Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Application and Admissions Information

We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 Occupational Therapy Doctoral program cohort.

Our admissions requirements include the following: 
Students must complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 3.0 GPA or higher. In addition, the following prerequisites must be completed within 5 years of acceptance to the program.

Prerequisite coursework can be taken outside of the degree-granting school as long as the school is accredited. A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for the following prerequisites:

Sciences

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (with Lab):  8 credits
• Statistics:  3 credits
• Social Sciences 
• Abnormal Psychology:  3 credits
• Anthropology or Sociology:  3 credits
  (Common courses to meet this requirement can include cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, or sociocultural anthropology)
• Developmental Psychology/Lifespan Development/Human Growth and Development:  3 credits
• Medical Terminology:  1 credit

Occupational therapy is a client-facing profession. It is vital for applicants to have strong people skills in addition to integrity, empathy and initiative. In this career, it is essential to problem-solve and think outside the box, and adapt and learn alongside one’s clients to guide them through their recovery journey.

We Welcome Your Application!

• Apply to the St. Edward’s OTD Program directly on our website.
• Please Note: Starting July 1, students can also apply through OTCAS.

Step 2: In addition to information required by the university, your application to the OTD program needs to include the following: 

• A current resume that reflects any work, volunteer or other service activities that you may have participated in.
• A writing sample that demonstrates clarity and cohesiveness, and follows APA format for style and referencing.
• A character reference who can speak to who you are, your integrity, grit and ability to work in a caring profession.  

Step 3: Applicants should be prepared to participate in a campus tour and interview. (We can make arrangements for applicants who are unable to travel.) Interviews will be conducted once a year in early spring for consideration for a fall admission in that same year. Admission decisions will be made and disseminated in early May.

St. Edward’s University admits one cohort of 30 students a year in August. The program is 8 semesters in length. 

Our entry-level OTD program requires 90 credit hours achieved over 8 semesters. The curriculum is delivered with didactic, clinical lab and experiential learning components. Active learning is an essential part of the learning process that prepares students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to practice as compassionate, caring and academically prepared practitioners upon graduation and licensure. 

View our OTD Program Curriculum Guide (PDF) for details on the following courses.

YEAR 1

Semester 1 (Fall 2026)

• Applied Anatomy and Neuroscience
• Occupational Therapy Practice Foundations
• Occupation, Health and Wellness
• Analysis of Occupation and Activity (Lifespan)
• Clinical Reasoning/Evidence for Practice

Semester 2 (Spring 2027)

• Health Conditions: Impact on participation/performance
• Evaluation and Assessment
• Intervention Strategies and Skills
• Innovations in Practice
• Scholarship of Discovery

Semester 3 (Summer 2027)

• Professional Practice I (IPE)
• Occupational Performance and Intervention – Youth
• Fieldwork Instruction – Youth
• Documentation in OT Practice

YEAR 2

Semester 4 (Fall 2027)

• Professional Practice II
• Occupational Performance and Intervention – Mental Health
• Fieldwork Instruction – Mental Health
• Emerging Practice and Community Partnerships
• Scholarship of Integration
• Groups, Populations and Culture

Semester 5 (Spring 2028)

• Professional Practice III
• Occupational Performance and Intervention – Adult/Older Adult
• Fieldwork Instruction – Adult
• Leadership and Management
• Scholarship of Application, Teaching/Learning

Semester 6 (Summer 2028)

• Fieldwork IIA (12 weeks)

YEAR 3

Semester 7 (Fall 2028)

• Fieldwork IIB (12 weeks)

Semester 8 (Spring 2029)

• Professional Practice IV
• Capstone Project
• Capstone Experience (14 Weeks)

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of our OTD program, graduates will be prepared to demonstrate the following skills and approaches in their practice:

• Display professional ethics, leadership, management and advocacy in the promotion of equitable and socially responsible therapeutic services.
• Locate, synthesize and apply evidence for practice, and utilize sound reasoning in assessing client needs and in providing interventions across the lifespan.
• Utilize effective written and verbal communication about the purpose of occupational therapy services with clients, caregivers, the healthcare team and the community.
• Apply values of professionalism, ethics and social justice when collaborating with colleagues, clients and caregivers and in providing all levels of therapeutic care.
• Design and implement therapeutic interventions that are client-centered, theoretically based, and culturally relevant to the clients and populations they serve.

Program Outcomes

Graduation Rates
Graduation rates for the new Entry-Level OTD program at St. Edward’s will be available when our first class graduates from this program in May 2029.

NBCOT Pass Rate for Entry-Level OTD
Program pass rates/results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at the NBCOT School Stats page. Pass rates for the new Entry-Level OTD program at St. Edward’s will be available when our first class graduates in May 2029.

St. Edward’s University OTD Program Current Costs*

*Information based on 2026–2027costs. Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Total estimated cost of books and resources = $2500 (as found by direct purchase from the publisher).

There is an additional program fee of $450 per semester for program-associated resources. 

University administrative/comprehensive fees for 12+ credit hours = $295; Under 12 credit hours = $145. 

Note that there are no fees associated with the use of our Learning Management System (LMS), Canvas, for online teaching/learning.

Our highly accomplished faculty in the entry-level OTD program are working OT professionals with extensive expertise and research in the field. They are outstanding thought leaders, teachers and mentors who take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

• Mary Zadnik, ScD, MEd, OTR/L – Program Director 
• Christienne Parten, OTD, MEd, OTR – Assistant Professor
• Kathryn Hansen, PhD, MS, OTR – Associate Professor
• Timothy Tu, DSc, MEd, OTR – Associate Professor
• Mary Smith, PhD, MOT, OTR – Adjunct Faculty