The Early Assurance pathway recognizes Shawnee State University students who demonstrate strong academic performance and a commitment to occupational therapy. Students accepted into the Early Assurance pathway receive a conditional offer of admission and an assured seat in the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program, contingent upon successful completion of all progression requirements.
Early Assurance provides students with a seamless transition into graduate study while maintaining the academic and professional standards expected of future occupational therapists.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the Early Assurance pathway, students must:
- Be enrolled in an approved Shawnee State University Pre-MOT pathway.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Complete 20 volunteer hours supervised by a licensed occupational therapist (OTR/L) before applying to the Early Assurance pathway;
- Complete 20 additional volunteer hours before beginning MOT coursework (40 total hours required prior to enrollment); and
- Submit a completed Volunteer Evaluation Form from the supervising occupational therapist: Volunteer Evaluation Form
Application Requirements
Applicants seeking Early Assurance admission must:
- Apply to the Early Assurance pathway upon completion of 60 semester credit hours;
- Submit a complete MOT application during their junior year or after completion of 90 or more college credit hours;
- Submit all required MOT application materials by the published application deadline; and
- Submit the required program deposit by the stated deadline to guarantee their seat in the MOT program.
Application Deadline
Priority Deadline: December 1
Applications submitted after December 1 may be considered based on seat availability.
Conditional Admission and Assured Seat
Students selected for the Early Assurance pathway will receive a conditional offer of admission to the MOT program. The conditional offer provides students with an assured seat in the MOT cohort, provided all progression requirements are successfully completed.
Students admitted through the Early Assurance pathway will not be required to apply through a centralized application system and may apply directly to Shawnee State University's MOT program.
Progression Requirements
Students who successfully meet all progression requirements will retain their assured seat and transition into the MOT program.
To maintain the conditional admission offer and assured seat, students must:
- Successfully complete all prerequisite coursework required for admission to the MOT program;
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5;
- Achieve a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0, with a grade of ‘C’ or higher in each prerequisite course;
- Have no more than two prerequisite courses outstanding at the time of application;
- Successfully complete all remaining prerequisite coursework prior to the start of the MOT program;
- Complete all required volunteer experience and documentation;
- Submit all required application materials and deposits by the stated deadlines; and
- Meet all progression requirements established by the MOT program at the time of transition into graduate study.
Failure to satisfy progression requirements may result in rescission of the conditional admission offer and forfeiture of the assured seat.
For questions regarding the Early Assurance pathway, please contact:
Graduate Admissions
(740) 351-4778
gradadmissions@shawnee.edu