Application Deadlines
Entry-Level Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Application Opens: July 17, 2026
Program Application Deadline: OTCAS Deadline - January 31, 2027
Application Process & Specific Prerequisites
The Entry-Level Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program includes both didactic and clinical courses totaling 113 credit hours of coursework over a period of 3 years.
Program Format and Locations
We offer two distinct Entry-Level OTD program tracks, which differ in instructional format and location:
Residential OTD Program – Galveston, Texas
This track is delivered in person. Students complete all didactic coursework on the Galveston campus during the first two years of the program.
Hybrid OTD Program – Laredo, Texas
This track is delivered in a hybrid format, with didactic coursework completed online and in-person lab immersions held onsite in Laredo, Texas during the first two years of the program.
For both tracks, the final year of the program consists of full-time offsite clinical rotations.
Please consult the following web pages detailing specific prerequisites and the application process for each program. Under the Application Process section, read bullet #7 for our rolling admissions policy:
Applications are submitted through OTCAS, the centralized occupational therapy application system. Applicants may choose to apply to the Galveston track, the Laredo track, or both. Admissions are rolling, and applications are reviewed as they are received.
We are here to help you as you work through the admissions and application process. Please let us know if you have any questions via email at ot.admissions@utmb.edu.
Philosophy
The Department of Occupational Therapy demonstrates commitment to the UTMB core values of service, belonging, innovation, community, and education through its process of selecting students into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. We are committed to serving the health needs of all Texans, to educating a healthcare workforce which mirrors the population they serve, to doing things in new ways, to making our community a better place to live and work, and to facilitating life long-learning
for individuals within our university community.
The Department of Occupational Therapy seeks to admit students who set themselves apart by their high standard of academic achievement, professional qualities, and occupational engagement in activities that suggest a well-rounded character. In particular, we seek those who exhibit self-direction and maturity, have an interest in whole-person learning, and have the ability to unite cognitive, affective, and experiential knowledge.