Admissions Requirements and Deadlines

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education must be completed prior to matriculation into the OTD program.
• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) is preferred for admission. Candidates with a lower GPA are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Prerequisite courses: A pre-requisite GPA of 3.0, is preferred for the following prerequisite courses:
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II 
  • Development Psychology or Lifespan Development 
  • Abnormal Psychology 
  • Statistics or a research-based course

  Prerequisite coursework cannot be fulfilled with a grade lower than “C.”  Courses completed with a lower grade must be repeated to achieve a grade of “C” or higher.

• Recommendations: applicants are required to enter a minimum of three recommendation names within their application; it is preferred that one recommendation be from a professor.  Additional recommendations should be from individuals with knowledge of your educational and/or professional history. 
• Personal Statement and additional questions: applicants must submit the standard personal statement which should address why you selected OT as a career and how an occupational therapy degree relates to your immediate and long term professional goals. Describe how your personal, educational and professional background will help you to achieve your goals. There are several additional mandatory questions within the application to be completed for WNE.
• Observation hours: No minimum number of hours are required; it is highly recommended that prospective students observe more than one practice area or population. Candidates must complete and submit signed observation forms. WNE Observation forms are preferred and can be downloaded here.

English-language testing is required for all applicants who are non-native English speakers UNLESS they have resided in a country, where English is the primary language, for more than 10 years.  English language testing is NOT required if the applicant has earned or is degree pending (will have earned by anticipated matriculation date) a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree following three or more years of campus-based post-secondary instruction in the United States. 

 OTD applicants can use any of the following standardized tests to meet our English language requirement:

• TOEFL - 80 IBT
• IELTS - 6.5
• PTE Academic - 56
• STEP Eiken - 1
• iTEP - 4.5
• Duolingo - 105 DET

List of countries in which English language testing would be waived because it is the primary language:

• Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom

3+3 Bachelors to OTD Programs:

• Health Studies/Pre-OT
• Psychology/Pre-OT
• Neuroscience/Pre-OT

Step 1 - Students enrolled in the above programs should meet with their advisors at the beginning of their Junior year to be sure they: a.) are enrolled in the 2023-24 catalogue or later; b.) are on track to complete all major requirements and GURs; c.) have met the GPA requirement of 3.20.

Step 2 - COPHS Admissions staff will reach out to qualified students to schedule interviews with the Director of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program.  

Step 3 - After completing a successful interview, students will fill out the confirmation form below: 

3+3 OTD Program Confirmation Form

Direct progression into the OTD Program is conditional upon:

• Completion of  undergraduate credits (92 for Health Studies, 90 for Neuroscience and Psychology)
• GPA at the end of Junior year remaining at 3.20 or higher.
• Fulfillment of any outstanding prerequisite coursework, with a grade no lower than “C”.
• Completion of observation hours. 

Enrollment deposits will be waived

3+3 students who do not meet the 3.20 GPA may still apply to the OTD program during their Junior year. They will be required to complete the full OTD application through the WNE website including: recommendations, personal essay, WNE questions, observation hours and fulfillment of prerequisite coursework. Enrollment deposits are waived.

Undergraduate students who are not enrolled in a 3+3 major may meet with their advisor to determine if they are able to complete their undergraduate credits, GUR requirements and OTD prerequisite requirements by the end of junior year, in time to take advantage of the 3+3 pathway.  If so, they can change their major to one of the 3+3 pathways and follow the guidelines above to progress or apply to the OTD program.

WNE students who plan to complete their four year bachelor’s degree before matriculating into the OTD program may apply during their senior year using the free WNE application and follow all application requirements.  Enrollment deposits are waived.