Download Occupational Therapy Admissions Guide as a printable PDF
Occupational therapy uses everyday activities as a form of treatment, helping individuals, groups, and communities participate more fully in the roles and settings that matter to them, at home, in school, at work, and beyond. Occupational therapists are health care providers who work with patients affected by injury, illness, or disability, guiding them as they develop, recover, and strengthen the skills needed for daily life and work.
Prerequisites
Each occupational therapy program sets its own prerequisites. Be sure to check the websites of the programs you’re most interested in for a current list of undergraduate course requirements, along with each school’s expectations for observation hours and application deadlines. Most programs allow you to apply with prerequisites in progress, but all must be complete before you matriculate. Check each program’s policy.
All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or higher.
| Subject Area | Recommended Courses |
|---|---|
| General Biology | BSC 114 and BSC 115 lab or BSC 118 |
| Anatomy and Physiology | BSC 215 and 216, or (BSC 400, 424, and 425 if majoring in biology) |
| Physics | PH 101 or PH 105 – Usually interchangeable with KIN 365 |
| Mathematics: | MATH 112 |
| Statistics | PY 211 |
| Psychology | PY 101, PY 352, and PY 358 |
| Social and Behavioral Science | SOC 101 |
| Medical Terminology | HD 203 |
| Professional Writing | EN 319 Technical Writing |
| Recommended | HD 101 PHL 223 COM 123 (Required at some schools) Upper-Level Biological Science with Lab (Required at some schools) |
*Additional prereqs may be required for certain courses. See an prehealth advisor for more information.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE): Most programs no longer require the GRE. Check the website of each occupational therapy program you’re interested in to confirm whether it’s part of their admission requirements.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Grade Point Average (GPA): Minimum GPA requirements vary by program, but most set the bar at a 3.0. Many programs also require a grade of “B” or higher in all prerequisite courses. Keep in mind that these are minimums and that admitted students typically present GPAs and test scores well above them, so aim to be competitive rather than simply eligible.
Timeline
Freshman Year
- Get to know your OPMA Health Professions Advisors and schedule an appointment.
- Begin your basic science coursework (see chart on first page).
- Visit your professors during office hours.
- Get involved in volunteer and service opportunities, both on campus and in the community.
- Explore undergraduate research opportunities.
- Join student organizations (Pre-Occupational Therapy Society, AED, etc.).
- Shadow in both inpatient and outpatient settings throughout the year and over school breaks.
Sophomore Year
- Continue with the next sequence of courses.
- Stay engaged in extracurricular activities (shadowing, volunteering, etc.).
- Pursue leadership positions in your organizations.
- Visit your professors during office hours.
- Meet with an OPMA Health Professions Advisor to begin assessing your competitiveness.
- Identify OT programs you may want to apply to.
- Develop a GRE preparation plan, if needed.
Junior Year
- Fall
- Talk with OPMA Health Professions Advising about your competitiveness.
- Begin drafting your personal statement.
- Request 3–4 letters of recommendation.
- Spring and Summer
- Register for, study for, and take the GRE, if needed.
- Schedule a mock interview with the Career Center.
- Complete and submit your OTCAS application.
- Stay engaged in your activities.
Senior Year
- Fall
- Submit your OTCAS application if you haven’t already.
- Watch for interview invitations from OT programs.
- Continue your activities and service commitments.
- Spring and Summer
- Talk with an OPMA Health Professions Advisor about a Plan B, if necessary.
- Complete your degree requirements.
- Graduate!