Here, you'll gain the skills and confidence to transform lives through innovative practice, research, and advocacy. Our rigorous curriculum blends cutting-edge theory with hands-on experience, preparing you to excel in various healthcare settings. You'll be part of a supportive community of passionate faculty and peers, all dedicated to advancing occupational therapy and making a meaningful impact on individuals and communities.
Rooted in the Catholic, Franciscan tradition of Marian University, the Occupational Therapy programs are guided by a conviction that every person possesses inherent dignity and the capacity for meaningful participation in life. We believe occupation—the everyday activities through which people find purpose, connection, and identity—is both the means and the measure of human flourishing.
Our mission is to transform lives through skilled, heartfelt occupational therapy. Grounded in Franciscan values of dignity, service, justice, and responsible stewardship, our programs prepare practitioners who approach each person holistically, advocate with compassion, and serve communities with ethical excellence. Students formed not only as competent clinicians but as reflective professionals and transformative leaders.
Our vision is to exemplify leadership in occupational therapy education through innovation, evidence-based practice, and interprofessional collaboration — preparing graduates who honor the whole person and advance meaningful occupation across all populations and across a lifetime. In doing so, we carry forward Marian University's enduring commitment to preparing transformative leaders for service to the world.
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree program at Marian University is a seven (7) semester graduate program. Students can begin graduate occupational therapy classes and, in the first year, decide between the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) tracks. Both degrees enable graduates to be eligible for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) as an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR®) and state licensure to practice.
The OTD curriculum is organized along a deliberate developmental arc that reflects the program’s core beliefs about professional and doctoral learning. This arc provides the organizing logic for course content, sequencing, and evaluation across the full program. The sequencing is intentional and cannot be rearranged without disrupting the curriculum’s developmental logic.
Early phases establish the conceptual and identity foundations required for meaningful engagement with clinical content; intermediate phases integrate concepts across themes and translate knowledge into clinical skill; later phases apply integrated competencies in increasingly complex and autonomous clinical contexts; the final academic phase synthesizes all prior learning into a doctoral scholarly project; and the vocational launch launches the doctoral-level practitioner prepared for entry-level practice, leadership, and professional contribution. The OTD arc extends the MOT arc by one critical phase: doctoral scholarship. The capstone serves as the culmination of the doctoral curriculum, allowing students to synthesize and apply prior learning through a meaningful scholarly contribution.
Marian University's Graduate Occupational Therapy programs admit students through a competitive review process. All applicants must meet the following minimum requirements for consideration.
Please contact the Marian University Graduate Admissions Office to arrange a campus visit and/or ask questions about the admissions process.
All applications must be submitted through OTCAS (Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service). All required materials must be submitted and verified through the OTCAS portal before your application will be reviewed. Important note: Transfer credits from other graduate programs, including other occupational therapy programs, are not accepted.
Exam | Minimum Score
Admission criteria are subject to change. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Graduate Admissions Office for the most current requirements.
| Applications Open | Priority Application Deadline | Semester Begins |
|---|---|---|
| July 15, 2026 | October 1, 2026 | August 2027 |
Estimated Program Cost
The estimated total cost to complete the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program is $108,618 (7 semesters) for the 2027-28 academic year. This includes books and supplies.
Technology Requirements
Students entering the Graduate Occupational Therapy program at Marian University are required to bring a laptop for use in class. PC or Mac systems are acceptable. Laptops will be used for various in-class and out-of-class activities, including computer-based testing through Respondus LockDown Browser in Canvas. For information about this system, to see if your computer meets necessary requirements, please see the MU Center for Teaching & Learning or Information Technology.
Identity Verification
Marian University uses a layered, multi-method approach to verify that the student who registers for a course or program is the same student who participates in and receives academic credit. Marian University does not assess any additional charges to students for the identity verification processes described in this standard. This policy is communicated to prospective and enrolled students through the OT Student Manual and course syllabi. Should any future identity verification tool requiring additional student cost be considered, the program will provide explicit advance notification to students at the time of registration or enrollment.
Marian University's Graduate Occupational Therapy programs are committed to supporting students in making their education accessible and achievable. Both departmental scholarships and graduate assistantship opportunities are available to enrolled students.
Departmental Scholarships: All students admitted to the Graduate OT program are considered for available departmental scholarships. No separate scholarship application is required.
Graduate Assistantships: Graduate assistantship positions offer eligible students the opportunity to contribute to the academic community while gaining professional experience. During the OTCAS application process, applicants will be asked whether they wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship. Students who express interest will receive assistantship application materials in late fall for review and consideration.
Upon acceptance to the Marian University graduate occupational therapy program, students must submit a non-refundable deposit by the date identified in their admission letter. At that time, students will receive additional information on the steps necessary to complete the required health records, background check, and drug screen prior to matriculation.
Students enrolled in the Graduate Occupational Therapy programs are required to participate in various experiences, including fieldwork and competencies, in order to successfully complete the program. Prior to participating in these experiences, all students are required to obtain and pay for a background check and any other mandatory screening processes. Upon completion, students are required to submit necessary documentation via the appropriate vendor, as identified by the department. The timeline for completion of the background checks and other screening processes will be articulated by the program.
Positive results from a criminal background check that are sufficiently severe in nature may result in the inability of a student to progress in the program and may result in dismissal. Examples of sufficiently severe offenses include, but are not limited to; violent felony convictions, convictions for crimes of deception, convictions for sex crimes, and placement on a sex offender registry. Any subsequent criminal arrests that occur after enrollment must be reported to the unit Dean or designee.
Additionally, occupational therapy students who would like to explore if a past event might impact their eligibility for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy® Examination are encouraged to go through the Early Determination Review process.
Students enrolled in the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program are required to participate in fieldwork experiences in order to successfully complete the program. Prior to participating in fieldwork experiences, all students are required to obtain and pay for a background check and any other mandatory screening processes. Upon completion, students are required to submit necessary documentation via the appropriate vendor, as identified by the department. The timeline for completion of the background checks and other screening processes will be articulated by the program.
Positive results from a criminal background check that are sufficiently severe in nature may result in the inability of a student to progress in the program and may result in dismissal. Examples of sufficiently severe offenses include, but are not limited to; violent felony convictions, convictions for crimes of deception, convictions for sex crimes, and placement on a sex offender registry. Any subsequent criminal arrests that occur after enrollment must be reported to the unit Dean, or designee.
When a student has a positive finding on a criminal background check, they are strongly encouraged to go through the NBCOT Early Determination process. The appropriate personnel on campus and at a fieldwork site will evaluate the information and surrounding circumstances to determine if the student can participate in a fieldwork experience. Although the University will make reasonable efforts to place admitted students in field experiences and internships, it will be up to the host facility to determine whether a student will be allowed to work at that facility. The occupational therapy program will take reasonable steps to find alternate placements, but a failure to place students as a result of a positive criminal background check may result in a student being unable to satisfy the graduation requirements of the program.
Student Success and Graduation Requirements
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Marian University is committed to the success of every student enrolled. Consistent with our Franciscan mission of honoring the dignity and potential of each person, the program provides clear expectations, proactive support, and timely guidance throughout every phase of the educational experience.
Criteria for Successful Completion
Students are provided with detailed criteria for successful completion of each segment of the OTD program—including didactic coursework, Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences, Capstone, and program exit requirements—prior to the start of classes. These criteria are published in the OT Student Manual and the Marian University Graduate Catalog, both of which students receive and formally acknowledge before beginning coursework. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain in good academic standing, progress through the program, and be eligible for graduation.
Level II Fieldwork & Capstone Completion
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork and an individual 14-week capstone experience within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework, Level II fieldwork, and preparatory activities defined in 2023 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
Student Retention and Support
Marian University's OTD program employs a layered approach to student retention, ensuring that every student has access to the support they need to complete the program successfully:
These supports reflect the program's deep commitment—rooted in Franciscan values—to walking alongside each student and honoring the unique gifts and circumstances they bring to their education.
The Marian University entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation 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 be granted Candidacy Status, 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. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork and an individual 14-week capstone experience within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework, Level II fieldwork and preparatory activities defined in 2023 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
The curriculum is designed to provide a strong foundation in the theoretical and practical aspects of occupational therapy. Key areas of study include:
Students engage in a mix of classroom lectures, laboratory sessions, and fieldwork experiences to develop a well-rounded skill set.
We know many students may want to be occupational therapists but are unsure which graduate pathway is best for their journey. At Marian University students can join the graduate occupational therapy programs and then make this decision within the first year after further exploration of the profession.
Graduates of the MU OTD program will be prepared for rewarding careers in a variety of settings, including:
Participate in community outreach programs, applying skills while making a positive impact in local communities.
We have established strong partnerships with various healthcare facilities, schools, and community organizations. These relationships provide students with diverse fieldwork and capstone opportunities, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in different practice settings.
Bridge towards graduate programs in occupational therapy from Marian University undergraduate majors.
The program boasts a team of experienced and dedicated faculty members who are leaders in their respective areas of occupational therapy. With a blend of academic expertise and real-world practice experience, faculty provide students with invaluable insights and mentorship throughout their educational journey.
Train in our cutting-edge simulation labs equipped with the latest technology and adaptive equipment used in the field. This hands-on experience ensures students are well-prepared for real-world scenarios.
Collaborate with students from other healthcare programs, fostering the teamwork skills essential in modern healthcare environments. Marian University is home to the Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Leighton School of Nursing, and programs in Occupational and Physical Therapy.
(317) 955-6400
GRAdmissions@marian.edu
Kate Huber, EdD, OTD
Program Director and Professor
(317) 955-6749
khuber@marian.edu
