Admission
Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program
Admission Criteria
- Completed bachelors degree prior to beginning the program and minimum 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
- Prerequisite GPA 3.0, each prerequisite course must be completed within ten years of submitting an application. No grade in a prerequisite course may be less than a “C” (2.0 on 4.0 scale).
- Minimum of 30 observation hours in two different settings. Exceeding the minimum requirement is strongly recommended.
- Three letters of recommendation with one letter from a college professor who can confirm your ability to enter a competitive academic graduate program. If you have not been enrolled in school within the last 12 months, a letter from an occupational therapist or from a work setting will be accepted. Do not submit letters from family members or friends.
- Essay submission (prompt provided in OTCAS system)
- We do not require the GRE
All documentation to be submitted through the OTCAS portal.
Due to limited observation opportunities related to COVID-19, applicants for the 2022 cohort have the option to complete 12 virtual observation hours via Occupational Therapy Online Shadowing Experience (password: LucasQU). Applicant must submit documentation of online shadowing experience through OTCAS application. Applicants must complete a minimum of 12 virtual hours if choosing this option to assist in meeting the observation hours requirement.
Prerequisite Courses
Course |
Credits |
Statistics or Research Methods |
3 credits |
General Biology I with Lab (non-major biology courses accepted) *Note: No other sciences will be accepted as a substitute for the Biology requirement. |
4 credits |
General Physics |
4 credits |
Anatomy and Physiology
|
8 credits |
Intro to Sociology or Anthropology
|
3 credits |
Psychology (including Introduction, Developmental, and Abnormal) *Human Development and Learning can substitute for Developmental Psychology-the course must cover lifespan
|
9 credits |
Medical Terminology |
1-3 credits |
Requests regarding prerequisite substitutions must be sent to Dr. Ellis, ellisrd1@etsu.edu. In order for a course to be reviewed and considered, a copy of the complete course syllabus must be included in the request.
**Any student convicted of a felony may not be eligible for certification and/or credentialling in occupational therapy.*
Admission timeline for the 2021 application cycle.
- ETSU OTD OTCAS application opens July 26th and closes December 1, 2021.
- Completed and verified applications will be reviewed and qualified applicants will be sent an invitation for interview. Verification can take up to 2 weeks.
- Applicants invited to interview are required to complete an application to the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies
- Admission offers will be sent by the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies by mid-March.
- Orientation and Classes start mid-May.
HOW TO APPLY: Create an account and complete the OTCAS application.