Doctor of Occupational Therapy Admission Requirements

Statement of Alignment of the College and Program’s Mission and Vision 

The Wilson College Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program admissions process reflects the institution’s mission to empower students as critical thinkers, ethical leaders, and agents of justice. We seek candidates who demonstrate academic excellence, cultural responsiveness, and a commitment to service, values central to both Wilson College and the OTD program. By incorporating holistic admission criteria such as personal statements, recommendations, and interviews, we ensure the selection of future occupational therapists who embody integrity, inclusivity, and leadership. Our recruitment efforts prioritize accessibility for all prospective students, aligning with Wilson College’s vision to transform lives and create possibilities. Through this process, we cultivate a student body prepared to lead, innovate, and advocate for meaningful change in healthcare.

Application Requirements

All applications must be completed online through OTCAS.

Degree Requirements 

Students that are accepted into the OTD program must meet the following admissions criteria prior to beginning coursework:

• Applicants are required to hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to the start of the program.
• Transcripts must be submitted from all institutions attended.   

GPA Requirement   

• A cumulative GPA minimum of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.   
• A prerequisite coursework GPA minimum of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale is required.  
• A verified grade of a C or greater is required for all prerequisite courses.  

If a cumulative GPA is less than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, an applicant may still be eligible for admission if a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater has been achieved with the last 60 credits of coursework.  

Pass/Fail grades are generally not accepted for fulfilling prerequisite courses, except for those taken during Spring 2020.  
 

Prerequisite courses  

• Anatomy and Physiology I and II (with lab components; 8 credits; must have been completed within 7 years of application)
• Developmental Psychology (must cover the entire lifespan; 3-6 credits)  
• Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
• Sociology or Anthropology (with a cultural component preferred; 3 credits)  
• Statistics (3 credits)  
• Medical Terminology (1 credit)

If Anatomy and Physiology I and II were completed more than seven years ago, students are required to enroll in an Anatomy and Physiology Bootcamp offered by the institution and achieve a passing grade of 75% or higher.

IB (International Baccalaureate), AP (Advanced Placement), or CLEP (College Level Examination Program) courses will not meet the prerequisite requirements.

Letters of Recommendation 

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation. These letters should offer insight into your potential for success in a doctoral-level program. They should be written by individuals who can objectively assess the applicant’s qualifications, such as professors, workplace supervisors, academic advisors, supervisors of volunteer work, or professional colleagues. Please note that recommendations from family members or friends are not acceptable.  

Experience

Applicants should clearly document relevant involvement in volunteer work, paid work, or leadership experiences. In addition, a minimum of 20 observation hours is required. Applicants can complete these hours through in-person observation with a licensed occupational therapy practitioner or via virtual observation through a platform such as Simucase or ClinEdWeb.  

Please note that individuals who have worked as an occupational therapy assistant or a rehab aide may be exempt from observation hour requirements.   
 

Personal Statement 

Applicants are required to write a personal statement addressing why they selected occupational therapy as a career and how the degree relates to their immediate and long-term professional goals.   

Technical Standards

 Applicants must attest that they meet the technical standards necessary to perform effectively in the program.   

Interview

An interview is required. Applicants meeting the requirements will be invited to complete an interview by the Admissions Committee.

Transfer Credit Policy

The Wilson College Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program does not accept transfer credits from other occupational therapy programs to fulfill any coursework or degree requirements within the program.

Additional Information 

Non-native speakers of English who did not graduate from an English-speaking institution of higher learning will be required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Candidates will be required to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (internet-based) or higher, or an International English Language System (IELTS) score of 7 or higher.