Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Downers Grove Campus

Individuals applying for admission to the College of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Program must submit documentation for the following minimum requirements before the academic year commences for the incoming class:

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Grades of C or better for prerequisite coursework; grades of C- are not acceptable.
3. Completion of the minimum number of prerequisite courses in the prescribed subject areas at regionally accredited colleges or universities.
4. Satisfaction of the standards set forth by the Admissions Committee (including documentation of academic and professional promise in prospective students).
5. Completion of the Occupational Therapy Program's interview process. On-campus interviews are by invitation only. Applicants are invited to an interview based on evidence supportive of excellence in:
   • Academic achievement
   • Oral and written communication skills
   • Articulation of the domain and scope of OT practice
   • Community service
   • Leadership in extracurricular or other activities
6. Completion of a first aid course within the three years prior to enrollment.
7. Current certification by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers.
8. Demonstration of a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
9. Motivation for and commitment to healthcare as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
10. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with clients and colleagues.
11. Commitment to abide by Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
12. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.

Admission Requirements Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is the minimum GPA required for admission?

• You are required to have a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Grades of C or better are required for prerequisite coursework; grades of C- are not acceptable. The average GPA of our applicants is 3.4.

Do I need to take the GRE?

• No, GRE scores are not required to apply.

What prerequisite courses do I need to take?

• You can view all required prerequisite courses, and all other application requirements, in the Course Catalog* 

Do I have to complete all of the prerequisite courses before I submit my application?

• You do not have to have your prerequisites completed prior to applying to the program. All of your courses must be complete before matriculation into the program.

Does it matter when I completed my prerequisites or when I obtained my baccalaureate degree?

• It does not matter how recently you earned your degree. In fact, we encourage people to apply who are considering a career change, or may be returning to graduate school after an absence. However, it is required that the Anatomy and Physiology courses have been completed within the previous five years.

What are the undergraduate majors of your students?

• There is no specific major required for our program, as long as all of the prerequisite courses are completed. Our students have baccalaureate degrees in all areas, with the most common being psychology, kinesiology, and exercise science. We encourage students from diverse academic backgrounds to apply; many of our students majored in areas such as business, art, and English. 

What are the most important qualifications that you look for in an applicant?

• We look for applicants who are well-rounded and have a strong history of academic excellence, a commitment to service, and experience in leadership roles. We look for applicants who are person-centered and who are sensitive to individuals or groups who experience disability, social stigma, or limited access to healthcare.

Are there certain settings you prefer my OT observations to be in? How many hours of observations do I need?

• We do not require a certain number or type of OT observations.  We prefer applicants to observe or experience OT in diverse settings to ensure that the applicant understands the variety of settings and practice within OT. We also encourage applicants to consider opportunities to observe in other healthcare and social service fields where they will encounter diverse populations.

Full list of requirements*

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The curriculum for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree is a continuous, full-time program, extending 33 months from matriculation to graduation. The maximum allotted time for completion of this program is 49.5 months. It is also required that all Level II fieldwork and successful completion of a competency requirement be accomplished prior to the commencement of a 14-week, full-time doctoral internship. 

The general education, professional training, experience, and personal character development of occupational therapists uniquely prepare them to respond to and meet the needs of individuals who face challenges participating in their daily lives.

Explore more details about our program by reviewing the following manuals:

• Occupational Therapy Program Manual
• Occupational Therapy Research Manual
• Doctoral Capstone Manual
• Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program Fieldwork Manual

To view the appendices, please use the links below:

• Learning Contract 
• Weekly Check In Form 
• Student Questionnaire 
• Student Self-Assessment 
• Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE) (Sample) 
• Student Evaluation of Fieldwork Experience (SEFWE) 
• Level I Fieldwork Student Evaluation 
• Student Evaluation of Level I Fieldwork 
• Occurrence Report 
• Level I Verification Form 
• Level II Verification Form 
• Directions for Using MWU Library for OT Preceptors

To qualify for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree (OTD), students must:

1. Satisfactorily complete all courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher;
2. Satisfactorily complete the required minimum number of 160 credit hours in the curriculum;
3. Receive a favorable recommendation for Doctorate degree conferral from the Program faculty to the Program Student Academic Review Committee and from this committee to the CHS Student Promotion and Graduation Committee;
4. Receive a favorable recommendation for Doctorate degree conferral from the University Faculty Senate;
5. Settle all financial accounts with the University; and
6. Complete all graduation clearance requirements as instructed by the Office of the Registrar.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist, administered by the national board for certification in occupational therapy (NBCOT®). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). 

In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

For the 2024-2025 school year, the cost of tuition is $51,868. The total cost of tuition and fees is $52,681. For all 33 months of attendance, the total cost of tuition and fees is $158,043. For all 33 months of attendance, the total cost of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, books, food, housing, transportation, and other expenses, ranges from $237,519 (living with parents) to $280,419 (living off campus). 

For detailed information about the total cost of attendance, visit the Cost of Attendance section on the Student Financial Services website. The total cost of attendance figures includes tuition/fees, estimates for books, supplies, and living expenses, etc.

Tuition rates are subject to change each academic year for all enrolled students. Visit the Tuition & Fees page for important information regarding tuition.

Visit the Leave of Absence, Withdrawal Notification, and Refund Policy page for the policy and procedure for leave of absence, withdrawal and refund.

For the Student Financial Services contact information, visit the Financial Aid page.

• Female: 87%
• Male: 13%
• Average overall GPA: 3.40

As an occupational therapist, you are trained to provide treatment and services that help individuals of all ages — infants to elderly — regain, develop, or master everyday skills so they may live independent, productive, and satisfying lives. You'll assess your clients' physical and mental challenges and develop a plan to address the activities of daily living that suit them best, focusing first on critical daily routines such as dressing, grooming, bathing, and eating. Client plans then may be expanded to include education, caring for a home and family, or finding and holding a job.

Your education as an occupational therapist typically includes a bachelor's degree in fields such as biology, kinesiology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts, or anatomy. All of those subjects, in addition to strong communication skills, a desire to help others, and actual experience working with people with disabilities, are valuable to the performance of your future profession. Fieldwork assignments provide the opportunity to put your classroom instruction into practice and learn the expectations of the profession under the guidance and model of an experienced practitioner. Your entry-level professional study prepares you to be a generalist first; you may decide to specialize at any time during your career.

Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, including public schools, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, mental health centers, nursing homes, long-term care and psychiatric facilities, physician offices, outpatient rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, community health programs, and private practice. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for occupational therapists to increase at a faster than average rate of 24 percent through 2026.

The president of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) was cited by Monster.com describing "six hot OT practice areas," including:

• Support for 'aging in place,' including assisted living, home safety, and home modification
• Driver assessments and training programs, including low-vision rehabilitation
• Community health and wellness, such as Alzheimer's disease, caregiver training, disease management, and life skills training
• Addressing the needs of children and youth
• Ergonomics, design, and accessibility consulting
• Technology and assistive-device development and consulting

If you want to be the type of healthcare professional who sees a whole person rather than a symptom or illness; someone who gets to know your patients as people and wants to be involved in your community; someone who is compassionate, has a healing touch, and communicates well; and someone who enjoys knowing a diverse range of people from different backgrounds, a career in occupational therapy may be just right for you.

Sources: American Occupational Therapy Association; http://ExploreHealthCareers.org; US News & World Report, August 17, 2008; OT Practice, January 2005

The Occupational Therapy Program at Midwestern University embraces and values the diversity of all faculty, staff, and students. It is our policy to practice inclusivity in program policies, classrooms, programming, and activities. We are committed to the inclusion and recognition of all individuals, regardless of race, age, culture, ability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation and socioeconomic status. We believe each individual has a diverse background and perspective, and the wide range of lived experience strengthens our community. With that in mind, we strive to create an environment free of bias and discrimination for current and future cohorts. Therefore, our commitment to inclusivity is realized through actions we're taking to promote change and challenge inequality, including the establishment of the OT Program Inclusivity Committee led by faculty and students that works to reduce physical and social barriers to participation both within the program and across the University.

What are the benefits of the MWU OTD program versus a master’s program?

• Our Program is designed to prepare graduates to become practice leaders in their workplaces, whether they work in traditional healthcare settings or emerging community-based settings. Our OTD program consists of advanced coursework focused on program development, advocacy, leadership, administration and management, and education that go beyond the skills necessary for entry-level practice.

What makes the MWU OT Program unique compared to other OTD programs?

• The Midwestern University OT Program is unique in several ways. We have 13 core faculty, all of whom teach, mentor students, engage in research, and serve as occupational therapists, consultants, or leaders within a variety of settings. We have a close mentorship model (1 faculty to 3-4 students per cohort) and students are supported in their coursework, research projects, and capstone experiences by the mentor and other faculty. Our curriculum is strongly occupation-focused, and we utilize a wide variety of authentic experiences for students to learn the skills and critical reasoning to become an OT, such as fieldwork, standardized patient experiences, and lab sessions in many courses. The Program collaborates with hundreds of partners for fieldwork, experiential learning, and internship opportunities.

What is the accreditation status of the MWU Program?

• We are a fully accredited Occupational Therapy doctoral degree program by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). We have successfully graduated one OTD cohort per year since 2020. Prior to transitioning to the OTD, we were a fully accredited master’s program and graduated 22 cohorts of students between 1997 and 2018.

How do I apply?

• You can apply online through the Centralized Application Service for Occupational Therapy (OTCAS). There is not a separate application for Midwestern University. OTCAS usually becomes available during the middle of the summer (approximately mid-July). We have rolling admissions, so we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.

What is the minimum GPA required for admission?

• You are encouraged to have a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Grades of C or better are required for prerequisite coursework; grades of C- are not acceptable.

Do I need to take the GRE?

• No, GRE scores are not required to apply.

What prerequisite courses do I need to take?

• You can view all required prerequisite courses, and all other application requirements, in the Course Catalog (subject to change).

Do I have to complete all of the prerequisite courses before I submit my application?

• You do not have to have your prerequisites completed prior to applying to the program. All of your courses must be complete before matriculation into the program.

Does it matter when I completed my prerequisites or when I obtained my baccalaureate degree?

• It does not matter how recently you earned your degree. In fact, we encourage people to apply who are considering a career change, or may be returning to graduate school after an absence. However, it is required that the Anatomy and Physiology courses have been completed within the previous five years.

What are the undergraduate majors of your students?

• There is no specific major required for our program, as long as all of the prerequisite courses are completed. Our students have baccalaureate degrees in all areas, with the most common being psychology, kinesiology, and exercise science. We encourage students from diverse academic backgrounds to apply; many of our students majored in areas such as business, art, and English.

What are the most important qualifications that you look for in an applicant?

• We look for applicants who are well-rounded and have a strong history of academic excellence, a commitment to service, and experience in leadership roles. We look for applicants who are person-centered and who are sensitive to individuals or groups who experience disability, social stigma, or limited access to healthcare.

Are there certain settings you prefer my OT observations to be in? How many hours of observations
do I need?

• We do not require a certain number or type of OT observations. We prefer applicants to observe or experience OT in diverse settings to ensure that the applicant understands the variety of settings and practice within OT. We also encourage applicants to consider opportunities to observe in other healthcare and social service fields where they will encounter diverse populations.

Can I visit the MWU OT Program? Are there open houses?

• The Admissions Department offers regular campus visits. Contact the Admissions Department by phone at 630-515-6171, or 800-458-6253, or by email at admissil@midwestern.edu for more information.
• The OT Program also schedules regular open houses and campus visits. Contact the OT Admissions Chair at esimps@midwestern.edu for more information.

What is the expected timeline after I apply?

• We utilize rolling admissions: our Admissions Committee reviews incoming applications on an on-going basis. Starting in the fall, we invite the strongest applicants to participate in individual interviews on campus. Interview sessions are scheduled each month. After an interview, applicants will receive a decision within approximately three weeks.

How many students does Midwestern accept each year?

• We admit up to 50 students each year, with classes beginning in the Fall Quarter.

What is the length of your program?

• Midwestern University is on the quarter system. Our program is 11 quarters long over 33 months. Cohorts start in the fall quarter of their first year and graduate at the end of the spring quarter of their third year.

What are the costs of tuition?

• You can visit the Office of Student Financial Services for all information on tuition and financial aid or contact them at ilfinaid@midwestern.edu or 630-515-6101.
• Specific information on current tuition and fees for the OT Program is available at on the Cost of Attendance page.

Are there scholarship opportunities?

• Midwestern University has various scholarships available.
• There is also an opportunity that is specific to Midwestern University OT students: The Practice Leadership Scholarship is awarded each year to one student demonstrating a commitment to the mission and vision of the OT Program.
• The Illinois Occupational Therapy Association is now part of the AOTF Endowed Scholarship Program. More information is available on the ILOTA scholarship and AOTF scholarship pages. 
• The American Occupational Therapy Association advertises scholarship opportunities on the AOTA E.K. Wise scholarship page.
• Additional scholarships are available through public agencies and private foundations/organizations.

How do MWU’s OT courses align with today's practice?

• Our courses are designed to reflect the most recent available evidence and practice trends. Our faculty maintain their professional qualifications by attending professional development courses and conferences, maintaining their memberships in their state and national professional associations, and taking on leadership roles within the profession. By doing so, they can ensure that the content they include in courses reflect best-practice recommendations and evidence.

What are the classes I would take, and when would I take them?

• You can view all courses in the course catalog (subject to change).

What does a typical day look like?

• Block schedules vary by quarter, but generally, students are in class on Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with an hour break for lunch.

What is MWU student life like?

• Outside of classes, there are various opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities, which can be viewed on the Get Involved-IL page.
• If eligible, students also have the opportunity to participate in part-time employment through various Federal Work Study positions available. More information can be found on the Financial Aid Types page.

What percentage of MWU OT graduates pass the exam on the first attempt?

• While the first-attempt pass rates are not made available by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), overall new-graduate pass rates of our OTD graduates within one year of graduation have averaged 97% since 2020.

In what settings do recent graduates practice?

• Our graduates obtain jobs in all areas of OT practice. Some of these settings include hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, schools, skilled nursing facilities, community-based mental health, home health, and early intervention. Many graduates have created jobs or obtained jobs as a direct result of their Doctoral Capstones.

What is the salary of recent graduates?

• The average salary of 2022 graduates who responded to our alumni survey reported an average starting salary of approximately $73,000.
• The median annual salary of occupational therapists nationwide was $93,180 in 2022 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm).
• Another report shares that the average salary of entry-level occupational therapists is $64,880 (Pay Scale, Inc., Retrieved from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Occupational_Therapist_(OT)/Hourly_Rate/5a17fd1f/Entry-Level).

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The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE's telephone number c/o AOTA is 301-652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411.