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Program Overview

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy – Residential program at the Medical University of South Carolina is designed to launch students into a purpose-driven career improving everyday life for people of all ages. As South Carolina's first graduate, entry-level occupational therapy program, it pairs the resources of a comprehensive academic health sciences system with a rigorous, engaging curriculum.

Application Timeline

The application window for Fall 2026 has closed. Notifications are underway for applicants.

Program Details

• The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
• 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).

Learning Experience

The program offers hands-on curriculum rooted in evidence-based practice, covering anatomy, musculoskeletal assessment, therapeutic interaction, and culminating in full-time clinical rotations and the capstone experience.

Inside the Program

• The residential OTD program was the first professional, graduate entry-level program in the state of South Carolina.
• The program embraces the university's core values: compassion, collaboration, respect, integrity, and innovation.
• For students interested in living in or near Charleston, South Carolina, and engaging in a more traditional on-campus experience, this program is the perfect option.

Interprofessionalism

• Interprofessional education is a hallmark of the program and involves connections with other health professionals across the campus and in the community.
• Research shows that working in teams produces better outcomes.
• Teamwork supports innovation and promotes excellence.

Global Health Initiatives

• Participation in global health initiatives is a transformative experience that the Division of Occupational Therapy offers for OTD students, broadening their perspectives and enhancing their skills.
• These initiatives expose students to a variety of health systems, cultures, and populations, fostering a deeper understanding of health disparities and social determinants of health.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in occupational therapy.

Year 1, Fall

• Course ID | Course Title | Credits
  • OTD800 | Introduction to Occupational Therapy | 2
  • OTD802 | Therapeutic Interactions | 1
  • OTD803 | Therapeutic Interactions Lab | 1
  • OTD813 | Musculoskeletal I | 2
  • OTD813L | Musculoskeletal I Lab | 2
  • OTD815 | Evidence-Based Practice I | 2
  • DRS700 | Human Anatomy | 4
  • Semester Total | 14

Year 1, Spring

• Course ID | Course Title | Credits
  • OTD814 | Musculoskeletal II | 3
  • OTD814L | Musculoskeletal II Lab | 1
  • OTD817 | Pediatrics I | 2
  • OTD817L | Pediatrics I Lab | 2
  • OTD825 | Evidence-Based Practice II | 1
  • DRS701 | Neuroscience | 4
  • IP711 | IP Foundations & TeamSTEPPS | 1
  • IP### | IP Concentration Course of Choice | 1
  • Semester Total | 15

Year 1, Summer

• Course ID | Course Title | Credits
  • OTD816 | Level 1 Fieldwork A | 1
  • OTD818 | Pediatrics II | 2
  • OTD818L | Pediatrics II Lab | 1
  • OTD819 | Neurorehabilitation I | 2
  • OTD819L | Neurorehabilitation I Lab | 1
  • OTD842 | Musculoskeletal III | 2
  • OTD842L | Musculoskeletal III Lab | 1
  • DRS702 | Clinical Pathophysiology | 3
  • Semester Total | 13

Year 2, Fall

• Course ID | Course Title | Credits
  • OTD820 | Neurorehabilitation II | 1
  • OTD820L | Neurorehabilitation II Lab | 1
  • OTD821 | Neurorehabilitation III | 3
  • OTD821L | Neurorehabilitation III Lab | 1
  • OTD822 | Level 1 Fieldwork B | 1
  • OTD830 | Leadership & Management I | 3
  • OTD835 | Scholarship I | 1
  • OTD835S | Scholarship I Seminar | 1
  • OTD840 | Psychosocial Practice | 2
  • OTD840L | Psychosocial Practice Lab | 1
  • Semester Total | 15

Year 2, Spring

• Course ID | Course Title | Credits
  • OTD805 | Population Health | 2
  • OTD831 | Leadership & Management II | 3
  • OTD832L | Synthesis of Clinical Skills Lab | 1
  • OTD834 | Topics in Aging | 1
  • OTD834L | Topics in Aging Lab | 1
  • OTD836 | Scholarship II | 1
  • OTD836S | Scholarship II Seminar | 1
  • OTD838 | Synthesis of Clinical Skills | 1
  • OTD846 | Level 1 Fieldwork C | 1
  • Semester Total | 12

Year 2, Summer

• Course ID | Course Title | Credits
  • OTD854 | Level II Fieldwork A | 12
  • Semester Total | 12

Year 3, Fall

• Course ID | Course Title | Credits
  • OTD839 | Level II Fieldwork B | 12
  • OTD880 | Professional Seminar | 1
  • Semester Total | 13

Year 3, Spring

• Course ID | Course Title | Credits
  • OTD887 | Capstone | 14
  • Semester Total | 14
  • Curriculum Total | 108

Clinical Education

Fieldwork is a vital component of the OTD curriculum, providing opportunities to observe and participate in various OT settings.

Placement Process

The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and program faculty work closely with each student to identify available sites that align with their professional interests and individual needs.

Doctoral Capstone

MUSC's Residential OTD culminates in a final-semester doctoral capstone tailored to your interests, skills, and professional goals.

Research Opportunities

Research is woven into MUSC's Residential OTD program, and many faculty have active research agendas.

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must:

• Possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. by the time of enrollment
• Possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale
• Complete 20 credit hours of prerequisite coursework at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.
• Complete a minimum of 15 hours of shadowing or observation in OT settings

Application Process

The following process outlines how and when your materials will be reviewed:

1. Submit the Occupational Therapy Centralize Application Service (OTCAS) application as early as possible.
2. Complete the MUSC application.
3. Once both applications are complete and the OTCAS application has been verified, your application will be reviewed.

Application Requirements

1. OTCAS Application: The following materials must be submitted through the OTCAS application.
   • Completed application
   • Letters of recommendation
   • Log of OT Experience
   • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
   • Personal statement
   • Plans for Remaining Academic Years Form
   • Resume
2. MUSC Application: All applicants must submit an MUSC application.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition and fees listed below are per semester unless otherwise noted.

• Application Fee (per application): -
• Matriculation Fee (upon applicant acceptance): $500
• Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $8,346/$12,465
• Program Fee: $500

Cost of Attendance

Fall Start

• Direct Costs
  • Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $25,038/$37,395
  • Fees: $1,800
  • Health Insurance: $3,780
  • Direct Costs Subtotal: $30,618/$42,975
• Indirect Costs
  • Housing/Food: $24,882
  • Personal: $2,640
  • Transportation: $2,970
  • Books/Required Expenses: $5,210
  • Indirect Costs Subtotal: $35,702
• Total In-state/Out-of-state: $66,320/$78,677

Scholarships

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service.

Career Outlook

MUSC OTD graduates lead in hospitals, clinics, schools, home health, and communities by specializing in adult rehab, pediatrics, neuro/hand, ergonomics, vision, or driver rehab.

Program Outcomes

Join a program with consistently high outcomes, empowering you as a qualified OT ready for licensure.

Graduation Rates

The table below provides graduate rates by year for the OTD – Residential program.

• Year | Students Entering | Students Graduating | Graduation Rate
  • 2022 | 48 | 47 | 98%
  • 2023 | 52 | 51 | 98%
  • 2024 | 54 | 51 | 94%
  • 2025 | 58 | 55 | 95%
  • Total | 212 | 204 | 96%

Pass Rates

NBCOT Pass Rates

• Year | Overall Pass Rate
  • 2022 | 100%
  • 2023 | 100%
  • 2024 | 100%
  • 2025 | 100%

Program Faculty

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Roxanna Bendixen, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA

Professor, OTD Division and Program Director

Nancy E. Carson, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA

Associate Dean, Academic & Faculty Affairs - College of Health Professions, Professor, College of Health Professions

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore answers to frequently asked questions to help you understand the program and plan your next steps.

Learning Experience

• What is the difference between residential & hybrid formats?
• What would prohibit me from taking the certification exam?
• What is the clinical component of the program?
• What is fieldwork education?
• Is it possible to shadow or observe while in the program?
• Is it possible to work while in the residential OTD program?
• Do I decide where I will complete my fieldwork?

About the Profession

• What is an occupational therapist?
• How does OT differ from other health professions?
• Are there opportunities to work with different populations?
• What is the job outlook for OT?
• What is most satisfying about this career?
• What salary can I expect as a new graduate?

Objectives

The OTD - Residential program aims to prepare graduates to:

• Provide evidence-informed, ethically grounded OT interventions that optimize participation and quality of life across various populations and settings
• Engage in scholarly inquiry and knowledge generation that advances the OT profession and responds to evolving societal health needs
• Lead collaboratively within interprofessional systems of care to shape organizational and community practices that promote health equity
• Pursue lifelong professional development, through clinical, academic, or leadership pathways, grounded in reflective practice and responsive to dynamic health care landscapes

Competencies

Upon completion of the OTD - Residential program, graduates will be able to:

• Critically appraise and synthesize current OT and allied health literature to inform evidence-based decision-making
• Design, implement, and evaluate client-centered assessment and intervention strategies that reflect rigorous clinical reasoning and individualized therapeutic planning
• Demonstrate professional ethical conduct and reflective self-assessment in clinical and scholarly contexts
• Collaborate effectively within interprofessional teams to coordinate care, contribute to shared decision-making, and enhance patient outcomes
• Conduct applied or translational OT scholarship that addresses real-world health challenges and contributes to the profession's knowledge base
• Advocate for equitable access to OT services and engagement in community-based initiatives that support health and participation

Vision

To shape a dynamic academic environment that empowers clinicians to advance equitable, evidence-informed practice and scholarly leadership in occupational science and health.

Values

At the core of our program, we are guided by a commitment to the following values that drive our mission:

• Compassion: We act with kindness, empathy, and dignity.
• Collaboration: We achieve common goals through teamwork and partnerships.
• Innovation: We drive transformation by embracing innovative ideas, discoveries, and practices.
• Integrity: We do the right thing and commit to accountability in words, actions, and use of resources.
• Respect: We value everyone and their many perspectives to build trust and a sense of belonging.

Mission

Our mission includes education, scholarship, and service. We strive to educate students to become credentialed, entry-level doctoral prepared occupational therapists proficient in the delivery of evidence-based services to individuals, organizations, and populations.

Philosophy

Becoming an occupational therapist who effectively enables the occupational well-being of individuals and societies is a process that requires self-exploration, self-reflection, and practice. We believe that the occupational nature of people drives the framework for the educational program by creating and promoting opportunities for active participation and quiet reflection.