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In the Occupational Therapy Program, you will learn how to improve the daily lives of your patients through responsive, compassionate, and evidence-based treatments. We're focused on providing you with the right balance of student-centered coursework and diverse clinical experiences to build your future as a key member of the healthcare team. Our caring faculty experts continue to practice in the field and are able to provide the education and mentorship you need to succeed as an occupational therapist in a wide-range of settings.
Program
Doctoral
Location
Downers Grove, IL
Duration
33 months, full-time
Class Size
50
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
Upon completion of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program, graduates are expected to:
These outcomes are accomplished through:
The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE's telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA, 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:
Students must complete these courses with a grade of C or better; grades of C- are not acceptable:
Course |
Sem Hrs |
Qtr Hrs |
Human Anatomy1, 2 |
3 |
4 |
Physiology1 |
3 |
4 |
Statistics |
3 |
4 |
Lifespan Development |
3 |
4 |
Abnormal Psychology |
3 |
4 |
Other Social and Behavioral Sciences |
3 |
4 |
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?
Does it matter when I completed my prerequisites or when I obtained my baccalaureate degree?
What are the undergraduate majors of your students?
What are the most important qualifications that you look for in an applicant?
Are there certain settings you prefer my OT observations to be in? How many hours of observations do I need?
Tuition/Fees Information
For detailed information about the total cost of attendance, visit the Cost of Attendance section on the Student Financial Services website. The total cost of attendance figures includes tuition/fees, estimates for books, supplies, and living expenses, etc.
For the Student Financial Services contact information, visit the Contact Financial Aid section.
Tuition rates are subject to change each academic year for all enrolled students.
The Midwestern University Occupational Therapy Program transitioned from a Master of OT degree to a Doctor of OT degree during this three-year period of time. The table below includes data from the last cohort of MOT graduates in 2018, and data from the first cohort of OTD graduates in 2020. The Program did not have any graduates in 2019.
Graduation Year |
Student Entering/Graduating |
Graduation Rate |
2018 |
50/48 |
96% |
2019 |
--- |
--- |
2020 |
50/46 |
92% |
Total |
100/94 |
94% |
The three-year pass rate for the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy Examination is 100%. Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at https://secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx
Occupational Therapy is a registered and/or licensed profession in all 50 states. To become licensed to practice as an occupational therapist in most states (including Illinois), a student must graduate from an ACOTE-accredited or approved educational program and pass the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Most states (including Illinois) require status as an occupational therapist registered (OTR) to become a licensed occupational therapist (OTR/L). A prior felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Exam or attain state licensure.
Occupational Therapists provide evaluation and intervention, education, consultation, management, wellness and prevention services. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association*, occupational therapists work in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation, School Systems, Acute Care, Geriatrics, Home Health, Orthopedics, Mental health, OT Professional Education and/or Research.
*American Occupational Therapy Association, http://www.AOTA.org