What is a Hybrid Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program?
Baylor’s hybrid OTD program combines the best aspects of online learning, hands-on lab immersions, fieldwork, and a doctoral capstone.
'Hybrid’ is a blending of two or more elements to create something unique—and that is exactly what we offer at Baylor. As the first established two-year hybrid Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program in the nation, we are well-equipped to offer an accelerated pathway to clinical practice and leadership.
The Baylor OTD curriculum blends:
- Innovative online classes: Students learn at home in an interactive virtual classroom.
- Immersive in-person labs: Students come to Texas to apply what they are learning through hands-on practice and collaborative learning
- Fieldwork education: Students work alongside fieldwork educators, current OT practitioners, as part of their 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork
- Doctoral Capstone: During a 14-week Capstone Experience, students implement an evidence-based project in an area of interest, applying advanced knowledge and skills to address a real-world need within occupational therapy.
What are the benefits of a hybrid OT program?
- Earn your OTD from Baylor in 24 months. Baylor’s accelerated hybrid format combines online coursework, hands-on laboratory experiences, fieldwork, and a doctoral capstone into a high-quality OTD education grounded in Baylor’s tradition of academic excellence.
- Complete much of the Baylor OTD program from home. Students do not need to relocate to Waco to earn their OTD. Approximately 40% of the curriculum is delivered online, 40% consists of fieldwork and doctoral capstone experiences, which can be completed close to home if desired, and 20% consists of immersive laboratory experiences in Waco. This hybrid structure allows students to remain close to their support systems while having opportunities to learn and serve where they live. It also provides greater flexibility to balance coursework with family, friends, and other priorities.
- Build a national professional network. Baylor’s hybrid model brings together students, faculty, clinicians, researchers, and specialists from across the country. Students learn from experts in the field of occupational therapy with diverse experiences while building relationships that can support their professional growth well beyond graduation.
Dynamic Online Learning
Our faculty are experts in online and hybrid teaching and learning. Asynchronous course modules are designed to be engaging and memorable. Students work through asynchronous assignments each week to prepare for live, synchronous sessions with faculty. Here are a few examples of what our asynchronous courses look like:
Live, synchronous classroom sessions take place on Zoom most weekdays. Here, OTD faculty bring the weekly curriculum to life and help students apply concepts through interactive activities and case studies.
| Day of the week | *Synchronous Class Sessions | Reading, multimedia, study, and assignments | Total hours spent towards course workload |
| Sunday | No regularly scheduled class | 4 hours | ~4 hours |
| Monday | No regularly scheduled class | 8 hours | ~8 hours |
| Tuesday | 10:00a.m. -3:00 p.m. | 6 hours | ~9 hours |
| Wednesday | 10:00a.m.–3:00 p.m. | 6 hours | ~9 hours |
| Thursday | 10:00a.m.–3:00 p.m. | 6 hours | ~9 hours |
| Friday | Reserved for quizzes and exams, up to 3 hours | 6 hours | ~9 hours |
| Saturday | No regularly scheduled class | 6 hours | ~6 hours |
*Synchronous sessions will generally occur on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 10 am and 3pm central time. Students do not usually have more than 3 hours of synchronous class on any of those days. Students typically have a break between classes.
Your Tuesday could look like:
8:00–10:00 a.m.: Watch a recorded lesson and complete assigned readings
10:00–11:30 a.m.: Attend a live synchronous class
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.: Lunch, exercise, personal time
2:00–3:30 p.m.: Attend a live synchronous session
3:30–6:30 p.m.: Complete assignments, meet with classmates, study for quiz
6:00–8:00 p.m.: Dinner and Personal Time
8:00–9:00 p.m.: Review flashcards, make plan for following day
9:00 pm+: Personal time, rest
This is one example. Class and assessment times may vary trimester. Estimated workload includes live class sessions, asynchronous modules, readings, assignments, group work, exam preparation, and other learning activities.
In-Person Lab Immersions
Our lab immersions take place in dynamic facilities that replicate real-world healthcare environments and provide ample space for movement-based learning and activities. With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio during labs, students receive intentional, hands-on instruction from expert faculty with extensive academic and clinical experience.
Immersions cover topics such as pediatrics, adult and older adult practice, splinting, mental health, and wellness and health promotion. Depending on the immersion, students may work directly with volunteer patients, serve members of the Waco community across the lifespan, or use cutting-edge virtual reality and simulation technology to develop and refine clinical skills in a safe, supportive environment.
Through these immersive experiences, students build the confidence and competence needed to become practice-ready occupational therapists.
| Time | Learning activity | What students may experience |
| 8:00–10:30 a.m. | Spinal cord injury simulation | Faculty demonstration followed by guided practice of techniques relevant to the SCI population |
| 10:30–11:15 a.m. | Debrief and review of spinal cord injury simulation | Discuss and review key concepts and skills from the simulation |
| 11:15–12:15 p.m. | ICU line management practice | Practice managing IV lines, oxygen, and other relevant items that you might encounter in the ICU |
| 12:15 p.m.–1:15 p.m. | Lunch | Time to eat, recharge, and connect with classmates |
| 1:15–1:30 p.m. | Mobility and Assistive Device Demonstration | Faculty will introduce mobility devices and assistive technology using case-based clinical scenarios |
| 1:30–3:30 p.m. | Mobility and assistive-device practice | Students practice using mobility devices and assistive technology with faculty guidance |
| 3:30–4:30 p.m. | Mobility and assistive-device practice skills check | Students are evaluated on their ability to use mobility devices and assistive technology prior to the next day’s practical. |
| 4:30-5:00 pm | Debrief of the day and preparation for next day | Faculty review key concepts from this day, how they relate to OT practice, and how they will be assessed in an upcoming lab practical |
Fieldwork
Level I Fieldwork takes place during lab immersions and has students work directly with simulated patients while under faculty supervision, building the confidence and skills to continue to Level II Fieldwork.
Baylor's Clinical Simulation & Skills Facility features medical-grade equipment, realistic patient care spaces, and advanced technology that reflect contemporary occupational therapy practice. Baylor OTD students use the facility to apply classroom learning, practice hands-on skills, and build confidence in a safe, supportive environment designed to prepare them for real-world patient care.
Level II Fieldwork takes place over the course of two, 12 week sessions. Students work with the Student Support Team and Baylor's Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Dr. Davin, to determine settings that match their academic and professional goals, while taking into account location and practice setting preferences when possible.
| Time | Activity | Examples across practice settings |
| 7:30–8:00 a.m. | Prepare for the day | Chart review, prepare equipment, and discuss treatment plans with the fieldwork educator |
| 8:00–11:30 a.m. | Evaluation and intervention | Participate in evaluations, treatment sessions, care caregiver education for 3-4 patients |
| 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Documentation and morning follow-up | Complete notes and prepare for afternoon appointments |
| 12:15–1:00 p.m. | Lunch | Eat, Rest, go for a brief walk around the clinic |
| 1:00–4:30 p.m. | Evaluation and intervention | Participate in evaluations, treatment sessions, care caregiver education for 3-4 patients |
| 4:30–5:00 p.m. | Documentation | Complete documentation on patients seen |
| 5:00-5:15 p.m. | Feedback and wrap up | Debrief with your fieldwork educator, identify strengths and areas for continued growth, and review priorities for the following day |
| 5:15-7:00 p.m. | Personal time | Rest, spend time with friends, exercise |
| 7:00-8:00 p.m. | Capstone Work | Work on capstone |
| 8:00 p.m. + | Rest | Personal time, rest, sleep |
Doctoral Capstone
The doctoral capstone is a defining component of the OTD program and distinguishes the doctoral degree from master’s-level occupational therapy education. Students choose their own capstone site and can either coordinate with a site independently or with support from the Clinical Placement team. The capstone gives students the opportunity to explore one or more of the following topics within occupational therapy in depth: clinical skills, research skills, administration, program development and evaluation, policy development, advocacy, education, and leadership
The capstone is divided into two key components: the 14-week Capstone Experience, where students apply and refine their knowledge in a mentored setting, and the Capstone Project, where they complete a scholarly endeavor that translates theory into practice and advances the profession.
| Time | Activity | Examples across practice settings |
| 8:00-8:30 a.m. | Review project priorities | Review goals, timeline, mentor feedback, and plans for the day. |
| 8:30–9:30 a.m. | Observe hospital workflow | Identify barriers, gaps, and opportunities related to the capstone project. |
| 9:30-10:00 a.m. | Meet with people interested in your program | Collaborate with physicians, nurses, therapists, case managers, and other team members. |
| 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Treat patients | Gain deeper clinical insight into the population and problem being addressed. |
| 12:00-12:30 p.m. | Lunch | Break |
| 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Develop program materials | Create patient resources, staff tools, education, or other program components. |
| 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Pilot the program | Test a program component with patients, caregivers, or staff. |
| 2:30-3:00 p.m. |
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| 3:00-4:00 p.m. | Provide an innovative intervention | Lead a patient group, caregiver education session, wellness activity, or other project-related intervention. |
| 4:00-5:00 p.m. | Project management and reflection | Document progress, organize data, update the timeline, log hours, and plan next steps. |
FAQs about Baylor's Hybrid OTD Model
No. Rooted in Baylor University’s mission to cultivate a caring, Christian community, the Occupational Therapy department proudly maintains a culture of connection with our faculty, staff, and students from around the nation—both virtually and in person. Visit the Student Life page to learn more about our Christian commitment and culture of connection.
Students create cohort group chats, see their classmates in synchronous classes, collaborate in breakout rooms, and build in-person relationships during lab immersions.
“You will not feel isolated. The faculty are good about cultivating a family of occupational therapy professionals. One thing Baylor Occupational Therapy faculty do really well is designing your learning around relationships—virtual groupwork through break out rooms and the lab immersions. The faculty support in this program is second to none.” – Celina Hawthorne, Baylor OTD Alumna
No. Baylor’s hybrid OTD program is accredited by ACOTE, the same as accredited on-campus programs. Beyond meeting accreditation standards, Baylor OTD integrates current, practice-focused content to ensure graduates are confident, competent, and ready to meet the demands of today’s occupational therapy profession. Baylor OTD graduates have a 93% NBCOT exam pass rate and exceptional career outcomes.
“Baylor’s program set me up for success. You are responsible for your own learning more in a hybrid program, but the rigor is there and you’re going to learn the information you need to know in order to provide that great patient care.” – Allyson Britton, Baylor OTD Alumna
Baylor OTD students are advised not to hold outside employment while completing the program, as they are expected to give their time and attention to the full-time academic demands of the curriculum, travel requirements for onsite lab immersions, and the completion of fieldwork and the doctoral capstone.
While limited part-time employment (7-8 hours per week) is maintained by a small percentage of students, we strongly encourage all students to avoid working during the first trimester to help facilitate a strong start in the program. After the first trimester, if students still want or need to work, they will be better able to create a work schedule that won't negatively impact their education. Full-time employment is not compatible with requirements for the program. Any student who is employed at any point in the program should notify their faculty mentor and ensure they have alternate means for financial support should they need to end employment to provide more focus on their academic requirements.
Students are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses during labs. Waco offers many hotel options, but most commuting students prefer to group up with classmates and share the cost of a short-term rental (i.e., Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.) in the area. This reduces overall expenses and gives students an opportunity to get to know each other and have fun outside of class.
Yes! When lab is finished each day, students have the opportunity to continue to practice and study with classmates in the Baylor OTD Student Center, or they can take some time to relax and enjoy the company of classmates. Some favorite after-hours activities include going to the SLC on Baylor’s main campus where students can play volleyball, basketball, work out, or swim. Students also love exploring downtown Waco, visiting one of the many coffee shops around town, or relaxing with down time at their Airbnb.