compassionate leadership.
COST & AFFORDABILITY
Even as one of the highest-ranked institutions in the Midwest for value and academic reputation, graduate tuition for the 2025–2026 academic year is affordable at $715 per credit.
READY TO RADIATE AS A BEACON?
Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a graduate admission specialist today! Email us at grad@valpo.edu or call 219.464.5313.
Lend your light by helping people participate in everyday life through our entry-level occupational therapy doctorate program.
As an inclusive profession, occupational therapy maximizes health, wellbeing, and quality of life for all people, populations, and communities through effective solutions that facilitate participation in everyday living. At Valpo, our occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) program prepares future practitioners to provide occupational therapy services to clients using inter-professional collaboration, evidence-based practice, integrity, and compassion. Weaving threads of scholarship, service, community engagement, and leadership throughout the entire curriculum, this 109-credit hour program is intentionally designed to inspire and equip future practitioners to:
• Advocate for occupational therapy services for diverse populations, groups, and individuals as a member of a healthcare team.
• Assess occupational performance.
• Provide therapeutic interventions.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, clients, and stakeholders to formulate a successful transition from service and document results.
• Complete all duties in an ethical, legal, safe, and professional manner.
As a result, much like a lighthouse, our OTD students are given the supportive structure of curriculum, practice, and faculty mentorship to ensure their light not only shines brightly but also serves to light the way for others on their journey. Regardless of what path your undergraduate journey has taken (biomedical engineering, digital media, secondary education, etc.), one of the unique features of Valpo’s OTD program is individuals of all undergraduate degree backgrounds can apply as long as the necessary prerequisites have been met. That means you don’t need to worry about backtracking before changing direction, you can begin your OTD journey right away!
The prerequisite requirements listed above are in reference to courses offered at Valparaiso University. An applicant may request a course equivalency audit at any time by emailing OT@valpo.edu. Applicants must earn a grade of “C” or higher to fulfill the prerequisite GPA admission criteria.
A VALPO EDUCATION
At Valpo, you receive a comprehensive, rigorous education within the liberal arts tradition, learning to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems creatively. Our committed faculty invests in the success of students both in and out of the classroom, providing you the individualized attention and guidance fundamental to reaching your full potential.
