Frequently Asked Questions
Where will I stay when participating in lab immersions?
Students often rent Airbnb properties during lab immersions. There are also hotels and other rental properties available for students to explore as they prepare for Lab Immersions. Students are encouraged to coordinate with peers to minimize costs and increase opportunities for collaboration. It is the responsibility of the student to reserve and pay for housing accommodations during lab immersions.
What is the deadline for the OTCAS application?
The OTCAS application deadline for the January 2025 cohort will be in the Fall of 2024.
What are the fees for the application?
The fee for the OTCAS Application depends on the number of schools you apply to, as well as your application submission date.
Where should I send my original transcripts?
All original transcripts should be sent to OTCAS.
How many letters of recommendation are required?
The Hanover College OTD Program requires applicants to submit two (2) letters of recommendation that demonstrate readiness for an accelerated, hybrid program and fit for a career in occupational therapy. References must come from people other than family and friends. Clergy or politicians may submit a recommendation, but only as a current or previous supervisor to the applicant.
Is an interview required?
An interview is a great way for Hanover faculty to learn about you. Applicants will be invited to complete a virtual interview following a review of your application.
If I am accepted into the Hanover OTD program, is a deposit required?
Yes, all applicants accepted to the program who intend to attend the OTD Program at Hanover College will be required to make a $500 Deposit to hold their place in the cohort. The Letter of Admission will be provided to applicants with detailed information about the next steps to take.
What is the minimum GPA for successful completion of the OTD program?
Students are required to maintain an overall 3.00 GPA to successfully complete the program.
Can I work full-time while enrolled in the program?
No, we strongly discourage students from working full time while enrolled full-time in the program. We recognize that some students may desire to maintain some level of employment while enrolled in an OTD program with a flexible blended-learning format. However, our students are full-time students in every sense of the term with course loads ranging from 16-24 credits per academic semester. The expectation is that students give priority to the student role to meet the academic demands of this accelerated curriculum and the travel requirements for onsite lab immersions and fieldwork education.
Click here to read the frequently asked questions about fieldwork and capstone.
What sets Hanover’s OTD program apart from other programs?
Hanover’s OTD program provides an innovative curriculum using a hybrid format. The program allows students to be successful in an alternative format to a traditional on-ground program. Coursework and experiential education opportunities support development of knowledge and skills in occupational therapy to produce well rounded entry-level occupational therapists. The hybrid, accelerated model of the program allows students to remain in their home communities while completing their OTD in two years.
Is Hanover’s OTD Program accredited?
Hanover College achieved Candidacy for Accreditation status in August 2023. Every new OTD program goes through the multi-step accreditation process. Hanover College will have their onsite ACOTE accreditation visit in the Spring of 2025.
How much of the program is completed in distance learning versus onsite?
During the first year of the program, students will spend most the their time in distance learning activities which include asynchronous and synchronous class experiences, assignments, readings, online lectures, learning activities and discussion. There will also be time on campus engaged in lab immersion sessions and Level I fieldwork. The second year of the OTD Program is composed primarily of experiential learning opportunities (Level II Fieldwork and Capstone experiences). Students will also participate in distance learning courses during the second year to support their success throughout the experiential learning courses. The program will culminate in a final lab immersion session for students to disseminate their doctoral capstone to the college community.
What can I expect from online classes?
Course faculty use the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) to create and deliver a wide variety of online teaching and learning activities. Each course includes both asynchronous and synchronous learning activities. Asynchronous activities such as recorded lectures, readings, and assignments, provide students with considerable flexibility in creating and managing their weekly schedule. Synchronous live classes are held each week and serve as an online virtual classroom. Faculty use a variety of synchronous learning activities during these class periods such as live discussions, faculty demonstrations, case studies, and group projects, to deepen student understanding and develop clinical reasoning skills.
Are there any external scholarships available for this OTD program?
The Director of Graduate Student Services can support students in finding scholarship or grant opportunities. Our Financial Aid department will help each student find the student loans that they need. Additional information related to Student Financial Service can be found by accessing the following link.
What type of OT degree is offered at Hanover College?
Students who successfully complete the OTD Program at Hanover College will be awarded a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. This is an entry-level doctorate degree that allows graduates to sit for the NBCOT Examination and to apply for state licensure.
How can I reach the OT Admission Office?
Prospective students can email the Hanover College OTD program admission adviser at otd.admissions@hanover.edu. You can also schedule a call with the admission adviser at 812-909-9599, or by setting up a 15 or 30 minute advising appointment here.
Does tuition cover the cost of travel and housing to campus for lab immersions?
Tuition does not cover the costs associated with travel or housing when participating in campus lab immersions. Students are encouraged to coordinate with peers for transportation, car rentals, and housing opportunities to reduce the costs and to create a stronger OT Community.
How do I become a member of the Hanover College Community if I am a distant education learner?
Both educational and social activities will be incorporated into the lab immersions. The OTD Faculty will plan to have various events and activities while students are participating in lab immersion sessions to create a connection with the Hanover campus community. OTD students will be encouraged to attend social events on the Hanover campus while attending lab immersion sessions and this might include a sporting event or theater production. Lunch and Learn events will be hosted on Hanover’s Campus to provide students with knowledge of the many resources available, as well as how best to access all available resources. OTD students will also be active participants in the spring graduation celebration along with the DPT and undergraduate students.
What do occupational therapists do?
Occupational therapists are health care professionals who collaborate with their clients to maximize independence, occupational participation, and occupational engagement in tasks and activities that are meaningful and needed. The diversity of occupational therapy allows the occupational therapist to develop leadership skills while meeting the unique and distinct needs of people, populations, and communities. Occupational therapists are strong advocates for the profession and their clients, and value life-long learning experiences.
Is OT a good career to choose?
A 2021 US News Report ranked Occupational Therapy as the 20th best health care career in the USA. Occupational therapists report high levels of job satisfaction and find numerous, yet diverse employment opportunities as a positive quality of the profession that allows them to identify and grow their professional niche. Occupational therapists earn an average of $85,570 annually, while 25% of occupational therapists earn an annual salary of $100,490 (US News Report, 2021).