Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Prerequisites

The prerequisites include perspectives from the basic, social, and health sciences. The courses will help springboard you into holistic and diverse explorations of engagement in occupation and the scholarly support of such work. Applications will be accepted even if some of your prerequisite courses are in progress; however, prerequisites must be completed prior to starting the OTD program. All prerequisite courses must be taken at accredited institutions and need to have been completed in the last seven years. A GPA of 3.0 and above is preferred for prerequisite courses, but lower GPAs will be considered alongside other admissions factors.

Official Transcripts for Completion of Baccalaureate Degree

There are many undergraduate degrees that prove a good fit for occupational therapy. We welcome the diversity of perspectives that a variety of disciplines will bring to any given OTD cohort. You will have the opportunity to share your voice as informed by your undergraduate training in many discussions and projects across the curriculum.

If you have not yet completed your baccalaureate degree, you can still apply to KGI. Please submit an intention to complete your baccalaureate degree with your official transcript. Your degree must be completed prior to starting the OTD program. An overall GPA of 3.0 and above makes for a more competitive application, but other admission factors will be considered alongside a lower GPA and does not preclude applying at KGI.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

KGI does not require the GRE and submitted scores will not be considered in the admissions process.

Three Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation help us get to know you better and should demonstrate your character, strengths, and professionalism. The sharing of specific examples where your abilities and work ethic are evidenced are of particular value.

Letters of recommendation should be written by people who know you well enough to write a detailed narrative. Letters can be written by a professor, therapist, or other professional or supervisor that can speak to your ability to experience success in an occupational therapy graduate program and as a future occupational therapist.

Recommended Occupational Therapy Observation

KGI does not require a specified amount of occupational therapy observation time as we know that sometimes it can be difficult to find shadowing opportunities. We understand how valuable it is to see occupational therapy in action in a variety of settings and highly recommend applicants seek out those experiences to make a more informed decision. Observation experiences might happen in a school, hospital, outpatient clinic, community-based site, long term care facility, or any other place occupational therapy professionals might be providing services.

International Applicants

KGI welcomes applicants from outside of the United States. If English is not your first language, then we ask that you take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam.

Accreditation Process

KGI’s entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). KGI’s offering of an OTD program is also subject to approval from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).