OTD FAQ

Anatomy and Physiology I with lab, 4 semester credits
Anatomy and Physiology II with lab, 4 semester credits
Biology with lab, 3-4 semester credits
Introduction to Psychology, 3 semester credits
Abnormal Psychology, 3 semester credits
Social Science, 3 semester credits
Statistics or Research, 3 semester credits
Medical Terminology, 1-3 semester credits

View descriptions of these prerequisites.

For questions about a specific prerequisite, complete this form.

Applications are accepted year-round for both locations and all cohorts. Decisions are typically made within 1-2 weeks after student interviews on Preview Days. Applications should be completed via OTCAS at least one week before Preview Days for interview consideration. Individual interviews may be arranged with extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the admissions committee. 

Yes. This OTD program is designed for students who currently hold a baccalaureate (undergraduate) degree or are in the process of earning one prior to the start of OTD classes. 

Students holding bachelor’s degrees from any discipline are welcome to apply as long as they complete the specified occupational therapy prerequisites. 

We annually admit up to 56 students at our Fort Wayne, Indiana, location (22 in the spring cohort and 34 in the fall) and 32 students at our Peoria, Arizona, location, projected for spring 2021. 

New fall cohort classes begin each August, and new spring cohort classes begin in late January. 

Applicants who have earned a bachelor's degree from Huntington University within the past 10 years with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible for automatic admission into the doctoral program in occupational therapy, provided they meet all other admission prerequisites. Additional review will be required for Huntington University graduates who earned their bachelor's degrees 10 years or more prior to applying to the program. 

A master’s degree will prepare you for a generalist practice, while a doctoral degree will prepare you for a more specialized and advanced practice. The OTD clinical doctoral degree enables you to be a direct-care provider, consultant, educator, manager, leader, researcher, or advocate for the profession and the consumer.

Through a doctoral program, you develop knowledge, skills, attitudes, and in-depth experience to specialize in clinical practice, research, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and/or theory development. More experience in a concentrated area means you have opportunities to gain and master leadership and professional connections in an area of personal and professional interest.

Huntington University’s OTD program is designed as a cohort group where students complete a series of courses full-time. The program’s third year allows for part-time study at 50% minimum for Fieldwork II and the experiential component. Going part-time would delay graduation accordingly. 

Classes are located at both the Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Peoria, Arizona, Huntington University locations.

• Fort Wayne, Indiana: 1819 Carew Street, on the Parkview Hospital Randallia campus
• Peoria, Arizona: 8385 W. Mariners Way 

Why should I consider becoming an occupational therapist? (PDF)

Why should I choose a career in occupational therapy? (PDF)

What is day-to-day life like as an occupational therapist? (PDF)

What does the job market look like for occupational therapists? (PDF)

What types of salaries and opportunities can I anticipate as an occupational therapist? (PDF) 

Source for PDFs: The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. 

Our traditional OTD program is a full-time, eight-term program over three years. 

We also offer an OTA/PTA to OTD Bridge program for working professional which is 9 semesters over three years.

Huntington University’s rigorous OTD curriculum requires 18 to 19 credit hours per semester. Students should be prepared to designate evenings and weekends to extensive study, reading, and writing. 

Classes and fieldwork experiences typically will be held Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

You can get an up-to-date list of our accreditations and current status for both locations by visiting the accreditations page.