OTA Requirements and Prerequisites
While having college experience is helpful, it is not required to be eligible for our OTA program requirements. We accept students of varying education levels, from high school graduates to master’s degree holders.
Students interested in entering the OTA program typically come to the University as LIFE Core (also referred to as liberal arts and science, LAS, or general) occupational therapy assistant students one or two semesters before beginning the OTA sequence of courses. LIFE Core occupational therapy assistant students take prerequisite requirements and complete most of their LIFE Core requirements before beginning OTA program courses.
University Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the University, you must meet the following minimum requirements:
- A high school diploma or passing GED® exam score
- A minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.5, or
- College credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, if applicable
OTA Program Requirements
After admission to the University, students must complete an Intent to Major form the term before beginning the professional sequence, which involves meeting the following requirements:
- An overall institutional GPA of 2.5
- A cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5
- No more than two LIFE Core courses remaining to be completed with OTA coursework
- Completion of all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C
- No more than three prerequisite courses may be “In Progress” and must be completed before beginning OTA coursework
- Please note that if the minimum grade is earned in all courses, the prerequisite GPA will be below 2.5.
- Completion of all program and university immunizations
- Please note: All students in the health professions programs (including the OTA online program) must submit immunization documentation. Program and University policies address the immunization requirements for healthcare students in fieldwork and clinical settings and reflect current laws, the requirements of our clinical partners, and CDC guidelines. For further information, contact the program director or [email protected].
- Submission of student photos for student IDs
OTA Prerequisites
We require the successful completion of four prerequisite courses for admission into the OTA program with a grade of C or better (minimum GPA of 2.5). You can take these prerequisite courses online through our university independently or with the OTA program’s LIFE Core courses. All prerequisite courses must be taken for a letter grade except for Medical Terminology, which can 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.
For More Information
Contact us to learn more about our OTA requirements.