Occupational Therapy Requirements for Admission
Occupational therapy is a growing field, and St. Kate’s offers degree programs to further your education. They include:
- Associate of Applied Sciences in OTA
- Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT) – Direct Entry or Pre OT-Bridge
Explore the requirements for each program below.
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
While having college experience is helpful, it is not required to be eligible for our OTA program. We accept students with varying levels of education, from high school graduates to master’s degree holders.
Students interested in entering the OTA program typically come to the university by enrolling in the LIFE Core courses for one or two semesters before beginning the OTA sequence of courses. Students take LIFE Core courses as prerequisite requirements and complete most of their liberal arts and science core courses before beginning the OTA program’s courses.
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 OTA 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 the Clinical and Fieldwork Clearance Office (CFCO).
- Submission of student photos for student IDs
Note: Students who do not meet the admissions requirements above may still be eligible for provisional acceptance at St. Catherine University. Speak with an admissions counselor today to find out if you qualify.
Occupational Therapy Bridge Program Requirements
To be considered for admission to the OT Bridge Program, applicants must meet the minimum requirements.
Bridge Direct Entry Pathway Requirements
- NBCOT Certification
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for a bachelor’s or master’s degree
- St. Kate’s utilizes a holistic admissions process and will consider student applications with a 2.7 or higher GPA if they can show a progression in their academic tenure.
- Recommendation
- Current resume
- St. Catherine OTA alumni with a bachelor’s degree may be granted provisional entry.
There are no required prerequisites for applicants who are currently practicing OTAs with at least one year of experience.
Pre OT – Bridge Track Requirements
- Graduated from an institutionally accredited OTA program
- Initial or current NBCOT certification
- 2.7 Cumulative GPA from undergraduate coursework
- Additional graduate application requirements will include a resume and recommendation at
- the time of application. One year of work experience must be obtained by the start of graduate coursework.
For More Information
Contact us to learn more about our occupational therapy program requirements.