Each year, the School of Occupational Therapy admits a class of 60 students to Belmont’s Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program. Students begin study in August of each year.
Applications for admission and applicant credentials are received nearly exclusively through the Occupational Therapist Central Application Service (OTCAS), provided by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Candidates may apply for admission after completing a bachelor's degree or entering the 3+3 program.
Admissions Requirements
Updated on June 15, 2022
- Candidates must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (degree in any field) or be in the senior year of undergraduate study. A completed bachelor's degree and completion of all prerequisites are required by June 1 prior to enrollment, as evidenced by a final official college/university transcript. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.
- Candidates must achieve a grade of B- or better in each prerequisite course, each of which must have been completed within ten years prior to application.
- Because of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, a grade of “pass” may be accepted for prerequisite courses taken during this time although a letter grade is preferred if that option was available. Candidates will be required to provide an explanation if they opted into the P/F grading scale for Spring 2020.
- Advanced Placement (AP) credit is accepted for Statistics.
|
Required Prerequisites |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
Human Anatomy & Physiology I with lab |
4 |
|
Human Anatomy & Physiology II with lab |
4 |
|
Statistics (from a math department or psychology department) |
3 |
|
Developmental Psychology (from a psychology department) |
3 |
|
Abnormal Psychology |
3 |
|
Intro to Sociology OR Intro to Anthropology (no substitutes) 3 |
3 |
|
Introductory Physics or Kinesiology |
3-4 |
|
Medical Terminology |
1-3 |
Candidates are expected to have no more than two incomplete prerequisites (as verified by OTCAS) to be considered for an interview opportunity. Submitted applications that do not meet this standard will be deferred from consideration until this requirement is fulfilled. All prerequisites must be completed by the end of the spring semester (June 1) prior to enrollment. If not completed successfully, the candidate’s admission will be withdrawn.
In addition to the required prerequisites, the following courses are also helpful: advanced writing, public speaking, and computer literacy.
- Candidates must complete a personal essay as part of the OTCAS application.
- Candidates must demonstrate familiarity with occupational therapy in the form of a minimum of 50 hours of observational, volunteer, and/or work experience in occupational therapy prior to paying an enrollment deposit.
- Alternative Activities Form: We recognize that many of our applicants have been unable to complete observation experiences as intended due to COVID-19. In light of this, we have created an “Alternative Activities Form” for applicants to demonstrate that they have learned about the profession through a variety of resources. The completed form is due on the enrollment deposit deadline for admitted students and does not need to be submitted at the time of application. You can download the form as a Word or PDF document. Completed forms should be emailed to otd@belmont.edu.
- Two recommendations are required. At least one of the two recommendations required for application must be from a licensed occupational therapist.
- Students need to be aware that felony-related charges and convictions may prevent participation in fieldwork experiences. In addition, a criminal record may prevent the student from taking the NBCOT exam and also from becoming licensed. A student should contact NBCOT if there is a prior criminal record that might interfere with their eligibility to sit for the national exam. National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
Belmont is now test-optional for the GRE. Candidates are welcome to submit their test scores to enhance their application if they wish to do so, but this is no longer a requirement for admission.
- Application Procedures
- Important Admission Dates
- Early Decision Application deadline: September 1, 2022 (all transcripts must also be submitted to OTCAS by this date)
- Interview Day: Late September 2022
- Decisions Announced: within 1 week after the interview day
- Reply Date for Accepted Candidates: November 1
-
July 22, 2022 - Application to the OTD program at Belmont University open through OTCAS for the next fall's entry.
-
February 1, 2023 - OTCAS Application Close Date for Belmont University - deadline for applicants to submit all application materials. The OTCAS application must be complete by this date, including official GRE scores.
-
Mid-December - The OTCAS Academic Update opens. You cannot make edits to your coursework section until the AU window is open to you.
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Mid-January - OTCAS Academic Update priority deadline to submit your updated courses and transcripts to OTCAS. OTCAS will continue to accept updated transcripts after the priority deadline date has passed and through mid-February.
-
Mid-February - The Academic Update closes. You cannot edit your courses after this date. OTCAS will no longer accept AU transcripts. If your AU transcripts will not be available from your college/university's registrar until after February 15, please contact the admissions office to receive instructions on submitting an unofficial grade report directly to Belmont University School of Occupational Therapy. (Do NOT send unofficial transcripts or grade reports to OTCAS).
- Cost of Attendance - Tuition and Fees
- Housing Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Why I Chose Belmont
- Virtual Information Sessions
- Tuesday, July 19th at 1:30 PM Central time – Sign up
- Contact Admissions
The School of Occupational Therapy receives applications for doctoral program admission and all applicant credentials exclusively through the Occupational Therapy College Application Service (OTCAS). Full application instructions can be found on the Belmont University school page by clicking Participating Programs on the OTCAS site.
Interview Invitations
Only the most academically competitive candidates will be invited for an on-campus interview with faculty members. We host four on-campus interview days each year in September, November, February, and March/April. Qualified candidates are invited to the earliest possible interview day.
Required After Acceptance
All candidates who submit an enrollment deposit must complete pre-matriculation requirements as directed in the months and weeks leading up to the first day of classes. Failure to complete requirements - such as registration, submission of health records, final official transcripts, and other such items - by communicated deadlines will result in withdrawal from the program. In addition, as an accepted student in the OTD program, you will be required to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR for infant, child and adult) and first aid training. You will also be required to submit results of a criminal background check. Background check information will be mailed to you in the summer preceding your first semester.
Early Decision
Early Decision is available to applicants whose first and only choice is Belmont University if accepted for admission. The entering class may be filled by candidates who apply during Belmont's Early Decision period. While OTCAS does not offer the Early Decision option, Belmont's School of Occupational Therapy provides this option to candidates who pledge to attend if admitted.
Regular Admission
Regular Admission consideration is available on a rolling basis to candidates who submit an OTCAS application by February 1. Candidates who are invited to interview will be considered for any available openings in the entering class or for a place on the wait list for possible future openings. The first interview day for regular admission will be held on a Friday in early-to-mid November with selected candidates who have completed their application by October 1. All other candidates with a completed application will be eligible, on a competitive basis, for an invitation to a mid-January or April interview day.
OTCAS Open and Close Dates
OTCAS Academic Update
Prerequisite Completion Deadline
All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed before June 1, 2023. Final degree-conferred official transcripts must be sent to Belmont University Admissions Office soon after this date. Accepted candidates who do not meet this deadline will forfeit their seats in the entering class.
Current tuition information is listed below. Typically, tuition and fees increase each year between 3% and 5% and are set by March 1 prior to each upcoming academic year. The total cost of attendance includes tuition and fees for 6 semesters and one summer team which typically increase from one academic year to the next, plus a graduation fee of $275.
|
Current Cost |
2022 Fall Semester |
2023 Spring Semester |
2022-23 Academic Year |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tuition |
$22,550 |
$22,550** |
$45,100* |
|
Student Fee |
$600 |
$600 |
$1,200 |
|
Health Insurance*** |
TBD*** |
* In addition, the OTD program requires students to complete 6 credits of coursework during the summer between the first and second years. Tuition for the 2022 summer term is $8,700.
** For students in the second year of the OTD program, this amount is divided equally between the spring semester and summer term to account for summer fieldwork.
*** Graduate Health Insurance Premium required for all full-time graduate students and may be waived with proof of qualifying eligible coverage.
For information about graduate student loans, contact Student Financial Services.
Check out the most recent Housing Guide for Belmont Health Science students, based on feedback from current students.
I'm not a Tennessee resident. May I still apply?
Belmont University makes no distinction between in-state and out-of-state students for admission or tuition purposes.
Is a bachelor's degree required to apply to the OTD Program?
Yes. This OTD program is designed for students who currently hold a baccalaureate (undergraduate) degree or are in the process of earning one in any discipline other than OT. The degree should be conferred no later than June 1 prior to enrolling.
Is a specific major required?
We do not require a specific major to apply for our program, as long as the prerequisites are completed. Common majors include psychology, exercise science, and biology.
May I apply while I am in the process of completing my prerequisites?
Yes, you may. However, no more than 2 prerequisites may remain to be considered for an interview. Additionally, all courses must be complete, and your degree conferred, by June 1.
May I apply while I am in the process of completing my observation hours?
Applicants must have completed a minimum of 50 hours before an application will be reviewed. The application will remain incomplete until this requirement is met.
Some of my courses are older than 10 years. Are there exceptions to that policy?
If an applicant has been working in a science field since taking prerequisite courses, there may be an exception to the 10-year policy. Exceptions are considered only after an application is submitted and completed. Please contact us if you have questions about your situation.
May I request a transcript evaluation?
Informal prerequisite course evaluations are available upon request. Please email PDF copies of your unofficial transcripts to otd@belmont.edu. We are unable to comment on your admissibility to the program, but this may give you better insight into your prerequisite completion plans.
What is the average GPA of students you accept?
We do not typically calculate the average GPA scores. Typically, though, competitive applications to our program will have a 3.5 or higher GPA (both cumulative and prerequisite). Of course, these are just guidelines; however, all candidates must have a minimum 3.0 GPA (both cumulative and prerequisite) to be considered.
Is there a separate application for Belmont?
The only application we require is the OTCAS application. Nothing supplemental needs to be sent to Belmont.
Where should I send my transcripts? Letters of recommendation?
All materials should be sent to OTCAS; nothing should be sent directly to Belmont. Instructions and addresses for transcripts and recommendations (called "evaluations" on OTCAS) are available on their website after you have created an account.
How many recommendations do you require? Who should write them?
We require two recommendations. One must be from an OT. The second may be from a person of your choosing such as a professor, employer, another OT, etc. Neither should be from a family member, friend, clergy, etc.
Do my 50 hours of observation need to be documented a certain way?
We do not require a specific form, but you will need to input all of your hours into OTCAS, with contact information for verification. So, you should track them in a document that can easily be referenced and uploaded.
Do you require an interview?
A face-to-face interview with a faculty member is a required part of the admission process. The interview days also act as visit days that include a program overview, lab demonstrations, and an opportunity to talk with current students.
Are phone or Zoom interviews available?
We are excited to provide an on-campus interview experience for our applicants and their supporters. In some cases, we are able to offer the opportunity for candidates to complete their individual faculty interviews over Zoom, but we cannot record the rest of our programming.
May I schedule a visit to campus?
We're always glad to have visitors, but typically we encourage people to wait until they are invited for an interview before coming to campus, as the interview day includes a much more comprehensive look at the program, interactions with faculty and current students, lab demonstrations, etc. However, if you are in Nashville and would like to stop by, the admissions coordinator will be glad to schedule an appointment to give you a brief tour of the building, Monday through Friday between 9:00-4:00. You can make an in-person appointment with us here!
How many students do you accept a year and when do they start?
We admit a class of approximately 60 students per year. A new cohort class begins each fall semester.
How long is the program and how many credit hours are required?
The OTD degree is a 3 year, full-time program, with a total of 108-110 semester credit hours. Please visit the full OTD curriculum, where there is also a link to course descriptions.
When do classes meet?
Class times are typically held Monday through Thursday from 8 or 9 am to 5 or 6 pm but do vary by semester. Students attend fieldwork at clinical sites on Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday.
Do you accept transfer credit?
No. Belmont University School of Occupational Therapy does not accept transfer credit from any other occupational therapy school.
How much is tuition?
Our current tuition rates can be found by accessing the Cost Estimator at Belmont's Office of Student Financial Services. The OTD program is 6 semesters, plus 6 hours in the first summer.
Do you offer scholarships or other financial aid?
Scholarships are not available. Students typically fund tuition through loans or private sources. All questions concerning financial aid should be directed to our Student Financial Services department. You can reach the Student Financial Services office by phone at 615-460-6403 or online.
Should I apply for a master's degree or a doctorate?
Belmont's MSOT program is only available to COTAs or PTAs. However, in comparing other OT programs to Belmont's doctorate, it is important to consider your career goals. While both a masters and a doctorate equip the student for OT practice, the doctorate offers a wider breadth of opportunities, as the doctoral graduate has more research and scholarship training, leadership experience, and offers the ability to teach in the future.
Lindsey E. Hess, OTD Alumnus
I have often heard that the biggest decisions in life are the easiest to make because when you find the right answer, you “just know”. This was the case for me and Belmont. I vividly remember the day I first set foot in the Occupational Therapy Department at Belmont University. It was a chilly October day and I had driven from my college town of Charlottesville, Virginia to see if Belmont was the right place for my graduate level education. As soon as my feet hit the concrete outside of the OT building I exclaimed, “This is it. This is where I’m meant to be!” Among the reasons I chose Belmont is that it offers a clinical doctorate degree, which is a characteristic that sets it apart from many other schools. Another reason I “just knew” that Belmont was right for me was its small size and belief in Christian values. Lastly, I chose Belmont because of its state-of-the-art facility, the Inman Center. This building, coupled with the fact that it is located in Nashville, made me certain that I would receive a top-notch education in an exceptionally enriched environment.
Looking back, I now realize why attending Belmont and deciding to become an OT was an easy decision. God had a plan for me to become an OT long before I even knew what college I would attend. In high school, I peer tutored for an elementary school student in a special education classroom and I also taught Special Olympics tennis. From these early experiences, I learned that I had a special place in my heart for people who had to face adversity due to illness or disability. In college, I decided to pursue a teaching career in Special Education, but I quickly found myself dissatisfied and feeling a bit like I hadn’t really tapped into what God wanted for me to do with my life. That was when I found OT. I began doing OT observation hours at an elementary school and at a school for children with autism. Then I completed observation hours in a hand clinic as well as in a nursing home. I discovered that OT is a multifaceted and extremely versatile field – I could work in a school system, nursing home, hospital, outpatient rehabilitation clinic, or even start my own practice. I realized that the possibilities in OT were endless! Most importantly, I discovered that through OT I could alter people’s lives for the better. I would get the privilege of looking past a label of disability or illness and seeing a person. Furthermore, as an OT practitioner I would be able to bring fulfillment to other individuals’ lives. What job could possibly be more satisfying?
I could not be happier with how my life has turned out thus far. Starting in high school and continuing through college, God placed experiences in my life that were tailor-made for the reason of leading me towards a career in occupational therapy. Now five years later, I have found the place in which my life’s purpose will be brought to fruition. At Belmont, I know I was challenged both spiritually and intellectually by my professors as well as by my peers. I learned so much about OT and even more about what I want to accomplish with my life. I know God used Belmont to chisel and mold me into a woman of skill, compassion, and service. I am certain that, as a graduate of Belmont, I am fully equipped to honor God by serving those who are in need of an OT – and I hope I honor Him well.
You are invited to join us for an upcoming virtual information session for our OTD program!
During this session, we will cover details about the Fall 2023 admissions process and more information about program elements, our curriculum, and fieldwork opportunities. Our Program Chair, Dr. Tamara Lemmonds, will join us and there will be a chance for you to ask questions as well.
A Zoom link will be provided to you in your confirmation email when you sign up using the links above. If you cannot attend, please respond to this email and we will send you a recording upon the completion of the event.
Our Assistant Director of Admissions, Sarah Caylor, will be happy to answer questions about the program, admission requirements and admission processes.
Please contact her by email at otd@belmont.edu or by telephone at 615-460-6798.
You can also make a weekday phone or Zoom appointment with Sarah here.