Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Prerequisites

In addition to the degree requirements, candidates for admission will also have to achieve the following:

A minimum prerequisite grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Letter grades of “C-“, “C”, or “C+” will be allowed for required prerequisites if the minimum prerequisite grade point average is maintained.

Each prerequisite course is separate, and applicants cannot use a course for more than one requirement (for example, Abnormal Psychology cannot be used for both the Social Science and Abnormal Psychology prerequisite requirements). Individual courses are needed for each prerequisite. All prerequisite courses must have been completed within ten years prior to application. Advanced placement credits are not accepted for prerequisite coursework but may be accepted as part of the undergraduate institution degree.

Candidates are expected to have no more than two prerequisite courses remaining to be taken in the spring semester after they apply.

Prerequisite Courses

  • Abnormal Psychology, 3 credits: An abnormal psychology or a psychopathology course fulfills this requirement.
  • Developmental Psychology, 3 credits: Any lifespan development course that includes learning, motor, language, cognitive, emotional, and social development fulfills this requirement. Course content must cover the lifespan.
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology, 8 credits: Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II or individual courses of Human Anatomy and Human Physiology with a lab in each. These courses cannot also fulfill the Upper-level Life Science requirement.
  • Social Science, 3 credits: Suggested courses include, but are not limited to other psychology courses, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, public health, epidemiology, gerontology, and urban studies.
  • Statistics, 3 credits: You may choose behavioral, educational, psychological, or mathematical statistics. In some instances a Research Methods course may fulfill this requirement, at the discretion of the admissions committee. Business statistics does not fulfill this requirement.

Recommended Coursework

  • Upper-Level Science, 3 credits: Any 200-level or above biology course. Suggested courses include Advanced General Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, Cellular Physiology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Zoology, Biochemistry, Exercise Physiology, Pathophysiology and/or Physics* (*any 100-level course).
  • Kinesiology or Biomechanics, 3 credits: An introductory biomechanics or kinesiology course. Suggested courses include Applied Kinesiology, Kinetic Anatomy, and Motor Learning courses are also accepted.
  • Health Disparities/Health Equity, 3 credits: Suggested courses include Drugs and Society, Race and Ethnic Relations, Medical Sociology, Human Diversity and Populations At Risk, and Disparities in Urban Health.