Admissions Requirements

Students applying to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program must possess personal qualities of character, integrity, and motivation, as well as the capacity for the Technical Standards (note please link to the same standards that are under the tab titled additional resources) suitable for a career in occupational therapy.

The OUHSC Doctor of Occupational Therapy program has joined the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). Applicants must complete both the OTCAS application and the OUHSC application. ALL official sealed transcripts and scores must be sent to OTCAS and entered through the OTCAS on-line system. To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Submit a completed on-line application through OTCAS and OUHSC. The OUHSC OTD Program encourages you to APPLY EARLY! We will begin considering applications as early as October 1st. Those with completed applications (OTCAS + OUHSC) by October 1 will be given PRIORITY consideration. Applications that are not complete by the October 1st deadline will not be considered for admission until the firm deadline of February 1. It is possible that the majority of the class could be filled prior to the firm deadline of February 1st.;
2. Complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment in the program;
3. Be in good standing with the college or university last or currently attending;
4. At a minimum, earn both a 2.75 cumulative grade point average and a 2.75 science grade point average on a 4.0 scale as calculated by OTCAS. Courses taken during the spring 2020 semester may have a “P” for passing or “S” for satisfactory due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that the required 2.75 cumulative grade point average and 2.75 science grade point average still applies. The College of Allied Health does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPAs; 
5. Successfully complete all departmental prerequisite courses with grades of C or better prior to beginning our program the first week of June. Courses taken during the spring 2020 semester may have a “P” for passing or “S” for satisfactory due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that the required 2.75 cumulative grade point average and 2.75 science grade point average still applies;
6. We recognize that at this time it may be difficult for applicants to complete observation hours.  Although we recommend 40 hours of occupational therapy observation, they are NOT required.  We ask that applicants explore the AOTA website to learn more about careers in occupational therapy;
7. Submit official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities (including OU or OUHSC) attended and non-refundable application fees through OTCAS ;
8. Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (the General Test) prior to the application deadline date. At the time of verification through OTCAS, we will only accept valid, reportable GRE scores that are no older than five years following the test date. See ETS for score reporting policies. It is recommended that you take the revised GRE no later than one month prior to the application period for which you are applying to ensure your scores are received by the application deadline. Scores received after the application deadline will result in an automatic denial. The OTCAS GRE Designated Institution Code for the OTD program at OUHSC is 7448;
9. If English is a second language, submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. Applicants must earn a minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (Internet-based) within two years prior to application. The OTCAS TOEFL Designated Institution Code for the OTD program at OUHSC is 7448. The department may waive TOEFL scores if the applicant provides evidence of graduation from a U.S. High School or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution. Click here to review additional information regarding the TOEFL and TOEFL waiver;
10. If previous coursework was from colleges or universities outside of the US, have all transcripts/mark sheets processed through World Education Services (WES); and 
11. All official, sealed transcripts, GRE scores, and TOEFL scores (if applicable) must be received by the application deadline. Late transcripts and test scores will result in an automatic denial.

Please Note: If you plan on applying to the program this year, submit an official, sealed transcript from every institution attended AS SOON AS POSSIBLE through the OTCAS system. Do NOT send them to the Health Sciences Center. They will not be forwarded. ALL transcripts and scores must be entered through the on-line OTCAS system. Transcripts take time to process from one institution to the other; therefore, order your transcripts ASAP! Once your fall grades have been posted, please update your OTCAS application ASAP.