Trine taking occupational therapy applications starting July 19

FORT WAYNE — Trine University will begin accepting applications for its Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree program on July 19.

For more information about the OTD program and to apply once the form opens, visit trine.edu/otd.

Trine University’s OTD program is in the accreditation process with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy (ACOTE). The OTD program is in Applicant Status and will submit for Candidacy status in August 2024.

Classes are scheduled to begin in May 2025 at Trine University’s Dr. Earl D. and Melanie N. Brooks College of Health Professions facility in Fort Wayne. However, Trine University cannot admit students until the Candidacy decision is made in December 2024.

Career preparation

Trine’s OTD program is designed to prepare students from diverse backgrounds for an occupational therapy career. Any student with a bachelor's degree from an accredited school and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 can apply.

Designed with student experience and outcomes as the priority, Trine’s OTD curriculum includes five integrated clinical experiences, giving students extensive exposure to real-life occupational therapy practice before starting their 24-week full-time rotation.

The curriculum incorporates interdisciplinary learning experiences, instruction across disciplines, integrated lab experiences and interactive instruction, all designed to build confidence and competence in OTD students.

Graduates will be prepared to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination.

Brooks College of Health Professions

Developed in close collaboration with Parkview Health, the Brooks College of Health Professions facility will employ 100 faculty and staff and serve nearly 700 students.

The new facility will offer state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, including a technology lab, makerspace, 3D printing suite, activities of daily learning lab, sensory room, pediatric lab and musculoskeletal lab.

In partnership with the Parkview Mirro Center, the building will feature an innovative Simulated Patient Care Center (SimCenter), which includes mock surgery and emergency room suites, and exam and patient rooms.

The Bureau of Labor Services predicts that the number of occupational therapy jobs will grow by 12% over the next decade. The average salary for the field is $93,180 per year.

ACOTE accreditation

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must be granted Candidacy Status, have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 14-week capstone experience following the completion of the didactic portion of the program.