20 OT Schools with the Easiest Admission Requirements

1. Bay Path University

Founded: 1897
Location: Longmeadow, Massachusetts, USA
Financial aid: Available

Bay Path University is a private university in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

Bay Path University offers a fully accredited master’s program that combines hands-on learning, collaborative discussion, and the sharing of knowledge from experienced and passionate practitioners to give students unique training and opportunities to apply it.

2. Boston University

Founded: 1839
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Financial aid: Available

Boston University is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston University offers undergraduate, graduate professional, and graduate research programs in OT.

The program focuses on evidence-based, client-centered professional education, and students will be involved in leadership, scholarship, and cutting-edge research that is shaping the profession.

3. Cedar Crest College

Founded: 1867
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA
Financial aid: Available

Cedar Crest College is a private liberal arts women’s college in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Cedar Crest College offers an entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree program.

The program combines classwork, research, and fieldwork to provide students with knowledge, skills, and experience to take their careers to the next level.

4. University of Pittsburgh

Founded: 1787
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Financial aid: Available

The University of Pittsburgh is a public state-related research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Pitt OT programs prepare students for leadership roles in a field that is constantly changing.

Qualified applicants for the Master of Science (MS) in Occupational Therapy program must meet the following admission requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy.
Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (based on a 4.0).
Verification of English Language Proficiency.
Interview (personal or virtual) with the MS Program Director

5. East Carolina University

Founded: 1907
Location: Greenville, North Carolina, USA
Financial aid: Available

East Carolina University is a public research university in Greenville, North Carolina.

East Carolina University offers an entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT), and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD).

Both the entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) programs are fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

To be eligible for acceptance into East Carolina University (ECU)’s MSOT program, the following requirements must be met:

A baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional association.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from undergraduate work is required.
Students should score at least the 50th percentile on ALL sections of the GRE.

6. Gannon University

Founded: 1925
Location: Erie, Pennsylvania
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

Gannon University is a private Catholic university in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The Entry-Level OTD Program will continue to offer students clinically based, grant-funded, community learning programs.

The minimum requirements to be considered for acceptance into the Occupational Therapy program at the graduate level include:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university conferred before beginning the graduate program.
Overall grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
Cumulative prerequisite courses GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. No grade lower than a “C” will be accepted.
All prerequisite coursework must be completed within the 5 years preceding the MSOT program start date.
Three letters of recommendation.
Resume or curriculum vitae
Personal Essay

7. Ithaca College

Founded: 1892
Location: Ithaca, New York
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

Ithaca College is a private college in Ithaca, New York.

Ithaca College offers Occupational Therapy which prepares students to practice as an occupational therapist equipped to meet the dynamic needs of a diverse and global society.

Graduates of these programs are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Below is a list of admission requirements:

A completed application was submitted via OTCAS.
A completed bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Final transcripts for all in-progress prerequisites are required before starting the program.
Two letters of recommendation, one from a healthcare practitioner if possible. Two additional letters of recommendation are required when applying for a Graduate Assistantship.
Resume
Writing sample
They do not require the GRE.

8. Keuka College

Founded: 1890
Location: Keuka Park, New York
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

Keuka College is a private college in Keuka Park, New York.

Keuka College offers a four-year undergraduate, B.S. degree in Occupational Science followed by a one-year graduate, M.S. degree in Occupational Therapy.

After completing your undergraduate degree, you’re guaranteed a spot in the graduate program as long as you have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and are in good professional standing.

9. Loma Linda University

Founded: 1905
Location: Loma Linda, California
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

Loma Linda University (LLU) is a private health sciences university in Loma Linda, California.

offers an Occupational Therapy program that prepares students to practice in various settings and have the opportunity to complete innovative Capstone Projects.

Admissions Requirements

Proof of completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
GPA 3.2 minimum (pre-requisites and cumulative)
Minimum 40 hours of volunteer/work experience in an occupational therapy department.
GRE is not required.

10. Mercy College

Founded: 1950
Location: Dobbs Ferry, New York
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

Mercy University offers a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program that is designed to prepare graduates to apply for licensure in Occupational Therapy and to practice at an entry-level.

Graduates are prepared as generalists, enabling them to work in a variety of practice settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and regional schools.

The Mercy University Occupational Therapy program prepares graduates to work with people of varying diagnoses including people living with spinal cord injuries, cancer, stroke, autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, and many other conditions and illnesses.

11. Misericordia University

Founded: 1924
Location: Dallas, Pennsylvania
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

Misericordia University is a private Catholic liberal arts institution located in Dallas, Pennsylvania.

The university offers a Master’s and Doctoral program in Occupational Therapy.

The admission requirements for the entry-level Master’s and Doctoral programs are as follows:

Complete the online graduate admission application.
Submit official transcripts of high school and transcripts of the bachelor’s degree.
Submit letters of recommendation from teacher, counselor, or mentor.
Attend a personal interview to confirm admission at the university.

The prerequisite courses for the entry-level Master’s program must be completed within 10 years before admission with a C- or better.

For applicants who are currently licensed and practicing as occupational therapy assistants, the 10-year time limit of prerequisite courses may be waived.

12. Mount Mary University

Founded: 1913
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

Mount Mary University offers a Professional Entry Occupational Therapy Program for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in any field who want to become a certified occupational therapists (OTR).

The program is offered in two tracks: Master of Science (M.S.) and Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD).

The M.S. program is a 28-month program that serves as preparation for initial certification as an occupational therapist.

The admission requirements for the Post-Professional Master’s in Occupational Therapy program include official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, a copy of the current OT license, a copy of government-issued photo ID, and completed applications reviewed on a rolling basis for fall admission.

13. Mount Saint Mary’s University

Founded: 1925
Location: Los Angeles, California
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

Mount St. Mary’s University offers a health sciences degree that prepares students to enter graduate school for or work toward a career in nursing, physical therapy, or occupational therapy.

The program covers topics related to medical technology, human dignity, issues of fairness in health care, and the origins and current state of the U.S. healthcare sector.

Students can choose from three tracks: pre-nursing, pre-physical therapy, or pre-occupational therapy.

Mount Mary University offers a post-professional master’s program in occupational therapy designed for practicing occupational therapists who seek to transition from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree and advance competencies in physical rehabilitation, pediatrics, gerontology, mental health, education, or leadership.

14. New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Founded: 1955
Location: Old Westbury, New York
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

The New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in Occupational Therapy program.

The program is designed to help patients recover from injury, overcome disabilities, and live independently.

It is a 78-80 credit program that prepares students to assist people with impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions due to physical injury, psychosocial dysfunction, developmental or learning disabilities, socioeconomic status, cultural differences, or the aging process.

Here are the admission requirements for the Occupational Therapy, M.S. program at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT):

Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
An academic record that includes a balance of coursework in the humanities, social sciences, math, and life sciences, as well as competence in written and spoken English.
Basic computer skills (preparation of documents, spreadsheets, graphs, databases, research, and presentations) are required.

15. Quinnipiac University

Founded: 1929
Location: Hamden, Connecticut
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

The Department of Occupational Therapy at Quinnipiac University offers high-quality education to develop occupational therapy practitioner-scholars at both entry and advanced practice levels.

The department offers a Dual-Degree BS/MS in Occupational Therapy program that prepares students with a breadth and depth of knowledge and skills to practice autonomously or collaboratively at entry level, within various healthcare, educational, and social systems.

To be admitted to the Entry-Level Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program at Quinnipiac University, you need to meet the following requirements:

A bachelor’s degree before matriculation into the program.
A minimum GPA of 3.2 in all post-secondary coursework.
A minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 with a grade of C+ or better in each prerequisite course.
A minimum of 40 verifiable observation hours in the past 3 years.

16. Saint Francis University

Founded: 1847
Location: Loretto, Pennsylvania
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

Saint Francis University offers a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program that is designed to empower individuals to live their best lives by studying how they can help individuals improve their ability to perform the basic activities of daily living.

The program is offered on-campus with direct-entry, provisional, and graduate admissions paths.

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

For the Bachelor of Science in Health Science program, in addition to the general admission criteria for Saint Francis University, applicants must have a minimum SAT score of 1080 (ACT 21), a minimum high school GPA of 3.0, and 10 hours of OT observation.

17. Saint Louis University (SLU)

Founded: 1818
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

Saint Louis University (SLU) is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that offers a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree.

The program is divided into the pre-professional (years 1-3) and professional (years 4-5) phases.

Students admitted as freshmen receive a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Science after successful completion of the first four years, and the MOT degree after successful completion of the additional post-baccalaureate year.

The following are the admission requirements for the MOT program at SLU:

Four years of science, including biology, chemistry, physiology, and/or anatomy
Four years of English
Four years math
Activities demonstrating leadership and community service.
An interest in the profession of Occupational Therapy is demonstrated through observation, school activities, volunteer experiences, or personal experiences.

18. Seton Hall University

Founded: 1856
Location: South Orange, New Jersey
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

The Department of Occupational Therapy at Seton Hall University offers a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.) degree program.

The department also collaborates with undergraduate partners to offer the accelerated Dual Degree Program in Occupational Therapy (B.A. + M.S.).

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.) program at Seton Hall University has the following admission requirements:

Completion of the Seton Hall University MSOT program application through OTCAS.
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
Overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of no less than 3.2 on a 4-point scale.
Fifty (50) observation hours with an OTR (Occupational Therapist, Registered).
Three letters of recommendation, including one from an OTR.

19. Springfield College

Founded: 1885
Location: Springfield, Massachusetts
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

Springfield College offers multiple pathways for you to pursue a career in the field of occupational therapy.

As a student in the Health Science: Pre-Occupational Therapy program, you will have the option to continue to a graduate-level program in occupational therapy.

The Occupational Therapy program at Springfield College is designed to provide students with entry-level occupational therapy theory, evaluation and treatment techniques, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, client education skills, management skills, and interprofessional collaboration and teamwork.

Here are the admission requirements for the Occupational Therapy program at Springfield College:

The program is open to first-year undergraduates who can complete a Bachelor of Science in health science and a Master of Science in occupational therapy in 5.5 years.
The average grade point average (GPA) of students admitted to the occupational therapy program is 3.5. The college does not require the SAT or ACT for admission into this program.
Documented job shadowing hours (minimum 10-20) with an occupational therapist are required.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete a minimum of 20 shadowing or observation hours and/or hours spent in human service and/or volunteering.

20. Thomas Jefferson University

Founded: 1824
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Financial aid: Financial aid is available for eligible students.

The Department of Occupational Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University is ranked #6 nationally and #1 in the Delaware Valley by U.S. News and World Report.

The department provides degree programs at all levels: associate, master’s, doctoral-entry, and post-professional.

Students engage in cutting-edge clinical, educational, and research experiences on their path to becoming leaders in the field of occupational therapy and healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these schools of lower quality compared to others with stricter admission standards?

Not necessarily. Admission requirements do not always correlate with the quality of education. These schools may prioritize other aspects, such as diversity or a holistic approach to admissions.

Can I still get a quality education at these schools with easier admission requirements?

Absolutely! The quality of education largely depends on the faculty, resources, and program structure. These schools offer valuable OT education and are accredited by relevant bodies.

Is it easier to secure financial aid or scholarships at these schools?

Scholarships and financial aid availability can vary from school to school. It's essential to research each school's financial aid offerings and apply for scholarships to lessen the financial burden.

What are some general tips for a successful application to OT schools?

Strong recommendation letters, a well-crafted personal statement, and relevant volunteer or work experience can help you stand out in the application process. Highlight your passion for OT and your dedication to the field.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can still gain quality education at these universities. The quality of education largely depends on the faculty, resources, and program structure.

These schools offer valuable OT education and are accredited by relevant bodies.

Share and Help us Reach out to Other Students

20 OT Schools with the Easiest Admission Requirements

What does Occupational Therapy (OT) do?

What are the Admission Requirements for OT schools?

List of the 20 OT Schools with the Easiest Admission Requirements