OTD Admission Committee interview
• Completion of program requirements prior to matriculation

Prerequisite Coursework Requirements  

The Augustana OTD Program requires a broad spectrum of biological, physical and social-behavioral science courses, as well as coursework in English composition to adequately prepare students for an OTD graduate-level education. Prerequisite courses ensure that all students, regardless of academic major, have a basic knowledge and understanding of these foundational sciences. Additionally, standardized prerequisites provide the OTD Admission Committee with a consistent and equitable means to evaluate undergraduate performance and assess student readiness for OTD education. There is no advanced placement, transfer of credit or credit for experiential learning given.

• Medical Terminology (1 credit)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology (4 credits, lab required)
• Human Development (lifespan) (3 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• General/Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
• Social Science course (i.e., Sociology, Anthropology) (3 credits)
• Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
• English Composition or Writing (3 credits)

Admission Procedures

Applicants will submit applications through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS). In addition to the online application, applicants will be required to submit all academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a resume, application fee and TOEFL/IELTS scores if applicable. An OTD admission staff member will screen all submitted applications to determine the applicant’s eligibility and calculate an initial objective composite score. Students will be ranked into five tiers using these composite scores, with interviews granted based on the applicant’s tier ranking and overall application. Interviews will deliver standardized questions to the interviewee, with time allotted for reflection and recorded responses. Faculty reviewers will be assigned to evaluate each applicant’s references and interview using a standardized rubric and provide a recommendation to the admissions committee. The OTD Admission Committee and program director will accept or decline each applicant based on a holistic evaluation of the application, supporting documents and interview.

Technical Standards

Students must be able to do the following, with or without reasonable accommodation(s):

Knowledge Acquisition & Application 

• Learn and apply foundational and practice knowledge 
• Recognize, define, analyze, synthesize and apply information using sound judgment and problem-solving skills 
• Notice, respond and adjust to dynamic situations as they occur 
• Plan, sequence and coordinate tasks

Communication & Collaboration 

• Communicate effectively and respectfully with a variety of audiences 
• Respect varying viewpoints using professional language across all interactions 
• Produce communication in a clear, concise and accurate manner 
• Apply basic technological skills in educational programs 
• Verbal and nonverbal communication may occur through spoken language, writing, digital formats, or through augmentative devices, interpreters or other means

Professional & Ethical Conduct 

• Initiate, maintain and conclude social interactions appropriately 
• Demonstrate ethical behavior, reliability and integrity 
• Adapt behavior based on feedback from others and learned experiences 
• Self-initiate actions to meet personal and educational needs 
• Identify and reflect on personal strengths and needs while respecting those of others 
• Demonstrate consistent and timely management of educational responsibilities 
• Follow published policies and procedures

Functional Performance & Motor Coordination 

• Safely engage in or direct tasks that involve positioning, movement and/or material handling 
• Move and transport objects of varying sizes and weights
• Safely navigate within a variety of environments

Health & Safety 

• Engage in practices that prioritize the safety and well-being of self and others 
• Notice, respond and adjust to unsafe situations as they occur 
• Adhere to infection control standards and universal precautions

Summary Statement 

All qualified students must be able to perform the technical standards of the Augustana University Occupational Therapy Program (OTD), with or without reasonable accommodations. These Technical Standards are inclusive of diverse abilities and are grounded in the values of equity, access and professional excellence.

Statement on Access & Inclusion 

No qualified person with a disability shall be excluded from admission, participation or denied benefits or subjected to discrimination solely by reason of their disability. It is the responsibility of the student with disabilities to request those accommodations that they feel are reasonable and needed to execute the essential requirements described.

Augustana University is committed to providing equal opportunities for access to and participation in its programs and services, without regard to sex, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age or disability. The university complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rehabilitation Act and other applicable laws providing for nondiscrimination against individuals with disabilities.

Candidates with disabilities who believe they need an accommodation in order to successfully complete the program can contact jeff.merkle@augie.edu or 605.274.4631. The student should be prepared to present a letter of disability verification. With further applicant and OTD faculty input, Augustana will determine what reasonable accommodations might be possible, if any, to facilitate successful completion of the occupational therapy curriculum, preparation for the national examination and entry into the profession. However, Augustana is not required to fundamentally alter its programs or the technical standards outlined in this section in order to accommodate students.

An offer of admission may be withdrawn and or a student may be dismissed from the program if they cannot articulate how, even with reasonable accommodation, they would be able to meet the program qualifications, including these technical standards or if it becomes apparent that the student cannot meet the technical standards even with reasonable accommodation; the requested accommodation(s) would fundamentally alter the nature of the OTD program at Augustana or create a significant risk of harm to the health or safety of others.

Completion of Program Requirements Prior to Matriculation

• Complete an approved background check and drug screening prior to matriculation.
• Demonstrate English language proficiency through completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam for applicants for whom English is not their first language or those who have completed a degree and pre-requisite courses outside of the United States.
• Demonstrate the ability to fulfill program technology requirements, student health requirements, and transportation requirements