OTD Program Achieves Candidacy Status

We are pleased to announce that the WVU Division of Occupational Therapy earned Candidacy Status for the new Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program. Candidacy status is an important step in the accreditation process through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) and indicates approval of the submitted curriculum, fieldwork, and capstone plans.

The WVU OTD program, under the leadership of OTD Program Chairperson Dr. Diana Davis, is now approved to admit students to begin coursework in Summer 2021. 

In order for graduates to be eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure, students must graduate from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy program. 

Since admitting the first class of students in the MOT program in 1999, WVU has been the sole accredited master's program in the state. While the MOT program will continue, the OTD program will provide a greater emphasis on professional scholarship, advocacy, and leadership.