Program Overview

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Program Overview

The MUSC Doctor of Occupational Therapy - Hybrid (OTD) program combines the accessibility of virtual learning with immersive, hands-on clinical training in Charleston, SC. Building on MUSC's tradition as South Carolina's first graduate-level OT program, the program prepares doctoral-level occupational therapists for evidence-based, occupation-centered practice through a rigorous hybrid curriculum.

Application Timeline

• Fall 2026: AOTA OTCAS application period is from July 19, 2026, to April 1, 2026.
• MUSC: Application period is from July 1, 2025, to April 1, 2026.

Learning Experience

The program engages students through asynchronous and synchronous online classes, collaborative case-based learning, and interprofessional virtual and in-person immersive lab experiences.

Inside the Program

This entry-level, hybrid Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program builds on a legacy of excellence as the state's first professional OT program. Recognized among the nation's finest, our program prepares students for meaningful, lifelong careers that improve health and participation in life.

Key Features of the Program

• Interprofessional education with peers across health professions, including opportunities to engage in telehealth, global health trips, and MUSC's Interprofessional Education Fellowship.
• Fieldwork experiences beginning in the second year, culminating in two full-time, 12-week rotations across diverse practice settings nationwide.
• Global health initiatives that broaden students' cultural competence and problem-solving skills through optional international fieldwork and capstone experiences.
• Doctoral capstone (14 credits) offers a customizable, in-depth project tailored to each student's professional goals and passions.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for evidence-based, occupation-centered practice. It includes a range of courses such as:

• OTD 800: Introduction to Occupational Therapy
• OTD 802: Therapeutic Interactions
• OTD 803: Therapeutic Interactions Lab
• DRS 700: Human Anatomy
• And many more, spanning over three years.

Clinical Education

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork is a cornerstone of the hybrid OTD program, providing students with the opportunity to apply classroom and lab learning directly in real-world practice settings. These experiences build professional competence and prepare students to become proficient, compassionate occupational therapists.

Placement Process

MUSC's Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and faculty work closely with each student to match them with available sites, considering factors such as clinical abilities, professional interests, financial resources, housing availability, and geographic preferences.

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 21 credit hours of prerequisite coursework at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite coursework includes:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology
• Lifespan Human Development
• Medical Terminology (recommended)
• Sociology/Anthropology
• Statistics

Application Process

1. Submit the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) OTCAS application.
2. Complete the MUSC application.
3. Once both applications are complete and the OTCAS application has been verified, the application will be reviewed.

Application Requirements

• OTCAS Application
• Letters of recommendation
• Log of Occupational Therapy Experience
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Personal statement

Tuition and Fees

• Application Fee: $0
• Matriculation Fee: $500
• Tuition: $12,465 per semester (in-state and out-of-state)
• Program Fee: $500 per semester

Cost of Attendance

The estimated total cost of attendance for the program is $226,500 for in-state and out-of-state students.

Scholarships

MUSC offers scholarships for which students may be eligible, including those based on academic achievement, community service, and financial need.

Career Outlook

Occupational therapists empower individuals to live more independently after illness or injury, with a median annual wage of about $98,000.

Program Outcomes

The program aims to prepare graduates who can contribute meaningfully to the occupational therapy profession and society, engage in scholarly inquiry, demonstrate leadership, and reflect critically on their practice.

Faculty

The program faculty includes experienced professionals such as Twylla Kirchen, Ph.D., OTR/L, CLA, FAOTA, and Amber Armstead, DrPh, OTR, BCPR.

Accreditation

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Objectives

The OTD – Hybrid program aims to prepare graduates to contribute to the occupational therapy profession, engage in scholarly inquiry, demonstrate leadership, and reflect critically on their practice.

Competencies

Upon completion of the program, graduates should be able to critically appraise and apply current research, design and implement client-centered assessments and interventions, engage effectively in interprofessional teams, and conduct evidence-generating scholarly activities.

Vision

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

Mission

We cultivate a rigorous learning community grounded in interprofessional collaboration, ethical inquiry, and integration of clinical and research expertise to prepare leaders in occupational science, support scholarly inquiry, and enhance health and function across diverse communities.

Values

The program is guided by values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, integrity, and respect.