Occupational Therapy (Doctor of Occupational Therapy)
The entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program at Wilson College, housed within the School of Professional and Graduate Studies, is an accelerated hybrid program totaling 105 credit hours completed over six consecutive semesters (24 months). Each 16-week semester includes two 7–8-week terms in the first year, followed by three full 16-week semesters in the second year. During the first year, students attend six 12-day lab immersions at the King of Prussia, PA site; in the second year, they return for a 5-day onsite session and a final visit to present their doctoral capstone. The remainder of coursework is delivered online through synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
Lab Site Address:
Wilson College
1275 Drummers Lane, Suite 100
Wayne, PA 19807
The entry-level OTD program is designed to develop well-rounded, skilled, and compassionate occupational therapists. The curriculum progresses from foundational knowledge to advanced creative problem-solving and professional reasoning, ensuring that graduates are prepared for diverse clinical settings, leadership roles, and scholarly contributions to the field of occupational therapy. Graduates of the program are prepared as entry-level generalists who are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) board examination once the program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and seek licensure as an Occupational Therapist.
Mission
The Wilson College Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program is dedicated to empowering students to become ethical, culturally responsive leaders and advocates of occupational therapy.
Vision
Lead the field of occupational therapy with exceptional clinical expertise, empathy, and a passion for creating meaningful change. By fostering a culture of lifelong learning, innovation, and service, we shape healthcare leaders who not only improve individual lives but also contribute to transforming systems of care, advancing inclusion, and creating possibilities for all.
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), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814.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 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 certification examination or attain state licensure.
Admissions Policies
Statement of Alignment of the College and Program’s Mission and Vision
The Wilson College Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program admissions process reflects the institution’s mission to empower students as critical thinkers, ethical leaders, and agents of justice. We seek candidates who demonstrate academic excellence, cultural responsiveness, and a commitment to service, values central to both Wilson College and the OTD program. By incorporating holistic admission criteria such as personal statements, recommendations, and interviews, we ensure the selection of future occupational therapists who embody integrity, inclusivity, and leadership. Our recruitment efforts prioritize accessibility for all prospective students, aligning with Wilson College’s vision to transform lives and create possibilities. Through this process, we cultivate a student body prepared to lead, innovate, and advocate for meaningful change in healthcare.
Application Requirements: All applications must be completed online through OTCAS.
Degree Requirements: Applicants are required to hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to the start of the program. Transcripts must be submitted from all institutions attended.
Course Prerequisites:
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II (with lab components; 8 credits)
- Developmental Psychology (must cover the entire lifespan; 3-6 credits)
- Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
- Sociology or Anthropology (with a cultural component preferred; 3 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Medical Terminology (1 credit)
If Anatomy and Physiology I and II were completed more than seven years ago, students are required to enroll in an Anatomy and Physiology Bootcamp offered by the institution and achieve a passing grade of 75% or higher.
IB (International Baccalaureate), AP (Advanced Placement), or CLEP (College Level Examination Program) courses will not meet the prerequisite requirements.
GPA Requirement:
- A cumulative GPA minimum of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- A prerequisite coursework GPA minimum of a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale is required.
- A verified grade of a C or greater is required for all prerequisite courses.
If a cumulative GPA is less than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, an applicant may still be eligible for admission if a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater has been achieved over the last 60 credits of coursework.
Pass/Fail grades are generally not accepted for fulfilling prerequisite courses, except for those taken during Spring 2020.
Letters of Recommendation: Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation. These letters should offer insight into your potential for success in a doctoral-level program. They should be written by individuals who can objectively assess your qualifications, such as professors, workplace supervisors, academic advisors, supervisors of volunteer work, or professional colleagues. Please note that recommendations from family members or friends are not acceptable.
Experience: Applicants should clearly document relevant involvement in volunteer work, paid work, or leadership experiences. In addition, a minimum of 20 observation hours is required. Applicants can complete these hours through in-person observation with a licensed occupational therapy practitioner or via virtual observation through a platform such as Simucase or ClinEdWeb.
Please note that individuals who have worked as an occupational therapy assistant or a rehab aide may be exempt from observation hour requirements.
Personal Statement: Applicants are required to write a personal statement addressing why they selected occupational therapy as a career and how the degree relates to their immediate and long-term professional goals.
Technical Standards: Applicants must attest that they meet the technical standards necessary to perform effectively in the program.
Interview: An interview is required. After review of the application materials, applicants meeting the requirements will be invited to complete an interview by the Admissions Committee.
Additional Information: Non-native speakers of English who did not graduate from an English-speaking institution of higher learning will be required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Candidates will be required to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (internet-based) or higher, or an International English Language System (IELTS) score of 7 or higher.
Transfer Credit Policy
The Wilson College Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program does not accept transfer credits from other occupational therapy programs to fulfill any coursework or degree requirements within the program.
Selection Process
- Application Review:
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Completed applications received by mid-June will be given priority consideration.
- Interview Experience:
- Eligible candidates will complete a virtual interview to assess their alignment with program values and readiness for an accelerated curriculum.
- Pre-Admit Decision & Enrollment:
- Qualified applicants will receive a pre-admit offer from Wilson College.
- To secure their place in the program, pre-admitted students must submit a $500 non-refundable seat deposit.
- Upon approval for Candidacy, pre-admit students will transition to admit status.
- Students will receive regular updates and communications regarding enrollment steps, deadlines, and program details throughout the admissions process
Policies on Academic Standing Progression ad Student Progress
Academic Probation Criteria
- GPA Requirement: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- If a student's cumulative GPA falls below 3.00, they will be placed on academic probation.
- The student will have one semester to raise their cumulative GPA to 3.00 or higher. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the OT program.
- Course Grade Requirement:
- Students are required to achieve a minimum grade of B- in all OTD courses.
- If a student receives a grade of B-, faculty members must complete a Low-Grade Report to document the student's performance.
- Any student receiving a B- must meet with their academic advisor to develop a plan for academic improvement.
- A grade of C+ or lower in any OTD course will result in academic probation. The student must retake the course in which they received a C+ or lower and must earn at least a B- upon retaking the course.
Dismissal Criteria
- Failure to Meet GPA Standards: If a student on academic probation fails to raise their cumulative GPA to 3.00 or higher after one semester, they will be dismissed from the OTD program.
- Repeated Low Grades:A student will be dismissed from the OTD program if the student receives two course grades of ‘C+’ / 2.3 or lower or one course grade of ‘F’ at any time during their graduate studies at Wilson. If a student fails to achieve the required minimum grade of ‘B-‘ / 2.7 in a retaken course, they will be dismissed from the OTD program.
Professional Behavior: If a student fails to adhere to professional standards in line with the Wilson Honor Code, OT Code of Ethics, and OTD program standards, they will be dismissed from the OTD program.