Drake University is recognized as one of the finest institutions of higher learning in the Midwest.  As a midsized, private university in Des Moines, Iowa, we offer the benefits of a larger institution along with the advantages of intimate class sizes and close personal relationships.  Drake's three-year Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program in the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences prepares students for successful careers in any area of the broad OT field.  Students in this program spend three years of year-round coursework and experiential learning to complete their degree.  

Occupational therapists focus on increasing patient independence in the completion of daily living activities.  They enable individuals of all ages to live their lives to the fullest by helping them promote and prevent-or live better-with illness, injury or disability. Occupational therapists (OT) treat patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. 

Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 29 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, or the loss of a limb. (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2015). 

Please contact drakeot@drake.edu with any questions about our Occupational Therapy Doctorate program!  

Why Drake?

Practical Experiences

You will be in the field working with clients beginning in your first year, allowing you to enhance your knowledge base through hands-on involvement. 

Year-Round Coursework

You are able to complete the degree in three years due to the year-round offerings of the program. 

Personalized Experience

At Drake, you will receive individual attention from faculty and staff to build lifelong mentors and connections within the occupational therapy profession. 

Connections in the Capitol

Drake University is located in Iowa's capital city, Des Moines, which allows you numerous opportunities for unique practice experiences and involvement in professional advocacy.  Become a member of the Iowa Occupational Therapy Association and participate in policy making through co-curricular events.  Students with career interests in policy and advocacy may pursue legislative internships at the state house or doctoral field work in this area. 

Professional Preparation

The proximity and availability of numerous clinics, hospitals, special care facilities, schools and private practices in Des Moines will allow you to get involved in any number of specialties within the occupational therapy profession.  Drake's extensive local and national practitioner network may offer chances for job shadowing, mentoring and professional experiences.  Additionally, Drake's CPHS has a dedicated career development staff who will work with you to achieve your career goals.  

OTD Accreditation Information

DOCTORAL-DEGREE-LEVEL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROGRAM 
(Program with Candidacy Status) The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its 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). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

OTD Admission Information
Admission to the Drake University Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program is based on academic and personal qualifications that are necessary for successful, competent practice as an occupational therapist. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of the fit between their personal goals and the mission and objectives of the OTD program.  Prior education, work experience, honors, awards, service to others and leadership activities are also considered in the admission process. Prior shadowing in an OT environment is helpful, but not required.  

Students can apply to our OTD program by meeting the following requirements.  Please note that these are the requirements applicants must meet in order for their applications to be considered complete.  Meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission to the OTD program.  

• Submit an application through the Centralized Application Service for Occupational Therapy (OTCAS).   
• Submit a Drake University Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Supplemental Application and application fee. 
• Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and have scores submitted directly to OTCAS (institution code 1892). No minimum score is required to be considered for admission to the OTD program.  
• Earn a Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited college or university by the end of the spring 2018 semester.  
• Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (as calculated in OTCAS).  
• Complete (or be in the process of completing) the prerequisite coursework outlined in the table below.  All required courses must be completed by the end of the spring 2018 semester. 

Students must earn a grade of C or higher in order to receive transfer credit and fulfill prerequisite courses.  Please see Drake University's Transfer Credit Information page or contact the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at (515) 271-3018 for more information.  Students who wish to fulfill prerequisites using Advanced Placement (AP) scores must earn a 4 or higher on the AP exam.  Please see Drake University's AP, IB and CLEP Credit policy or contact the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for more information.  

Drake University's Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program operates on a rolling admission process.  We will interview and admit students until the O1 class is full and a sufficient number of applicants have been identified for the wait list.  We recommend submitting application materials early in order to ensure your application is processed and considered in a timely manner.  Students with strong applications and academic credentials will be invited to complete the second phase of the admission process, which includes a scored on-campus interview and a scored writing assessment.