Navigating the Path to Occupational Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide to College Requirements

Occupational therapists (OTs) play a crucial role in the healthcare system, empowering individuals to participate fully in daily life. If you're drawn to this helping profession, understanding the specific occupational therapy degree requirements, including prerequisites and the application process for programs like the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), is essential. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the academic and practical steps required to pursue a career in occupational therapy.

Understanding Occupational Therapy Degrees: MOT vs. OTD

To become a practicing occupational therapist, you will need either a Master’s in Occupational Therapy (MOT) or a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD). Both degrees will allow you to practice, and those with a Master's degree will be grandfathered in, even if OTD programs eventually phase out MOT programs.

General Prerequisites for Occupational Therapy Programs

While specific requirements vary among institutions, several general prerequisites apply to most occupational therapy graduate programs. It is crucial to check the specific requirements for each program you are interested in, as each school will vary.

Academic Requirements

Bachelor's Degree: Most graduate occupational therapy programs require a bachelor's degree.
GPA: A minimum undergraduate GPA is usually required. Minimum GPA requirements can be anywhere from 2.75 to 3.2 for more competitive programs. To be competitive, you will want to achieve a higher GPA than the program's minimum. The minimum GPA acceptable for admission consideration is often 3.0. Some programs may also consider the GPA of the last 60 undergraduate credit hours.
GRE Scores: Some graduate schools require the GRE and provide a minimum score requirement for applications to be considered. Minimum combined scores 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. Keep in mind that these are minimums.

Prerequisite Coursework

Universities generally require applicants to have taken a specific set of courses to ensure they are prepared for the academic demands of occupational therapy programs. These courses aim to equip students with the foundational knowledge to excel at the graduate level. Completing the pre-occupational therapy courses generally requires six semesters or longer, regardless of the student’s age or year in college.

Common prerequisite courses include:

Two semesters of Composition
One Semester of Introduction to Psychology
One semester of Public Speaking
One semester of Biology and lab
One semester of Chemistry and lab
One semester of Psychology, Sociology, or Public Health Statistics
One semester of Developmental Psychology
One semester of Psychological Disorders and Treatment or Abnormal Psychology
One semester of Introductory Sociology or Anthropology
Two semesters of Human Anatomy and Physiology; lab required
One semester of Introduction to Occupational Therapy
Medical terminology course
Math course

Advanced Placement (AP) semester hours will be accepted for transfer of prerequisite courses with a score of a 3 or higher on the AP exam. UNMC offers a medical terminology course, CAHP 310, which meets this requirement.

It's important to note that some programs may not allow online coursework, and many prefer in-person coursework. All prerequisites must be completed with a letter grade of C or higher.

Observation Hours

Many occupational therapy schools require a minimum number of direct observation hours in occupational therapy settings. This allows you to gain exposure to OT and make connections but also to learn if OT is the right path for you. The minimum number of shadowing hours is often around 40 hours. Credit for direct observation hours can often be earned by shadowing an occupational therapist at their workplace, such as an outpatient clinic, hospital, skilled nursing facility, or school. A minimum of 20 hours within the last two years prior to program application may be required. Hours must be with OTR. COTA or PT hours are not accepted.

The Application Process

Preparing Your Application

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.

Transcripts: During the admissions process, you’ll usually be asked to provide proof of your undergraduate education in the form of an official transcript submitted by your college or university. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended are required to verify completion of prerequisites and grade requirements.
Personal Statement: 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.
Supplemental Questions: Supplemental questions give OT program boards the opportunity to gain more insight into your experience, knowledge, and professional goals.
Letters of Reference: Recommendations (references), preferably from professors, supervisors or professionals with whom you have worked.
Resume: Resumé (include organizational and community involvements).
Volunteer Work: Thirty (30) hours of volunteer work prior to application may be required.
OT Discovery Module: Applicants may complete 15+ hours of independent inquiry through the OT Discovery Module.
Online Form: Online form must be completed by OTR. Forms will be attached in OTCAS under Test Scores in the WSU Program Specific area.

The 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.

Read also: Thriving in Occupational Therapy

Practice potential questions: 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.
Prepare Questions: The interviewer will likely ask you if you have any questions.
Be Honest: If you start to feel nervous or anxious during the interview, try to be honest about it with the interviewer.

Addressing Challenges in Your Application

If you have lower OT school prerequisite grades, it won’t hurt to retake anything that you got a C or lower in.

Seven-Year Prerequisite Science Course Waiver Request

All science prerequisite coursework must be completed within seven years of the time of application submission. The non-science prerequisite courses are not subject to the seven-year completion requirement. They may be completed greater than seven years prior to the time of application submission and do not require a waiver. If any of the science courses were completed greater than seven years prior to the time of application submission, a Seven-Year Prerequisite Science Course Waiver Request from the WSU OT program must be requested prior to December 1 the year of application.

Essential and Technical Standards

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.

Accreditation

The Occupational Therapy Program has been granted accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapists, administered by NBCOT. After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR).

Post-Graduation

After earning your master’s degree, you must pass the NBCOT exam to become a certified occupational therapist. In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, 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.

Read also: OHS Internship Requirements

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