OTD Admission Requirements

Candidates must meet the following admission requirements in order to be considered for the occupational therapy doctorate program.

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Admissions Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree: Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. You can apply while you are still enrolled in an undergraduate degree program or while you are completing prerequisite coursework. You should submit a plan of study with your application that indicates all remaining courses that will be completed prior to program enrollment.

GRE: The GRE is no longer required for admission to USAHS Occupational Therapy Program.

Resume: Include a current resume with your application.

Statement of Purpose – Personal Essay: Your Personal Essay should address why you selected occupational therapy as a career and how this degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. We invite you to share how your lived experiences (e.g., personal, professional, cultural, etc.) have influenced your interest in pursuing OT. This essay is an important part of your application and allows you to clearly and effectively express yourself.

OT Supplemental Questions: Provide six short answers to help us learn more about you.

1. An Occupational Therapist enables people to engage in occupations they want to do, need to do, or are expected to do. What is an occupation you enjoy engaging in, and what positive impact does this have on you? (200 words max)
2. Occupational Therapists enable people to do what they want to do. Can you explain when you have enabled others through occupation?  (200 words max)
3. Please share how you have participated in volunteerism to be a force for good in your community. (200 words max)
4. List two attributes you have which you consider crucial to being an effective Occupational Therapist. (200 words max)
5. How would your former professors describe you? (200 words max)
6. Include a short statement of what attracts you to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. (200 words max)

Observation Hours: The Occupational Therapy Department does not require observation hours to apply for our graduate programs, however, it is highly recommended that all applicants observe occupational therapy in at least two areas of practice. This will not only support your submission essays; it will also help to ensure that you are well suited for this field of study.

OTD Essay: Please select one the topics listed below and write a succinct (800-1000 word, double spaced) essay that exhibits your understanding of the issue and its potential impact on occupational therapy practice. Be sure to support your assertions and show your sources of information (use at least 3 sources) using in-text citations and include a reference list of cited sources.
The essay will be evaluated by the faculty admissions committee to assess preparedness for graduate studies and to identify the assistance needed for success in the program.

Essay topic options (select one)

• Working with marginalized populations in healthcare
• Working with other professions as an occupational therapist
• Telehealth and occupational therapy
• The rising cost of healthcare and access to occupational therapy
• Healthcare disparities and access to occupational therapy
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare
• Ethical dilemmas in the rehabilitation fields
• US health trends that will impact occupation in the future
• Addressing the needs of vulnerable populations in occupational therapy
• The use of technologies in the delivery of occupational therapy

Prerequisites: Admissions recommends that all prerequisite coursework be no more than 5 years old. This is a recommendation and is preferred, it is not a requirement to apply. You will be asked to provide official transcripts during the application process.

Prerequisite Check

All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better. You can find our OT prerequisite form here. Evidence of successful completion of the following prerequisites is required:

Misrepresentation of Academic Credentials

Misrepresentation of academic credentials includes presenting information known as false and with the intent of obtaining employment or admission to an educational program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Statements made and documents supplied by the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences applicants and students must be complete and accurate. The university will not tolerate any misrepresentation by a student or applicant of past or current academic programs, degrees, or professional accomplishments. If unexplained discrepancies appear between statements or documents provided to the University of St. Augustine and information obtained otherwise, except in the case of misspellings and other such inadvertent errors, applicants may be rejected for admission and enrolled students may be dismissed.

Additional Information

• A comprehensive background check, fingerprints and drug screen at the applicant’s expense must be completed upon acceptance into the program prior to matriculation. A felony charge and or conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or to attain state licensure.
• This is a hybrid program requiring both virtual (distance education) and face-to-face class participation. Online learners need access to/use of a computer/word processor and basic technical skills to succeed. These skills include the ability to create new documents, use a word processing program, navigate the Internet, and download software. Attendance requirements are enforced.
• Candidates holding a non-U.S. degree may be eligible to take University courses and/or be considered for admission to USAHS. Please refer to the “Additional Requirements for Domestic, International, and/or Foreign-Educated Students” section of the University Catalog/Handbook for further information.
• Students in the Residential OTD program continue to remain eligible for an F-1 student visa sponsored by USAHS. Applicants located in the United States on a non-F-1 student visa can be considered for admission. Prospective students who already hold a non-F-1 student visa allowing for study in the U.S., including clinical placements, are eligible for admission to the Flex and Hybrid Immersion OT formats, provided a copy of a valid, unexpired passport reflecting visa status is provided prior to admission and that the individual meets other admission requirements. Students must keep their non-F-1 student visa in good standing throughout the duration of their studies with USAHS, as the University cannot sponsor them for study now or at any point in the future for the Flex and Hybrid Immersion OT formats. Students holding a visa that is renewed during their course of study must provide a copy of their updated passport reflecting visa status to the Admissions office. Further, there may be additional requirements for students seeking federal financial aid. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid prior to enrolling and provide any required documents.

OTD Program Page