College of Health Sciences, Downers Grove Campus

The Occupational Therapy Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The Program offers a curriculum leading to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree for qualified students.  The entry-level OTD curriculum is designed to deliver the academic and clinical education required to prepare students for their professional role as key members of the healthcare team, and as practice leaders in the healthcare delivery system.  The curriculum for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree is a continuous, full-time program, extending 33 months from matriculation to graduation.  The maximum allotted time for completion of this program is 49.5 months.  It is also required that all Level II fieldwork and successful completion of a competency requirement be accomplished prior to the commencement of a 16-week, full-time doctoral internship. The general education, professional training, experience, and personal character development of occupational therapists uniquely prepare them to respond to and meet the needs of individuals who face challenges participating in their daily lives.

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program offers a balanced combination of foundational, experiential, research, and program development coursework designed to foster practice leaders who will meet the occupational needs of individuals and communities through compassionate, innovative, and evidence-informed practice.  The Program will provide students with a thorough complement of coursework.  Of the 160 required credits in the curriculum, approximately one-third are earned in foundational OT process and practice courses; one-third are focused on research, professional praxis, leadership and program development courses; and one-third of the credits are concentrated on experiential coursework. The strong curricular framework succeeds in preparing graduates who are able to enter the profession of occupational therapy and make a difference in the world.

The Occupational Therapy Program is open on a competitive admission basis to applicants who have received a baccalaureate degree in any field, but who have not completed an accredited Occupational Therapy program.  The Program does not accept students who transfer from another Occupational Therapy program. The curriculum is designed to prepare entry-level practitioners to provide occupational therapy services in the home, community, and clinical practice settings that require independent judgment, leadership, and self-directed practice. The Program provides the foundation for graduates to identify and contribute to effecting solutions to excellence in healthcare for individuals of varied ages, diagnoses, and occupational challenges as well as influencing the academic and clinical education of future practitioners.  The graduates of the Program will be practice leaders who are well-suited and prepared to make meaningful, ongoing contributions to society, healthcare, and the profession through leadership and collaborative efforts with others in occupational therapy and interprofessional education, practice and research.

The curriculum for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree is a continuous, full-time program, extending 33 months from matriculation to graduation. The maximum allotted time for completion of this program is 49.5 months. It is also required that all Level II fieldwork and successful completion of a competency requirement be accomplished prior to the commencement of a 16-week, full-time doctoral internship. The general education, professional training, experience, and personal character development of occupational therapists uniquely prepare them to respond to and meet the needs of individuals who face challenges participating in their daily lives.

Click below for more details about the OT curriculum and to see the curriculum map

Curriculum

Upon completion of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program, graduates are expected to:

1. Deliver evidence-informed, occupation-based and occupation-focused services to individuals and groups to promote health, well-being and quality of life.
2. Meet the occupational needs of culturally and socially diverse individuals and communities through advocacy and leadership.
3. Develop and implement innovative programs for occupational therapy services in traditional and emerging areas of practice.
4. Engage in clinical research to facilitate promotion and dissemination of knowledge.
5. Uphold the ethical standards, values and attitudes of the occupational therapy profession in one's work, service, and ongoing professional development.

These outcomes are accomplished through:

1. A curriculum model based on intentionally sequenced courses that serve as vital links between application, synthesis, and evaluation of knowledge, skills and attitudes.
2. Intentional dynamic integration of authentic clinical experiences across the curriculum.
3. Critical application of current research and available evidence to improve occupational therapy practice and contribute to the knowledge base of the profession.
4. Occupation-focused coursework and fieldwork experiences designed to embrace critical and ethical reasoning across the lifespan.
5. Collaboration to facilitate individual and group work to develop leadership, team building, and professional skills, behaviors and attitudes.

The Occupational Therapy Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE's telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-6611, x2914 and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411.

Individuals applying for admission to the College of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Program must submit documentation for the following minimum requirements before the academic year commences for the incoming class:

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Grades of C or better for prerequisite coursework; grades of C- are not acceptable.
3. Completion of the minimum number of prerequisite courses in the prescribed subject areas at regionally accredited colleges or universities.
4. Satisfaction of the standards set forth by the Admissions Committee (including documentation of academic and professional promise in prospective students).
5. Completion of the Occupational Therapy Program's interview process. On-campus interviews are by invitation only. Applicants are invited to an interview based on evidence supportive of excellence in:
   • Academic achievement
   • Oral and written communication skills
   • Articulation of the domain and scope of OT practice
   • Community service
   • Leadership in extracurricular or other activities
6. Completion of a first aid course within the three years prior to enrollment.
7. Current certification by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers.
8. Demonstration of a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
9. Motivation for and commitment to healthcare as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
10. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with clients and colleagues.
11. Commitment to abide by Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
12. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.

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PREREQUISITE COURSES

Students must complete these courses with a grade of C or better; grades of C- are not acceptable:

1The Anatomy and Physiology requirements may also be fulfilled by taking Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II, as some universities offer combined courses.

2Human Anatomy must be completed successfully within 5 years of admission to the Program. The lab component with cadaver experience is strongly recommended.

A course in child development, and a course in the sociology or psychology of aging, are highly recommended. Additional courses in the sciences and mathematics are also recommended, including chemistry, physiology, physics, and biology. General education electives are also recommended to demonstrate competency in English composition, oral communication, problem-solving behavior, logic, and ethical theories.

What is the minimum GPA required for admission?

·         You are required to have a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Grades of C or better are required for prerequisite coursework; grades of C- are not acceptable. The average GPA of our applicants is 3.6.

Do I need to take the GRE?

·         No, GRE scores are not required to apply.

What prerequisite courses do I need to take?

·         You can view all required prerequisite courses, and all other application requirements, at https://www.midwestern.edu/programs_and_admission/il_occupational_therapy/admission/apply.html#requirements.

Do I have to complete all of the prerequisite courses before I submit my application?

• You do not have to have your prerequisites completed prior to applying to the program. All of your courses must be complete before matriculation into the program.

Does it matter when I completed my prerequisites or when I obtained my baccalaureate degree?

• It does not matter how recently you earned your degree. In fact, we encourage people to apply who are considering a career change, or may be returning to graduate school after an absence. However, it is required that the Anatomy and Physiology courses have been completed within the previous five years.

What are the undergraduate majors of your students?

• There is no specific major required for our program, as long as all of the prerequisite courses are completed. Our students have baccalaureate degrees in all areas, with the most common being psychology, kinesiology, and exercise science. We encourage students from diverse academic backgrounds to apply; many of our students majored in areas such as business, art, and English. 

What are the most important qualifications that you look for in an applicant?

• We look for applicants who are well-rounded and have a strong history of academic excellence, a commitment to service, and experience in leadership roles. We look for applicants who are person-centered and who are sensitive to individuals or groups who experience disability, social stigma, or limited access to healthcare.

Are there certain settings you prefer my OT observations to be in? How many hours of observations do I need?

• We do not require a certain number or type of OT observations.  We prefer applicants to observe or experience OT in diverse settings to ensure that the applicant understands the variety of settings and practice within OT. We also encourage applicants to consider opportunities to observe in other healthcare and social service fields where they will encounter diverse populations.