• Combined B.S./M.S.: Our B.S./M.S. program offers a 5-year program that is fully accredited. Students who complete the 5-year program will earn a bachelor’s degree in Health Science and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy.

• Combined B.S./OTD: Our B.S./OTD program is fully accredited and offers a 6-year program that leads to an entry-level degree (OTD). Students who complete the 6-year program will earn a bachelor’s degree in Health Science and an Entry-Level OTD in occupational therapy.

• Post-Baccalaureate OTD: A full-time, in-person doctoral program for students who have completed prerequisite coursework.

• Post-Professional OTD: An online program through the School of Graduate and Professional Studies designed for licensed occupational therapists who hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy and want to advance their careers.

Occupational Therapists may work in many different types of settings or facilities, and with a broad array of people. As Occupational Therapy practitioners gain experience, they may eventually specialize in a type of practice. Occupational therapy practitioners may provide services in various settings and with various populations including:

• Children and youth in various settings
• Home & Community health & wellness
• Hospitals or Outpatient clinics for all ages
• Productive Aging and Long-Term Care
• Mental Health & Behavioral Health
• Rehabilitation and Participation
• Leadership and Administration of Services

Exploring the OT industry will help you determine whether or not this is a good career path for you. It will also better prepare you for our program. You can learn more about the OT industry through a variety of methods including:

• Seeking opportunities offered on the  American Occupational Therapy Association  website
• Shadowing practitioners in different settings (hospitals, schools, private practice, hospice, community mental health facilities, nursing homes, veteran’s services, etc.)
• Conducting research, either on-line or through a career specialist or guidance counselor
• Reading about occupational therapists and/or their clients
• Exploring careers in allied health fields

Relax, be confident and be yourself! Your interview is meant to determine if you will be a good fit in our program and the OT industry. Prospective Occupational Therapy students are encouraged to explore the field of occupational therapy prior to applying to the program and before participating in the required admissions interview.

• Combined B.S./M.S.: Our B.S./M.S. program offers a 5-year program that is fully accredited. Students who complete the 5-year program will earn a bachelor’s degree in Health Science and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy.

• Combined B.S./OTD: Our B.S./OTD program is fully accredited and offers a 6-year program that leads to an entry-level degree (OTD). Students who complete the 6-year program will earn a bachelor’s degree in Health Science and an Entry-Level OTD in occupational therapy.

The admissions process for our First-Year Pathway OT programs is slightly more extensive than admission into our other programs. Because of the high number of applicants, the program is more selective and deadlines are sooner. Those seeking admission must be aware of these differences:

• An Occupational Therapy interview (with the Office of Admissions) must be completed before the Priority Deadline of January 15.
• Your application must be submitted and completed before the Priority Deadline of January 15.
• Transfer students are not accepted into the combined B.S./M.S. or B.S./OTD programs. However, students who have completed a bachelor’s degree elsewhere may apply to our Post-Baccalaureate OTD Pathway.

Candidates for our combined OT programs must meet a variety of standards. Several aspects of your application are taken into consideration including the following:

• High School Class Rank and GPA
• High School science grades
• SAT or ACT scores – Elizabethtown College is test-optional for students applying to the program
• Knowledge and Understanding of Occupational Therapy (including observations and/or other direct experiences)
• Access to and competence in using e-mail and Canvas Platform

Applicants who are offered admission after the program has reached capacity will be placed on an active waitlist. The waitlist is reviewed daily, allowing us to respond quickly as seats become available. Historically, movement does occur as applicants finalize decisions across programs.

Yes. Completing your application and interview ensures you are added to a waitlist to be considered promptly if space becomes available and allows you to remain competitive within a highly selective applicant pool. We are committed to clear, timely communication throughout the process so you can make informed decisions.

Historically, seats do become available prior to the start of the fall term as applicants confirm their plans. Completing your application and interview positions you competitively for admission should a space open. Because the waitlist is reviewed daily, offers are communicated immediately when openings occur, and prompt responses are encouraged.

• Post-Baccalaureate OTD: A full-time, in-person doctoral program for students who have completed prerequisite coursework.

• Post-Professional OTD: An online program through the School of Graduate and Professional Studies designed for licensed occupational therapists who hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy and want to advance their careers.

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. College or University and completion of all admission prerequisite courses is required prior to matriculation. Overall cumulative GPA must be a minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with no admission prerequisite or online summer prerequisite course grades below a C.

The following prerequisite courses must be completed or in progress at the time of application. Preferred completion is within the past 5 years. Courses in progress will lead to conditional admission pending final transcript review confirming successful completion prior to matriculation:

• Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
• Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
• Statistics
• General/Introductory Psychology
• Developmental Psychology

Prerequisites must be taken at a regionally accredited college, university, or community college. Credit by exam, CLEP, and AP credit will be considered. Students who received a grade of P/F or credit/no credit during the pandemic will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The following courses are completed after conditional admission and must be successfully finished to progress to the fall semester:

• HE 305 — Conditions and the Implications for Occupational Performance
• HE 310 — Occupations and Activity Analysis

Submit a reflective statement (750–1,000 words) addressing the following topics:

• Why OT? Why Etown? Explain your reason for wanting to join the Etown OTD program and why you chose OT as a career path.
• What is OT? Convey your understanding of the occupational therapy profession and how you developed that knowledge (include shadow hours and field references if available).
• Why me? Discuss what personal attributes you feel make you a good fit for the occupational therapy profession.

Two letters of recommendation are required as part of your application.

Yes. Candidates for admission must satisfy a national background check before enrolling in summer courses. Applicants convicted of a felony or misdemeanor may be denied certification or licensure as an occupational therapist. For information regarding eligibility, contact the appropriate credentialing boards (i.e., NBCOT). Fieldwork education sites may not permit participation in clinical experiences. Serious consideration by the candidate must occur prior to application and matriculation.

All students admitted to our program must complete a variety of health screenings, vaccinations, background clearances, and certifications typically required by clinical and community education sites. A full list of these clearances and fieldwork onboarding policies are made available after entry to the program.

Yes. Our Post-Baccalaureate OTD program operates with rolling admission and you can apply at any time.