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Two Year Hybrid, Entry-Level OTD

Hanover College’s hybrid accelerated Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program

prepares you to become a leader in the profession in just two years. An entry-level OTD Degree requires a personal commitment to academic growth, professional behaviors, innovation, and service. Hanover OTD creates opportunities for students to learn and grow as highly skilled, general occupational therapists. Here at Hanover College, hybrid feels like home.

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Learning at Hanover OTD

The learning experience at Hanover OTD weaves together online learning, lab immersions, fieldwork and a capstone experience and project to develop strong and effective practitioners in the occupational therapy field. Students will learn to use evidence-based practice and develop their clinical decision-making skills in an innovative and challenging learning environment. Hanover OTD students will use sound judgment and intellectual curiosity to carry out our commitment to service in your communities.

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Why Choose Hanover?

Hybrid feels like home at Hanover College. The innovative curriculum and format of the Hanover OTD program develops strong clinical reasoning skills, occupational-focused clinical skills, and professionalism. Students will learn the importance of diversity, culture, and inclusion in their interactions as occupational therapists.

Now Available: Scholarships

We are excited to share that starting in Spring 2026, new scholarships will be available to help reduce tuition costs for incoming OTD students (Class of 2027).

These scholarships apply to:
Students who have already submitted a seat deposit
Students currently in the admissions process
Students who previously applied but withdrew after submitting a seat deposit

Learn more here!

Why Choose OTD?

Occupational therapists collaborate with their clients to determine the daily tasks and activities that are meaningful and necessary to empower the client to maximize their independence, increase their occupational participation, and boost their occupational engagement. OTs meet the unique and distinct needs of people, populations, and communities, and are strong advocates for the profession and their clients.

"When we see the passion, that’s going to be the big thing for us – that passion and commitment to our profession."

Gayla Aguilar

Program Director and Director of Curriculum

Admission Requirements

The OTD Program has designed a holistic admissions process for qualified individuals who wish to further their academic studies in the field of occupational therapy. The program specifically targets traditional and nontraditional students with the demonstrated potential for success in occupational therapy and those ready to navigate the academic rigors of an accelerated, hybrid model OTD curriculum. The admissions process implements a model designed to determine academic potential, diversity of background, and personal attributes. Once applicants meet the required minimums, they are invited to interview. A successful interview progresses the applicant forward for final eligibility. The Hanover College OTD Program accepts applications from students who are U.S. Citizens or U.S. permanent residents. Students accepted into the OTD Program must meet the following criteria:

Complete a baccalaureate degree from a United States regionally accredited institution prior to classes beginning. Admission may be granted pending completion of the degree.
Complete all required prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative prerequisite grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or greater on a 4.00 scale. Admission may be granted pending completion of prerequisite coursework.

Grades must be a 2.0 (C) or higher in prerequisite courses to be accepted.
Five prerequisite courses must be completed to determine an initial cumulative prerequisite GPA for the application process to be initiated.
A cumulative prerequisite GPA may be improved as completed prerequisite course GPAs are added.
The highest grade in a repeated prerequisite course will be applied.
Coursework in which the grade is applied to the GPA must be from a regionally accredited institution.

Complete prerequisite coursework consisting of:
- Human or Lifespan Development (3 semester hours/ 4 quarter hours)
- Human Anatomy/Physiology including at least one laboratory (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)*
- Statistics (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
- Psychology (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
- Abnormal Psychology (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
- English Composition or Writing (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
- Medical Terminology (1 semester credit)
Complete a virtual interview. Applicants are invited for an interview based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting materials.
Submit two (2) letters of recommendation of applicant’s choice with intent to demonstrate readiness for an accelerated hybrid program and fit for a career in occupational therapy. References must come from persons other than family, friends, clergy, or politicians. Clergy or politicians may submit a recommendation, but only as a current or previous supervisor to the applicant.
Complete a minimum of thirty (30) hours observing occupational therapy practice with clients in work settings. These hours may be obtained through virtual training or direct shadowing. Ten (10) of the thirty (30) hours must be onsite face-to-face with a licensed occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant and observing clients. If all thirty hours are completed in person, arrange observations from a variety of OT practice settings. Documentation should show exposure to the scope of occupational therapy practice.
Complete the Hanover OTD essay. Character or word count guidelines will be provided.
For all Applicants for whom English is not their first language, or who may request testing, demonstration of English language proficiency may be recommended and assessed through completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) within the last 5 years. The minimum preferred TOEFL scores are internet based > or = 80, computer based > or = 213, paper-based test > or = 550. The minimum preferred IELTS is 6.5. (Note: The NBCOT Exam is administered in English.)
Complete a criminal background check.
- The Hanover OTD Program requires all students to complete a criminal background check. Other health and clearance requirements such as additional background checks and/or drug tests may be required by fieldwork and capstone sites prior to beginning those experiences in year two of the program.

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