Huntington University Expands OTD Bridge Program with New Fort Wayne Experiential Lab Site
Addition of Fort Wayne site removes geographic barriers to OTD Bridge Program
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is proud to announce the expansion of its nationally recognized Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Bridge Program with the launch of a second on-site experiential learning lab location in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The addition of the Fort Wayne lab site strengthens HU’s commitment to increasing accessibility for occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) nationwide seeking to advance to the doctoral level.
Students in the Bridge Program complete coursework online and participate in required on-site experiential learning labs designed to foster:
- Advanced hands-on skill development
- Clinical reasoning refinement
- Professional collaboration
- Leadership preparation
With this expansion, students may now complete required on-site labs in either Peoria, Arizona, or Fort Wayne, Indiana, enhancing geographic flexibility while maintaining rigorous academic and experiential standards. The OTD Bridge Program previously operated only out of HU’s Arizona location.
“The launch of our Fort Wayne experiential lab site marks an exciting milestone for the HU Arizona OTD Bridge Program,” said Dr. Tina M. Sauber, director of innovation and OTD Bridge Program. “This expansion strengthens our national reach and reinforces our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality doctoral education for OTA and PTA professionals seeking career advancement. By offering two on-site lab locations, we are removing geographic barriers while preserving the rigorous, hands-on experiential learning that defines our program.”
To ensure an optimal learning experience, a minimum enrollment of six students is required to operate the Fort Wayne lab site. Students declare their preferred lab location upon acceptance. If minimum enrollment is not met, students will complete their experiential labs at the Arizona site
The HU OTD Bridge Program is designed specifically for licensed OTAs and PTAs seeking expanded scope of practice, leadership development and doctoral-level professional advancement. The program integrates flexible hybrid delivery with immersive, on-site experiential learning to support working professionals nationwide.
Applications are now open for upcoming cohorts. For more information, visit huntington.edu/OTDBridge.
Photos provided:
- HU Arizona OTD Bridge students in the adaptive technology class
- HU Arizona OTD Bridge students and faculty doing community service at Social Spin
