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. It is preferred that one of the recommendations be from a licensed occupational therapy practitioner.
- 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.