Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)

Facilities

At IWU, students learn in unique state-of-the-art facilities and lab spaces, including a well-equipped sensory-based pediatric lab, and an anatomy and neuroanatomy cadaver lab outfitted with media-based technologies. OTD degree students at IWU learn transfers, home assessment, and modifications in our fully furnished 3-bedroom home located on a quaint corner of campus.

Faculty

The OTD program is blessed to feature a diverse faculty with doctoral degrees from some of the nation’s leading institutions of higher learning. The educational diversity of the faculty offers our students a view of occupational therapy from varying educational perspectives. Many of our faculty members continue to work in clinical settings, thereby allowing them to stay current with health care trends and practices. All our faculty members teach within their areas of clinical expertise and specializations and advise students in those areas, creating targeted support for student success.

Meet Our Faculty

Fieldwork

The degree at IWU utilizes a uniquely student-focused fieldwork placement approach. The program places students in five different fieldwork settings during their time in this doctoral program. Our Academic Fieldwork Coordinator meets with students near the beginning of the program to help them identify areas of clinical interest as well as geographic areas of interest for Level II fieldwork.

OTD Program Learning Outcomes

In this program, students learn a variety of skills to achieve a holistic foundation for occupational therapy practice in any setting. Students will learn to deliver holistic care to address the needs of clients in mind, body, and spirit and advocate for global occupational justice. Graduates are equipped to:

Advocate on behalf of consumers and the profession, as servant leaders who are actively involved in professional and community organizations.
Promote occupational justice as people of moral character who apply Christ-like attitudes and ethical values.
Increase the body of knowledge in occupational therapy through scholarship and research in preparation for practice and life-long learning.
Address diverse occupational needs from a global perspective.
Apply occupational therapy scientific knowledge to create evidence-based intervention programs and/or protocols that are culturally responsive and client-centered.
Apply theoretical models and practice frameworks when developing systems for the delivery of occupational therapy services.
Demonstrate advanced-practice competency in a chosen capstone area.

Courses in this Program

Our courses are intentionally designed to move students from foundational understanding through to application and creation, integrating the themes of: Use of meaningful occupation as a therapeutic medium, Holistic care for all, and Global occupational justice. Courses include hands-on experiences and collaborative projects that progress from the classroom to the lab, and then to the community and clinic so that students enter the workforce with confidence. For a full list of courses required to complete your degree, please visit the course catalog .

Our Global Perspective

As part of our mission to understand the life experiences of others and learn about the world beyond our borders, the OTD program annually visits our global partners.

Learn about our Global Partners

After Graduation

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have created positions in emerging areas of practice, engaged in traditional occupational therapy practice, and entered advanced apprenticeship positions in hand therapy, as well as the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Graduates will also be prepared to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam and apply for state licensure as an occupational therapist.

By pursuing your doctorate of occupational therapy at IWU, you will gain the benefits of a uniquely Christian environment not found in many other OT programs, while also gaining the knowledge and experience to excel in the health sciences as a doctor of occupational therapy.

Surveys completed by supervisors of IWU OTD graduates indicate they are very satisfied with

Ethical reasoning
Client-centered practice
Occupation-based practice
Advocacy skills
Evidence-based practice
Inter-professional teamwork
Respect for Diversity
Servant Leadership

Admissions Requirements

There are Three Possible Paths of Entry into the OTD Program:

Accelerated Entry

For students entering OTD directly
90 undergraduate credits in any area
Overall GPA: 3.5 or higher
Pre-requisite GPA: 3.5 or higher
10 hours observation of OTR

Post-Baccalaureate Entry

Bachelor’s degree in any area
Overall GPA: 3.0
Pre-requisite GPA: 3.2 preferred
10 hours observation of OTR

IWU OTD in 6

For incoming Freshman only

Applicants who demonstrate progress toward either path will be invited to an on-campus interview for further consideration. Applicants pursuing Accelerated Entry are invited to apply after they have completed 60-75 credits of undergraduate work. Only 6 credits may be completed in the summer prior to matriculation.
Admission is provisional pending the successful completion of admissions requirements for the proposed pathway.
Criminal background checks are required prior to matriculation, and are repeated annually for community and fieldwork experiences, which occur throughout the program.
All credits within the OTD degree must be taken at IWU.
Work experience may be considered toward observation hours with the signature of a licensed OTR.
The Occupational Therapy program annually admits a class of 30 students to the professional entry level Doctorate (OTD), who begin studies in September each year.

Prerequisite Courses

The following prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited institution with a grade of B- or better. Course equivalencies are considered on a course-by-course basis. Credit for experiential learning is not considered. Unless specified, the courses below need to be taken for 3+ credits. Courses taken in a quarter system will be considered.

Students may complete up to two prerequisites in the summer semester prior to beginning the OTD coursework in the fall:

Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab -or- Human Anatomy with Lab
Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab -or- Human Physiology with Lab
Abnormal Psychology -or- Psychopathology
Lifespan Development -or- Developmental Psychology (may combine multiple development courses to cover the lifespan)
General Psychology (AP/testing credit allowed*)
Statistics (math or behavioral sciences based)
General Sociology -or- Anthropology
Medical Terminology (1-3 credits accepted)

*Advanced placement credit allowed for General Psychology only.

Technology Requirements

Students are required to have access to technology that can access the internet with word processing, spreadsheeting, email, and application abilities. Although technology support is available, students should demonstrate skills necessary to navigate and use the above technology.

Graduation Requirements

All credits required in the program of study with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25.
Minimum grade in each course of “B-“ or higher or a “pass” in pass/fail courses.
Successful completion of all Clinical Education courses to include site assessment documentation.
Payment of all program tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.

Polices for progression through the OTD program and retention in the program can be found in the program catalog.

All credits required in the program of study with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25.
Minimum grade in each course of “B-“ or higher or a “pass” in pass/fail courses.
Successful completion of all Clinical Education courses to include site assessment documentation.
Payment of all program tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.

Polices for progression through the OTD program and retention in the program can be found in the program catalog.

Graduation Year	Students Entering	Students who withdrew or did not graduate with the entering cohort, for reasons other than academic performance	Students Graduating with their cohort	Students who graduated within 150% of the program length (Not included in Graduation Rate)	Graduation Rate
2023	19	0	17	1	89%
2024	13	2	10	1	91%
2025	10	1	9	0	90%
3-Year Total	42	3	36	2	90%

According to ACOTE:

GRADUATION RATE CALCULATION: The number of students who graduate on time (G1) divided by the number of students admitted in the original cohort (G2) minus the number of students who withdrew due to military, health, family issues, death and other reasons not related to academic and clinical performance (G3). Calculation per calendar year – (G1/(G2-G3)).

ON TIME (G1): The number of students who graduate according to the published program length. If a student does not graduate according to the published program length, the student should not be counted as a graduate for ACOTE graduation rate reporting. ACOTE 2023 Standard A.6.5

Year	Cohort Size	Passing Percentage
2023	14	100%
2024	14	93%*
2025	10	100%
3-Year Average	45	90%

*One student passed outside of the measurement window.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

2026-2027 Academic Year	OTD Program Fall Trimester	OTD Program Spring Trimester	OTD Program Summer Trimester	Total Cost of Program by Academic Year	Total Cost of Program (8 trimesters)
Tuition	$12,142	$12,142	$12,142	$36,426	$97,136
Tuition rates remain the same for the duration of the program unless the student withdraws and re-enters the program.
Student Wellness Fee	$100	$100		$200/yr. on campus	$400
The Student Wellness and Activity fee ensures you have access to essential health and wellness resources through your academic journey.
Parking Fee		$60/yr. on campus	$120
Parking Fee applies to the first two years while students are on campus.
Clinical Compliance Software Fee	$215			$215 (one time fee)
This fee includes document tracking and software for fieldwork communication and compliance for the entire program.
Background Checks	$60-$80/yr.		$210
This fee includes background checks. Students are responsible for the costs of health insurance and services and fieldwork-required tests and immunizations, etc. Costs may vary based on insurance coverage.
Books & Supplies		$2,000
Includes books, state association fee and learning software as reported by current students. Costs vary with student preference for e-book/print, new/used availability, etc. Faculty make efforts to keep book costs down while keeping content up to date with current practice and federal and state regulation changes.
Loan Fees	$108/term	$108/term	$108/term		$864
Standard loan fee for graduate loans per term. The OTD program at IWU includes eight terms.
Transportation	$150 (estimated gas cost*)	$150	$150		$450
*Fieldwork Level I locations range from 5-60 miles from IWU campus, depending on student interests and site availability. AFWC works to balance student travel near and far. Estimate based on a site 60 miles from campus, in a vehicle that gets 15 miles/gallon and gas prices of $4.00/gallon. As the spring fieldwork is completed in groups, students often share gas costs.
Fieldwork Polo Shirt		Free (one shirt)
The OTD program provides one free Fieldwork shirt. Others available for $30-$35 per shirt. Most students use only one for the duration of the program.
Graduation Fee		$150
	Total: $101,545*

Graduate Housing

OTD students are eligible to apply for housing in the North Townhouses, a graduate-specific housing facility on the North side of IWU's Marion campus. Discover more information about Graduate Housing at IWU, including townhouse photos, floor play, and application process on the North Townhouses webpage.

OTD In-Community Scholarship

The OTD In-Community Scholarship supports new OTD students living in the North Townhouses, a graduate-specific housing facility on the North side of IWU's Marion campus.

Graduate housing includes utilities, high-speed internet, laundry, maintenance, lease flexibility, and financial aid integration. The $1,400 per trimester scholarship makes on-campus living more affordable and enhances the graduate experience.

Explore North Townhouses

FAQs

All OTD faculty biographies are up to date on the IWU website.

If a student has a financial aid question, what is the fastest way to get assistance and how quickly can they expect a response?

They should call or email financial aid and indicate they are an occupational therapy graduate student.

Intentional Transitional first year experience for OTD
Balanced calendar for holistic wellness through rigorous study
Research is completed by area of interest and includes opportunities for dissemination locally and nationally
5 Fieldwork rotations are hand-picked and student-driven, offering students a wide range of clinical experiences
OTD 799 Special Topics Seminar offers students time and faculty engagement for deeper content exploration
OTD 790 Global Health Initiative includes travel for cultural immersion and exploration of health systems.
Faculty advising and mentorship throughout the program supports students through their studies and clinical experiences
On-campus housing provides a supportive learning community
Opportunities for international capstone experiences

What careers is this program specifically designed to prepare students for? This is a very important question and should be answered in detail and with care.

Occupational therapy is a career with broad population and setting opportunities. Many graduates of the IWU OTD program have created roles for themselves as occupational therapists in emerging settings who come to see and value the role and occupational therapist can play for underserved populations. Whether part-time, full-time, or PRN, occupational therapists work with infants, children, families, adults, and elders in both medical and community settings around the world.

Courses in the OTD program begin with foundational content on which intermediate and advanced content builds. All courses are important in the development of knowledge and skills for clinical practice.

Joshua Stephens, OTD – continued his doctoral work with the state prison system of Utah – a position they created specifically for Josh
Elizabeth Yang, OTD – received a distinguished fellowship position at The Ohio State University in hand therapy
Emily McCoy, OTD

Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam and earn their credential as an OTR.
Each state in the United States recognizes NBCOT certification for state licensure.

Each occupational therapy has a unique focus for curriculum development and student education. The OTD program at IWU has 3 foundational themes:

Meaningful occupations are powerful tools for rehabilitation
All are worthy of holistic care – mind, body, spirit
Occupational therapists have a responsibility to advocate for occupational justice, that is, to increase the access to meaningful occupations for others around the globe

From these foundations, the Program Learning Outcomes for the OTD program at IWU are as such:

OTD Program Learning Outcomes:

SERVANT LEADERSHIP/ADVOCACY: Graduates of the OTD program will advocate, on behalf of consumers and the profession, as servant leaders who are actively involved in professional and community organizations.

MORAL CHARACTER: Graduates of the OTD program will promote occupational justice as people of moral character who apply Christ-like* attitudes and ethical values.

SCHOLARSHIP: Graduates of the OTD program will increase the body of knowledge in occupational therapy through scholarship in preparation for practice and life-long learning.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE: Graduates of the OTD program will address global and diverse occupational needs from a global perspective.

EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE: Graduates of the OTD program will apply occupational therapy scientific knowledge to create evidence-based intervention programs and/or protocols that are culturally responsive and client-centered.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY THEORY: Graduates of the OTD program will apply theoretical models and practice frameworks when developing systems for the delivery of occupational therapy services.

CAPSTONE PROJECT: Graduates of the OTD program will demonstrate advanced-practice competency in a chosen area of focus.

* To have a Christ-like character is to demonstrate the “fruit of the Spirit” as enumerated in Galatians 5:22 and 23. The Fruit of the Spirit is love, which includes the qualities of “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” As we follow God’s leading, we are enabled to treat others as Christ would treat them. Jesus Christ was humble (John 13:1-5) and compassionate in His service to those He came into contact with (Ephesians 4:32).

The OTD program at IWU is an on-site program located on the campus of IWU-Marion. Courses are held onsite in the Ott Hall of Science and Nursing. Level I Fieldwork sites are local and students work with the OTD Academic Fieldwork Coordinator to determine desired locations for Level II Fieldwork and Capstone experiences. The OTD program at IWU has contracts with sites across the United States to best meet student needs.

Students take 15-17 graduate credits each trimester. Trimesters are 15 weeks in duration. Students are on the Marion campus of IWU for 5 trimesters and in clinical placements for 3 trimesters.

Occupational Therapy school is rigorous and rewarding. Classes run from 8am to 5pm and evenings are often used for group work, reading, and class preparation. Clinical experiences take place during a typical workday for the supervising occupational therapist.

The OTD program at IWU is 8 trimesters long and takes 2.5 years to complete when taken in succession.

Once a student is accepted, the IWU graduate admissions coordinator, Laura Marine, sends all the important information for enrollment. Each August, the incoming OTD cohort participates in a 2-day orientation and classes start after Labor Day each fall.

Graduate tutors are available for graduate students, as well as writing support. Each OTD student has an OTD faculty advisor in addition to a faculty capstone chair.

In addition to the advising, OTD students participate in local and national professional development opportunities as well as completing a professional growth plan through the doctoral capstone experience.

There are no internships, as there are 5 clinical fieldworks built into the program.

The OTD program at IWU does not take transfer credits.

Professional experience may not be applied toward this program.

Are practicums or capstone projects required, and how are they completed? Please answer in as much detail as possible.

After the 5 fieldwork rotations, OTD students complete a doctoral capstone experience and project. Students collaborate with an organization of their choice to gain knowledge, experience, and skills beyond entry-level practice. Students plan this experience in collaboration the OTD capstone chair and organization leaders to meet professional goals.

The IWU OTD curricular themes and program learning outcomes, in addition to our foundational beliefs as a university and program, set us apart from other programs.

Occupational therapists demonstrate compassion for others, a desire to advocate and lead through service, and an eagerness to learn about how the body, mind, and spirit can be lifted through participation in meaningful activities. Students who demonstrate an eagerness to learn, flexible thinking, and creativity thrive in the doctoral work.

The OTD program at IWU exists as a collaborative learning community. All students are welcomed to apply.

Christian faith is incorporated through the program as faculty walk out their faith in the classroom, through advising relationships, and through their work to the glory of God. Concepts of the Christian faith are explored in relation to the foundations of occupational therapy and students are encouraged to dialogue in and outside of class as they make connections between faith and work.
In the curriculum, students are encouraged to explore their personal faith beliefs, as well as other beliefs that exist. In this way, students learn how to confidently engage others through their rehabilitation journey in mind, body, and spirit.

Yes. We have been awarded accreditation for 10 years and will be re-accredited in 2035.

All fieldwork sites are customized to student preferences and experiences. The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator works individually with students early in the program to establish a plan.

Level I rotations are 40 hours in length and are completed locally within the trimester sessions.
Level II rotations are 12-weeks in length and meet accreditation standards for length and complexity.
The Doctoral Capstone experience is planned by the student and faculty advisors and is completed in the spring prior to graduation.

The OTD program at IWU prepares students to work with any population in any setting. Multiple graduate of the program have been offered positions in specialized settings, or have created positions in emerging settings.

During the last week prior to graduation, all students participate in a 2-day NBCOT exam preparation course as part of the OTD curriculum.

Refer to the program learning outcomes listed above. There are too many to list individually, as evidence-based practice includes all the parts of practice, from evaluation through to discharge of a client from services and includes the reasoning skills necessary for doctoral-level clinicians to create intervention plans, supervise occupational therapy assistants, provide caregiver education, and even educate occupational therapy students.

Take Your Next Step

Join us at Indiana Wesleyan University, where faith and education come together to shape compassionate leaders in occupational therapy. Together, we aspire to empower our students to make a meaningful impact as they embark on careers dedicated to providing world-changing healthcare services with integrity and grace.

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Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)