Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Therapy

Program Contact

Dr. Patricia Bowyer
Professor and Coordinator of Post Professional Programs
713-794-2130
pbowyer@twu.edu

Admission Deadlines

Applications are accepted at any time, but best consideration will be given to those received by April 15 prior to the desired Summer or Fall start date.  Admissions to our graduate programs are competitive.  Applicants must complete all steps in order to be considered for admission.

Admission Requirements

• Initial certification as an occupational therapist by National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).  Graduates from non-U.S. baccalaureate programs, recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists who otherwise meet admission requirements, need not be certified by the NBCOT to pursue the Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy.
• Graduate-level degree.
• 3.2 minimum GPA in graduate-level work
• Original score report from the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) taken within 10 years of application date. 
• Satisfactory English language proficiency score (if applicable).

Graduates from non-U.S. baccalaureate programs, recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists who otherwise meet admission requirements, need not be certified by the NBCOT to pursue the Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy.

• The Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy at TWU is based on a mentorship model. Applicants must first match research interests and speak directly with a potential faculty mentor from the Ph.D. faculty in occupational therapy before applying to the program. Please contact Patricia Bowyer at pbowyer@twu.edu to begin the faculty mentor match. After a faculty mentor has been identified and approved, complete the following steps:
• Take the GRE General Test and submit your GRE scores to TWU (Code 6826). 
• Complete the School of OT PhD Application and Essay (PDF) and upload into application under Letter of Intent.
• Current resume.
• Email addresses for three academic or professional individuals familiar with your academic capabilities, who can provide letters of recommendation to be requested through and submitted into the application. 
• Verification of certification as an Occupational Therapist (via NBCOT or WFOT)
• Participate in an admissions committee interview.
• Complete a Faculty Mentor Agreement.

Technology Requirements for the Program 

• Guide to Online Learning
• Recommended Specs for Personal Laptops

Begin by finding your program in TWU's Program, Majors & Degrees listings to see if your program has additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  (This information is for all programs. The application deadline for your specific program will be listed in the Program Requirements.  Use that deadline as it applies below.  (Example: if a program only admits once a year and has a Fall deadline for 2023 of March 1, you would need to be looking to apply to the next deadline for Fall 2024.)

1. Apply online.
   Apply to Graduate Programs according to the start semester and application portals below:
   
   • Spring 2024 - All programs apply via ApplyTexas EXCEPT applicants to the College of Business, Child Life, or Child Development master's programs or the Child Development and Early Education PhD program who should apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal.
     • Note: When applying through ApplyTexas, you will need to submit any required Documents directly to the program website.
   • Summer & Fall 2024 - All graduate programs apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal. Required documents will be asked for and uploaded into the application.
     
     
2. Pay the application fee.
   The $50 fee, ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants can be paid by:
   • Credit card - Online through the portal you applied on (either ApplyTexas or TWU's Online Graduate Application).
   • Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
     TWU Admissions Processing, 301 Research Circle, Room 220; Denton, Texas 76204
     (include your full name and ID number).
   • Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (2nd floor of GRB).
   • Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar application Fee waiver. Submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission Form.
     
     
3. Submit transcripts to TWU.
   • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details.
   • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU.  See the International Admission website for more details.

For more information on graduate admissions or to contact an admissions official, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.