Abilene Christian University

What you'll study

The curriculum provides a generalist occupational therapy foundation with additional doctoral-level emphasis on leadership, research methods and a chosen area of specialization. Coursework is integrated with ACU’s Master of Occupational Therapy program for much of the sequence. Example course titles and components listed by the department include:

• Occupational Therapy for Adult Populations
• Doctor of Occupational Therapy Seminars I – IV
• Leadership in Occupational Therapy
• Specialized Occupational Therapy Preparation

Fieldwork and capstone: the program requires a total of 85 credit hours, including two 12-week fieldwork rotations (24 weeks total) and a 14-week doctoral capstone experience. The capstone comprises a capstone project plus an individualized 14-week implementation experience in the student’s selected specialization (clinical practice skills, research, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, or theory development).

Entry requirements

• Apply via OTCAS (Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service).
• Official transcripts showing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution; decisions assume the degree will be earned prior to matriculation.
• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2.
• Three letters of recommendation (one from an occupational therapist; others from professionals who have observed the applicant’s work or clinical interactions).
• Documented minimum of 40 hours of volunteer/observation in occupational therapy settings (applicants are encouraged to observe in more than one setting).
• Personal statement via OTCAS and a supplemental question addressing spiritual/life influences and clinical experiences motivating the application.
• Prerequisite coursework: Anatomy & Physiology I & II (minimum 6 credits), Statistics (minimum 3 credits), plus other OT prerequisites; prerequisites must be taken at an accredited school with grades no lower than a C, completed within seven years of enrollment. Medical Terminology may be completed as a certificate or continuing education course. AP/CLEP credit is not accepted for prerequisites. A maximum of 6 prerequisite credit hours may be pending at time of application.

Career prospects

On successful completion of program requirements graduates are eligible to sit for the NBCOT certification exam; passing that exam leads to the Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR) credential. Most U.S. states base licensure on NBCOT results, so certification is a key step before independent practice. The program’s stated emphases (leadership, research, administration, advocacy, education and specialized clinical training) support career paths in clinical practice, program development, leadership roles, academic or research-related positions, and policy or advocacy work. Note: a felony conviction may affect eligibility to sit for the NBCOT exam or to obtain state licensure.

Scholarships & funding angle

ACU reviews applications on a rolling basis and encourages early application to be considered for scholarships and departmental incentives; applicants aiming for financial support should apply as soon as OTCAS opens for the fall cohort. Contact the Department of Occupational Therapy for details on available awards and timing.