Overview:
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people of all ages develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living, work, school, and other meaningful activities. They work with individuals who have injuries, illnesses, disabilities, or developmental conditions to improve their independence and quality of life. Occupational therapists may assist clients with tasks such as self-care, mobility, cognitive functioning, adaptive equipment use, and environmental modifications in settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, clinics, and community organizations.
For additional information this career path, check out: https://explorehealthcareers.org/careers/occupational-therapy/occupational-therapist/
Explore:
What major should I choose? When preparing for a career as a physical therapist, prerequisite requirements can vary between programs. Most science-based majors will cover many of the common prerequisites needed for OT programs.
When choosing a major, we recommend selecting one you’re genuinely interested in. Students who do so often earn higher GPAs, which is an important factor when applying to graduate and professional programs.
How do you find accredited OT programs? You can find OT programs using this program directory. When selecting programs, students are encouraged to research programs based on factors such as admission requirements, prerequisite coursework, healthcare experience requirements, location, cost, program length, and overall fit.
Prepare:
Recommended Coursework:
*These courses are intended as general prerequisite guidelines and may not include all requirements. Students are responsible for reviewing the specific prerequisite coursework and course equivalencies required by each OT program they are considering.
CSU Recommended Courses
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General Biology (1 semesters w/lab) | LIFE 102 |
General Chemistry (1 semesters w/ labs) | CHEM 107/108, 111/112 |
Anatomy (1 semesters w/lab) | BMS 301 |
Physiology (1 semester w/lab) | BMS 300 and 302 |
Abnormal Psychology (1 semester) | PSY 320 |
General Psychology (1 semesters) | PSY 100 |
Human Development/Lifespan Development (1 semester) | HDFS 101 |
Statistics (1 semester) | STAT 201, 301 or 307 |
Medical Terminology (1 semester) | OT 215 |
Highly recommended courses (Physics, Sociology, additional biology or upper-level science coursework) | PH 121, SOC 100, LIFE 103, LIFE 205/206. |
How to create a competitive application
Building a competitive OT school application involves more than meeting minimum admission requirements. Successful applicants often demonstrate strong academic performance, gain meaningful direct patient care experience, shadow/observe occupational therapists, participate in research or leadership activities, and develop a clear understanding of why they want to pursue the profession. Focus on gaining experiences that align with your interests while learning about the expectations and requirements of the programs you plan to apply to.
Shadowing/Observation Hours
Many OT programs require or recommend occupational therapy observation or shadowing hours. Research your specific programs to verify requirements and determine whether documentation is needed. We also recommend shadowing in a variety of occupational therapy settings to broaden your understanding of the profession and strengthen your application.
Undergraduate Research:
While not required for admission, it is highly recommended that students participate in research. For more information about undergraduate research at CSU, visit the Office for Undergraduate Research & Artistry page.
Volunteering and Extracurricular Activities
While there are no specific requirements for volunteer and extracurricular activities, it is highly encouraged that students gain other experiences that improve transferable skills/career competencies and create a more competitive application.
Rehabilitation Therapy Club
This is a club for anyone who is interested in or wants to pursue a career in either Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy. For more information and to connect with club officers, email rtclubcsu@gmail.com or message the Instagram @csu_rtclub.
Apply:
Possible Entrance Exams:
Some OT programs do not require standardized tests. However, some programs may require applicants to complete the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or the Casper (a situational judgement assessment).
Letters of Recommendation:
- Most OT programs require 2–3 letters of recommendation and will allow you to submit more.
- Recommended letter writers: occupational therapists or other health care providers, direct supervisors from paid or volunteer clinical experience, and professors.
- Many programs prefer or require at least one letter from an OT.
- Program requirements vary, so be sure to verify each program’s requirements before applying.
Application Service:
- Create an application through the OTCAS.
- Submit application materials including official transcripts, healthcare and extracurricular experiences, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and check for supplemental application requirements.
- Review program deadlines. Some programs may use a rolling or non-rolling process.
- Need help with the application? Check out the OTCAS help center.
Personal Statements:
OT programs require a personal statement as part of the OTCAS. The personal statement is typically an essay with up to 4,500 characters. In this essay, you can highlight relevant experiences and demonstrate your understanding of the profession. Because it is an important part of the holistic review process, students should take time to reflect on their clinical experiences, academic journey, and long-term career goals when drafting their essay. Check out our website for personal statement resources.
Resources:
Timeline: This timeline may not apply to every student and can vary depending on transfer credits, academic preparation, and other individual circumstances.
Freshman and Sophomore year: |
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Junior year- Fall: |
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Junior Year – Dec-March: |
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Junior Year- Summer-Senior Year-Fall: |
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Senior Year- Spring: |
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FAQ
What is the difference between OT master’s and doctoral programs?
- It is important to note that OT programs are offered at both the master’s and doctoral levels. Both pathways lead to eligibility for occupational therapy licensure and the ability to work as an occupational therapist. When deciding between these options, students should consider factors such as program length, cost, and location.
Are AP credits allowed?
Most OT schools accept AP credits. Please be sure to look at each of your programs’ AP credit policies before utilizing them to meet OT program requirements.
How many OT schools should I apply to?
Many students apply to around 5 schools. It is highly dependent upon financial aspects, competitiveness of your application, and preferred program.
How do I find shadowing experience or clinical/patient care opportunities?
Students often find shadowing and clinical experiences by contacting local hospitals, clinics, private practices, and healthcare organizations, or by networking through personal contacts and career fairs.
Do prerequisites expire?
Many programs require science prerequisites to be completed within the last 5-7 years.
What GPA is competitive for OT programs?
Most OT programs have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0, but average applicants typically have GPAs around 3.5.
Do online classes and community college courses count?
Policies vary; some OT programs require in-person labs, and most will accept prerequisites taken at community colleges.
How do I track or log my experiences?
Most OT programs do not require observation or experience hours to be documented on a form signed by an OT, but requirements vary by program. We recommend keeping a document or spreadsheet that includes the location, contact information, dates of your experience, total hours completed, and a brief description of what you observed or participated in.
When do I apply?
Application cycles can vary depending on the program. Some may use rolling admissions, which means it is better to apply earlier than later. Programs that use non-rolling admissions generally have deadlines in the fall. The application typically opens in July each year.