Navigating Requirements for Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Programs

Occupational therapy (OT) is an integral part of the healthcare system, focused on helping individuals achieve health, well-being, and a higher quality of life by enabling them to participate in the activities they want and need to do. Aspiring occupational therapists typically pursue a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree. Admission to these graduate programs requires careful preparation during undergraduate studies. While specific requirements vary, several general prerequisites and application components are common.

Degree Options: MOT vs. OTD

To practice as an occupational therapist, a Master’s in Occupational Therapy (MOT) or a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) is required. Notably, those applying to or having completed a Master's-level OT program will typically be grandfathered in to practice occupational therapy throughout their careers, even if entry-level OTD programs eventually phase out all MOT programs. Both degree paths prepare students for entry-level practice as occupational therapists.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a critical factor when choosing an OT program. Programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) ensure that graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states require licensure to practice, and state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Examination or attain state licensure.

Several universities have entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree programs that have applied for accreditation and have been granted Candidacy Status by ACOTE. These programs must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before their graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination.

General Undergraduate Prerequisites

While not all occupational therapy graduate programs have the exact same requirements, there are many general occupational therapy school prerequisites that apply to most. Be sure to check each program you’re interested in for their exact prerequisites as each school will vary.

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Academic Requirements

Bachelor's Degree: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is a fundamental requirement for most graduate OT programs. While many programs do not require a specific major, a background in health sciences, psychology, or a related field can be beneficial.
GPA: A minimum undergraduate GPA is generally required, often around 3.0 or higher. However, entrance into occupational therapy programs is often very competitive, so aspiring occupational therapists need to try to maintain exceptional grades throughout their four-year degree programs, and especially with their prerequisites. Minimum GPA requirements can be anywhere from 2.75 to 3.2 for more competitive programs. Be aware that to be competitive, you will really want to achieve a higher GPA than what the programs’ minimums are.
GRE Scores (Sometimes Required): Some graduate schools require the GRE and provide a minimum score requirement for applications to be considered. The GRE ® General Test scores within the past 5 years at or above the 50th percentile. GRE scores must be sent to the “University of Pittsburgh OTCAS” using institution code 1894. Minimum combined scores for the GRE are usually around 290, broken out as 150 for verbal and 140 for quantitative. Programs may have separate requirements for verbal/quantitative or they might just have a combined requirement. Remember that these are minimums.

Prerequisite Coursework

Post-graduate work is for perfecting and honing specialized skills and knowledge in order to mold competent experts. To ensure that incoming occupational therapy school students are properly prepared to participate in their programs, universities generally require that applicants have taken a specific set of courses. Specific prerequisite courses vary by program but commonly include:

Science Courses:
- Human Anatomy with lab: Must be taken within the past 5 years.
- Human Physiology with lab: Must be taken within the past 5 years.
- Biology with lab
- Chemistry with lab
- Physics or Kinesiology
- Medical Terminology (Some programs may have a specific course requirement or allow completion through CEU credit, transcript, CLEP, or a course completed through the university).
Social and Behavioral Sciences:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology or Psychological Disorders and Treatment
- Introductory Sociology or Anthropology
- Statistics (Psychology, Sociology, or Public Health Statistics)
Other:
- Composition
- Public Speaking
- Introduction to Occupational Therapy

All prerequisite coursework must be completed before entering the professional program; however, the prospective student may be enrolled in pre-professional coursework at the time of application.

Prerequisite course work or approved equivalent coursework MUST be taken for a grade. CLEP, AP and high school courses may not be used to fulfill a prerequisite course. Any coursework with a grade of C- or below will not be considered toward fulfillment of the occupational therapy prerequisites. If a course is repeated, only the highest grade achieved in the course will be used in calculating the prerequisite GPA. Applicants must have a prerequisite cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale with at least a 3.0 in the science prerequisite courses (anatomy, physiology & physics/kinesiology) and a 3.0 in the non-science prerequisites (all other courses). The average science prerequisite GPA is 3.5 and the average non-science prerequisite GPA is 3.8. In addition to a minimum 3.0 prerequisite GPA, applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA of all of their university coursework. Applicants must complete the prerequisites listed below. The science prerequisite courses-anatomy, physiology and kinesiology/physics- must be complete and graded prior to submitting your OTCAS application. Additionally, 6 of the 8 prerequisites must be complete and graded by Dec. 31 of the application year. That means only 2 non-science prerequisites courses can be taken in winter/spring term prior to starting the OT program in the fall. Applicants will update grades in OTCAS via the academic update in December. All prerequisite coursework must be completed no later than May 15, prior to starting the program in the fall. OT prerequisite courses may not be taken the summer immediately preceding the start of the OT program.

Additional Requirements and Recommendations

Observation Hours

In addition to a minimum grade point average, a minimum GRE score, and the prerequisite coursework, many occupational therapy schools also require that applicants have a minimum number of direct observation hours in several occupational therapy settings. This allows you to not only gain exposure to OT and make connections but to also learn if OT is the right path for you. The minimum number of shadowing hours is often around 40 hours. Be sure to investigate the shadowing requirements for the specific programs you’re considering before you begin logging them. Credit for direct observation hours can often be earned by shadowing an occupational therapist at their workplace, which can be at an outpatient clinic, hospital, skilled nursing facility, or school, just name a few options.

Experience or familiarity with occupational therapy through observation of occupational therapy practitioners (at least 40 documented hours in at least two settings). Some facilities may require a formal letter prior to allowing you to observe. The 2nd setting may be completed by one item from either list below with 30 hours of OT observation. Some programs do not require documentation of these hours. However many programs do. If you have documentation, you may submit that with your OTCAS application.

In the instance you are unable to shadow at this time, familiarity with OT can also be demonstrated through submitting documentation of the following: chose one experience from list #1 AND one experience from list #2. Upload your record of completion and/or reflection paper to the documents section on OTCAS.

List #1 | Choose One Option Must have proof of completion
- Successful completion of the online shadowing experience.
- A grade of B or higher in an Introduction to OT course offered through a college or university.
List #2 | Choose One Option Must include a reflection paper (no longer than 2 pages ) describing the experience and how it shaped your understanding of the profession.
- Caretaker Experience: Describe a time when you were a caretaker and how that shaped your understanding of occupational therapy.
- Occupation Prerequisite: Take a course (6 week minimum) in which you learn a novel challenging skill (knitting, karate, etc.).
- OT Interview: Interview an occupational therapist.
- Attend a professional OT association event: Options include the American Occupational Therapy Association, Utah Occupational Therapy Association or other state association event, or the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity host a number of events or webinars (some free or reduced for students). Attend one event.

Application Process and Materials

All applicants must apply to the OTD Program online using the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the application cycle, which begins in mid-July each year. Prerequisite courses must be completed by January 1. Official transcripts must be sent directly to OTCAS. Letters of recommendation are submitted electronically through the OTCAS system. The deadline for applying to the OTD Program is February 1; however, applicants are encouraged to apply before this deadline as the Department of Occupational Therapy begins reviewing applications in November. Applications are reviewed when all materials, including transcripts and letters of recommendation, have been received and verified by OTCAS and GRE scores are available. OTCAS uses a verification process that can take several weeks. OTCAS will verify your documents before releasing them to the University of Pittsburgh. Applicants should confirm their status as verified with OTCAS. Academic Credential Evaluations - The Academic Credential Evaluation must include a course by course evaluation and be submitted with your application to OTCAS.

Creating a great application isn’t just about meeting occupational therapist education requirements. The application also provides the opportunity to showcase your personality and passion for the field. Your personal statement is a chance to talk about your observational experiences, volunteer work and career goals. Start your personal statement early to allow time for revision.

Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended are required. For international students, original or certified (notarized) copies of all original language academic records (mark sheets, transcripts) from all postsecondary institutions attended. Where the official original documents are issued in a language other than English, certified English translations must also be submitted.
Letters of Recommendation: Submit three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s academic and professional abilities (including one from an occupational therapist and one from a college-level instructor). Three letters of recommendation, preferably from individuals who have taught the applicant in an academic setting and/or supervised clinical activities. Letters of Reference must be submitted directly to the Department of Occupational Therapy by the recommender.
Personal Essay/Statement: Demonstrate evidence of graduate level writing skills in responses to Pitt-OT essay questions, and a personal statement, discussing your strengths, skills, and experiences that will contribute to your success in the OTD Program and your professional goals for becoming an occupational therapist. Demonstrate evidence of graduate level writing skills in an essay (personal statement), discussing your strengths, skills, and experiences that will contribute to your success in the MOT Program and your professional goals for becoming an occupational therapist. Evidence of graduate level writing skills in a self-evaluation essay that discusses goals, strengths, skills, and experiences that will contribute to success in the program and in the profession.
English Language Proficiency: Applicants for whom English is not their first language must take the iBT (the Internet-based version) of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or have a master’s degree from an English-speaking university. The minimum TOEFL score accepted is 90 and the minimum IELTS score is Band 7.0. TOEFL scores must be sent electronically through Educational Testing Service (ETS) to institution code 2927. Applicants for whom English is not their first language must take the iBT (the Internet-based version of the TOEFL [Test of English as a Foreign Language]) or have a master’s degree from an English-speaking university. TOEFL scores must meet or exceed a total score of 90. An official score report (from ETS) of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). where the method of instruction is English. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores are also accepted. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. TOEFL-Students must achieve a score of at least 90-91 (Internet based). You may contact the University of Utah Testing Center. IELTS-Students must achieve a score of at least 7.0. Applicants who have received a US Degree and have not left the country for more than two years since receiving the degree may use the degree as proof of English proficiency. Applicants must be able to demonstrate English language proficiency, strong word processing ability, and functional Internet use.
Interview: The last step of the application process is often the applicant interview. Below are a few tips to help prepare you for a successful interview experience. 1. Practice potential questions you may be asked in your interview. Why are you interested in our OT program? What are your career goals? View these sessions as a real interview so you can feel more comfortable when the time comes. 2. The interviewer will likely ask you if you have any questions. 3. If you start to feel nervous or anxious during the interview, try to be honest about it with the interviewer.

Technical Standards

Attest to satisfactory performance of the technical standards/essential skills required for successful completion of the OTD curriculum. Attest to satisfactory performance of the technical standards/essential skills required for successful completion of the MOT curriculum. Students must sign a document attesting to their ability to perform essential and technical standards including cognitive, emotional, behavioral and physical abilities required for satisfactory completion of the OTD curriculum and the development of professional attributes required of all students at graduation. While an applicant is not required to disclose the specifics of any disability, it is the applicant's responsibility to request reasonable accommodation if they cannot demonstrate these essential and technical standards without accommodation.

Program Structure

MOT and OTD programs incorporate classroom instruction with fieldwork education. Fieldwork education embeds real-world experiences in classroom instruction. This hands-on practice allows students to take what they’ve learned in coursework and apply it to a clinical setting. The MOT Program is a two-year professional course of study requiring 78 credits, including fieldwork education.

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Plan of Study Example

A sample plan of study, such as the one at the University of North Dakota, illustrates the typical course sequence in an OT program:

Professional Year 1

Fall:
- OT 500 Culture Occupation (3 credits)
- OT 501 OT Process Practice Contexts (2 credits)
- OT 502 Research Methods in OT 1: Qualitative to Quantitative Designs (3 credits)
- OT 504 Occupation Analysis (4 credits)
- OT 505 Forming Your Professional Identity (2 credits)
- OT 506 Integration Fieldwork 1 (3 credits)
Spring:
- OT 503 Research Methods in OT 2: Outcomes to Translation to Practice (4 credits)
- OT 539 Health Disease Affecting Occupational Performance (5 credits)
- OT 540 Evaluation of Occupational Performance (5 credits)
- OT 541 Developing Leadership Skills in OT (2 credits)
- OT 542 Integration Fieldwork 2 (3 credits)
Summer:
- OT 543 Movement Occupational Performance (6 credits)
- OT 544 Introduction to OT Intervention (2 credits)

Professional Year 2

Fall:
- OT 600 Interventions for Mental Functions to Support Occupation (5 credits)
- OT 601 Interventions for Neuromusculoskeletal Functions to Support Occupation (5 credits)
- OT 602 Management Principles in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
- OT 603 Integration Fieldwork 3 (2 credits)
- OT 610 Doctoral Experience Seminar 1 (1 credit)
- OT 569 Interprofessional Health Care (0 or 1 credits) (*taken spring or fall. Assigned by department.)
Spring:
- OT 612 Interventions for Sensory Functions to Support Occupation (4 credits)
- OT 613 Interventions to Support Occupation in Community-Based Practice (4 credits)
- OT 614 Innovative Practitioner (3 credits)
- OT 616 Integration Fieldwork 4 (2 credits)
- OT 617 Education in OT (2 credits)
- OT 611 Doctoral Experience Seminar 2 (2 credits)
- OT 569 Interprofessional Health Care (*taken spring or fall. future terms.

Advanced Programs

Doctor of Clinical Science (CScD) in Occupational Therapy: The Doctor of Clinical Science (CScD) Program in Occupational Therapy provides doctoral level training in advanced practice, clinical education, and professional leadership. The CScD Program offers six areas of concentration: Master Practitioner (Geriatric, Musculoskeletal, Neurologic, or Pediatric Practice), Clinical Education, and Professional Leadership. Core courses focus on assessment, intervention, evidence-based protocols and guidelines, and data-based decision making. Each core course is paired with a colloquium or clinical rotation that provides students with mentored opportunities to apply their skills in the appropriate setting. The CScD in Occupational Therapy is an advanced practice doctoral degree designed for occupational therapists who are seeking advanced knowledge and skills.

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