Contact

John Rowe
Director of Graduate Admissions

(315) 792-3010

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

OT Students at UC

Admissions Criteria


Freshman Applicants


A maximum of thirty-two students who have indicated that they are interested in occupational therapy may be accepted into  the Health Studies OT program if they meet the following criteria:
  1. HS GPA of 85.0 higher
  2. HS Rank in the top 25 percentile
  3. SAT score of 1050 or above
  4. Solid academic and personal profile
  5. Sound ability in science and math, completing at least:
    • One year of biology;
    • One year of another science, e.g., chemistry or physics; and 
    • Three years of math

Upon completion of prerequisite coursework and entrance criteria, students enter the occupational therapy graduate phase of the program in August of the senior year.

Entrance criteria include:


  • Junior Transfer Applicants

    Transfer students are accepted on a space-available basis. To transfer at the junior level, applicants must complete the following criteria:
    1. 3.0 cumulative grade point average
    2. Minimum of 60 credits, of which 31 must be in the liberal arts/sciences
    3. General Education Core I & II requirements complete (these are complete with an Associate’s Degree)
    4. Prerequisite Courses Complete:
      • BIO 101 & 102 Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II
      • SOC 151 Human Society
      • PSY 101 Intro. To Psychology
      • HLS 245 Human Development Across the Lifespan or PSY 223 Developmental Psychology
      • PSY 361 Abnormal Psychology
      • PHY 151 Physics I
      • PHI 107 or 108 Ethics or Professional Ethics

    Prior to entering the occupational therapy phase of the program in August of the senior year, students must meet the admission/continuance criteria.  


    Graduate Applicants

    OT student during children's laboratory experienceApplicants who meet all of the admission criteria may enroll in occupational therapy courses at the graduate level. Those who have previously completed a baccalaureate degree but have not completed all of the required course content may enroll in courses to complete a second baccalaureate degree (health studies) with continuance to the master of science degree in occupational therapy or may enroll in classes necessary to meet the course content requirements noted below and not complete all of the requirement for the bachelor of science degree in health studies.

    Applicants who apply at the graduate level must meet the following criteria:
    1. a baccalaureate degree
       
    2. 3.0 cumulative grade point average
       
    3. a grade of "C" or better in:
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II
    • General Psychology
    • Research Methods
    • Statistics
    • Intro to Sociology or Diversity
    • Human Development
    1. Additional coursework must be demonstrated in the following areas:
    • Culture, health & healing
    • Applied anatomy
    • Abnormal psychology
    • Biomechanics
    • Medical conditions & terminology
    Applications are evaluated on an individual basis including transcripts.Applicants must also meet the continuance criteria.  
     

    Options for Applicants


    Three options exist for completing the prerequisite courses (Health Studies phase):

    These options are a strategy to encourage enrollment of all students, including those who are in the minority in the occupational therapy profession. This minority is comprised primarily of men (6% of practitioners in US), people of color, and people with disabilities.

    The availability of the three options for entry into the sequence of prerequisite courses is one of the strong points of the program by accommodating the needs of a diverse group of students, including working adults. These choices are particularly attractive for students who have previously earned an Associate's Degree to become an occupational therapy assistant and want to progress to the professional level of study. These options are also attractive to the individual seeking a second degree or career.

    This type of diversity in the student body is desirable and efforts are made to maximize that diversity. Incentive and academic support programs are in place as recruitment tools and to assist with financial aid and academic challenges for students with identified needs.  


    Continuance Criteria



    Individuals who want to begin the occupational therapy phase of the program are required to meet all of the following criteria to receive permission to enroll in those courses.
    Click here for continuance criteria > 


     

    Applying For Admission

    If you are applying for admission to UC as a freshman or undergraduate transfer student:

    For details on how to apply for admission to the M.S. program in Occupational Therapy: