Program Overview

Occupational Therapy Program

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) offers a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. This program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become competent occupational therapists.

Program Overview

The OTD program at UTEP is a post-baccalaureate degree program that consists of six semesters of didactic coursework, followed by two 12-week clinical fieldwork rotations, and one 14-week doctoral experience and a capstone project. The program is located in a culturally diverse region, and students graduate with strong skills in cultural awareness and sensitivity, as well as two Spanish language courses.

Application Process

To apply to the OTD program, students must follow these steps:

1. Complete the application on the OTCAS portal
2. Pay the OTCAS application fee
3. Pay the UTEP non-refundable $45 application fee
4. Submit all required documents, including official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and observation hours
5. The admissions committee will review completed applications and send notifications to students regarding their decision

Application Requirements

The following requirements must be met to apply to the OTD program:

• Official academic transcripts
• Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher
• Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited university
• Required prerequisites, including:
  • 2 semesters of human anatomy and physiology with labs
  • Introductory Psychology
  • Human Growth and Development across the Lifespan
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Behavioral Science elective
  • Medical Terminology
• Personal statement
• Letters of recommendation
• Observation hours

Prerequisite Courses

The following prerequisite courses are required for the OTD program:

• 2 semesters of human anatomy and physiology with labs (8 credits)
• Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
• Human Growth and Development across the Lifespan (3 credits)
• Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Behavioral Science elective (3 credits)
• Medical Terminology (1 credit)

Accreditation

The UTEP entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree (OTD) has been granted full accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Graduation and Certification

Graduates of the program 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). Additionally, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.