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How to apply:

To be considered for admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, the following items must be submitted to the Office of Admissions by April 1:

1. Apply for Admission to Shawnee State

Apply for Admission

*NOTE: If applying to the SSU OTA Program on the Southern State Community College Campus, you must also apply for admission to SSCC.

2. Submit the Health Science Application

Health Science Application

3. Send Admissions your high school transcript or GED.

Talk to your high school guidance counselor to have your transcript sent to us by email (admissions@shawnee.edu), by fax (740) 351-3111, or by mail to:

Office of Admission
Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-4344

4. Send Admissions your ACT/SAT scores.

If you have a copy of your report, email it to admissions@shawnee.edu. Your high school counselor may also be able to include your ACT/SAT score on your transcript.

Office of Admission
Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-4344

You may also contact ACT or College Board to have your scores officially sent to Shawnee State. If you listed Shawnee State at the time that you took your test, you’re good to go. We will receive your scores automatically.

5. Other requirements:

  • Send Admissions your Official College Transcripts (if applicable)
  • Complete Algebra, Biology and Chemistry with grade of 'C' or better
  • ACT composite of 18 or greater (or 20 hours of prior college credit hours)
  • Complete OTA Program Observation Hours Form (PDF) (20 observation hours required)
  • If accepted, attend mandatory OTA orientation

We are fortunate to have a large number of talented students seeking admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program each year. Unfortunately, clinical placement availability and classroom space limit the number of students admitted to the professional phase.

As such, an advisory panel of local OTs and OTAs assisted the OTA faculty in determining selection criteria. The criteria have been effective in selecting students who are able to successfully complete the program.

All applicants must meet the minimum criteria as stated in the University Catalog as well as complete application materials to both the University and the Occupational Therapy Program by April 1 of the year preceding desired admission to the professional courses. All applicants receive a numerical score in three areas. Each area is weighted as one third of the total points.

Area 1 (one third weight)

Volunteer reference (applicants need 20 hours). The volunteer reference is given a numerical rating based on the quality of the reference. Students who do not waive their right to review the volunteer reference may have points deducted prior to rating the reference. This is due to potential reluctance of the reviewer to make unfavorable comments.

Area 2 (one third weight)

Autobiography/Personal Statement writing sample. The writing sample is scored blindly, and independently by two faculty members. These scores are averaged.

Area 3 (one third weight)

Grade point average based on previous High School and/or College coursework. College level algebra, biology and chemistry receive .5 points higher than high school level. College level course work overrides high school course work. In instances where a student may have more than one college course which meets the prerequisite, the higher grade will be used in calculating the GPA.

Points for all 3 areas are each scored on a 0-4 point scale and totaled on an Excel Spreadsheet.  Students are selected from the highest points down the list to fill the number of seats available for that cohort.

Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.

The program accepts an average of 25-30 qualified students per year.

Need help?

If any questions regarding the application process please contact:

Kim Moore, Director
Kricker Hall, Room 172
(740) 351-3770
kmoore@shawnee.edu

Lisa Whitten, Site Coordinator, Southern State Community College
Office adjacent to Classroom 103, Central Campus, Southern State Community College
lwhitten@shawnee.edu

Kelley Frantz, Academic Administrative Assistant
Kricker Hall, Room 101A
(740) 351-3169
kfrantz@shawnee.edu