Doctor of Occupational Therapy Admissions Requirements
Admissions RequirementsPrerequisite Coursework
Students who hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least at 3.0 on a 4.0 scale may apply to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program permitting the prerequisite courses are completed prior to beginning the graduate level coursework. Students will not be required to submit GRE scores. GPAs will be calculated by OTCAS. All undergraduate and graduate course work is included in cumulative grade point average calculations.
Completion of required prerequisites with a GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. No more than two (2) prerequisites may remain outstanding by the November application deadline, with verified enrollment in outstanding coursework. In addition, any outstanding prerequisite must be completed prior to matriculation into the program.
Prerequisite Coursework Requirements:
- Human Anatomy with lab required
- Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology
- Human Physiology (with lab preferred)
- Life Span/Human Growth and Development
- Statistics (must include inferential)
- Introductory Psychology
- Introductory Sociology or Introductory Anthropology
- Medical Terminology
- Introductory Physics OR Physical Science/Biomechanics/Kinesiology
All prerequisite courses must be a minimum of 3 credit hours with the exception of Medical Terminology, which is a minimum 1 credit hour. Coursework must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or higher. All science courses must be at a level for science majors and should include a lab.
Retaking Prerequisite Courses: Students are approved to retake up to 15 credit hours of prerequisite courses. The higher letter grade will be used to calculate the prerequisite GPA. Cumulative GPA will include all prerequisite courses completed.
We review each candidate's full academic history to determine eligibility for the program. A degree must be earned from a regionally accredited institution, and we will determine transfer of graduate credits on a case-by-case basis for advanced placement courses. Please note, we do not grant course credit for experiential learning (e.g. military, internship or volunteer), accept transfer credit from other institutions, or grant course credit for previous occupational therapy coursework form another OT program.
Start your application
Applications for 2025 are now open!
Important dates
| Task | Deadline or date |
|---|---|
| Interviews Begin | September 13, 2024 |
| Priority Deadline | November 15, 2024 |
| Final Deadline | April 19, 2025 |
Qualified applicants are eligible for live, virtual interviews beginning in September.
VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSIONS
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the program director and advisor to ask questions about our curriculum and admissions process.
Learn More About Occupational TherapyExplore Our Program
A career in occupational therapy offers a diverse range of opportunities and experiences. Occupational therapists work with people across the lifespan in an array of settings, both in the clinic and beyond. Occupational therapy leads to improved health, improved quality of life, greater engagement in meaningful activities, and positive health outcomes.
How to Apply
- Submit an application through OTCAS. Applicants do not need to complete a separate JU application.
| Application Opens | August 1, 2024 |
| Priority Deadline | November 15, 2024 |
| Final Deadline | March 1, 2025 |
Priority admission offers will be released in early December. Applications received after the priority deadline will be scheduled for interviews and receive admissions decisions later in the Spring. The top 75 applicants will be offered an opportunity to interview determined at the time of application deadline based on overall cumulative GPA and prerequisite GPA. The final admission ranking will incorporate an interview score and applicants will be re-ranked with offers for admission extended to the top 28 applicants.
A career as an Occupational Therapist involves working with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds, ages, and ability levels, as well as handling confidential information. In an effort to ensure that the profession is made up of individuals of integrity, those applying for certification as an OT must answer questions regarding their criminal background. A history of offenses may impact your ability to become certified in the future. Additionally, as a student, offenses may also inhibit your ability to complete the necessary practicum hours to graduate. All students accepted into Jacksonville University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program must successfully complete an unencumbered background check and drug screening. Offenses listed on a background check may result in your offer of acceptance being revoked.
Additional Application Requirements
In addition to the prerequisite coursework, applicants must also complete a minimum of 30 hours of observation with an occupational therapist. The 30 hour total must be completed in two (2) different settings (hospital, school system, home health, clinic, etc.). Use the JU OTD observation form to document your work. Students in the program must complete all Level II fieldwork and experiential requirements within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program.
International Applicants must meet all Jacksonville University International Student Admission Criteria as outlined in the JU Catalog, including English Proficiency including TOEFL (minimum score of 650 for paper, 280 for computer, and 114 if Internet based) or IELTS requirement of 8.0 if the applicant's primary language is not English.
The admissions process for the OTD program includes the use of a rubric. The rubric categories include a cumulative grade point average (CGPA), prerequisite coursework grade point average (GPA), and an in-person interview consisting of a faculty member and practitioner pair. The review committee consists of full-time OTD faculty members, all of whom are doctorally prepared with decades of experience within the occupational therapy field.
Title IX: Jacksonville University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age in its programs and activities. The following person(s) has/have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Allana Forte, Director Human Resources 904-256-7025
Kristie S. Gover, Ed.D., Chief Student Affairs Officer/Title IX Coordinator 904-256-706
Request for Information
Contact Information Occupational Therapy
Phone: (904) 256-7000
Email: graduateadmissions@ju.edu