St. Kate’s Occupational Therapy Prerequisites
Occupational therapy prerequisites play a crucial role in preparing students with the foundational knowledge needed to thrive in the core OTA curriculum components. We also know, however, that our students come from varying academic backgrounds and lifestyles. That’s why St. Kate’s developed our Life Core sequence to supplement the education of students entering the program with a high school diploma or limited college experience. Prerequisite courses can be taken online through our university independently or with the OTA program’s LIFE Core courses.
A St. Kate’s admissions counselor will work with you to plan the best way to complete any outstanding prerequisites within your preferred timeline.
OTA Prerequisites
We require the successful completion of four prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better (minimum GPA of 2.5) for admission into the OTA program. All prerequisite courses must be taken for a letter grade, except Medical Terminology, which may be taken for a pass/fail grade.
Admission Requirements
| Course | Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2400* | General Anatomy and Physiology with Lab | 4 |
| IPE 1020 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| PSYC 1000 | General Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC 2020* | Lifespan Development Psychology | 4 |
| Total | 13 |
*These prerequisites must be completed within the last five years.
Prerequisite course repeats will be considered when calculating your prerequisite GPA.
If you have previous college experience and completed one or more prerequisite courses, an admissions counselor can help you determine if your credits are transferable.
OT Bridge Prerequisites
For OTAs with at least one year of experience who wish to pursue a master’s degree through St. Kate’s Occupational Therapy Bridge Program do not need to complete prerequisites. See the admission requirements page for details about eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer prerequisite courses from another college?
St. Kate’s accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions to fulfill the prerequisite and LIFE Core course requirements. An admissions counselor can help you determine how many of your previous college credits transfer over.
Do my prerequisite courses have to be completed before I apply?
No, not all your prerequisite courses need to be completed before submitting your application. St. Kate’s allows candidates to have up to three prerequisite courses in progress at the time of submission; they must be completed, however, before beginning OTA coursework.
Can I take prerequisite courses through St. Kate's?
All prerequisite and LIFE Core courses are offered through St. Kate’s. In fact, the university encourages students to take outstanding perquisite and LIFE Core courses at St. Kate’s to help them become familiar with the e-learning platform and make it easier for admissions counselors to track their progress.
Do prerequisite science courses expire?
Yes, if taken through another institution, OTA prerequisite credits must have been completed within the past five years before the start of the professional sequence.
Can I repeat a prerequisite course to improve my GPA?
Prerequisite repeats are considered in the calculation of your prerequisite GPA.
For More Information
Contact us to learn more about our occupational therapy prerequisites.