Michigan’s First Accredited, Entry-Level Doctorate in Occupational Therapy
The University of Michigan-Flint is proud to offer the first entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program in Michigan. As the highest level of academic preparation that an entry-level occupational therapist can obtain, the OTD program empowers our students to be among the most coveted graduates regionally and nationally.
At UM-Flint, we pride ourselves on the ample flexibility we provide to our students. This is true across campus, and we also extend it to our Occupational Therapy program. With our Occupational Therapy Accelerated Pathway, students can earn their bachelor’s degree in just three years, with 31 fewer credits than the traditional undergraduate degree path. In the fourth year, students can jump right into our Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program. This pathway significantly shortens the time between bachelor’s and doctoral degrees and is perfect for learners with a clear goal in mind who wish to get started on their career as soon as possible.
UM-Flint’s entry-level Occupational Therapy doctorate program is designed for students who have completed their baccalaureate degree but have no previous clinical experience. Whether you are a recent college graduate or a working professional who wants to pursue a new career in occupational therapy, UM-Flint’s OTD program can equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to help patients with an injury or disability perform daily activities.
The OTD program can be finished in three years and provides excellent preparation for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) exam.
Quick Links
Admissions Requirements
Application Process
HEART
Program Curriculum
Why Earn Your OTD Degree from UM-Flint?
A Doctorate Sets You Apart
Get the right degree at the right time. Having a doctorate in the field provides more opportunities in leadership, teaching, and research. Our final capstone isn’t found in a master’s level program and focuses on those skills.
Clear and Affordable Path to a Doctoral Degree
The program can be completed in three years, which is comparable to master’s programs in Michigan. It is also affordable when compared to other programs. We don’t charge many course fees on top of tuition, in contrast to other schools. We also offer a number of paid student research assistantships.
Small Class Sizes and Accessible Faculty
Our program accepts 40 students each year. The small program size provides many opportunities for individual time with our expert faculty. You can learn from professional clinicians at the forefront of their fields. Your faculty are available to support, mentor, and guide you toward your professional goals throughout the program’s completion and beyond.
Innovative Teaching Approach
The OTD program at UM-Flint utilizes a learner-centered teaching approach, which incorporates authentic educational activities and experiences. This transformative approach empowers students to build their confidence and patient-centered health care practice through active hands-on learning in labs, clinics, and community settings. This includes inter-professional educational opportunities with our prestigious Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and other health professional programs. You have the opportunity to participate in HEART, a pro bono student-run PT and OT clinic for our local community. We also currently have students living in a senior living facility through the Intergenerational Living Experience.
The Michigan Advantage
Our program is the only OT program offered at any University of Michigan campus and is widely recognized as one of UM’s outstanding clinical programs, making our graduates highly desirable. Our connection with Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor gives our students unique access and opportunities to network with highly skilled occupational therapy clinicians and researchers. Guest lectures, clinical placements, and workshops help our students build the strong skillsets they need to specialize in areas such as spinal cord injuries, stroke, amputations, lymphedema, hand therapy, complications of cancer treatment, and many more.
OTD/MBA Dual Degree
Encouraging interdisciplinary learning, UM-Flint provides a dual-degree option of OTD/MBA for students who are interested in starting their own private practice or business related to occupational therapy. The OTD/MBA dual degree curriculum allows OTD students to apply up to 12 specified credits toward both degrees. This arrangement helps you save big on tuition and expedite your timeline of completing two degrees.
Brady Harbaugh
Occupational Therapy 2022
“The OTD and College of Health Sciences faculty members truly care about their students and program. They respond quickly to emails, are always willing for a Zoom call, and listen to student feedback to better the program. We have made lifelong professional connections with faculty members, and I feel comfortable reaching out to them in the future if I have any questions about occupational therapy.”
Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Curriculum
UM-Flint’s OTD program curriculum includes 110 credit hours of in-depth study, which can be completed in 9 semesters (3 calendar years) on a full-time basis. The classes incorporate multiple learning styles in the traditional classroom, such as faculty and guest lectures, state-of-the-art lab work, and collaborative group activities.
Through the robust curriculum, students also obtain valuable fieldwork experiences through hands-on learning and a capstone project.
Doctoral Capstone Project
OTD students will complete a capstone experience and project in collaboration with clinical and community partners. The capstone project includes an in-depth experience in one or more of the following areas of focus:
- Administration
- Advocacy
- Clinical practice skills
- Education
- Leadership
- Program and policy development
- Research skills
- Theory development
Review the detailed Occupational Therapy Doctorate Degree program curriculum.
Review the detailed OTD/MBA dual degree curriculum.
UM-Flint occupational therapy students are learning to be effective therapists by participating in meaningful activities, just as they will one day with their patients. Students in a second-year innovations and technology class build low-cost assistive technologies to help patients be more independent. The products, including non-skid plates, and weighted utensils for patients with Parkinson’s disease who are experiencing tremors, are then donated for community use. “The skills we are learning in this lab help us think about cost-effective and creative ways to increase our clients’ ability to function in their environment,” student Elizabeth Mansfield said. To learn more, visit the UM-Flint NOW webpage.
OTD Degree Career Outlook
Occupational therapy is a fast-growing field in the area of rehabilitation medicine. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of occupational therapists will increase 17% through 2030, much faster than the average employment growth rate in the United States. In addition, occupational therapists can make a competitive salary of $85,570 per year.
With a doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy, you are qualified to pursue the highest level career options in various health care settings:
- Hospital and clinics
- Schools
- Nursing care facilities
- Senior centers
- Private practice
- Military services
The NBCOT Exam
Graduates of the program are 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 graduate can become an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT examination or attain licensure status. Students in good standing may be allowed to take the exam during their last semester. Students may also wait until after graduation to take the exam.
Accreditation
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited 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. Graduates of the program 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.
IMPORTANT NOTICE Completion of Level II Fieldwork (OTP 855 & 865) and Doctoral Capstone Project (OTP 800) must be done within 24 months of academic course work following completion of the didactic portion of the program. All Fieldwork, the Occupational Therapy Knowledge Exam (OTKE), and preparatory activities must be completed before students can begin their 14-week (560 hours) Doctoral Residency. Residency placement must meet the specific objectives of the student’s capstone project. No more than 20% of the 560 hours can be completed outside of the mentored residency setting. Prior fieldwork or work experience cannot be substituted for the Doctoral Residency.
American Occupational Therapy Association
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda MD 20852-4929
Telephone: (301) 652-AOTA
www.acoteonline.org
Estimated Student Costs for Adequate Financial Planning for Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program
MiCayla S.
Educational Background: After transferring from Mott Community College, I received my BS in Health Sciences from the University of Michigan-Flint.
What are some of the best qualities of your program? The Occupational Therapy program at the University of Michigan-Flint is the first accredited doctorate program in the state of Michigan which gives a competitive edge compared to other graduate programs. This program also includes great educational partnerships with the university’s own HEART and the ECDC programs to provide a large amount of hands-on experience through labs and fieldwork opportunities. I also enjoy program faculty members having a wide range of experience that is shared throughout our curriculum.
Emma C.
Educational Background: I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor where I received a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology.
What are some of the best qualities of your program? The Occupational Therapy program at the University of Michigan-Flint is unique in that it allows students to get the opportunity to learn and grow interprofessionally with other graduate programs. We work alongside physical therapy, nursing, radiation therapy, and social work students to gain real-life collaborative experience that mimics clinical practices outside of the classroom. Another great quality of the program is the community involvement in the greater Flint area. We get to work with patients from UM-Flint’s pro-bono HEART clinic and practice pediatric therapeutic interventions with the Early Childhood Development Center on campus. Overall, the program and educators within the occupational therapy department are incredibly welcoming, encouraging, and always eager to share and expand their expertise in their own respective specialties. Students are motivated to gain a well-rounded educational experience throughout the program and can individualize their capstone projects in areas of occupational therapy that they are passionate about.
OTD Program Outcomes
| Start Date | Number of Students Admitted to Cohort | Graduation Date | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | Summer 2022 | 97% |
| 2020 | 24 | Summer 2023 | 100% |
| 2021 | 21 | Summer 2024 | TBD |
| 2022 | 8 | Summer 2025 | TBD |
| 2023 | 13 | Summer 2026 | TBD |
Click here to see NBCOT pass rates.
Admission Requirements
The OTD admissions process uses the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) centralized application service. The most competitive applicants demonstrate knowledge of the depth and breadth of the profession, as well as consistent academic performance, maturity, and values associated with health care professionals.
All Fall 2024 applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall.
Applicants also must complete the following prerequisite courses at a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall, a minimum GPA of 2.75 in science courses, and no grade lower than a C (2.0):
- 4 credits in human anatomy with laboratory**
- 4 credits in human physiology with laboratory**
- 9 credits in psychology (Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Abnormal Psychology)
- 3 credits in Introduction to Sociology or Introduction to Anthropology
- 3 credits in statistics
- 1 credit in medical terminology (in a letter-graded course)
- If bachelor’s degree isn’t earned at an U.S. college or university OR a foreign institution where the language of instruction was English, students must show English proficiency through successful completion of ENG 111 or ENG 112 or its equivalent with a C or higher.
**If a 5-6 credit combination of anatomy and physiology class is taken, the course content must be reviewed.
- Prerequisite courses should be completed within 7 years of applying to the program; prerequisite courses taken more than 7 years prior will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Updated First Aid and CPR certification: CPR certification, including infant, child, and adult CPR with AED training for Healthcare Providers is required and should be through the American Heart Association class “First Aid” and “Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers”. Certification will need to be updated for each year of the program.
- Observation hours are no longer required
- We encourage you to review your courses and determine which transfer by using the College of Health Sciences Prerequisite Guide. This guide is intended as a starting point for prospective students. If you do not find your course(s) listed or need assistance, please reach out to the OTD program directly.
Applicants admitted to the OTD program must demonstrate that they possess the attributes necessary to succeed in a challenging curriculum as well as perform in the practice of occupational therapy. Essential and technical standards are the cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physical abilities required for satisfactory completion of the OTD curriculum and the development of professional attributes required of all students at graduation.
While an applicant is not required to disclose the specifics of any disability, it is the applicant’s responsibility to request a reasonable accommodation if they cannot demonstrate these Essential and Technical Standards without accommodation.
Review your courses and determine which transfer by using the College of Health Sciences Prerequisite Guide.
Application Deadlines
For the Fall 2024 admission period, UM-Flint will use the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). The application will be available from July 21, 2023, to June 7, 2024.
- Up to forty students will be admitted once per year in the fall semester.
- The UM-Flint Occupational Therapy program operates on a rolling admission basis. We encourage you to apply early.
- The deadline to submit all your documents to OTCAS is June 7, 2024, to ensure full consideration of your application. It can take up to six weeks for OTCAS to send UM-Flint all of your documents after you have submitted them to OTCAS.
- If you do not submit all OTCAS materials to OTCAS by June 7, 2024, the materials may arrive at UM-Flint late and could take your application out of consideration.
- While June 7, 2024, is the application deadline, applicants have longer to be verified by OTCAS.
How to Apply to UM-Flint’s OTD Program
Submit the following to OTCAS by June 7, 2024:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended in the United States (foreign transcripts are to be sent to the Office of Graduate Programs, not OTCAS)
- Three letters of recommendation submitted to OTCAS
Submit the following directly to UM-Flint by June 7, 2024:
- Transcripts and diplomas or certificates of graduation from any colleges and universities you have attended from outside the United States (do not send to OTCAS)
- For any degree completed at a non-US institution, transcripts must be submitted for an internal credential review. Read the following for instructions on how to submit your transcripts for review.
- If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency.
- Students from abroad must submit additional documentation.
This program is an on-campus program with in-person courses. Admitted students can apply for a student (F-1) visa. Students living abroad are unable to complete this program online in their home country. Other nonimmigrant visa holders currently in the United States please contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected].
The application process for the Fall 2024 cohort includes an interview with OT faculty. Qualifying applicants will receive an invitation for this interview to be conducted in person or via virtual meeting.
For questions about admissions requirements and the application process, contact Doris Fogelsonger at [email protected] or (810) 424-5427.
Academic Advising & Visiting Campus
At UM-Flint, we are proud to have many dedicated advisors who are the experts students can rely upon to help guide their educational journey. For academic advising, please reach out to your program/department of interest as listed here.
Interested in visiting the UM-Flint campus and meeting with a current OTD student? Fill out this form to set up a visit!
Learn More about UM-Flint’s OTD Program
University of Michigan-Flint’s rigorous Doctor of Occupational Therapy program can comprehensively prepare you for a meaningful career as an occupational therapist. Request information to learn more about our OTD program or start your application through OTCAS today!