Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program
Faculty-led clinics
The same instructors who teach your classes will also lead your clinical education. You'll be connected with our expert faculty all the way from the classroom to the clinic.
Why settle for a master's?
You'll complete our 98 credit OTD program in 34 months - about the same as a master's degree from other institutions. You'll be ready for leadership roles when you leave WMU.
Holistic admissions
Your life experience matters at WMU. Academic excellence is important, of course, but we know there are other traits that will make you an excellent occupational therapist.
Apply Today
Our cohorts begin in summer II session each year. You must submit your application by January 15 to be considered for that year's cohort.
Locations
Our graduate program is highly ranked by US News and World Report, the highest-ranking program in the state of Michigan for many years running. We have worked very hard to create a program that prepares excellent occupational therapists. And we offer that program in two locations in west and southwest Michigan to offer convenience to you, our students.
DOCTORAL-DEGREE-LEVEL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROGRAM (Program with Candidacy Status)
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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 individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.