In addition to meeting university admission criteria, applicants must have successfully completed the following prerequisites in addition to or in conjunction with a baccalaureate degree in any area of study.  Applicants are encouraged to work with Occupational Therapy faculty for academic advising to ensure that a plan for completing prerequisite requirements is developed before applying to the MOT program.  Academic advising to select a baccalaureate degree best suited to the applicant's interests and skills is STRONGLY advised.  Admissions will be processed and handled through the Department of Occupational Therapy.  Students admitted into the program will begin coursework fall semester.

*NOTE:  Applicants are NOT required to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant, or earn an associate's degree in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, to apply to the MOT program. 

 PREREQUISITES FOR MOT PROGRAM:

Social and Behavioral Sciences: (3 or 4 unit course in each of the following, beyond introductory level)

1.   Developmental Psychology or Human Development (must cover lifespan)

2.   Abnormal Psychology

3.   A course in adult development and aging is required

4.   Sociology or Cultural Anthropology

Natural Sciences: (3 or 4 unit course in each of the following; upper division level of physical sciences within five years prior to admission to program).

1.   Human Anatomy with cadaver lab

2.   Neuroanatomy with lab

3.   Human Physiology with lab

4.   6 (semester) or 8 (quarter) hours Physical Sciences.

Other course work: (3 or 4 unit course in each of the following)

1.   Medical Terminology

2.   Statistics

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0.  Provisional admission may occur for students with less a 3.0 undergraduate GPA if students demonstrate the potential to successfully engage in graduate level coursework. Students with provisional admission may be required to repeat prerequisite coursework, and must achieve 3.0 GPA in their first semester of graduate work.  Students must complete a specific application form when applying to the program.  Applicants with overall Undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0 are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and obtain a score at the 50th percentile or above in each area.  GRE scores (if required), volunteer hours, references and a handwritten reflective analysis are required with the application.

Admission packets are available to applicants.   Applicants are encouraged to contact the Department of Occupational Therapy at any time for advising and information about applying to the MOT program.  Contact us at:  motadmissions@shawnee.edu

Clinical placement availability and classroom space (shared with an OTA program) limit the number of students admitted to the MOT program.  As such, an advisory panel of local occupational therapists and the Admission Committee Faculty determine selection criteria.  The criteria assist in selecting students who are able to successfully complete the program. Students often ask what criteria are used. The criteria identified below are used during the review of applications. 

The MOT program will accept 20 students per year.  

All applicants must meet the minimum criteria as stated in the University Catalog as well as complete application materials to  the Master of Occupational Therapy Program. All applicants receive a numerical score in four areas.  Each area is weighted as one fourth of the total points.

Area 1:  20% - Volunteer evaluation (applicants need 40 hours).  The volunteer evaluation is given a numerical rating based on the quality of the evaluation.  Students who do not waive their right to review the volunteer evaluation will have a significant reduction in the scoring of the evaluation.  This is due to potential reluctance of the reviewing therapist to make unfavorable comments. 

Area 2:  50% - Grade point average, minimum GPA of 3.0 from previous baccalaureate degree.  In addition, prerequisite courses must meet a minimum of 3.0.  Grade point average will be based on these determinations and averaged per individual students and given a score.  Applicants with overall undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0 are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and obtain a score above the 50th percentile.  

Area 3:  20% - Reflective analysis of the applicant’s volunteer experience.  The writing sample is scored blindly and independently by the Admission Committee faculty. These scores are averaged.

Area 4:  10% - Each application must be accompanied by two references from individuals with a history of knowledge about the applicant.