Admission into the OTD program at NDMU is competitive. Students are considered for admission with the following:
- Bachelor's degree - minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale)
- Completion of prerequisite courses
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Human service observation hours
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Interview
Note: All observational hours need to be completed within the past two years.
Prerequisites
Completion of the following prerequisite courses within the past 5 years with a minimum cumulative grade point average of B (3.0 based on 4.0) is required for admission into the OTD program. Transcripts of bachelor’s degree and completed prerequisite courses must be submitted. Courses may be taken online or in person from an accredited institution.
NOTE: Students may have a maximum of 2 prerequisite courses with a grade of C (as long as their cumulative grade point average is 3.0 across all prerequisites).
Required Courses & Credits
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I Course and Lab (4)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology II Course and Lab (4)
- College Writing (3)
- Basic Statistics (3)
- Introductory Psychology (3)
- Psychopathology OR Abnormal Psychology (3)
- Human Growth & Development or Developmental Psychology Across Life Span (3)
- Introductory Sociology (3)
- Medical Terminology (3)
- Neuroscience or Cognitive Psychology or Brain and Behavior (3)
Total Credits: 32
NOTE: Advanced Placement (AP) credits are not accepted as fulfillment of prerequisite courses. Course credits from other occupational therapy programs are not accepted. No prior work experience is required for entry into the program.
Letters of Recommendations
Provide three letters of recommendation, from individuals who have taught the applicant in an academic setting. Letters of recommendation should address academic, professional and personal attributes, and potential for successful graduate education.
Human Service Observation
Applicants are required to complete thirty (30) hours of observation. Three practice area and settings are required, one with 10 hours and two with 10 hours each. All observational hours need to be completed within the past three years.
- Ten (10) hours in the practice area that you intend to pursue after graduation and must be done under the direction of an Occupational therapist.
- One additional observation must be done with an OTR.
- The third observation may come from work experience where you worked with populations with a disability, including geriatrics, pediatrics, day camps, mental/behavioral health, etc., for example.
NOTE: Your essay should be reflective of your insights and experiences gained from these observations. All hours must be completed prior to admission into the program.
Personal Statement
A personal statement should cover your interest in occupational therapy with emphasis on the practice area that you intend to pursue after graduation, insights gained from the observations, your strengths, professional skills, personal attributes, and how these experiences have helped to shape your desire to become an occupational therapist. Required length is a minimum of 500 words to a maximum of 750 words.