OTD in Occupational Therapy

 

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program is limited each year to 30 students.

To be considered for the OTD program, applicants must apply to BOTH the Arkansas State University
(AState) graduate school and OTCAS. Admission to the graduate school does not guarantee admission into
the OTD program. We prefer applicants to apply to the graduate school before you submit your program
application in February. If you do not have a Bachelor’s degree, please include your most current
transcript through the Fall semester before your application in the Spring semester. Apply here now!

In order to be eligible for admission to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program, applicants must
meet the following minimum requirements:

• Completed a Bachelor's degree or are within 1 semester of completing a Baccalaureate
  degree from an accredited University or College.
• Complete an application to AState graduate school.
• Complete OTCAS application.
• Submit all transcripts to OTCAS. (Submit a transcript from every college/university you
  attended after high school even if it was for a single class.)
• Earn a final grade of “B” or higher for all prerequisite courses. Applicants must
  have a minimum of 20 prerequisite credit hours completed at the time of
  application on February 1.
•  A prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
•  A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale of all college work attempted.
• 30 hours of documented community service. 20 hours must be in a single location.
• 3 pre-professional recommendations (must use admission packet forms).
• English proficiency requirements, if foreign born (see application p. 6).
• Applicants scoring 70 or higher on the admission application will receive automatic
  consideration by the admissions committee.
• Scores between 65 and 70 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for admission.
• Scores below 65 will not be considered for admission.
• Any incomplete application will not be considered for admission

prerequisite courses

If you are applying from another university, the course titles may be different. Examples of course titles that will substitute for prerequisite requirements can be found below. This list is not all inclusive. Contact the OTD program
director to see if your prerequisite courses are acceptable. Course descriptions for Arkansas State
University are in the undergraduate bulletin at www.astate.edu/registrar 

Biology:

• BIO 2203 & 2201: Human Anatomy and
  Physiology I & Lab
• BIO 2223 & 2221: Human Anatomy and
  Physiology II & Lab

Health Professions:

• HP 2013: Medical Terminology

Physics:

• PHYS 2133: Physics for Health
  Professions
• PHYS 2054: General
  Physics (Algebra-based not Calculus based. Sometimes called “College
  Physics”.)

Psychology:

• PSY 2013: Intro to Psychology
• PSY 2233: Abnormal Psychology
• PSY 2133: Developmental Psychology

Statistics:

• STAT 3033: Statistics for Health Science
  Majors
  or
  
• STAT 3233: Applied Statistics I
  or
  
• PSY 3103: Quantitative Methods in
  Psychology
  or
  
• SOC 3383: Social Statistics
  [Course must include inferential Statistics]
  (Biostatistics, Business statistics, or
  Research & Statistical Methods in
  Exercise Science are not accepted as a
  substitute)

Background Check

Based on recent legislation in Arkansas, students are required to complete a background check AFTER
they receive conditional admission into the program. Arkansas State University’s College of Nursing and
Health Professions works with Verified Credentials, Inc. to establish an acceptable screening procedure.

The cost of the background check is $100.

personal insurance

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program requires all OTD students to carry personal health
insurance. Students must provide hard copy proof of health insurance to the department Chair after
acceptance into the program. Students must provide proof of health insurance by mail, fax, or hand
delivery no later than August 1 every year in the program. Clear copies of both sides of insurance card will
suffice as proof.
AState OTD students are required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 (one million) of liability insurance
the entire time they are in the program. Student liability insurance cost varies but typically does not
exceed $90 per year.

Matriculation

Matriculation

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate program consists of 9 semesters totaling 120 credit hours. Upon graduation from the OTD program, students must take the required National Board exam hosted by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) to practice occupational therapy. Students are strongly encouraged to take the NBCOT board exam within six months after graduation.  

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) requires all graduates to pass a background check prior to taking the NBCOT board exam. Failure to pass the NBCOT background check prohibits the licensed practice of occupational therapy.

Upon passing the NBCOT examination, the student will become a registered Occupational Therapist (OTR) and then may apply for state licensure. All 50 states have regulatory laws for occupational therapists and require licensure. Frequently state requirements for licensure are met through the same education and training required to maintain certification with NBCOT.

The OTD program is a lock-step program. Students must maintain satisfactory grades in each semester; otherwise the student can be placed on probation or dismissed from the program. The OTD Program requires timely completion of the all degree requirements, including all didactic coursework, Level II Fieldwork rotations, OTKE exam for third-year entry and Capstone. To progress in the professional curriculum, students must: 

• Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all Occupational Therapy Program courses, fieldwork, and Capstone.
• Receive grades of 75% or better in all professional courses.
• Maintain academic integrity and professional behavior in classroom, laboratory, any fieldwork sites visited, and in the community.
• Maintain the standards of affiliating fieldwork facilities.
• Exhibit affective behaviors consistent with the Professional Behavior Expectations and AOTA Code of Ethics.

As of July 18, 2025, the application process for the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program at AState will be through OTCAS.

how to apply to otcas

• Create an account and apply to OTCAS (https://otcas.cas.myliaison.com/applicant-ux/#/login)
• Submit completed OTCAS application. All OTCAS applications must be VERIFIED on or before
  February 1st. We recommend submitting your OTCAS application no later than January 5th.
  Incomplete applications will not be considered. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case
  basis. Students will be notified of their acceptance status by March 31.
• The first 3 sections of the application contain information required by the OTCAS system. Section 4 is for
  specific information required for Arkansas State OTD application.
  
  

Section 1: Personal Information - Complete all sections

Section 2: Academic History - We do not require
any standardized tests like the GRE so you can select "none" for that section.

Section 3: Supporting Information - This includes recommendation evaluations and personal
statements. We do not require observation hours, but if you have hours you may list them in this section.
You may also list resume items such as work experience in this section.

Section 4: Program Materials - This section is for adding Arkansas State OTD program as one of the choices for you to send your application to. Click on "Add a Program" in the Program Materials Box.
Once you click, you will see ADD PROGRAMS, Scroll down to Arkansas State University and select Occupational Therapy Doctorate.

• When you click on "Occupational Therapy Doctorate", our program description box pops up.
• To add Arkansas State University OTD program to your application, click on "+" sign next to our program
  name.
• Once you add a program, you will be taken to the payment screen. An application with a single program is
  $169.00. Each additional program selection is $71.00.
• Once you select our program, you will go back to section 4 and select the "Arkansas State OTD" link.
  Once you click on the link, you will land on our program page.
  • Click on the "Questions" tab to complete your essay. Click on the "Documents" tab to upload your
    volunteer reflections and signed documentation of your completed hours. The prerequisites tab will prompt
    you to go back and check your transcript to make sure you have all the required courses.
    Once you have completed the entire application, review your materials for accuracy. When you are happy
    with your information, click "submit application".
• After you submit your application, you can check on the progress of your application by clicking on "check
  status."

Application scores include the following factors:

• Academic status – prerequisite and overall GPAs
• Application essay
• 3 OTCAS requested evaluations.
• Community/Volunteer service (Does not have to be with an Occupational Therapist,
  healthcare related, or in a healthcare facility.)

UNCONDITIONAL ADMISSION STATUS

View University Graduate Degree Policies

The following Graduate School admission requirements are minimum standards which identify the pool of applicants from which departments select students to be admitted in a degree program. To be granted unconditional admission status in the Graduate School, applicants must:

• Submit a completed online application for admission and the nonrefundable application fee of $30 for U.S. Applicants, $40 for International Applicants, or $50 for Doctoral Applicants to Graduate School Admissions, along with the required program documents, by the deadline on the department website.
• Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution (or its equivalent as determined by the Graduate School).
• Achieved a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale or a 3.00 GPA on the last 60 hours.
• Achieved a minimum 3.00 GPA on any previous graduate courses completed at either Arkansas State University or another accredited university.
• Submitted official transcripts from each college or university as requested by the Graduate School. Official transcripts must be submitted directly from the registrar of other institutions to the office of the Graduate School at Arkansas State University.

CONDITIONAL ADMISSION STATUS

An applicant who fails to meet the GPA requirements for Unconditional Admission Status, who lacks the appropriate undergraduate background for a particular degree program, or whose baccalaureate degree is from an unaccredited institution, may be granted conditional admission status after:

• Submission of a completed online application for admission and the designated nonrefundable application fee mentioned above to Graduate School Admissions, along with the required program documents, by the deadline on the department website.
• Submitted official transcripts from each college or university as requested by the Graduate School. Official transcripts must be submitted directly from the registrar of other institutions to the office of the Graduate School at Arkansas State University.
• Achieving a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale or a 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours for admission into a graduate program or for admission as a non-degree student.

PROGRAM ADMISSION CRITERIA

Meeting the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School does not necessarily ensure acceptance into a particular graduate degree program. Individual departments may establish requirements for individual degree programs above and beyond the standards for admission to the Graduate School.

 

1. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION MATERIALS

Closely observe the deadline and required materials set by your graduate program of interest, including any additional documents requested of students who are seeking departmental funding through assistantships or fellowships. Complete the application and fax, e-mail or mail any materials that could not be submitted online to A-State Graduate Admissions.

General documents needed in the application process:

• A completed online application accompanied by the appropriate application fee ($30 for U.S. applicants, $50 for International applicants, $50 for Doctoral applicants), along with the required documents for that specific graduate program. See the program website for specific required documents. (There may be separate application forms for some programs, as noted on the departments' websites.)
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended since leaving high school. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the institutions previously attended. If you are a graduate of A-State, we will obtain your transcript for you.
• All students are required to present written documentation of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization. This immunization must have been received after the first birthday and after January 1, 1968.
• Arkansas law requires that, in order to be eligible for enrollment at a public institution of higher learning, a male applicant between the ages of 18 and 25 who is a U.S. citizen must be registered or be exempt from registration with the Selective Service System.
• If a standardized test is required for your major, you may contact the Testing Center at Arkansas State University at (870) 972-2038 for information regarding tests and test dates.

 

2. REVIEW BY THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Once an applicant has submitted all required documents to Graduate Admissions, the admissions committee for that particular academic program will review their applicant file and make their decisions regarding admission.

3. FINAL REVIEW BY THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

Once the Graduate School receives the academic program’s admission decision, they email a copy of that Notice of Admission Decision to the applicant, unless the program notifies their applicants directly.

4. ADMISSION

If accepted into the degree program to which you applied, Graduate Admissions will admit you to the University and email you a copy of your Notice of Admission, unless that program notifies their accepted applicants directly. Admitted applicants need to check with their assigned advisor, as noted on their Notice of Admission, in order to be able to register for the semester.

Transfer students will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Students that are currently enrolled in another accredited OTD program may apply to the AState OTD program using the regular admissions process. Should a transfer student be admitted to the AState OTD program, up to nine graduate credit hours may be used to satisfy degree requirements of the OTD. The OT department admissions committee reviews syllabi from previous OT program and determines which courses meet AState OTD standards.  The OT department admissions committee and AState graduate school determine if a student may transfer.

Application Procedure

1. Submit the full and complete application packet on or before February 1 using the following address:
   
        Christine Wright, Chair
        Arkansas State University – Jonesboro
        College of Nursing and Health Professions
        Occupational Therapy Department
        PO Box 910
        State University, AR 72467

Incomplete will not be considered. Late applications can be considered with approval from the department chair/OTD program director. Students will be notified of their acceptance status on or before March 31.

2. Apply to the graduate school at Arkansas State University. 
3. Submit all transcripts and immunization records to the graduate school. DO NOT send transcripts and immunization records to the Occupational Therapy department or submit transcripts and immunization records with the Occupational Therapy application.

Fieldwork Requirements

Level 1

The curriculum includes four (4) Level I fieldworks, allowing the student to acquire 40 hours of clinical experience in each of the following areas: aging adults, psychosocial, neurorehabilitation and pediatrics. The Level 1 fieldworks support students’ integration of learned information to applied clinical contexts.

Level 2

The curriculum also includes two (2) Level II fieldworks, each 12 weeks in length. Students are at fieldwork sites full-time during Level II experiences. Both experiences require the application of clinical reasoning and practical skills. Fieldwork takes place at approved facilities. Supervision ensures it meets professional accreditation standards. Students handle everything in the occupational therapy process during Level II, including costs.

The student must successfully complete all coursework and Level II fieldwork and pass a pre-NBCOT competency practice examination requirement prior to the commencement of the doctoral experiential component.

Capstone

The Capstone gives students a final learning experience in clinical practice, research, theory, leadership, program development, policy development, advocacy or education.  Capstone is a minimum of 14-weeks or 560 hours and must occur under the supervision of a mentor with expertise in the area of the Capstone. Prior fieldwork or work experience may not be substituted for Capstone. Capstones may not occur at a student’s place of employment. Capstone is student driven and provides the opportunity to apply didactic knowledge, leadership and advocacy skills in an area of interest. Students participate in two capstone preparation courses to develop their capstone project. The semester leading up to the Capstone rotation focuses beyond generalist content in order to round out the student skills for the capstone experience. 

**Students are responsible for all fieldwork and Capstone expenses.

Program Completion and Graduation

To graduate from the program, students must achieve a final grade of 75% or higher on all didactic courses, have a 3.0 overall GPA at the time of graduation, pass all fieldwork levels, and pass Capstone.

Students have up to 24 months after completion of the didactic coursework to complete both Level II Fieldwork rotations and Capstone experience. Timely completion of the program is monitored by the student and his/her faculty advisor using the Degree Works system.

NBCOT Certification Exam Procedures

Graduates of our program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for Occupational Therapy, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the exam, the individual will be a registered Occupational Therapist (OTR). (NBCOT Exam Handbook).

To be eligible to take the NBCOT certification exam, OTR candidates must graduate with an entry-level occupational therapy degree from an ACOTE®-accredited occupational therapy (OT) program.

NBCOT® Academic Credential Verification Policy U.S. graduates examining for the first time must submit an official final transcript from the university that confirms eligibility for admission to the examination.

NBCOT® Academic Credential Verification Policy U.S. graduates examining for the first time must submit an official final transcript from the university that confirms eligibility for admission to the examination.

Licensure in the State of Arkansas

In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. The Arkansas State University OTD Program school code is 30508.

Felony Conviction Statement

**A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.**

essential functions of otd students

Upon admission, a student who discloses a properly certified disability will receive reasonable accommodations but must also be able to perform the essential functions of the curriculum and meet the standards for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program.  Students seeking accommodations must contact Access & Accommodation Services. 

Essential functions for AState OTD students are as follows:

Motor Skills

Candidates for admission to the AState Department of Occupational Therapy must have sufficient motor function to elicit information from clients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other evaluation procedures.  Candidates must be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general occupational therapy, including the physical strength to stand and ambulate with a walker, cane or crutches.  Candidates must have the physical strength to lift and transfer clients.

Therapeutic Occupational Therapy procedures require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the sense of touch and vision.  For this reason, candidates for admission to the AState Department of Occupational Therapy must have manual dexterity and the ability to engage in procedures involving grasping, fingering, pushing, pulling, extending and rotation.

Sensory/Observational Skills

Candidates for admission to the AState Department of Occupational Therapy must be able to observe demonstrations and participate in laboratory experiments as required in the curriculum.  Candidates must be able to observe clients and be able to obtain an appropriate medical history directly from client or guardian.  Such observation necessitates the functional use of vision, hearing, and other sensory modalities.  Candidates must have visual perception that includes depth and acuity.

Communication Skills

Candidates for admission to the AState Department of Occupational Therapy must be able to communicate in English effectively and sensitively with clients.  In addition, candidates must be able to communicate in English in oral and written form with faculty, other health personnel, and peers in the classroom, laboratory and fieldwork settings.  Such communication skills include, but are not limited to, speech, reading and writing in English.  Candidates must have the ability to complete reading assignments, search and evaluate literature.  Candidates must be able to complete written assignments and maintain written records.  Candidates must have the ability to complete assessment exercises.  Candidates must also have the ability to use therapeutic communication, such as attending, clarifying, coaching, facilitating, and touching.  All of these skills will be needed in the classroom, laboratory, and fieldwork environments.

Intellectual/Conceptual, Integrative and Qualitative Skills

Candidates for admission to the AState Department of Occupational Therapy must have the ability to measure, calculate, reason, problem-solve, diagnose, and obtain, interpret, synthesize and document data.  These skills allow students to carry out proper assessments, make sound judgments; prioritize therapeutic interventions, and measure and record client care outcomes.  Candidates must have the ability to use computers for searching, recording, storing, and retrieving information.  In addition, candidates must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships of anatomic structures.

Behavioral/Social Skills and Professionalism:

Candidates for admission to the AState Department of Occupational Therapy must demonstrate attributes of empathy, integrity, concern for others interpersonal skills, interest and motivation.  Candidates must possess the emotional well-being required for use of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of sound judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities required for the evaluation and care of clients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with clients.  Candidates must be able to adapt to ever-changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainty and stress which are inherent in the educational process and clinical rotations. 

Candidates must have the ability to be assertive, delegate responsibilities, and function as part of an Occupational Therapy team.  Such abilities require organizational skills necessary to meet deadlines and manage time.