Download Occupational Therapy Admissions Guide as a printable PDF
Occupational Therapy consists of the therapeutic use of everyday life activities with individuals, groups, or populations to address participation and function in roles and situations in the home, school, workplace, or community. An Occupational Therapist is a health care provider who treats patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.
Prerequisites
Each occupational therapy program establishes its own set of prerequisites. Check the websites of the schools in that you are most interested to obtain a current list of undergraduate requirements. Please also note each school’s requirements for observational hours and deadlines. All prerequisites must be completed prior to applying.
All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.
| Subject Area | Recommended Courses |
|---|---|
| General Biology | BSC 114 and BSC 115 lab or BSC 118 |
| Medical Terminology: | HD 203 |
| Anatomy and Physiology | BSC 215 and 216, or (BSC 400, 424, and 425 if majoring in biology) |
| Physics | PH 101 or PH 105 |
| Statistics | PY 211 |
| Mathematics | MATH 112 |
| Psychology: | PY 101, PY 352, 358 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | ANT 102 (Cultural Anthropology) or SOC 101 (Sociology) |
| Professional Writing: | EN 319 Technical Writing |
| Elective (USA only) | HD 101 – Human Development COM 123 Public Speaking PHL 292 Ethics or PHL 223 Medical Ethics KIN 365 Biomechanics (preferred over physics for some programs) |
*Additional prereqs may be required for certain courses. See an prehealth advisor for more information.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for every program. Check the websites of each individual occupational therapy program that you are interested in to see if this is required.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Minimum GPA requirements vary from program to program, but MOST programs have a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. In addition, most programs require that all prerequisite courses must be passed with a “B” or higher. They generally want to see competitive test scores and GPAs.
Timeline
Freshman Year
- Get to know your Health Professions Advisors.
- Make an appointment.
- Start taking basic sciences (See chart on first page)
- Visit your professors during office hours.
- Begin getting involved with volunteer and service opportunities (campus and community).
- Look into getting involved in undergraduate research.
- Join student organizations (Pre-Occupational Therapy Society, AED, etc.)
- Shadow inpatient and outpatient throughout the year and on school breaks.
Sophomore Year
- Continue with the next sequence of courses.
- Stay involved in extracurricular activities (shadowing, volunteering, etc.).
- Consider leadership positions in your organizations.
- Visit your professors during office hours.
- Meet with a Health Professions Advisor to begin to assess competitiveness.
- Identify OT programs that you may want to apply to.
- Develop GRE preparation plan (if needed).
Junior Year
- Fall
- Talk to Health Professions Advising about competitiveness.
- Work on your personal statement.
- Obtain 3-4 Letters of Recommendation
- Spring and Summer
- Register, study for, and take the GRE if needed
- Schedule a mock interview with the Career Center.
- Complete Application in OTCAS.
- Continue engaging in activities.
Senior Year
- Fall
- Submit OTCAS application if you haven’t already.
- Wait to be contacted for an interview by OT programs.
- Continue with activities and service commitments.
- Spring and Summer
- Talk with a Health Professions Advisor about Plan B (if necessary).
- Finish degree requirements
- Graduate.
Resources
Baffi-Dugan, C., Cannon, R. E., Bingham, R., & Corder, B. W. (2011). Health professions admissions guide: Strategy for success. Champaign, IL: National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions.