Occupational Therapy
Post-Baccalaureate Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Earn a Post-Baccalaureate OTD at Etown
The Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) at Elizabethtown College is a program designed for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and satisfied all admission requirements.
The program can be completed in just three years of full-time study, with the final year dedicated to fieldwork and capstone experiences conducted off campus.
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Application Information
| Details | Date |
|---|---|
| Admission Type: | Rolling Admission |
| GRE Requirement: | Not Required |
OTD Program Admission Criteria
Academic Requirements
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 and no admission prerequisite or online summer prerequisite course grades below a C.
Technical Standards
To assure the health and safety of the occupational therapy students and patients with whom they work, all applicants and students are required to meet Technical Standards/Performance Indicators to ensure that they have sufficient abilities to meet the rigorous work expectations of a student studying Occupational Therapy.
Review Essential Functions and Technical StandardsGraduate Program Admission Prerequisite Courses
Preferred completion in the past 5 years. Courses must be completed or in progress at the time of application. Courses in progress will lead to conditional admission pending final transcript review confirming successful completion of all prerequisite courses to allow for matriculation into the OTD program.
The study of structure and function of the human integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Particular attention is given to structure and function as it relates to dysfunction and disease. Laboratory work includes learning from human cadavers.
Course Title Examples:
- Human A&P I and II
- Survey of Human Physiology and Anatomy
- Functional Anatomy and Human Physiology
- Human Anatomy & Embryology and Physiology
- Comparative Anatomy and Human Physiology
The study of structure and function of the human endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, excretory, digestive, and reproductive systems. Emphasis on these systems as they relate to homeostasis and disease. Laboratory work includes learning from human cadavers and “hands-on” manipulation of instruments useful to the health profession student.
Course Title Examples:
- Human A&P I and II
- Survey of Human Physiology and Anatomy
- Functional Anatomy and Human Physiology
- Human Anatomy & Embryology and Physiology
- Comparative Anatomy and Human Physiology
Covers the basic principles of descriptive statistics, experimental design and statistical inference. The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to statistical thinking and methodology, and their use in the natural and social sciences.
Course Title Examples:
- Psychological Statistics
- Application in Statistics/ Probability
- Mathematical Statistics
- Statistical Principles of Psychological Research
- Applied Statistical Methods in the Psychological Sciences
- Research Methods and Statistics
- Biostatistics and Experimental Design
- Psychological Research-Design and Analysis
An introduction to psychological science, including methods of inquiry, learning and motivation, abnormal behavior, developmental and social influences, cognition, sensation and perception, neuroscience and personality.
Course Title Examples:
- Introduction to Psychology
- General Psychology
The study of human psychological development through the life span with emphasis on biological factors, research methods, behavioral phenomena, and major theories of development. This course must include content about human development throughout the lifespan (infants, children, adolescents, adults, and older adults). This prerequisite should allow the student to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of human development throughout the lifespan (infants, children, adolescents, adults, and older adults).
Course Title Examples:
- Developmental Psychology
- Life Span Human Development
- Survey of Developmental Psychology
- Developmental Psychology: Childhood + Developmental Psychology: Adolescent + Developmental
- Psychology: Adulthood
- Psychology of Children and Adolescents + Psychology of Aging
- Childhood and Adolescents + Adulthood and Aging
Prerequisites must be taken at a regionally accredited college, university, or community college. Credit by exam, CLEP, and AP credit will be considered. It is preferred that prerequisites are completed within 5 years of the application date, but all transcripts will be considered. Students who have taken these courses during the pandemic and received a grade of P/F or credit/no credit will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Etown Summer Prerequisite Courses
Completed after conditional admission; must be successfully completed to progress to the fall semester:
- HE 305 — Conditions and the Implications for Occupational Performance
- HE 310 — Occupations and Activity Analysis
Application Essay
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.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required as part of your application.
National Background Check
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 appropriate credentialing boards (i.e., NBCOT). Fieldwork education sites may not permit participation in the clinical experience. Serious consideration by the candidate must occur prior to application and matriculation.
Order a Background CheckHealth Requirements & Clearances
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Post-Baccalaureate OTD Graduate Program:
Prerequisite coursework includes:
- Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
- Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
- Statistics
- General / Introductory Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. College or University is required. Overall cumulative GPA must be a minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and no prerequisite grade below a C. No GRE scores are required.
The program uses rolling admission. As seats in the program become available, students on the waitlist may be offered a seat. Once the program is full, we will communicate this with remaining students on the waitlist.
Courses will be evaluated for transfer from all colleges and universities, including community colleges.
Courses in progress will lead to conditional admission pending final transcript review confirming successful completion of all prerequisite courses to allow for matriculation into the OTD program.
The Post-Baccalaureate OTD program includes two years of coursework, six months of Level II Fieldwork, and a capstone experience.
Upon successful completion, you’ll be eligible to take the NBCOT certification examination and obtain state licensure to practice occupational therapy.