Hanover OTD

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Two-Year Hybrid, Entry-Level OTD

Hanover College’s hybrid, accelerated Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program prepares you to become a leader in the profession in just two years. An entry-level OTD degree requires a personal commitment to academic growth, professional behaviors, innovation and service. Hanover OTD creates opportunities for students to learn and grow as highly skilled, general occupational therapists.

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The Hanover OT Learning Experience

The learning experience at Hanover OTD weaves together online learning, lab immersions, fieldwork and a capstone experience and project to develop strong and effective practitioners in the occupational therapy field. Students will learn to use evidence-based practice and develop their clinical decision-making skills in an innovative and challenging learning environment. Hanover OTD students will use sound judgment and intellectual curiosity to carry out a commitment to service in their communities.

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Why Choose Hanover?

The innovative curriculum and format of the Hanover OTD program develops strong clinical reasoning skills, occupational-focused clinical skills and professionalism. Students will learn the importance of diversity, culture and inclusion in their interactions as occupational therapists.

Why Choose OTD?

Occupational therapists (OT) collaborate with their clients to determine the daily tasks and activities that are meaningful and necessary to empower the client to maximize their independence, increase their occupational participation, and boost their occupational engagement. OTs meet the unique and distinct needs of people, populations, and communities and are strong advocates for the profession and their clients.

Admission Requirements

The OTD Program is designed for qualified individuals who wish to further their academic studies in the field of occupational therapy. The program specifically targets traditional and nontraditional students with the demonstrated potential to navigate the academic rigors of an accelerated, hybrid model OTD curriculum. Students accepted into the OTD Program must meet the following criteria:

Complete a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to classes beginning. Admission may be granted pending completion of the degree.
Complete all required prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative prerequisite grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or greater on a 4.00 scale. Admission may be granted pending completion of prerequisite coursework.

Grades must be a 2.0 (C) or higher in prerequisite courses to be accepted.
Five prerequisite courses must be completed to determine an initial cumulative prerequisite GPA for the application process to be initiated.
A cumulative prerequisite GPA may be improved as completed prerequisite course GPAs are added.
The highest grade in a repeated prerequisite course will be applied.

Complete prerequisite coursework consisting of:
- Human Development Across the Lifespan (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
- Kinesiology or Biomechanics (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
- Human Anatomy/Physiology including at least one laboratory (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours*)
- Statistics (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
- Psychology (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
- Abnormal Psychology (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
- English Composition or Writing (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
- Medical Terminology (1 semester credit)
Complete a virtual interview. Applicants are invited for an interview based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting materials.
Submit two (2) letters of recommendation of applicant’s choice with intent to demonstrate readiness for an accelerated hybrid program and fit for a career in occupational therapy. References must come from persons other than family, friends, clergy, or politicians.
Complete a minimum of thirty (30) hours observing occupational therapy practice with clients in work settings. These hours may be obtained through virtual training or direct shadowing. Ten (10) of the thirty (30) hours must be onsite face-to-face with a licensed occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant and observing clients. If all thirty hours are completed in person, arrange observations from a variety of OT practice settings. Documentation should show exposure to the scope of occupational therapy practice.
Complete a personal statement answering one or more question(s). Character or word count guidelines will be provided.
For all applicants for whom English is not their first language, or those who have completed a degree and prerequisite courses in a foreign country, demonstration of English language proficiency is required through completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) within the last 5 years. The minimum preferred TOEFL scores are internet based > or = 80, computer based > or = 213, paper-based test > or = 550. The minimum preferred IELTS is 6.5. (Note: The NBCOT Exam is administered in English.)
Complete an approved Criminal Background Check and Drug Testing.
- Criminal background checks and drug testing are mandatory at medical institutions required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). This is a common policy/requirement by occupational therapy corporate entities and individual clinics prior to a student or clinician having access to clients.
- The Hanover OTD Program requires all students to complete a criminal background check prior to formal enrollment or matriculation into the OTD Program. An additional background check and/or drug test may be required prior to beginning Level II fieldwork experiences in year two of the program.
- Applicants should be aware that a prior criminal background could restrict their ability to obtain professional state licensure. Acceptance into the OTD Program does not imply or guarantee that a student will be able to obtain such licensure or certification.
For OTD program and career success, applicants must be able to fulfill the requirements as listed in the Essential Functions of Occupational Therapy Students. Contact your adviser to obtain a copy.