Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy | Graduate

Mission Statement

The Howard University Occupational Therapy faculty is committed to teaching, research, and community service directed toward the reduction of barriers that prevent individuals from achieving a mastery of occupation. The faculty is dedicated to addressing emerging health and health-related needs of Blacks and underserved populations by promoting the role of occupation in the solution to human and social problems in the local, national, and international communities.

Accreditation

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) .

6116 Executive Boulevard
Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
(301) 652-AOTA or (301) 652-2682
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). The next accreditation onsite visit is scheduled in 2023.                           

Application Process and Deadline

The Howard University Occupational Therapy program subscribes to the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service, known as OTCAS. All applicants need to apply online using the OTCAS application. Our application deadline is February 15 of each year. Applications received after the deadline will be considered subject to space availability in the entering class. To learn more about the OTCAS application process and to get started, please go to the OTCAS website at www.otcas.org. Once processed, the Admissions Committee looks forward to receiving your application.

Admission consideration may be granted to applicants who satisfy all admissions criteria. Criteria for admissions to the OT entry-level OTD degree program includes:

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited university or college;
• Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
• Completion of required prerequisite courses;
• Verification of 40 hours of volunteer experience in an Occupational Therapy setting;
• Completion of the OTCAS Application and the Department Supplemental Application;
• Participation in a personal interview
• GRE Score (recent five years)- Waived

Prerequisites:

 Developmental Psychology (3 Credits)

 Abnormal Psychology (3 Credits)

 Gross Anatomy (4 Credits)

 Physiology (4 Credits)

 Physics (3 Credits)

 Sociology (3 Credits)

 Statistics (3 Credits)

 Medical Terminology (2 Credits)

 CPR Certificate

 Certification

*Access to internet and computer technology is required. 

Academic Policies

The academic policies in the Department of Occupational Therapy adhere to the guidelines and procedures outlined in the Division of Allied Health Sciences Admissions, Retention and Graduation Policies and the Occupational Therapy Graduate Retention and Graduation Policy*. Specifically:

• Minimum grade in any course taken at accredited institutions to be considered for advanced standing is “C”
• Minimum semester and cumulative GPA required for a good standing in the program is 3.0

*More information on academic policies is found in the student handbook. All enrolled students will receive a copy. Students are expected to read this document and understand the academic expectations for continuance in an academic program.

Statement on Felony Convictions

A felony conviction must be disclosed and may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy  (NBCOT, Inc.) exam, as well as the ability to attain state licensure.

Statement on Criminal Background Check

Please be advised that all students accepted into the Master of Science program will be required to complete a background check in order to participate in any clinical and/or fieldwork experiences.  The background check is conducted by an outside agency and should occur within the first year of acceptance into the program.

*Please refer to the OT Student Handbook for more detailed information on the Department’s policies and procedures

Fieldwork Resources

Please visit the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. for more information about our fieldwork resources: https://www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Fieldwork.aspx

• Degree Classification: Graduate
• Related Degrees: OTD
• Program Frequency: Full-Time
• Format: In Person