Occupational Therapy

 

The Health Professions and Prelaw Center pre-OT webpage offers information and ideas for how to follow a pre-occupational therapy path at Indiana University. Hundreds of IU students prepare for admission to OT, and many successfully apply to programs across the country.

Video: Rolling admissions

Video: Develop a Back-Up Plan

 

How to Use this Webpage

It is very important that you consult the information on this page thoroughly and often. Please don't make the mistake of merely looking at the prerequisite chart, as the other information and suggestions below can save you a great deal of effort, and help you avoid common mistakes, as you strive to be admitted to competitive occupational therapy programs.

At the same time, do not let the abundance of information on this page overwhelm you. It is meant to be quite complete, but the linked outline in the right hand column provides you with a useful overview of its contents, and an easy way to navigate.

The page is coherently organized into discreet sections, and the links in the right-hand margin serve as an outline for the page. Familiarize yourself with what is here and then refer back to it as needed. While juniors and seniors visiting this page for the first time really ought to read it in more detail to gain a sense of where they stand in the pre-OT process, freshmen and sophomores don't need to become familiar with everything all at once.

We do not suggest simply printing this page, as there are sub-pages linked from it which contain important information. If you wish to print part of a given page, first use your mouse to select the section you want to print. Then, from the Print dialogue box, choose Print > Selection. However, always refer back to the complete HPPLC OT page / sub-pages.

 

Description of the Profession

Occupational Therapy (OT) helps people maximize their ability to participate in life independently. With OT, children and adults facing physical, cognitive, or psychosocial challenges can improve skills that help them perform daily tasks at home, school, work, and play. OT doesn't simply treat medical conditions. It helps people stay engaged in activities that give them pleasure or a sense of purpose, despite challenges. (See also, How do I learn what occupational therapists do?)

Skills and characteristics important to the OT profession

An occupational therapist must posses critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, patience, empathy, strong communication skills, and the ability to work well both independently and with a team of care givers. A love of lifelong learning, a positive attitude, and an outgoing personality will serve a therapist well in this field. OT's are often described as "people persons."

 

Overview of OT Admissions

Choosing a degree and major

A bachelors degree, along with certain specific admission prerequisite courses, is required for admission to all OT programs. Whether you choose to earn a bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS) degree does not matter to OT programs; they have no preference, so choose whichever appeals to you the most. Within your BA or BS degree, it's important that you choose a major which truly interests you - one you would choose even if you weren't pre-OT. Almost any major can accommodate OT prerequisite courses, and, just as OT programs have no preference regarding the BA or BS, they likewise have no preference as to which major you choose. Choose one which interests you, and one in which you believe you can excel.

If you are still deciding on a major, work with your academic advisor and utilize resources like the award-winning website, Explore Majors at IU.

Competitive admission

Because more people apply to any given OT program than there are seats available, programs have selective admission. In other words, the OT admission process is competitive because programs can afford to be choosey, selecting only those applicants they consider most likely to excel in a rigourous, masters-level program.

The level of competitiveness varies dramatically across programs; for instance, cumulative and/or science course GPAs of those admitted might range from 3.00 to 3.80 or higher, depending on the program. Because some programs count prerequisites or science courses twice (i.e., as part of the cumulative GPA, and in a separate GPA), it is especially important that you do well in your prerequisite coursework. Sometimes a lower CGPA can be somewhat balanced by a higher prerequisite or science GPA, or vice versa, however this too depends on the program. Obviously your goal must be to earn excellent grades across your entire transcript. To this end, we urge you to utilize the HPPLC Time and Sanity Management Sheet, and to rigorously follow the academic tips therein.

For examples of some useful GPA calculators, click here.

In addition, many programs have "rolling admission" deadlines, meaning that they begin to fill spots as soon as their application cycle opens. Click the center of the video box below to play a lighthearted but informative short cartoon about rolling admissions. [OUR APOLOGIES - the video will be fixed and posted as soon as possible]

HPPLC tip video: Rolling Admissions

 

Other admission factors

Excellent grades, clinical observation (job shadowing) of OTs, successful completion of prerequisite coursework, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, an admission essay, letters of reference, and an admission interview can be among the admission requirements; though again, requirements vary by program. While GPA will always be the most critical admission factor, programs consider your entire application portfolio when making their decisions, and most place a heavy emphasis on other admission factors as well.

Misdemeanors, felonies, and background checks

Bottom line: keep your record clean! College presents countless opportunities for success, but also opportunities to undermine your goals. While a misdemeanor on your record may not necessarily prevent you from being admitted to a program or from practicing in a given health field, why take the risk? Gross misdemeanors and felony charges are obviously much more serious, but the impact of any given criminal history will depend on various factors and circumstances, such as the nature of the offense, how recent it was, whether there is a pattern of offenses, and so on. While a single underage drinking charge from high school may not become a serious issue, a string of them could. Likewise, a DUI charge, for instance, is much more serious because driving under the influence puts other people in danger, which of course not only reflects an alarming degree of irresponsibility, but also contradicts the very nature of the health professions.

There are two potential points at which a criminal history could become an issue: during the process of trying to be admitted to programs and during the professional licensure process, once you have completed the program. You should always be honest when you are filling out disclosure forms. Many programs, and the licensure process itself, will require that you submit at least a limited criminal background check, and if there are differences between what you yourself report and what the background check reveals, you could run into difficulties. Such a disparity would imply or reflect a degree of dishonesty which programs and state licensure boards are not likely to overlook.

If you already have charges on your record, then again, be honest during those parts of the application which ask you to disclose this information. During the licensure process there is usually an opportunity for you to offer an explanation of a mark on your record, and to explain what you learned from the experience. You can also add a similar addendum to program applications.

 

Occupational Therapy at Indiana University

Description of the IU Occupational Therapy Program

IU Bloomington does not offer an occupational therapy program, but pre-OT students may complete the prerequisites at IUB and then apply for admission to the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) at IUPUI (IU's Indianapolis campus) to complete the OT Master of Science (MSOT). Admission to the OT graduate program requires successful completion of a baccalaureate degree, prerequisite courses (which can be worked into most undergraduate degrees), and other admission criteria.

Indiana University does not offer an undergraduate OT major (most schools do not). You may choose any undergraduate major as long as you also complete the OT prerequisite courses. In any given year, the IU OT program accepts applicants from fifteen or twenty different degrees and majors.

The master's program itself, and the professional coursework, takes two full years to complete, including Summer sessions (starting second Summer session during the first year of your professional coursework), and incorporates fieldwork assignments at affiliated centers located in Indiana and other states.

IU OT admission overview

NOTE that other OT programs will have different requirements and enforce different policies. You must thoroughly research other programs in order to plan your prerequsites and other admission requirements, and the timing of your courses and the application itself.

Admission to the IU Occupational Therapy Program at IUPUI is very competitive. Job shadowing of OTs, successful completion of prerequisite coursework, and your GPA are all part of the admission process. The IU OT program does not require a personal essay, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, or an admission interview. Admission is based solely upon GPA. Most other OT programs do require some of these additional admission criteria, so plan accordingly (additional information provided elsewhere on this page).

• The minimum cumulative GPA and minimum prerequisite GPA required to apply is 3.00.
• A minimum grade of "C" is required in all prerequisites ("C-" not acceptable) to be eligible to apply.
• Important details pertaining to each admission component are provided throughout this page.

Prerequisite courses required for IU OT admission

Course numbers pertain to IUB, and prerequisite information refers only to the IU  Occupational Therapy Program at IUPUI.

Some important points to bear in mind as you plan your OT prerequisites

• Each OT program has its own set of prerequisites, and we urge you to research and apply to multiple programs. The prerequisites listed below are specifically for the Indiana University Occupational Therapy Program.
  
• Try to avoid overlapping anatomy and physiology. Students often struggle when they take these classes in the same semester.
• 5 of the 6 prerequisites must be completed by the time you turn in your application. If admitted, you must complete all prerequisites by June 1 in order to enter the program. Detailed application information provided elsewhere on this page. (Many other programs will have similar policies, which you must research in order to know by when you must complete your prerequisites)
• Statistics, anatomy, and physiology may not be more than 7 years old at time of application and entry into the program.
• Special credit: As of March 2011, the IU OT program does not accept Advanced Placement (AP) credit. Other OT programs will have their own policies. Some may not accept AP credit, credit-by-exam, or exemption from degree requirements in place of admission requirements, or may only accept such credit under specific circumstances. Check with each program to confirm its policies.
• We encourage you to meet with the Health Professions and Prelaw Center's pre-occupational therapy advisor to discuss your circumstances, career goals, researching programs, and so on.
  
• Carefully read the IMPORTANT NOTES associated with the courses listed below!

A minimum grade of "C" is required in all prerequisites ("C-" not acceptable) to be eligible to apply.

Social and Behavioral Science	Credits
** Required for those applying in Fall 2012 for admission in Summer 2013, and later ** Introductory Psychology: PSY-P 101, PSY-P 1551, or comparable course	3
** Required for those applying in Fall 2012 for admission in Summer 2013, and later ** Introductory Sociology or Introductory Anthropology: SOC-S 100 or SOC-S 101; or ANTH-E 105 or ANTH-A 105; or comparable course	3
Abnormal Psychology: PSY-P 324 1	3
Lifespan Development: HPER-F 150, EDUC-P 314 2, or PSY-P 315 1. (Some programs may require Developmental Psychology; therefore, PSY-P 315 may be a more flexible option than the other two, depending on the preferences of the programs to which you are applying. If you take Developmental Psychology, it must cover the full lifespan, birth to death.)	3
Statistics and Medical Science	Cr
Statistics: One of the following: MATH-K 300, MATH-K 310, PSY-K 300, PSY-K 310, STAT-S 300, SPEA-K 300, HPER-R 390, or equivalent statistics course 3  4	3 - 4
Human Anatomy with lab: ANAT-A 215 4	5
Human Physiology with lab: PHSL-P 215 or BIOL-P 451 (P451 - jr standing) 4	4 - 5
Medical Terminology: CLAS-C 209	2
Total preprofessional credit hours	27

 

Important prerequisite course notes (pertaining to the table above)

1. Prerequisites for PSY-P 324 Abnormal Psychology and PSY-P 315 Developmental Psychology: PSY-P 101 and 102; or PSY-P 155 (155 is generally recommended only for psychology majors); or P106 (Hutton Honors College students only).
2. EDUC-P 314 recommended prerequisite or corequisite: PSY-P 101 or P155.
3. Statistics courses generally assume proficiency at the MATH-M 014 (college algebra) level. Finite math (MATH-M 118, A118, or D116/117) is a strongly suggested prerequisite for PSY-K 300. MATH-M 119 is a required prerequisite for K310.
4. Statistics, anatomy, and physiology credit may not be more than 7 years old at time of application and start of professional coursework.

Some additional course possibilities

Here are some optional ideas for elective courses you might consider taking. (Pay particular attention to the first item below.)

• Some OT programs include biology and chemistry among their prerequisites, along with additional courses that IU OT may not require. Consult related information and resources in the Researching Accredited OT Programs section.
• SHRS suggests additional humanities and social science courses (e.g., professional writing, ethics, sociology, anthropology, history, philosophy, literature, religion, art, music, minority studies, folklore, foreign language / culture, classical studies, psychology).
• SHRS OT also suggests Interpersonal Communication (CMCL-C 122) and / or Public Speaking (CMCL-C 121). Excellent communication skills are critically important for practicing in any health profession.

 

Additional Admission Requirements

Professional conduct during the application process

As you embark upon the process of researching and applying to programs, the Health Professions and Prelaw Center wants to remind you of how critically important it is that you conduct yourself in a professional manner as you prepare for admission to professional school. Please thoroughly read and act upon the following:

It is crucial that you are polite and professional in every single contact you have with every professional school, whether by phone, in person, or via email, and regardless of whether the person with whom you are communicating is a receptionist or the Dean of Admissions at the school. Never be anything less than completely professional when contacting a program to inquire about whether they have received recommendation letters, about the status of your application, and so on. No matter how strong your credentials may be, less-than-professional behavior may be noted, and can result in your rejection by the program! Professional programs understandably bristle at unprofessional behavior, nor do they look favorably upon applicants who possess a sense of entitlement.

By the same token, if you maintain your composure in conducting business with programs, even when you are under pressure, it will reflect well on your professionalism, and can enhance your success during the admission process. (It is also of course important that you conduct yourself in a professional manner with your professors, some of whom may be writing a recommendation letter for you.)

Combine confidence with humility at all times, whether it is during informal contact, or during more formal interactions like admission interviews!

In addition, the Health Professions and Prelaw Center itself expects that all students will conduct themselves in an honest, polite, and professional manner while conducting business with our office staff, and that all students using the HPPLC Recommendation Service will abide by its established policies.

Finally, for further advice on professional etiquette and conduct, please consult the HPPLC website's section on on professionalism.

Job shadowing (clinical observation)

Job shadowing (sometimes called "clinical observation") is the best way for you to determine whether an OT career is something you wish to pursue. In addition, most health professions programs require some job shadowing, and these experiences can help build your credibility with program admission committees by showing them that you have thoroughly researched the profession. Along those lines, extensive shadowing can greatly strengthen personal statements, letters of recommendation, and admission interviews.

IMPORTANT: After you read the information below, read our Clinical Observation page for important details about how to arrange clinical observation, how to log your hours, and how to document your experiences for the benefit of your personal statement and possible admission interviews.

IU pre-occupational therapy shadowing requirement

• Prior to submitting your application, the IU OT program requires that you complete at least 12 hours total of observation and/or volunteering with either an OT or OT Assistant, in at least 3 different OT practice settings (e.g., acute care hospital, outpatient clinic, mental health center, school system),with a minimum of 1 hour spent in each of the 3 settings. Doing so will enable you to appreciate how a OT's responsibilities differ from one kind of setting to another.
  • The IU OT program requires validation for each observation. On the SHRS Admissions page, click the Required Observational Hours Form link, at the very bottom of the page.
  • Note that having substantially more shadowing can increase your competitiveness for admission to other OT programs aside from IU's.

   

Letters of recommendation

While the IU OT admission process does not require letters of recommendation, many programs do require that you submit two or three letters. Read and utilize the Health Professions and Prelaw Center resource, Gathering and Submitting Letters of Recommendation (for pre-OT, PA, and PT students).

Graduate Record Exam (GRE - revised General Test)

While the IU occupational therapy program does not require the GRE as part of the application process, many OT programs do require that you take the GRE revised General Test.

IMPORTANT: For detailed information and suggestions about when to take the GRE, preparing for and arranging to take the exam, how scores are reported, and how to decide whether or not to retake the exam, thoroughly read our page devoted to the Graduate Record Exam (GRE Revised General Test).

Personal statement / essay

General personal essay information

The IU occupational therapy program requires neither a personal statement nor application essays.

However, most OT programs do require that you submit a personal statement or personal essay (it's the same thing) with your application. Essentially, programs that do require an essay expect it to address the question, "Why did you decide to pursue the occupational therapy profession?” Therefore, you can usually use the same essay for each program to which you plan to apply. (See important suggestions and information below.)

Note: Some programs may also require you to submit written responses to additional questions during a secondary application process once you have submitted the primary application (whether through OTCAS or directly to the OT program itself). In this case, you can likely pull paragraphs or sections from your primary essay and revise them according to secondary application questions.

Essay timeline: Sometimes applicants begin generating ideas for their personal essay early on, but they usually wait until the year prior to applying before they begin in earnest to spend time writing the essay itself. Draft your essay over time; do not rush the process! The essay can carry great weight with some programs, so rushing it could undermine an otherwise strong application. We recommend that you complete your final draft close to the opening of your earliest rolling admissions cycle.

Tips for writing your essay

• Undertake clinical observation in a variety of OT environments, and follow the suggestions on our Clinical Observation page. You can use your observations as a launch pad or brainstorming tool for your personal statement, and to enhance the essay itself.
• Some programs have specific essay requirements or particular questions they want you to address, so check the web sites of individual programs to which you plan to apply. Check the same with regard to possible secondary applications.
• Most applicants find that the question, "Why do I want to be a OT?" becomes an integral part of their personal statement. Again, you should also check the web sites of individual programs for specific essay or personal statement requirements, which can vary from program to program.
• Personal statements can take many different forms, both stylistically and content-wise. One central purpose they should all share is building the applicant's credibility: it is important that you demonstrate to admission committees that you are 100% devoted to pursuing OT; that you have worked hard to develop the academic and personal skills, and gained the experience necessary, for success in graduate school; and that you are equally devoted to excelling within the profession itself.
• Following from the above points, remember that within the health professions the focus is always on service to patients; on the caregiver-patient relationship; on effective rapport-building and communication within that relationship; on working effectively with other healthcare professionals on behalf of your patient; and on patient advocacy. Some aspect of this patient-centric approach should play a role in your personal essay. In other words, not to put too fine a point on it, but it's not all about what the profession can do for you (though certainly you want to find your career personally fulfilling), it's about the patient.
• Specificity is crucial to a successful personal essay. Therefore, use your shadowing journal as a launch pad or brainstorming tool for your personal statement:
  • Recall in detail some specific OT-related volunteer experiences you might have had, and some interactions you had with a given OT while shadowing, which impacted your decision to pursue the profession, or which taught you something you did not previously know about yourself in relation to the profession. It is not mandatory that you include detailed accounts of shadowing or volunteer experiences in your essay, but most applicants find that doing so helps them demonstrate their interest in the profession, and their preparedness for embarking upon the intensive formal training process. Vagueness and over-generalization are the enemies of a strong personal essay. In fact, applicants will sometimes be as specific in their essay as, "...For instance, once, when shadowing a OT at such and such a place, I observed this and that, and here is specifically how that particular experience reinforced my understanding of the profession, my decision to be a OT, and/or my own related skills and attributes, such as this particular skill and this specific attribute." This level of specificity can greatly enhance a personal statement. It can reduce the chances that admission committees will have to read between the lines and guess what you mean, or worse, assume that you really have not thought much about your goals and your reasons for pursuing them.
• Because the average personal essay runs about 500 or 600 words, you will need to be selective and very pointed with what you choose to write about, and what you decide to describe in more detail.
• The above points all reflect another core purpose of the personal essay, and one to which most admission committees pay close attention: your ability to self-assess - to reflect upon your own experiences and draw conclusions from them about your goals, skills, and attributes; your ability to learn from your experiences; your dedication to learning from your mistakes, and your willingness to challenge your own preconceptions; your ability to effectively assess your goals and your reasons for pursing them; and, equally important, your ability to convey this information in a coherent, professional manner.
• Stylistically, it is common practice to write the personal statement from the first person (I / me) perspective. This is your opportunity to tell admission committees the three or four most important things about yourself and your pre-OT experience prior to (hopefully) the interview. In fact, you could look upon the personal essay as the interview before the interview.
• Avoid needless redundancy - repeating the same thought, sentence, or phrase, unless there is a valid stylistic or rhetorical reason for doing so.
• Along the same lines, remember that vagueness and over-generalization are the enemies of a strong personal essay. Specificity is key.
• Avoid clichés like, "I am very passionate..." Generalities and clichés can give the impression that you have not thought in detail about your reasons for pursuing the profession, and have not done a thorough assessment of the specific experiences and attributes that will enable you to be a successful graduate student, and an excellent practitioner in the profession. Generalities and cliche's tell admission committees nothing about you. You may indeed feel passionate about pursuing the profession (in fact, if you don't, you should be pursuing something else!), but you need to demonstrate how the passion developed, and how you have channeled that energy into your preparation. Do so by using specific language to describe how your shadowing, academics, and so on, clearly reflect your devotion to the profession.
• Your essay should be perfectly free of typos and spelling / grammatical errors. Some admission committees stop reading after two or three such mistakes, and literally drop the offending essay onto the "No" pile. Professionalism is crucial. Just as college is a step up from high school, graduate school is a step (or two) up from your undergraduate degree.

Admission interview

As part of the admission process, some programs will invite a select portion of their applicants for an interview. Not every program holds interviews as part of the admission process, and IU itself does not.

Whatever the interview format, expect to be asked questions that address core competencies such as communication skills, ethical and moral reasoning, professionalism, and knowledge of the profession. Here are some examples of questions you might encounter during an admission interview:

• What does an occupational therapist do? (Remember that OTs work in many different settings...)
• Why do you want to be an occupational therapist?
• Tell us about some of your OT clinical observation / shadowing experiences. What did you learn about the OT profession? How did these experiences inform your decision to pursue OT?
• Have you researched and / or shadowed in other professions? What did you learn from these experiences?
• What do you think the career prospects are for the OT profession?
• Why did you apply to this particular OT program?
• Why did you choose your particular undergraduate degree / major?
• What will you do if you are not accepted into this program? (Hint: You should be applying to a good many OT programs.)
• Are you a leader or a follower?
• How do you handle stress?
  
• What is your greatest strength?
• What is your greatest weakness? (And the sometimes unspoken question, How have you turned it into a strength, or learned from it?)
  
• Why will you be an effective OT?
• What strengths and attributes would you bring to our OT program, and into the profession?; or, How will your presence be a good addition to our OT program?
• An interviewer might present you with a theoretical ethical dilemma, and ask you to explain how you would respond if you were to find yourself in that situation.
• Do you have any questions for us? (It is not good to arrive with no questions! See pointers, below.)

If you follow our advice and apply to multiple OT programs, the pointers below can be of some help as you prepare for interviews (which usually take place in late fall or early spring):

• From the perspective of the interview committee, one central purpose of any admission interview is to determine whether you, the applicant, have done your research, and not only understand what the profession involves, but have also taken the time to become familiar with the given OT program.
• The Interviewers will also be gauging your communication skills, as well as your level of professionalism.
• Oftentimes, a certain question is posed not because there is a particular right or wrong answer, but in order for the interviewers to gauge how well you think on your feet, or to gain some insight into your thought processes, your personality, or how you might interact with peers, clients, and colleagues when the time comes.
• As you consider your responses, remember that your top priorities as a practitioner in your field will be to do no harm to your client, to act as an advocate on behalf of your client, and to conduct yourself ethically and with professionalism.
• There is always a way to respond to a question in a manner which is both honest and which illustrates your strengths (even the "What is your greatest weakness" question!).
• Before the interview, re-read your personal statement.
• Don't try to anticipate every question or memorize canned answers beforehand. Being well-prepared (by researching the profession, the schools, your reasons for choosing this career) will allow you to be spontaneous during the interview, which will in turn help you be more relaxed and natural.
• The interview is also your opportunity to ask questions about the program, and to gauge whether the program seems like a good fit for you. Research the program as part of your interview preparation, and come prepared with two or three questions you want to ask; for instance, about the program, the faculty, the clinicals. You can ask anything relevant to which there is no obvious answer to be found on the program's website, or for which you would like additional details not provided elsewhere. Going to the interview prepared in this way also shows that you are conscientious and inquisitive, two characteristics that are critical to success as both an OT student and an OT practitioner.
• Become at least somewhat familiar with the city / area in which the program is located. Oftentimes university websites post and / or link such information for prospective students. You can also roam around the city and state tourist bureau websites.
• Check the web sites of individual programs and see if they provide more specific information about the manner in which they conduct interviews. It also okay to contact programs and ask if they can tell you a little bit about the interview process. Some programs have applicants meet one-on-one with two or three different program representatives (faculty, admission directors, etc.); others have interview committees; some hold individual interviews, some hold group interviews; and so on.
• Conduct yourself professionally, and dress at least business casual! The IU Career Development Center has some useful suggestions related to manner of dress. (Focus on the section, "Suggestions for dressing business casual.")
• Bring a note pad and pen/pencil to the interview. It's okay to jot down notes, or the gist of a question you are asked, so that you have something to refer back to as you respond, if needed.
• You might bring copies of your résumé to offer during the interview. Even if they decline to take them, at least you've offered.
• It's okay, and probably advisable, to bring a bottle of water to the interview, but set it aside and don't cling to it as a nervous outlet.
• After the interview, send a brief, professorially written email thanking the admission committee for the interview, and for taking the time to answer your questions. Reiterate your interest in the program, and tell them that you look forward to hearing back from them.
  

Additional OT admission suggestions

Spend time around a variety of people

As you go through occupational therapy training, and as an inherent dimension to the profession itself, you will work with people from diverse backgrounds, ranging in age, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, and so on. It is important that as you proceed along the pre-OT path, and into the profession, that you make a conscious effort to gain experience working with and being around diverse populations. There are many ways to achieve this goal, for example: through community service, clinical observation of OTs in different settings, and participating in events or student groups at IU that tend to attract a variety of people from diverse backgrounds.

Have a Plan B

Admission to the IU OT program is very competitive. While strong academic performance can help you become a competitive applicant, it is important that you develop a "Plan B" in case your first plan derails. HPPLC advisors strongly encourage you to research the admission requirements of other OT programs and apply to at least 6 or 8. You are also welcome to call HPPLC and arrange an appointment to consult with one of our preprofessional advisors to discuss other career options within the health professions.

 

IU Occupational Therapy Program Admission Statistics

• Minimum cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 3.00 required to apply (40% of admission formula).
• Minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.00 required to apply (60% of admission formula).
• At the time of application, and, if admitted, upon entry into the OT professional program, you must have both a minimum CGPA and minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.00.
• A minimum grade of "C" (not "C-") is required in all prerequisites.
• If you are accepted into the OT program, you must earn a minimum grade of "C" in remaining prerequisite courses.

For fall 2010, of 138 applicants only 115 were qualified. 36 of the 115 enrolled in the IU OT program:

Fall 2010 Admission Statistics (approximate)	GPA
Cumulative GPA range admitted	3.21 - 3.90
Mean (average) CGPA	3.56
Prerequisite GPA range admitted	3.56 - 4.00
Mean (average) prerequisite GPA admitted	3.85

Application Information and Instructions

IU OT deadlines and requirements

IMPORTANT: Every year people apply for admission who are not eligible due to incomplete prerequisites, ineligible GPA, or errors on the application. Triple-check all admission requirements for each and every program to which you plan to apply, and research prerequisites early so you can finish them on time! Also apply early, and check with each program ahead of time to make sure your application is complete and correct. In addition, be aware of any restrictions on the timing of prerequisites (see below for an example of such a restriction, related to IU OT admission).

• Refer to the GPA information, above.
• The IU OT application is linked from the bottom of the SHRS Occupational Therapy Admissions page. Also refer to the useful Online Application Instructions, also linked from the bottom of the OT Admissions page.
• IU OT application deadline: Submit all application materials between August 1 and January 10 to allow time for processing and notification of any missing materials. All application materials are due by January 20, prior to the summer in which you anticipate beginning the OT program.
• You must have completed 5 of the 6 prerequisites at the time you turn in your application. You may take the 6th and final prerequisite in the spring semester prior to the start of the summer OT professional coursework.
  • You must complete all admission requirements, and the OT program must receive all your materials on or before June 1 (including final spring grades) in order for you to matriculate into the program.
  • Applicants who are not IU students need only complete the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences application; there is no need to complete a separate IU application.

• As part of the application, you may be asked to submit a plan for how you will complete the remaining prerequisites prior to beginning the professional program. You may then be offered admission on condition that you complete all prerequisites prior to the start of the professional program, and maintain minimum grade and GPA requirements.
• Refer to the helpful and detailed SHRS Department of Occupational Therapy FAQs. (NOTE the important qualifier under the "What should I major in?" FAQ: the "student may hold any baccalaureate degree in any major as long as the prerequisites are also met." IU OT gives no preference to one major over another; major in whatever you find most interesting!)

For programs that require the GRE, try to complete the exam at least four weeks before you plan to submit your OT applications, in case there are any delays in score reporting.

Additional application information

It is good policy to keep in touch with the people who have a say in whether or not you are admitted to a given program, so we recommend that you communicate directly with each program to which you plan to apply. You can double-check to make sure your IUB coursework will fulfill their admission requirements, ask more detailed questions about their program in particular, and so on. Always keep a log or file of all your communications with programs, and always conduct yourself with cordial professionalism in all phone calls, emails, and letters.

Some OT programs will require that you apply for admission through the Central Application Service for Occupational Therapists. OTCAS is live as of December 13, 2010. Directions for completing the OTCAS application are available for registered users.

The IU OT program may in the future require application through OTCAS, but currently does not.

Second chances (e.g., repeating courses)

• The IU School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences does honor Indiana University's "X Policy," by which you can petition to have the grade replaced if you repeat a course. SHRS will allow you to replace up to 15 credit hours of prerequisite coursework. See your IUB academic advisor to discuss the limitations of the policy, and directions on how / where to file the petition.
• Refer to the IU School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Bulletin for information about IUPUI's Academic Forgiveness Policy (i.e., Academic Bankruptcy) and related information (click the "PDF Version" link on the right of that page). Always double-check policies with the SHRS Student Enrollment Services Coordinator. Under certain circumstances, utilizing such policies may increase an applicant's competitiveness for admission to the OT program.
  

Residency / non-residency

Being an Indiana resident or a graduate of Indiana University, or submitting materials early, does not provide any advantage during the admission process.

 

Researching Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs

Applying to multiple OT programs

As a rule, most pre-OT students should make a point of researching and applying to multiple OT programs, including ones outside of Indiana or their home state. Most well-organized pre-occupational therapy students apply to 6 or 8 programs. If you are admitted to more than one program, great! Then you simply have more options. Perhaps one will offer more financial aid incentives than another, or perhaps unforeseen circumstances will make you glad you have more than one choice when the time comes. The application process can be somewhat costly; but, in the long run, if you do thorough program research, you can increase your admission opportunities, making the investment worth it.

Tips and resources for researching OT programs

Admission prerequisites, other requirements, and the level of competitiveness, vary considerably from one program to another. For example, some OT programs do not include biology and chemistry courses among their prerequisites, but some do. Research your prerequisites carefully, and double-check everything again the year before you plan to apply.

• Your GPA
  • Because you are pursuing admission to programs with moderately or highly competitive admission, it is critically important that you have a clear understanding of what both your cumulative and prerequisite GPAs are, and that you calculate a realistic estimate of what they are most likely to be at the time you apply. (The competitiveness of admission is one of the reasons we recommend that you apply to multiple programs.) To help you with the task of determining your current and possible future cumulative and prerequisite GPAs, HPPLC has assembled a page with links to a variety of GPA calculators.
  • It is also true that you need to make your decisions about where to apply based upon your own circumstances. There is not a one-size-fits-all answer in terms of which or how many programs to apply to, so feel free to meet with a HPPLC advisor to discuss your particular situation.

• Degree types
  • A master's degree is the current professional standard, and the minimum degree required for new OTs to practice in the field. You will also see lists of doctoral programs, or DOT programs. There are far fewer entry-level DOT programs than master's programs, and most people pursue the master's to begin with, though this is a matter of preference. See the American Occupational Therapy Association's FAQ 3 and 5 for more information about the master's compared to the doctoral degree.
  • In addition, you will also see lists of occupational therapy assistant programs, or OTA. OTA programs are two-year undergraduate associate's degrees. You can find additional information on the American Occupational Therapy Association site (AOTA) site, and in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

• Lists of accredited occupational therapy programs
  • We strongly recommend that you consult only the lists of programs linked below (AOTA and OTCAS). Avoid using lists found in general web searches, and avoid using lists on dot com (.com) web sites. We recommend you use only the lists on the AOTA.org and OTCAS.org sites because lists on other sites are usually incomplete, outdated, driven by marketing, and may even contain non-accredited programs. See below.
  • Utilize the list of programs on the American Occupational Therapy Association site. AOTA is the body which accredits OT programs, and provides the only official list of all accredited American OT programs (including developing and applicant OT programs - see below). You can be confident this list includes all accredited programs, and none that are not accredited or not in the process of becoming accredited.
  • The American Occupational Therapy Association also offers very useful lists of "developing programs" and "applicant programs." Developing OT programs are brand new programs that have earned provisional accreditation, and have thus begun admitting their very first OT students. Applicant OT programs are even newer than developing programs. They are still in the process of garnering provisional accreditation, and have not yet begun admitting students (but perhaps they will by the time you apply). If you combine all three lists - accredited programs, developing programs, and applicant programs - you will have a list of all current and possible future OT programs.
    • Hint: If you feel like your GPA is borderline for competitiveness, you might consider applying to a number of newer OT programs, including developing programs (ones that have been granted provisional accreditation). These new programs are usually less competitive than more established programs. All OT programs must attain "provisional accreditation" as part of the process of attaining "full accreditation." When a programs has been granted provisional accreditation, it means it has been approved by AOTA to admit its first class of OT students. By this point, the program has undergone rigorous scrutiny to assure that it has the capacity to train and graduate OTs. A program does not become fully accredited until it has graduated its first cohort of occupational therapists. Again, this step is a normal part of the accreditation process. Those who graduate from a provisionally accredited program, and pass their boards, become fully licensed OTs, whose credentials are indistinguishable from those who have graduated from more well-established programs. They have, in essence, graduated from an accredited OT program. Most employers tend not to distinguish between those who graduated from newer programs and those who graduated from more established programs.
  • The Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) supplies lots of detailed information about those programs which require application through OTCAS, including average admitted cumulative GPA and prerequisite summaries. To access this information, visit otcas.org, select Participating Programs, then click the name of the program within the listings.
• IMPORTANT: Be sure to research and consider both OTCAS and non-OTCAS programs! As of 2012, the majority of programs are still not participating in OTCAS (though more do each year).
• Note that many OT programs require biology courses among their prerequisites, along with additional courses that the IU OT program may not require.
• You should feel free to contact program representatives directly. It is wise to begin establishing a relationship with representatives of OT programs you're interested in as early as possible.

And remember to attend the spring Health Programs Fair to speak with OT program representatives. Each year, a dozen or more OT programs visit IU to meet potential applicants!

Financing your degree

For suggestions and resources related to researching scholarships and grants, consult the Health Professions and Prelaw Center page, Researching Scholarships and Educational Grants. Remember, too, that while no one wants to amass any more school debt than necessary, those who graduate from OT school are highly employable, and earn a good living through which they can quickly pay down debt.

How to decide where to apply

As with the number of programs to which you might apply, there is no one-size-fits-all with regard to which particular programs you might pursue. You will need to decide which factors are most practical or important within your circumstances as you choose where to apply.

For instance, sometimes GPA or GRE scores can prevent someone from applying to certain programs that have more competitive admission. Or it could be that class size or the faculty to student ratio is especially important to someone else. Or sometimes there are additional prerequisites for a given program, and the pre-OT student must decide whether he or she has the resources or the inclination to take them. The GPA example reflects a practical restriction, the class size example reflects a matter of preference, and the prerequisite example could be either a practical consideration or a matter of preference, depending upon the student's situation.

Below are some ideas and resources which can help you establish your own set of criteria for vetting programs:

• The HPPLC document, Questions To Ask PT OT PA Programs, is a good place to start your program research. If you wish, you can right click this link, select Save Target As..., and save a copy of the document to your computer or other device. You can then customize the list by adding, deleting, and rearranging questions to suit your needs.
• With a word of caution, we can also refer you to some resources at the IU Wells Library Graduate School page.
  • Caution: While the resources listed therein may be useful in a general sense, it is important for you to recognize that even some of the most well-known resources are not as objective as they appear to be. For example, while the rankings in US News and World Report's America's Best Graduate Schools can be somewhat interesting to look over, do not make the mistake of thinking they are particularly useful or important to helping you decide whether or not a given school or program is "good," or would be a good fit for you. Such resources should in no way prompt you to ignore schools which, for instance, are not at the top of ranking lists or Best Of lists.
• Pre-OT students often ask if the OT program they attend will make a difference in their job prospects. As long as the OT degree is from an accredited program, and it's clear through the job interview that the OT is devoted and competent, prospective employers aren't going to be too concerned with where the degree was earned. Thus, do not yourself become overly concerned with the prestige or rankings factor when deciding which programs to pursue (again noting what we said above with regard to rankings lists). Choosing a given program based on the notion that graduating from that school will have any sort of predictable and significant impact on employment options is risky; there are many unknown factors.
• One concrete factor you can use as part of your decision-making is the rate at which the graduates of a given program pass their OT certification exam. It's safe to conclude that the higher the pass rate, the better the program and/or the students it admits.

Have a back-up plan

It is not uncommon for people to change their goals and ambitions, or for circumstances to arise which impede plans or necessitate their deferral. Consider developing a contingency plan, or back-up plan, just in case. At the very least, we urge you to use available resources (e.g., our Other Health Professions page; the Career Development Center) to explore a number of career options. You might discover something you had never considered before, or, at the very least, you might confirm that the path you are on is indeed the one which best suits you.

Click the center of the video box below to play a lighthearted but informative short cartoon about the importance of contingency or back-up planning. [OUR APOLOGIES - the video will be fixed and posted as soon as possible]

HPPLC tip video: Miri wishes she had developed a contingency plan

 

Occupational Therapy FAQ

1. Q: How do I learn what occupational therapists do?
   A: Read the description of the profession; refer to our OT career section; utilize the additional OT resources; and undertake consistent job shadowing.
2. Q: What undergraduate major should I choose? Does it matter whether I earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA)?
   A: While it is easier to work the OT prerequisites into some major programs than others, you may earn your undergraduate major in anything you like as you prepare for OT. It is best to pursue a major you'll enjoy, and one you would undertake even if you weren't interested in OT. None of the types of baccalaureate degrees you can earn (e.g., BA, BS, BFA, BSW -- whatever) pose any inherent advantages or disadvantages compared to any other.
3. Q: What kind of advanced degree is required to practice occupational therapy?
   A: Refer to the OT credentialing section of this page.
4. Q: What is an OT certificate program?
   A: It is an undergraduate program which, upon completion of the academic coursework and fieldwork, awards a certificate rather than an actual degree. A number of schools still offer OT certificates and OT baccalaureate degrees, and some students choose to complete one or the other prior to entering an OT graduate program. In any case, you still need a graduate degree to become a credentialed OT. (IU has no undergraduate OT programs.)
5. Q: How do I know which OT programs are the best or highest ranked?
   A: Neither The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) nor The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) ranks programs. Accreditation itself indicates that the program is in compliance with the minimum standards established by AOTA and ACOTE. Some programs may exceed the minimum standards, but whether or not this is the case is not acknowledged by AOTA. Of course, you can research the university itself (and its "ranking") in addition to its OT program, and thus establish further criteria by which to rank your programs of interest. Refer the Researching Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs, above, and pay close attention to word of caution therein, regarding rankings lists.

 

Occupational Therapy Career Information

OT credentialing

Unless grandfathered in under previous professional certification requirements, to become a registered occupational therapist (OTR) you must earn either a master's degree (MSOT, MOT) or an OT doctorate (OTD). The master's is the more common route.

• After successfully completing the academic and clinical experiences, you would take the certification exam given by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, and thus become an OTR. The central purpose of any OT program is to train you to prepare for and pass the certification exam.
• OT graduates may also need to meet other requirements in order to earn state license / registration / certification in a given state. Graduation from the IU OT program is in May, and the NBCOT exam is offered on demand by computer.

Salary and job market information

(US Department of Labor / Bureau of Labor Statistics)

The US Department of Labor / Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that "employment of occupational therapists is expected to increase 23 percent between 2006 and 2016."

• "Median annual wages of occupational therapists were $66,780 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $55,090 and $81,290. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,820, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $98,310.
• Median annual salary in industries employing the largest numbers of OTs in May 2008: Home health care services, $74,510; nursing care facilities, $72,790; general medical and surgical hospitals, $68,100; Offices of other health care practitioners, 69,360; elementary and secondary schools, $60,020.
• As of 2008, the typical entry-level salary range for Occupational Therapy positions in Indiana was $45,000-$55,000. As a rule, wages increase with experience.
• You can do additional career and job research at
  • The US Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics's Occupational Outlook Handbook
  • The Occupational Outlook Handbook's section on occupational therapy

   

Pre-OT students often ask if the OT program they attend will make a difference in their job prospects. Refer to How to decide where to apply for some thoughts to take into consideration.

For those admitted to the IU OT program, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences holds an annual job fair to help students do job networking. Most IU OT students have two or three job offers before they graduate from the OT master's program.

 

Additional Occupational Therapy Resources

HPPLC pre-OT email list

If you are an IUB Pre-OT student and have not yet joined the Health Professions and Prelaw Center (HPPLC) pre-OT email list, we urge you to log in and do so now. It takes just seconds, and will help keep you in the loop on important announcements related to admission requirements, OT program visits to IU, the Occupational Therapy Central Application Service, the GRE, the IUB OT Club, and more.

GPA calculators

Having clear, realistic projected GPA information is especially important for preprofessional students, who are usually pursuing admission to programs with moderately or highly competitive admissions. This is one of the reasons we recommend applying to multiple programs. For examples of some useful GPA calculators, click here.

Help with anatomy

We strongly encourage you to follow the advice on the Health Professions and Prelaw Center's Human Anatomy (ANAT-A 215) Study Tips page.

Scholarships and Educational Grants

For suggestions and resources related to researching scholarships and grants, consult the Health Professions and Prelaw Center page, Researching Scholarships and Educational Grants.

IUB Occupational Therapy Club

If you are an IUB Pre-OT student, consider joining the IU OT Club, which meets two to four times each fall and spring semester. The OT Club is sponsored by the Health Professions and Prelaw Center. Among other activities, a variety of professional speakers share their OT expertise with club members, and many members also perform OT-related community service together. To join, simply attend a meeting and talk to one of the club officers, or visit the OT Club page and email one of the officers.

OT professional resources

• Centralized Application Service for Occupational Therapy (OTCAS) is required by some OT programs
• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is a good resource for exploring OT as a career
• World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) is useful for, among other things, learning about international OT career and training options
• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
  

If you are interested in other health professions that are advised through HPPLC, we encourage you to sign up for the HPPLC email list associated with your area(s) of interest. Feel free to sign up for more than one list. Also refer to the HPPLC handout, Health Professions Descriptions.

IU Occupational Therapy Program contact information

(Indianapolis campus)

Dawn Lipker
Student Enrollment Services Coordinator
IU School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
Coleman Hall 120
1140 W. Michigan St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5119
Phone: 317.274.7238
email: dlipker@iupui.edu
Web: www.shrs.iupui.edu/

 

Important

This information was prepared for Indiana University Bloomington students by the Health Professions and Prelaw Center. Please note that specific requirements and policies can change at any time without notice. Students are responsible for obtaining the most current information directly from application and testing services, and the schools and programs in which they have an interest. Refer to each program's web pages, bulletins, and other publications for the most current information. Students are responsible for understanding degree course requirements, as well as other requirements, policies, and procedures related to the degree(s) they are pursuing; for enrolling in appropriate courses; for understanding IU policies/procedures; and for following through properly with regard to all of the preceding.