Doctor of Occupational Therapy Admissions

Application Process

Students are admitted to the Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PB-OTD) program using a holistic review process. A holistic review takes into account multiple factors about the candidate's potential for meeting the expected outcomes of the PB-OTD program, as well as their potential contribution to the educational experience of their fellow students.

There are three stages to the application process: screening, record review and interview. 

1. The screening stage (Graduate Admissions) involves a holistic review of the applicant’s full academic record (including GPA), prerequisites and observation hours as listed below. After the screening stage, qualified applicants will be moved to the records review stage.

2. The records review stage (OT Department) involves an in-depth, holistic review of the applicant’s file, including but not limited to academics, experiences, personal statement, letters of recommendation and resume. After this stage, the most qualified candidates will be admitted, or an interview may be required.

3. The interview stage (if required) involves an interview with the OT Admissions Committee.

There are three potential outcomes of the application process: 1) acceptance, 2) conditional acceptance, or 3) denial of admission. An applicant may be denied admission at any stage of the process.

Based on this holistic process, merit scholarship allocations are determined and will be offered to select candidates at the time of admission. No additional documentation is required to be considered for merit awards.

Note: A student with a prior history of dismissal from any of the programs within the QU Occupational Therapy Department is ineligible for admission. 

Application Timeline

Students are admitted to the Post-Baccalaureate OTD program on a rolling basis. As the program begins annually in the fall semester, applications are accepted until June 1 of the same year the applicant plans to matriculate. The most qualified candidates are admitted. Applicants are notified of their acceptance on a rolling basis. All notices will be received by July 1.

How to Apply

All prospective OTD students, internal or external to Quinnipiac, must apply through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS).

All application materials, including official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, letters of recommendation, letter of intent, etc. should be submitted directly to OTCAS.

The deadline for a complete application to OTCAS is June 1. Quinnipiac does not require a supplemental application.

Apply on the OTCAS website

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree prior to matriculation into the program. 

• A minimum GPA of 3.0 in all post-secondary coursework.

• A minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 with a grade of C or better in each prerequisite course. 

• A minimum of 20 verifiable observation hours in the past 3 years. These hours may be completed in a combination of traditional/clinical and non-traditional/non-clinical settings and patient/client populations. 

Candidates should complete the observation hours verification form (PDF)

• Three letters of recommendation, with at least one from an academic adviser or faculty member and at least one from a supervisor in an employee or volunteer capacity.

• Supplemental personal statement that includes reasons for pursuing the Post-Baccalaureate OTD at Quinnipiac and examples of personal attributes as well as professional and academic experiences that demonstrate capacity for rigor of doctoral studies and future success as a well-rounded occupational therapist and leader. 

• Resume or curriculum vitae.

• Applicants must have access to the technology devices needed for online or hybrid courses that are interwoven throughout the curriculum. Courses labeled DE or HY indicate that they are delivered in part or whole as online. Students should be knowledgeable in utilizing technology software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, video conferencing (Zoom, Microsoft Teams) and email communication. Information on recommended computing devices and software may be accessed through information technology services.

• Up to 6 graduate transfer course credits from another occupational therapy program may be considered in place of a similar course(s). Courses must have been completed with a grade of B or better at another regionally accredited institution. Courses must be at the same level (i.e., an undergraduate course may not be transferred in place of a graduate-level course) and taken within the past three years. Transfer credit is granted upon admission to the program only. The course description, syllabus and a copy of the transcript with a request for transfer credit must be sent/emailed and approved by the program director.  A possible competency test may also be required.

• Quinnipiac University has a strong commitment to the principles and practices of diversity. It is committed to providing equal educational opportunities and full participation for students with disabilities. No qualified student will be excluded from participation in any university program or be subject to any form of discrimination based on disability. Quinnipiac University recognizes its obligations to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, hereafter referred to as ADA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, hereafter referred to as Section 504. Statements on Nondiscrimination and Compliance

Applications are reviewed once all the required materials have been received. It is your responsibility to ensure the missing documents are received prior to the stated admissions deadline. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.

PB-OTD Prerequisites

The PB-OTD prerequisite courses are as follows:

1. Biological Sciences

   • Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab (4 credits)

   • Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (4 credits)

2. Quantitative Literacy

   • Statistics, Biostatistics or Statistics for Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)

   • An additional 3 credit math or science-based course, such as: Pre-calculus or calculus, Advanced Statistics, Quantitative Research Methods, Physics or Biomechanics, Kinesiology or Exercise Physiology, General Chemistry or Organic Chemistry, Neuroscience, Genetics

   • Other quantitative math and science-based courses to fulfill this requirement can be considered upon request with syllabus review.

3. Social Sciences

   • Lifespan Development including Child Development and Adult Development (3-6 credits)

   • Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)

   • Sociology or Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)

In order to be credited, prerequisites must meet the following conditions:

1. Prerequisites must be completed within 10 years of application from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher learning. For students whose credentials were received from a foreign institution, submit an academic equivalency evaluation from a credentialed agency 

2. Each prerequisite course must be completed with a grade of C or better.  Each prerequisite course may only be repeated once.

3. For prerequisite courses with a separate lab course grade (e.g., Anatomy and Physiology), the lecture and lab components will be weighted and calculated based on credit hour, and recorded as a single course grade.

4. At the time of application, up to two prerequisite courses (excluding labs) may be in progress or pending but must be completed by August 1 before starting the PB-OTD program. Qualified candidates whose prerequisites are in progress or pending may be granted conditional acceptance until all prerequisites are satisfactorily met. 

The following courses are not required but strongly recommended: 

• Coursework on the disease process (e.g., Pathophysiology, Human Health and Disease, Biology of Aging, etc.)

• Coursework on health systems, health policy or leadership

• Coursework in Humanities such as philosophy, logic, ethics and courses on Western thought and ideas

Required Documents

1. Application form completed through OTCAS

2. Personal statement (required by OTCAS)

3. Supplemental personal essay (required by Quinnipiac Occupational Therapy)

4. Official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate and professional schools attended, uploaded through OTCAS

5. Three letters of recommendation, uploaded through OTCAS

6. Observation hours (20) that are verified in an official letter from the supervising occupational therapist with contact information

Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.

Quinnipiac University supports equality of educational and employment opportunity. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnic or national origin.