In July 2024, HYP Global reached an important cooperation with Huntington University to promote and recruit students for its Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy (OTD).

Huntington University was founded in 1897. It is a traditional private university in the United States. The school offers graduate and undergraduate courses in more than 80 disciplines. Special courses include: film, broadcast media, animation production, occupational therapy, and other projects. The school is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the capital of Indiana, and has a branch campus in Peoria, Arizona. Huntington University ranks 22nd in the Midwest Regional University of U.S. News and 18th in Social Mobility.

OTD Program Introduction

Huntington University's Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program is at the forefront of healthcare. Huntington is a leader in occupational therapy education when few schools offer doctoral programs in occupational therapy. The full-time study duration of the OTD program is three years and is offered at Huntington University's Indiana and Arizona campuses. It is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the Accreditation Commission for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

As a very mature OTD program, the school has trained many outstanding graduates who are active in the industry. The faculty and staff are active occupational therapists and experienced educators, and graduates enjoy a high competitiveness and reputation in the industry. During the semester, the school provides experiential and service learning opportunities at Parkview Hospital Randallia, non-profit organizations, and other cooperative community partners to help students' research and career development.

Topics covered include:
- Advanced Assessment and Intervention Strategies
- Program Development
- Research
- Assistive Technology
- Biomechanics
- Management and Leadership
- Driving Safety Education
- Home Care

AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association): The American Occupational Therapy Association, founded in 1917, was formerly known as the National Society for the Advancement of Rehabilitation Therapy (NSPOT). It is a professional organization dedicated to advancing and supporting the field of occupational therapy. AOTA has been promoting the development of the field by advocating the importance of occupational therapy, promoting research and education, and setting standards. Over the past 100 years, AOTA has become one of the most important occupational therapy organizations in the world, providing a wide range of resources and support for practitioners, students, and researchers. https://www.aota.org/about

ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education):   The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, founded in 1923, is an accreditation body recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Certified OTD graduates will be eligible to take the national certification examination for occupational therapists administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Upon successfully passing the examination, individuals become registered occupational therapists (OTR). https://acoteonline.org/about/

Professional Path
Huntington University's Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program offers a specialized path beyond the general curriculum, allowing students to explore and experience advanced practice areas across all age groups. Specialized content in the areas of pediatrics, hand therapy, geriatrics, and cross-cultural practice can help fast-track your career. Professional experiences include additional classroom study, special interest clubs, collaborative research, clinical rotations, and a doctoral capstone project.

Graduates of the OTD program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.

a.Pediatrics
Student-led organizations
NICU and early intervention interest clubs
Specialty seminars, preparation for early intervention and NICU practice, feeding challenges, and family-centered coaching

Leadership opportunities
- Community-based advanced clinical training with faculty
- Pediatric continuing education opportunities sponsored by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

Collaborative research, lectures, and scholarly work
- Pediatric paper published in the Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, and Early Intervention
- Doctoral capstone project with a pediatric specialty focus
- Local and national networking opportunities with pediatric experts

b.Hand Therapy

Hand and Orthopedic Specialty Clubs
Advanced custom orthotic course sponsored by the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT)
Advanced anatomy course elective, including cadaver dissections

Collaborative research, lectures, and scholarly work
- Publications in the Journal of Hand Therapy and the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education
- National presentations at annual ASHT and AOTA conferences
- Faculty with subspecialty practice experience in hand therapy (CHT) and ergonomics (CEES)
- Secondary clinical rotations and associated doctoral capstone projects at a top national hand therapy institution

c. Geriatric Care
- Partnership with Parkview Health Center on Aging and Health and Parkview Health Movement Disorder Clinic
- Integrate innovative technologies to address neurological deficits in adult and geriatric populations
- Specialized training in therapeutic interventions for movement disorders affecting the geriatric population
- Certification as a CarFit technician and activity coordinator
- Collaborative research, lectures, and scholarly work
- Publication in Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation journal- Research collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology
- Presentations at local, regional, and national conferences
- Internship and doctoral capstone project opportunities related to serving the geriatric population

d. Cross-cultural practice
- Local and international service-learning opportunities for underserved populations
- International clinical opportunities in Guatemala and Peru
- Collaborative research, lectures, and scholarly work
- Clinical rotations for underserved populations
- International doctoral capstone project opportunities

e.Ergonomics and Technology
- Student-led organizations
- Lectures and workshops led by organizational leaders, practitioners, and other professionals with experience in ergonomics or assistive technology
- Collaborative projects, research, and scholarly work
- Opportunities for clinical integration and fieldwork in the fields of ergonomics and assistive technology
- Incorporation of emerging technologies, which may include virtual reality, smart home automation, 3D printing, or innovative adaptive devices

f. Mental Health
- Create an environment for students interested in the role of occupational therapy in behavioral mental health and the psychosocial aspects of occupational therapy practice
- Build partnerships with local and regional behavioral mental health and community practice organizations
- Participate in events and activities that encourage health promotion and holistic wellness
- Promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma around mental illness while advocating at the state and national level for the unique contribution of occupational therapy within the behavioral mental health team
- Professional training with a focus on evidence-based practice and psychiatric rehabilitation techniques
- Invite guest speakers and behavioral mental health practitioners in the community to share perspectives on holistic wellness and consider the best occupational engagement of clients
- Strive to identify opportunities for collaborative research, lectures, and scholarly work
- Present at local, regional, and national conferences
- Explore internship and doctoral capstone project opportunities related to serving clients with psychological and behavioral occupational health needs

*For more details on the program, please go to the official website: https://www.huntington.edu/graduate/occupational-therapy

Application Requirements

1. Bachelor's degree, regardless of background, as prerequisites require students to be primarily from a medical, nursing, health science, exercise science, or psychology background.

2. 3.0 GPA (out of 4.0).

3. B- or higher in all prerequisites:
- Anatomy and Physiology I (with lab courses)
- Anatomy and Physiology II (with lab courses)
- Science lab courses (lab courses in biology, physics, or chemistry)
- Introduction to Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Statistics or Research
- Medical Terminology

If you are missing any of the above requirements, please contact us to discuss how to meet them.

Program Fees

The 106-credit program requires 3 years of full-time study, including required fieldwork credits. The first two years of taught courses require 40-47 credits per year. The final year requires 24 credits of fieldwork and doctoral graduate research.

Tuition is $946 per credit (106 credit hours total), which totals about $100,000.

Consultation Email

admissions@hypglobal.com

About Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people do what they want and need to do throughout their lives through the therapeutic effects of daily activities (occupations). Occupational therapists help people of all ages promote health, prevent injury, illness, or disability, or enable them to function better so they can live their lives to the fullest. 

Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities fully participate in school and social activities, helping to regain skills after injury, and supporting older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. 

Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective that focuses on adapting the environment and/or tasks to fit the individual, who is an integral part of the treatment team. It is an evidence-based practice rooted in science.

All 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam, require occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to be licensed to provide occupational therapy services. Licensure gives you the legal right to practice occupational therapy in the state where you are licensed.

Students' Comments and Thoughts