Admissions
2025 OTD Applicant Virtual Observation Information
As we continue to monitor the coronavirus (COVID -19) and associated restrictions, our priority is the safety and well-being of our applicants and for the medical institutions who are committed to providing excellent care to our fellow Mississippians. While we must continue to uphold the integrity of our admission process, we also recognize the need to offer some flexibility as related to in person observation hours.
Please note that when it is possible to obtain in person observation experiences, we encourage you to do so. Nonetheless, the following exceptions have been established for earning observation hours.
Observation hours for the 2025 OTD application cycle shall be accepted as follows:
- Provide evidence of 24 hours of observation under an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant in at least three (3) varied occupational therapy clinical departments (i.e., practice settings) within the two (2) calendar years preceding the application deadline. A maximum of eight (8) observation hours can be obtained from completion of an internship, employment in a setting (i.e. working as a rehab technician), volunteering in a setting, and/or completing UMMC online virtual observation modules;
Once the minimum number of hours is complete, applicants should upload the in person observation form(s) and the entire virtual observation reflection document together in one combined file/attachment to the admission application in Workday.
Virtual Observation Reflection Document. OTD 2025 Applicants