Prerequisites FAQ - Occupational Therapy

What are the requirements to enter the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program?

Please see our full list of requirements for more details.

Does it matter when prerequisite courses were taken? For example, do you accept courses taken over 10 years ago?

We do not have an expiration date for our prerequisite courses. However, students are responsible for being prepared for the MOT academic curriculum.

Does it matter if I take my prerequisite courses at a two-year college instead of a four-year university?

The GPA is calculated the same way, whether it was taken at a community college or a four-year university. No preference is given to courses taken at either institution. We understand the cost of education and want you to have as many options as possible in obtaining the prerequisite courses required for our programs. Please note that some required courses may not be offered at two-year colleges due to the academic level of the curriculum.

What course can I take if my institution does not offer courses in “Human Anatomy” and “Human Physiology?”

If a combined Human Anatomy & Physiology course is taken, applicants must complete both Anatomy & Physiology I and Anatomy & Physiology II with the appropriate laboratories. Neither Anatomy & Physiology I nor II, alone, satisfies the Anatomy and Physiology requirements.

Do you accept CLEP or AP courses for prerequisites?

We accept this type of credit as long as your courses have been recognized by your undergraduate institution and the credit is recorded on your college/university transcript.

Does it matter what my undergraduate degree is in?

The subject matter your undergraduate studies do not play a role in the admissions process. We encourage students to pursue an academic degree which is of their interest. Some examples of what other students have majored in at the undergraduate level include biology, kinesiology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts and anatomy.

How does the program calculate GPA for admission requirements?

We calculate one GPA- the Prerequisite GPA, which is the GPA from only the listed prerequisite coursework on our Admission Requirements. We calculate GPAs on a flat grade system (a C is counted as a C).

If I retake a course, how does this affect my prerequisite GPA?

If an applicant retakes a prerequisite course, the program will use the higher grade in calculating the prerequisite GPA.

 What if I attended an institution which awarded college credit in quarter hours instead of semester credit hours?

Semester credit hours and quarter hours are not the same equivalent credit hours. Please refer to the quarter hour to semester hour equivalency chart below. If your quarter hours do not equate to the required semester credit hours, you will be missing the prerequisite requirement hours.

I’ve reviewed all admission prerequisites and requirements but don’t quite meet all of them. What are my options?

We encourage you to continue to work toward entrance to the program of your choice but, the School of Health Professions has many other programs that may fit your career and educational goals.

If you are interested in working directly with patients, our Master of Science in Respiratory Care program may be for you. This two-year master’s program will prepare you for a career in one of the fastest-growing health care careers in the country. Graduates work in ICUs, emergency rooms, home health and as pediatric flight team members.

If you are interested in the research and science behind medical diagnostics and treatment, our Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences program may be for you. This two-year master’s program will prepare you work as a medical laboratory scientist in a variety of settings including hospitals and research labs. As a medical laboratory scientist, your work affects up to 70 percent of all major patient care related decisions.