About the GW OT Program
- What is the GW eOTD program’s class size?
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The GW eOTD program consists of a small class size of about 32 students and enables students to engage in critical thinking activities that facilitate effective clinical decision making and problem solving.
- How will the GW eOTD program prepare me for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
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The GW eOTD program will prepare you for the NBCOT by teaching you:
- How to complete the exam successfully.
- How to take the knowledge obtained from the program and apply it to your life’s work.
- What is the difference between a doctoral degree in occupational therapy and a masters?
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Masters programs are 2-2.5 years long and lead to a Master’s of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree.
Doctoral programs are 3 years long, require an individual doctoral capstone experience, and lead to a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD, DOT, DrOT) degree. Capstone projects provide additional skills in clinical evaluation and measurement, program development, and the application of research evidence. The completion of the capstone project requires a 14-week experience in the field.
Both degrees prepare graduates to sit for the national board exam, as well as prepares graduates for leadership and academic roles.
- Is the GW eOTD program research-based?
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Yes, the GW eOTD program is research-based. As a program that works to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals, it is absolutely imperative that the OT program is scientifically sound, and evidence based in order to implicate current research into clinical practice. We incorporate the most advanced theories and technologies into our curricula and readily adapt to the changing needs of our students to ensure that graduates deliver evidence-informed occupational therapy backed with a global reach. Our accrediting body requires all OT programs to demonstrate clinical decision making through the curriculum.
In the GW OT doctorate curriculum, we have a 3-course research series that prepares graduates for clinical practice, and research consumption and development. Following the research series, we have a 4-course Doctoral Experience series, where clinical practice and research are fused for each student to generate an innovative and socially impactful project.
Admissions
- What documents are required to apply to the GW eOTD program?
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Completion of the OTCAS (Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System) application and the GW application are both required to apply to the Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (eOTD) program. Your application is not complete until both items are received.
Please view our Admissions Requirements to make sure all steps are completed.
- What does the GW eOTD program look for in applicants?
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Applicants should be collaborative, innovative thinkers who are independently motivated and who are committed to empowering people and diverse communities to have meaningful engagement in life’s activities. Key to the mission of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program is the education of occupational therapists who are reflective practitioners, who think critically, use best evidence to effectively solve problems, and who demonstrate respect for individual and cultural differences.
The program wants to understand who the applicant is as a person, both inside and outside of the classroom: hobbies/passions, thought-process, and challenges faced.
Candidates that reflect the values and beliefs that align with those of the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and Occupational Therapy are highly valued.
- Is the GRE required?
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No, the GRE is not required.
- What is the process and timeline for admissions?
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Admission decisions may begin being sent out in September. Applicants will have two weeks to provide a decision to reserve their seat in the class.
Applications open in July and the GW OT Admissions Committee will conduct an application review prior to inviting an applicant to a 1-on-1 interview with a faculty member. When an applicant is informed that their application is in review, within 4 weeks, an applicant will be invited to an interview. Upon completion of the interview, an applicant may be informed of a decision within 2-4 weeks.
- Is a deposit required upon acceptance?
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Yes, students are required to submit a non-refundable $575 tuition deposit in order to complete the enrollment process.
- When are final transcripts due?
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All official transcripts should be sent to OTCAS (Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System). Applicants that are selected for admission that is contingent on completion of prerequisite courses will be instructed to send in their official transcripts once the course is completed, prior to the start of the program. Directions will be outlined in your admissions letter.
Transcripts are due on August 1st and should be sent directly to the GW Occupational Therapy program via mail to GWU Occupational Therapy 2600 Virginia Ave NW, Ste T100 Washington, D.C. 20037-1905, or email, gwotd@gwu.edu.
- How many people have applied to the GW eOTD program?
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We do not release specific numbers related to our applicant pool. Once the program has been established for multiple years, we will be able to release numbers related to acceptance rate percentage based on the overall applicant pool. At this time we do not have that historical data yet.
- Is a deposit required upon acceptance?
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Yes. A $575 non-refundable tuition deposit is required to guarantee your spot in the eOTD program. This deposit is applied to your Semester I tuition.
- Can I have outstanding prerequisite courses when I apply?
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Yes, applicants may apply to the GW eOTD program with no more than 3 outstanding prerequisite courses. Courses must be completed prior to the beginning of the program. To learn more about our prerequisite course requirements, please visit our admissions webpage.
Tuition and Funding
- Should I submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?
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We recommend that you complete the FAFSA if you plan to take out loans to finance your education. FAFSA application can be submitted online at no charge as early as October.
- Are there any grants/scholarships I can apply for other than FAFSA?
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Please visit our Funding webpage.
If you are requesting information on tuition and Federal Student Aid, please contact the Financial Office of Student Financial Assistance for their timeline. They will need to review your FAFSA which may not occur until after admittance to the program.
- Does the GW eOTD program offer research or teaching assistant opportunities?
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As an 'entry-level' graduate occupational therapy program (applicants have no prior experience in occupational therapy), we do not have an undergraduate program that has a demand for teaching assistants.
Research assistantships depend on the circumstance of faculty; whether faculty have a funded research project that includes research assistants. These types of assistantships change from year to year. Additionally, these types of research assistantships are often prioritized for research degrees such as the PhD student, rather than an OT doctorate.
Living in Washington, DC
- What social activities / clubs are part of the GW eOTD program?
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GW eOTD has formed the Student Occupational Therapy Association and are available on Instagram. Students also have access to all GW student organizations and SMHS student organizations.
- What options are available for graduate student housing?
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GW's Off-Campus Housing website is an excellent first step to finding housing options. You can find listings for both undergraduate and graduate students, and there are message boards and other resources to assist your search.
Students often live close to the Foggy Bottom campus in Washington, D.C. but may be in neighboring cities or states.
- What resources are available in Washington, D.C.?
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Use of public transportation is highly recommended, but if you choose to drive, you can use your GWorld card to pay for campus parking. Please note that after completing the application, you must present valid vehicle registration and a current GWorld ID to the GW Transportation and Parking Services Office in Colonial Central in order to receive a parking permit decal. The OT program is a short walk from the GW/Foggy Bottom and Farragut West Metro Stations (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines). We strongly recommend using the Metro. Capital Bikeshare is another option for commuting to campus. It is a bicycle sharing system that serves Washington, D.C.; Arlington County, Virginia; and the city of Alexandria, Virginia.
- What are the best ways to study?
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As a student within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, we recommend that you take advantage of your home library, the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library. The School of Medicine and Health Sciences offers a Himmelfarb Library Online Orientation and The Himmelfarb Library tutorials will familiarize you with the many resources available for students.
We also recommend collaborating with your peers and brainstorming! You are all working through the same academic challenges, and it will be helpful to put your minds together to think critically and problem solve.
For more Frequently Asked Questions on OT Education and Career Planning, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association website.