Commemorating over 60 years of accreditation
Transforming Lives Through Occupation, Service and Whole-Person Care.
Commemorating over 60 years of accreditation
Loma Linda University’s EOTD program is an accredited, 3-year graduate program that prepares future occupational therapists with a strong foundation in occupation-based practice, whole-person care, and evidence-based research. The curriculum emphasizes mission-focused community engagement, professional advocacy, and leadership, ensuring students develop the skills necessary to provide exceptional care in diverse settings. Through a combination of coursework, fieldwork, and a doctoral capstone, our program shapes students into compassionate, service-oriented practitioners ready to lead in the field.
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Mission and service opportunities: Many students choose to go on local and international mission trips. Mission trips provide a transformational experience as students from across the university come together to serve. Students go to countries such as Thailand, Malawi, Brazil and Africa.
The application window opens mid-July and closes in March.
Apply early for priority consideration in next available class. Only complete applications will be reviewed.
After completing the program and clinicals, students are eligible to take the year-round NBCOT certification exam.
View EOTD Curriculum Units and Description Appendix here.
Students attend year-round with traditional holidays off. Classes are typically held Monday through Friday during the day and change quarterly. The EOTD program is primarily face-to-face, supported by Canvas for supplemental and occasional distance education courses with active learning and faculty interaction. Clinical rotations may follow different schedules and require commuting. Additional time is needed for studying, group work, and assignments outside of class.
Get details on the standard cost of attendance at LLU. View Estimates
Financial Aid - The majority of students apply for loans to finance their education at our university. For more information, see the Financial Aid page.
Apply through OTCAS between mid-July and the first Monday of October for the Fall start. All application materials, including transcripts and references, must be received by the deadline. Only verified applications are reviewed, and verification may take 4–6 weeks.
Send official transcripts directly to OTCAS.
If using WES, no additional transcript is needed for LLU.
If using another agency, send to both to OTCAS and LLU.
International Transcripts
International transcripts must be evaluated by a LLU-approved agency. Applicants using WES do not need to submit an official transcript to LLU.
Have the evaluation sent directly to OTCAS.
LLU also requires official international transcripts for acceptance.
If using an agency other than WES, request your original transcript be sent directly to LLU.
LLU Observation Verification and Reactions
Personal Statement (max 2 pages)
Medical Terminology Certificate (email copy accepted; request course approval beforehand)
Three required: one from an occupational therapist, one faculty member, and one employer.
After OTCAS verification, you’ll receive a link to LLU’s secondary application—submit it within 2 weeks (no fee). You are not considered an LLU applicant until this is complete.
Upon successful completion of the Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.) degree—including all coursework, Level II fieldwork (completed within 24 months), and the capstone project—graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. This computer-based exam is offered on demand throughout the year.
Most U.S. states require licensure to practice, which is based on passing the NBCOT exam. Additional information about licensure requirements, including those for California (administered by the California Board of Occupational Therapy - CBOT), is available through the respective boards.
Important:
NBCOT applications include questions regarding felony convictions. A felony may impact a graduate’s eligibility for certification and licensure.
For NBCOT: www.nbcot.org | (301) 990-7979
For CBOT: www.bot.ca.gov | (916) 263-2294 | [email protected]
The following downloadable PDFs include program information including admissions info, program prerequisites & requirements, student expectations, and tuition rates for our Occupational Therapy degree offerings.
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people of all ages engage in meaningful daily activities (occupations) that promote health and independence. They assist individuals in overcoming the effects of injury, illness, or disability, enabling them to participate fully in life.
Common OT interventions include supporting children with disabilities in school and social settings, helping those recovering from injuries regain skills, and assisting older adults with physical and cognitive changes. OTs also provide recommendations for adaptive equipment and environmental modifications.
OT services include:
Customized treatment plans to improve daily functioning.
Home and job site evaluations with safety and performance recommendations.
Performance assessments and targeted interventions.
Adaptive equipment recommendations to aid mobility and independence.
Patient and family education for better understanding and participation.
OTs are skilled in understanding the impact of physical, emotional, and social factors on daily life. They work in various settings, including hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, and private practice. According to U.S. News & World Report, OT is ranked 4th in Best Health Care Jobs and 19th in 100 Best Jobs.
The Department of Occupational Therapy prepares compassionate, mission-driven practitioners who demonstrate excellence, integrity, and servant leadership. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, whole-person care, and service at individual, community, and societal levels.
We believe humans are complex, spiritual, and occupational beings. Meaningful occupations are essential to identity, health, and well-being. Our approach promotes occupational justice, client-centered care, and active engagement with environments and contexts. Using occupation as both a means and an end, we holistically address mind, body, and spirit to empower individuals and communities.
Guided by the Global Model of Learning, our curriculum integrates faith, learning, and service to prepare students as professional practitioners. Students learn through active, layered experiences in class, fieldwork, and the community.
Foundation: Faith-based values and occupational therapy principles
Three Pillars:
Practice
Community Engagement & Leadership
Research
The Globe: Represents our global mission in service, advocacy, and wellness
Curricular Threads woven throughout the program:
Occupation-based Practice
Whole-person Care, Health Management, & Wellness
Evidence-based Practice & Research
Mission-focused Community Engagement & Service
Professional Citizenship & Advocacy
Format
Classes are typically held Monday–Thursday, with Fridays open for lab practice. While the program is primarily in-person, select courses are delivered online via Canvas.
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education granted us Candidacy Status to transition to an Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (EOTD) program. The first EOTD cohort began in Summer 2022. Visit ACOTE at School Directory – ACOTE (acoteonline.org) for more information.
Board pass rates will be available on the National Board for the Certification of Occupational Therapy at https://www.nbcot.org/educators-folder/schoolperformance in late 2025
Join us here at Loma Linda and be a part of a university dedicated to “Make Man Whole” and transform lives through occupation, service, and whole-person care.
