Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program Admissions

The FMU OTD program subscribes to a holistic review process, which is a flexible, highly individualized process by which balanced consideration is given to multiple ways in which an applicant may prepare for and demonstrate suitability as a doctoral student and future occupational therapy practitioner. Candidates are evaluated by criteria that are institution-specific, broad based, mission-driven, and applied equitably across the applicant pool to promote diversity. Diversity serves as a driver of educational excellence and a mechanism for graduating students that contribute to healthcare consistent with the program’s mission and vision. Admission to the OTD program is open to all applicants, regardless of race, disability, color ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, age, sex, sexual orientation/expression, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information.

Please see the Application Instructions for more information on the holistic admissions process of the OTD program at FMU.

Admissions Timeline

Stat Term: Fall

• FMU Graduate Admissions Applcations Open: June 1st
• OTCAS Applications Open: July 19th

Application Deadline:

• Early Admissions: November 15th (All applications submitted on or before this date are given priority)
• Regular Admissions: April 15th (all documents DUE)

An applicant must have earned a bachelor’s degree in any field, with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or greater. Admission to the OTD program is open to all applicants regardless of race, disability, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, age, sex, sexual orientation/expression, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information. All applications to the program must be submitted online through either the FMU Graduate Admissions Portal or the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) website for consideration. Applicants should research which application site best meets their needs.

To apply for acceptance into the program, a prospective student must:

• Have earned or is in the process of earning a bachelor’s degree from a regionally, nationally, or internationally accredited institution with a 3.0 Minimum Cumulative GPA. Students who are expected to graduate in the Spring or Summer of the year the program starts, are eligible and encouraged to apply.
• Submit the following application materials:
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work from accredited institutions.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • Verification forms for at least 15 hours of observation of occupational therapy services within the last year.
  • Personal statement/Statement of Purpose.
  • Resume.
  • Supplementary Essay.

Completed applications are reviewed for merit by the occupational Therapy Admissions Committee. Determination of merit is based upon consideration of all components of the application packet. As part of the pre-admission selection process, successful applicants will be invited on campus for a pre-admission interview. The goal of the pre-admission interview is to observe the applicant in situations with simulated clients so that they may display their unique attributes and potential to be successful students both academically and clinically, and ultimately, in becoming registered occupational therapists. Offers for admission are given to those who show the most promise for successful achievement of the Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist Certification (OTR/L).

• Application Instructions
• Verification of Observation Form Instructions
• Verification of Observation Hours Form
• Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
• Supplementary Essay Instructions