Occupational Therapy
Howard University’s OT program is Ranked Among the Top 100 Best Occupational Therapy Program’s in the Nation According to U.S. News & World Report
Congrats to Dr. Fatoumatta Tunkara!
Congratulations to recent Howard University MSOT and OTD program graduate, Dr. Fatoumatta Tunkara for being recognized as a 2021-2022 White House HBCU Scholar!
The Howard University Occupational Therapy Program is proud to offer an Entry-Level Occupational Therapy program leading to a Doctor of Occupational of Therapy (OTD) and Post-Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD). The Department is uniquely privileged to be among the few providers of entry-level occupational therapy graduates in the Nation’s capital. The program has a rich history of excellence in leadership, graduating highly sought-after therapists, and developing national and international health professionals.
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people across their lifespan participate in everyday activities that they want or need to do related to their occupation. Common occupational therapy interventions include helping people recover from injury to regain skills, helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, and providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. Services may include comprehensive evaluations of the client’s home and other environments (e.g., workplace, school), recommendations for adaptive equipment and training in its use and guidance and education for family members and caregivers. Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment to fit the person, and the person is an integral part of the therapy team.
Department Chair
Felecia Banks, PhD, M.Ed, OTR/L Phone:
202-806-7617
Email:
fbanks@howard.edu
Accreditation
The Howard University Occupational Therapy program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
(301) 652-AOTA or (301) 652-2682
Academic Policies
The academic policies in the Department of Occupational Therapy adhere to the guidelines and procedures outlined in the Division of Allied Health Sciences Admissions, Retention and Graduation Policies and the Occupational Therapy Graduate Retention and Graduation Policy*. Specifically:
- Minimum grade in any course taken at accredited institutions to be considered for advanced standing is “C”
- Minimum semester and cumulative GPA required for a good standing in the program is 3.0
*More information on academic policies is found in the student handbook. All enrolled students will receive a copy. Students are expected to read this document and understand the academic expectations for continuance in an academic program.
Statement on Felony Convictions
A felony conviction must be disclosed and may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT, Inc.) exam, as well as the ability to attain state licensure.
Statement on Criminal Background Check
Please be advised that all students accepted into the Master of Science program will be required to complete a background check in order to participate in any clinical and/or fieldwork experiences. The background check is conducted by an outside agency and should occur within the first year of acceptance into the program.
*Please refer to the OT Student Handbook for more detailed information on the Department’s policies and procedures
Application Process & Deadlines
The Howard University Occupational Therapy program subscribes to the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service, known as OTCAS. All applicants need to apply online using the OTCAS application. Our application deadline is March 15 of each year. Applications received after the deadline will be considered subject to space availability in the entering class. To learn more about the OTCAS application process and to get started, please go to the OTCAS website at www.otcas.org. Once processed, the Admissions Committee looks forward to receiving your application.
Admission consideration may be granted to applicants who satisfy all admissions criteria. Criteria for admissions to the OT entry-level OTD degree program includes:
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited university or college
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of required prerequisite courses
- Verification of 40 hours of volunteer experience in an Occupational Therapy setting
- Completion of the OTCAS Application
- Participation in a personal interview
- Submission of three letters of recommendations
Prerequisites
| Developmental Psychology or Human Growth Development | 3 Credits |
| Abnormal Psycology or Psychopathology | 3 Credits |
Gross Anatomy | 4 Credits |
Physiology | 4 Credits |
Sociology | 3 Credits |
| CPR Certificate |
OT International Study Abroad Programs
The OT program at Howard has a robust international program with unique fieldwork and study abroad experiences in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, South Africa, and Ghana where students examine issues of occupational and social justice and participate in service-learning projects. Students have also traveled to Haiti for international service-learning projects.