Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Department of Occupational Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our program is a three-year, nine-semester, on-site program. See the credit breakdown below:

    Year 1

    Summer: 11 credits
    Fall: 15 credits
    Spring: 17 credits

    Year 2

    Summer: 6 credits
    Fall: 19 credits
    Spring: 17 credits

    Year 3

    Summer: 6 credits (Level II Fieldwork)
    Fall: 6 credits (Level II Fieldwork)
    Spring: 6 credits (Doctoral Experiential Capstone)

  • Please see our prerequisites for information.

  • You need to receive a B- or above in your prerequisite courses.

  • Yes. If accepted, you will be offered a conditional acceptance pending the completion of the remaining prerequisite courses prior to the start of the program.

  • Yes. You can take the following combinations to fulfill these requirements:

    • Human Cell Bio + Physiology
    • Human Anatomy + Physiology
    • Anatomy and Physiology I + Anatomy and Physiology II (Note: you must take both courses if offered in combination)

  • No! We welcome students with all different educational backgrounds. You just need to have completed the necessary prerequisites.

  • Our students have an average 3.6 GPA. We recommend having a 3.0 GPA or higher.

  • For the Entry-Level Doctoral program you apply though OTCAS service. For any questions on OTCAS, visit their website’s help center.

    For the Post-professional master's program, post-professional OTD program, or certificate programs, you apply directly on the Tufts Graduate Admissions website.

  • No, it is not. All applications are reviewed after the application deadline.

  • In the Entry-Level OTD program, you have the option of taking up to two electives.  We have electives in the areas of: Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation, School-Based Practice, and Assistive Technology. You can also take electives in other programs across Tufts’ campus or at other universities through the Boston Consortium.

  • The department employs a number of student workers, including Graduate Assistants beginning in your second year. There are also opportunities to be paid Research Assistants, as well as various employment opportunities across campus. Many of our students hold part-time jobs either on- or off-campus.

  • Tufts has fieldwork opportunities in the greater Boston area, as well as throughout the country. Your fieldwork team will work with you to identify a site that is a good match for your interests and needs.

  • See Tuition and Aid for information regarding tuition and financial aid. Scholarships are available.

  • We typically aim for our cohort to be around 35 students. Many of your courses will be with the entire cohort and some will be in a smaller, seminar-style format or will include students from other disciplines, including Community Health and Engineering.

  • While the foundation of both degrees is the same and both degrees currently allow you to practice as an occupational therapist, the Entry-Level OTD allows students to build on their academic foundation by becoming leaders in the field of occupational therapy. With added coursework and experiences, students emerge as strong practitioners and researchers. One particular difference between the OTD and Master’s degree is the inclusion of the Doctoral Experiential Component (DEC). The DEC provides opportunities for faculty mentorship as students pursue a fourteen-week project in different areas. Please see our page about the DEC for additional information. You may also read more at Journal of Occupational Therapy Outcomes. For more information about Tufts’ decision to shift to offering an OTD, please contact Jill Rocca.

  • An Entry-Level OTD is designed for individuals entering the field of occupational therapy with a Bachelor’s degree in another area. A Post-Professional OTD is designed for practicing occupational therapists with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy to further their studies.

    Tufts has both Entry-Level OTD and Post-Professional OTD programs.

    • Tufts is home to the oldest OT school in the country, providing it with a long history of scholarship and practice.
    • The OTD program has been designed to encompass student interests, including Emerging Practice Areas and Assistive Technology.
    • Tufts has access to major hospitals and facilities in the greater Boston area.
    • There are many opportunities for learning outside of the classroom, including Adaptive Sports Day, guest speakers, and Dance for Parkinson’s Disease.
    • Tufts is a smaller program and provides a tailored education to meet student needs.
    • Our program has a passion for community-based and emerging practice areas, which is emphasized through experiential learning components beginning in the first year.

  • GRE General Test scores are not required for applicants who have a degree from an accredited U.S. institution by time of enrollment. GRE scores are required for applicants who received a degree from an institution outside of the U.S..

  • Contact Jill Rocca with any additional questions.