Use the available program slots chart below to select a candidacy application due date (column 2). Programs must confirm the desired candidacy application due date with accreditation staff at accred@aota.org before proceeding with the remainder of the steps as outlined in the Applicant Program Process Guide.
ACOTE requires that a qualified program director must be hired full-time 1 year prior to the submission of the Candidacy Application. A qualified academic fieldwork coordinator and doctoral capstone coordinator (OTD programs only) must be hired full-time 6 months prior to the submission of the Candidacy Application.
Planned Start Date for First Class of Students | Candidacy Application Due Date | Candidacy Status Decision by ACOTE | Slots Available |
Winter 2025 (January) | April 15, 2024 | August 2024 | FULL |
Spring/Summer 2025 (May/June) | August 15, 2024 | December 2024 | FULL |
Fall 2025 (August/September) | December 16, 2024 | April 2025 | FULL |
Winter 2026 (January) | April 15, 2025 | August 2025 | OPEN** |
Spring/Summer 2026 (May/June) | August 15, 2025 | December 2025 | FULL |
Fall 2026 (August/September) | December 15, 2025 | April 2026 | FULL |
Winter 2027 (January) | April 15, 2026 | August 2026 | OPEN |
Spring/Summer 2027 (May/June) | August 14, 2026 | December 2026 | OPEN |
Fall 2027 (August/September) | December 15, 2026 | April 2027 | OPEN |
Winter 2028 (January) | April 15, 2027 | August 2027 | OPEN |
Spring/Summer 2028 (May/June) | August 16, 2027 | December 2027 | OPEN |
Fall 2028 (August/September) | December 15, 2027 | April 2028 | OPEN |
Winter 2028 (January) | April 14, 2028 | August 2028 | OPEN |
Spring/Summer 2029 (May/June) | August 15, 2028 | December 2028 | OPEN |
**Program Director must be hired if applying for this slot