OTD - Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Admission into the Occupational Therapy Doctoral program is competitive and selective due to a limited class size. The program does not accept outside coursework, work experience or experiential learning in place of any OTD curriculum course. The program does not offer advanced placement or admission based on ability to benefit.

In addition to the general admission requirements for the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the School of Health Related Professions, candidates seeking admission into the Occupational Therapy Doctoral program must also meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning or submission of a plan of study which outlines completion of a baccalaureate degree prior to summer enrollment. There is not a required major for the baccalaureate degree;

2. Earn a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale;

3. Provide evidence of 24 hours of observation under an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant in at least three (3) varied occupational therapy clinical departments (i.e., practice settings) within the two (2) calendar years preceding the application deadline; A maximum of eight (8) observation hours can be obtained from completion of an internship, employment in a setting (i.e. working as a rehab technician), volunteering in a setting,

4. Complete all prerequisite courses with the following stipulations. Students should have completed or be enrolled in at least four (4) of the seven (7) prerequisites course by the application deadline. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or better on each prerequisite course with a minimum prerequisite average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

5. Upon invitation, complete an interview with representatives from the Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee.

¹Statistics may include courses such as Elementary, Behavioral or Introductory.

²One course of pure human anatomy with lab AND one course of pure physiology with lab is equivalent to two combined anatomy and physiology with lab courses.

³Introduction to Kinesiology is not acceptable for this prerequisite requirement.

*Courses beyond the required prerequisites (above) which may be helpful to the student in the OTD program include: medical terminology; advanced science courses; psychology courses and/or research courses.

*Survey and technical courses are not acceptable for any prerequisite course requirement.

Program Application Deadline

Students will apply to UMMC's OTD program via the Centralized Application Service for Occupational Therapy Programs (OTCAS). All application documents and required application fees must be received in OTCAS and by UMMC"s Office of Enrollment Management by October 1 for summer admission, while the fall transcript must be received by Friday, January 16, 2026.  General application information and application procedures may be found in the SHRP General Admission Requirements Policy in PolicyTech. 

Applicants accepted into the program will be assessed a nonrefundable enrollment fee, which will be applied to the first-year tuition.

Megan Ladner, DHA, OTR/L
Phone: (601) 984-6350
Email: SHRP-OTDProgramInquiry@umc.edu