Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Post-Professional OTD Grant

Unique Scholarship Opportunity

Bay Path University has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to increase the number of occupational therapists serving school-aged children with disabilities and high-intensity needs.

Through this scholarship opportunity, eligible occupational therapists can complete Bay Path’s fully online, 5-trimester post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) while also earning a Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and the AOTA School-Based Practice Professional Certificate.

OSEP Grant Scholarship

OSEP Scholars receive $21,000 in tuition* support plus: 

• Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders 
• AOTA School-Based Practice Professional Certificate
• Support to present capstone at AOTA conference
• AOTA student membership throughout the program
• Support for English language learners
• Assistive technology to support students with disabilities**
• Structured capstone sequence designed for work-life balance
• Professional learning communities
• Mentoring
• Ongoing professional development

*Eligibility is based on FAFSA/financial need
**Students must register with Student Accessibility Services to determine eligibility

Application Requirements

Enrolling now for Spring 2027 (Application deadline: December 7, 2026)

1. Complete the online OTD OSEP Application Form
2. Current employment in a school-based setting
3. Overall GPA of 3.0 or above
4. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts
5. A resume/curriculum vitae
6. A copy of your NBCOT certificate or state license
7. Two recommendations - Download the form here
8. A signed program requirements form - Download the form here
9. A writing sample in APA format from a graduate-level course
10. Personal essay: “Discuss the critical issues facing school-based occupational therapists. Explain the role of increasing the number of occupational therapists serving school-aged children with disabilities to address one or more of the critical issues you discussed. Explain how this opportunity relates to your personal and professional goals.”

How to Submit Your Application Materials

All documentation, including recommendation forms and official transcripts, can be mailed or emailed to Bay Path University's Office of Graduate Admissions:

Application Selection

Based on the following criteria:

• Application Requirements are met
• 2026-27 FAFSA Form Completed
• Potential for completing the program
• Commitment to school-based occupational therapy practice
• Signed OSEP Pre-Scholarship Agreement
• Overall GPA
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal essay 
• Writing sample in APA format

Selection Process

The application deadline for Spring 2027 is December 7, 2026. The Spring 2027 semester begins on January 11, 2027. Candidates selected to receive scholarships are notified in writing with confirmation of the approximate scholarship award amount for the forthcoming semester. All OSEP Grant Scholars are REQUIRED to attend an OSEP PDP/DCS Service Obligation Meeting prior to starting the program with the project director.

Continuing Eligibility Requirement

Students must maintain an overall academic GPA of 3.0 or better with at least a “B” in all major courses and continue to make progress in the program to remain eligible for the scholarship. Students will be required to continue employment in a school-based practice setting.

Post-Graduation Requirements

Upon graduation, funded students must sign an OSEP exit service obligation agreement indicating the total amount of funds received by the scholar through the grant and the total number of years of service expected to complete the OSEP Service Agreement. Reporting and tracking are coordinated at the federal level.

For more information, contact
Julie L. Watson, PhD, OTR/L
OSEP Grant Project Director
Professor
Assistant Dean, School of Health and Natural Sciences
Program Director DHSc & MPH Programs

Email: otdprogram@baypath.edu

Non-discrimination Policy
The University is committed to adhering to all state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in its educational programs and activities including employment on the basis of a person’s race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, marital or parental status, military service or veteran status, gender, disabilities, genetic information or other legally protected status, mission as permitted by law. This Policy supports the University’s commitment to compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities, as well as other federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination in education and employment including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and The Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act, M.G.L. Ch. 151B.

Disclaimer
The contents of this document were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.