December 16, 2024
BETHESDA, Md. — The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) has granted candidacy status to Trine University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program.
Trine’s OTD program can now admit up to 32 students to its first cohort, which will launch in May 2025.
“We’re excited that ACOTE has affirmed our efforts to build a high-quality, innovative doctoral program that will help meet healthcare needs in northeast Indiana and beyond,” said Beth O’Rourke, OTD, program director. “We look forward to welcoming students to the program and to the start of classes in May.”
Preparation for OTD career
Trine’s program is designed to prepare students from diverse backgrounds for an occupational therapy career. Any student with a bachelor's degree from an accredited school and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 can apply.
Trine will offer several 3+3 direct-entry pathways from undergraduate programs on its Angola campus into the OTD program. Such pathways allow students to count their first year in the OTD program toward undergraduate degree completion.
Designed with student experience and outcomes as the priority, Trine’s OTD curriculum includes five integrated clinical experiences, giving students extensive exposure to real-life occupational therapy practice before starting their 24-week full-time rotation.
The curriculum incorporates interdisciplinary learning experiences, instruction across disciplines, integrated lab experiences and interactive instruction, all designed to build confidence and competence in OTD students.
Graduates will be prepared to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination.
The OTD program is offered through Trine’s Dr. Earl D. and Melanie N. Brooks College of Health Professions (BCHP) in Fort Wayne, which also includes the university’s physical therapy, physician assistant, nursing, and surgical technology programs.
The Bureau of Labor Services predicts that the number of occupational therapy jobs will grow by 12% over the next decade.
For more information about the OTD program, visit trine.edu/otd.
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