Admission Requirements align with institutional practices of holistic admissions, emphasizing transparency, equity and inclusivity in the admissions process. The admissions process for graduate students is consistent with the mission of Augustana University and the Augustana University Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program.
Program Admission Requirements
- Complete prerequisite courses
- Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or greater on a 4.00 scale
- It is strongly recommended that an applicant completes 19 credits of prerequisite coursework prior to submitting an application. All prerequisite coursework must be complete before starting the program.
- 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 course grade achieved; however, both grades will be calculated into the cumulative GPA.
- If cumulative GPA is less than 2.75 on a 4.00 scale, an applicant may still be eligible for admission if a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater has been achieved over the last 60 semester or 90 quarter hour credits of coursework.
- Provide three references.
- Complete an approved background check and drug screening prior to matriculation.
- Complete an admission interview. Applicants are invited for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting materials.
- 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 the Technical Standards for admission.
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.
- Medical Terminology (1 credit)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I (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 based on cumulative GPA, prerequisite GPA, prior graduate degree completion, relevant work experience and prior military experience. 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
Occupational therapy education requires that the accumulation of foundational knowledge be accompanied by the simultaneous acquisition of skills and professional attitudes and behavior. The Augustana OTD Program prepares students to work as competent generalists in the occupational therapy profession who are capable of meeting requirements for licensure, pending successful program accreditation. The doctorate (OTD) degree, awarded by Augustana University, at the completion of the student’s education process, certifies that the individual has acquired a broad base of knowledge and skills requisite for the practice of occupational therapy as a generalist practitioner. To this end, all courses in the curriculum must be completed successfully.
Potential applicants are encouraged to observe practicing occupational therapists performing the essential functions of the job across various practice settings in order to make an informed decision prior to applying to the program. Through these voluntary experiences, students who feel they are capable of completing these essential functions are encouraged to apply.
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 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.
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 the Augustana University Student Success Center at 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 University 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 University or create a significant risk of harm to the health or safety of others.
Technical Abilities & Skills
To acquire the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of practice situations and to render a wide spectrum of client-centered care, candidates for the OTD degree must have abilities and skills in the following five functional areas with or without reasonable accommodation: motor skills, sensory and observation skills, cognitive and critical thinking skills, communication skills, as well as professional and ethical behavior.
Motor Skills
Students in the OTD program must be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- complete comprehensive client assessments required to create client-centered plans of care across the lifespan;
- implement complex therapeutic interventions for clients with a variety of therapeutic needs across the lifespan;
- demonstrate safe and effective client handling techniques for clients with a variety of ability levels across the lifespan;
- fabricate, fit and modify orthotic devices, splints and adaptive technology solutions; and,
- administer physical agent modalities as per state regulation.
Sensory & Observation Skills
Students in the OTD program must be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- accurately assess neuromuscular, visual, vestibular and sensory processing systems to identify their impact on a client’s occupational performance;
- integrate sensory processing interventions into treatment plans;
- detect subtle biomechanical and physiological changes impacting occupational performance;
- evaluate environmental and ergonomic factors affecting client participation in home, work and community settings; and,
- analyze body functions and structures impacting occupational performance.
Cognitive & Critical Thinking Skills
Students in the OTD program must be able to:
- apply high-level critical reasoning and critical thinking to develop individualized, evidence-based intervention plans,
- administer and interpret standardized and non-standardized assessments;
- implement occupational justice and health equity frameworks into treatment planning;
- analyze and integrate current research and emerging technologies into practice;
- engage in program development, quality improvement initiatives and systems-level interventions; and,
- develop and apply leadership strategies to advocate for policy change and improved client access to services.
Communication Skills
Students in the OTD program must be able to:
- effectively communicate skilled therapeutic findings to clients, caregivers, interdisciplinary teams and policymakers; and,
- develop and lead educational programs, training sessions and community outreach initiatives.