Occupational therapy programs vary greatly in their requirements. Students are encouraged to check with schools concerning their prerequisites. Below are the basic requirements for most programs:
- Anatomy and Physiology I
- Anatomy and Physiology II
- Introduction to Psychology
- Statistics
- Medical Terminology
- General biology courses
Note: Spalding University’s OT program also requires a semester of chemistry or physics. Northern Kentucky University’s OT program also requires physics, sociology, lifespan development and abnormal psychology.
Suggested coursework arrangement:
First semester
- HES 1004 Intro to Health and Exercise Science
- FYS 1004 First-Year Seminar
Second semester
- BIO 1206 Integrated Concepts of Biology: Organisms and Ecosystems
- FYS 1104 First-Year Research Seminar
Third semester
- Anatomy and Physiology I
Fourth semester
- Anatomy and Physiology II
Eastern Kentucky University’s Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program has the following requirements for admission:
- Completion of 60 hours of coursework, including prerequisite courses
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or above
- A minimum of four B grades and one C grade in the prerequisite courses
- Completion of the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT)
- Application with personal statement and resume
- Three completed recommendation forms
Competitive applicants
- Overall GPA: 3.2
In addition to a minimum grade point average and the prerequisite coursework, many occupational therapy schools also require that applicants have a minimum number of direct observation hours in occupational therapy clinical settings.
Factors that increase competitiveness:
- Community service/volunteer work
- Experience in the field
- Leadership
- Strong communication skills
Important Links
- American Occupational Therapy Association
- Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT)
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
In-state schools: