Admission

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Occupational Therapy's UA UAMS double logoThe degree's Program of Study and Technical Standards for Program Admission and Continued Enrollment (PDF) have key information.

Program Details

  • Program Name: Doctorate in Occupational Therapy
  • Level: Entry Level Doctorate
  • Duration: three years — 115 credit hours post-baccalaureate
  • Start Term: Spring
  • City: Fayetteville
  • State: Arkansas
  • Delivery: On campus
  • GRE is not required

Rolling admission: Our program is on a rolling admission basis, meaning we evaluate applications as they are received. For example: You may apply as early as August 2025 to reserve your spot for the January 2027 start date — you would not need to be finished with your undergrad program until December 2026.

The program may close the portal sooner if the cohort is filled before then.

The fieldwork experiences are integrated throughout the program to structure increasingly complex experiences. Drug screen and background check may affect clinical placements, may delay students' progress toward the degree and may result in dismissal from the program.

The third year of the curriculum requires capstone experience with a culminating project.

Documented health insurance coverage is required by the department for all OTD students throughout the program.

All courses are offered one time per year for lock-step progress through the program. The program does not give credit for previous coursework completed at any other university toward the OTD degree. The program will not give credit for any work experience toward the OTD degree. Students will work with their academic committee should unexpected circumstances necessitate modifications to progress through the program.

All degree requirements must be completed within five years. This time frame includes all Level II fieldwork and the doctoral capstone which must be completed no longer than two years from the end of didactic coursework.

Deadline: The application portal will open Aug. 5 for the January start. The deadline to submit applications is in May. However, the program may close the portal sooner if the cohort is filled before then.