Frequently Asked Questions

OTD stands for Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree.  It is a CLINICAL doctorate degree, not a RESEARCH doctorate degree (like PhD), so although there is a strong research component, there is a stronger focus on clinical practice.

The entry-level degree is for students who are interested in becoming OTs and who do not already hold an OT degree (bachelor’s or master’s); or for OT Assistants who also have a bachelor’s degree. The post-professional degree is for practicing OTs (bachelor’s, master’s, or entry-level OTD) who have completed an entry-level OT program, are already registered and licensed, and are interested in advanced skills and knowledge in the field of OT.

Currently, the profession has two entry points. Graduates of both entry-level master’s and doctoral programs are eligible to sit for the NBCOT registration exam and subsequently apply for state licensure. OTD programs are typically longer and incorporate an independent Capstone Project. See chart below for more details.

No, if you are interested in furthering your education, you would need to look at the available post-professional programs. You can find a list here.

A full cost breakdown is available here.

Students interested in Financial Aid should refer to the CSU Financial Aid Office website.

Applications are available through the OT Centralized Application System (OTCAS) on or about July 18th and remain open until the October 1 deadline. Admission is for the fall semester following the application period. Full details are available on our CSU Department of OT website.

The OT Program receives approximately 150-200 applications annually. Each OT class cohort has 45 students.

Students may take approved prerequisites at CSU or receive approval for courses at other universities. Courses from many universities in Ohio and outside the state are listed on the Equivalency Charts on the CSU Department of OT Admissions and Advising web page. Scroll down to Prerequisite Course Requirements section to access the charts. If a student is taking prerequisite classes but is not receiving a degree from CSU, the prerequisite courses should be taken as non-degree undergraduate.

Students are eligible to apply to the CSU OTD Program even if all prerequisite courses are not complete at the time of application. A minimum of four of the eight prerequisite courses, including 1 of the natural sciences, must be completed with a prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher by the time of application submission (2023 application year). All 8 prerequisite courses must be completed BEFORE the fall start of the OTD Program.

Although not required, spending time in a variety of OT settings is strongly recommended for the applicant’s understanding of the profession and the role of the occupational therapist.

To schedule an appointment with an OT advisor, click here.