FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Click on a specific question or scroll down to see all questions and answers. What do the letters OTD mean?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. What is the difference between the entry-level OTD and the post-professional OTD?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. What is the difference between an entry-level master's and entry-level OTD degree?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. I have a bachelor's degree in OT. Can I apply to your entry-level OTD program?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. What are the estimated total cost of the OTD program?A full cost breakdown is available here. Where can I find out about financial aid?Students interested in Financial Aid should refer to the CSU Financial Aid Office website. How do I apply to the OTD program?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. How many students are accepted into the CSU OTD program? How many apply?The OT Program receives approximately 150-200 applications annually. Each OT class cohort has 45 students. How do I know if a course I took at another university is equivalent to a CSU prerequisite course?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. What if I haven't taken all of the prerequisites by the time applications are due on October 1st?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. Are volunteer or shadowing hours required?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. Who should I contact if I have more questions?To schedule an appointment with an OT advisor, click here.
