Program Overview

---

Occupational Therapy: Entry Level, OTD

The Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) is a three-year, full-time program with a cohort of 32 students. The program emphasizes the importance of occupation, cultural responsiveness, ethical practice, interprofessional collaboration, and social justice.

Program Overview

The program includes four main threads:

• Practice: Occupation-centered and evidence-based
• Research: Critical application and participation in clinically relevant research
• Leadership: Respectful advocacy, influence, and transformation
• Wellness: Promoting health in self and others

Admissions

Prospective students interested in the Occupational Therapy OTD named option of Entry Level OTD should apply directly to the Occupational Therapy OTD program. Admissions to the Occupational Therapy: Entry Level OTD named option have been suspended as of fall 2025 and will be discontinued as of fall 2026.

Funding

The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School.

Program Information

Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive tuition remission from graduate assistantship appointments at this institution. The program offers private scholarships for students, which support tuition, research, travel, and other opportunities.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Named Option Requirements

Mode of Instruction

The mode of instruction for this program includes:

• Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus
• Online: These programs are offered 100% online
• Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 97 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 85 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: All credits must be graduate-level coursework
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required
• Other Grade Requirements: Students must earn a grade of C or better in ANATOMY 622 to continue in the program

Required Courses

The Entry-Level, Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) has a prescribed curriculum of 97 credits total, including:

• Occupational-Centered Practice Thread
• Evidence-Based Research Thread
• Leadership and Professional Skills Thread
• Wellness Thread

Sample 3-Year Schedule

A sample schedule is provided, outlining the courses to be taken each semester.

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate Schools Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures.

Named Option-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

With program approval, students may transfer up to 12 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

Every graduate student is required to have an advisor. The advisor is a graduate or clinical faculty member.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credit maximum.

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

Resources are available for addressing concerns, including the Office of Compliance, Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, and the Graduate School.

Professional Development

The Graduate School offers professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch a career.