Admission Criteria | Non-Degree Admissions | Application Materials

Applications for admissions will be accepted throughout the year. Applications received after the final deadline will be considered for the following semester’s admission cycle unless there are extenuating circumstances warranting an exception

OTD cohorts will start in August or in January. Students who are applying to the program with a bachelor’s degree or with a master’s degree that was received prior to 2002 are strongly encouraged to begin their programs in the fall semester. Starting in the fall will allow these students to take OT 500 and OT 510 in their first semester of the program.

Who May Apply
Applicants who are already occupational therapists (with either a bachelor's or a master's degree) may apply directly to the OTD program. For those who wish to become occupational therapists, it is possible to complete an OTD at UIC, but this is done by applying to our MS/C program and continuing into the OTD professional program. Students may either apply for joint admission to the MSC and OTD program or apply to the OTD program after beginning matriculation in the MS/C program. If you are certain you want to complete an OTD, then it is best to apply for joint admission to the MS/C and OTD program. If you are uncertain, it may be best to matriculate first in the MS/C program and decide within your first year of matriculation whether or not to apply for the OTD program. Completion of the OTD requires a minimum of 2 semesters of matriculation beyond the MS/C program.

Interviews
Applicants who are being considered for admission will be required to participate in a formal interview with one or more faculty members who are potential advisors.  Fixed interview dates will be established and provided to students well in advance.  Generally speaking, interviews for fall admission will occur in early March and interviews for spring admission will occur in early November. Interviews can be conducted in person or by telephone.

Checking Your Status
Students who apply for the fall semester should be notified of their admission status on or before April 1, spring semester applicants should be notified on or before December 1. Please read and follow the application instructions carefully.