At the University of Findlay, students in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program are equipped with the coursework, experiential learning, and fieldwork experiences necessary to fulfill leadership roles and advanced positions in the occupational therapy field.
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program is a three-year graduate program. An
early assurance option is available to high school seniors who complete their bachelor's degree at the University of Findlay. A 3+3 Wellness and Health Promotion or Psychology to Doctor of Occupational Therapy path are available to UF undergraduates who qualify.
Curriculum Information
Designed to be completed in nine consecutive semesters with summer terms, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program includes:
- 88 academic course credits
- 3 Level l Fieldwork credits (120 hours)
- 12 Level ll Fieldwork credits (960 hours)
- 2 Doctoral Capstone Project credits
- 7 Doctoral Capstone Experience credits (560 hours)
Level l Fieldwork is integrated throughout the academic program, Level ll Fieldwork follows the completion of all academic requirements, and the Doctoral Experience provides students with an opportunity to enhance their skills and expertise in specific areas of interest (i.e. clinical practice, administration, advocacy, research, and/or education.)
Click here to view the Doctor of Occupational Therapy courses.
The occupational therapy program reserves the right to make program and admission requirement changes without prior notice.
Admission Requirements
Students wishing to apply for admission to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program must complete the admission criteria and prerequisite courses. Students enrolled at the University of Findlay are given special consideration.
Click here to view the admission criteria and prerequisite courses.
Students interested in entering the OTD program can choose from the following options:
Post-Baccalaureate
Students who have completed, or are in the process of completing, a bachelor’s degree and the required prerequisite courses from any university may apply through OTCAS one year prior to the year they intend to enter the OTD program.
University of Findlay Students
Early Assurance
High school seniors have the option to apply for Early Assurance, which reserves a seat in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program following the completion of their bachelor's degree and required criteria at the University of Findlay. Students must have a 3.5 GPA (3.5 on a 4.0 scale) or higher.
Click here for more information about the Early Assurance Program.
Undergraduate Pathways
Students interested in the OTD program can choose any bachelor's degree that meets the OTD prerequisites, but the university offers several clear pathways that fulfill all program requirements. Pathways include
exercise science,
intervention specialist,
wellness and health promotion,
psychology, and
social work. Students who choose one of these options will apply for the OT program during their senior year of undergraduate studies, and if accepted, begin OT courses in the summer following graduation.
Doctor of Occupational Therapy 3+3 Pathways
University of Findlay is the only institution in the state of Ohio to offer two 3+3 pathways to OTD - Wellness and Health Promotion or Psychology. In the 3+3 model, students complete three years of undergraduate coursework and three years of graduate school to complete the doctorate in a total of six years. A bachelor's degree is earned after successful completion of the first year of OTD curriculum. Click here for more information on Wellness and Health Promotion and HERE for Psychology.
Experiential Learning
University of Findlay's Occupational Therapy Program makes experiential learning a priority. Students will "learn by doing" in a variety of settings. With curriculum focused on community outreach and fieldwork, OT students have many opportunities to practice what they learn in the classroom in real life scenarios. The program also has an adaptive living house that allows students to learn and practice occupational therapy techniques. To learn more about Findlay's OT experiential learning opportunities, click the buttons below.
Accreditation Status
The University of Findlay’s entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has been granted Accreditation with a 7 year review cycle by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is
www.acoteonline.org.
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.
For more information about the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program, please contact 419-434-6936 or [email protected].